Chapter Seven #3
She looked back at the bed and smiled. Xeti had pried the webbing off, and she laughed. “Okay, so it has shock value but not lasting impact.”
Xeti laughed. “You have no idea how relieved I am that it is the case. I don’t particularly like restraints.”
She shrugged. “Well, I am going to take my damp and pasty ass over to the palace, see if I can weasel some coffee out of someone, and then head over to find Hara and Eden.”
Xeti nodded. “We will meet you there.”
Rache nodded, kissed Terus quickly, and then headed downstairs, where a covered treat buffet was taking place. Deno was there and handed her coffee. “Late night?”
“Early morning. Just need to bolt down some coffee before I go to the palace.”
“Take a bag of pastries.”
“Thanks. I don’t suppose you have any fruit smoothies.”
He grinned and opened a fridge. “How many do you need?”
“Three. Me, Eden, and Hara. She’s going to need a boost.”
He got her the care package, and she nodded and headed up the road toward the palace.
She suspected that the other two would be behind her in a few minutes, but it wasn’t like she could escape them. It was an island.
The walk was nice, and she sipped at her coffee as she walked toward the palace. The place was lit up, and a lot of locals were clogging the entrances. Rache said, “Excuse me, or I start kicking.”
There was a laugh from upstairs. Eden’s floating voice said, “Get up here, Rache.”
The crowd parted, and Rache sipped her coffee and headed inside. She crossed the room, walked past Kekoa, and up the stairs. Alohi was next to him and fretting. Rache snorted and continued to the room, where Narro held the door for her. “She’s been waiting for you.”
Rached walked in, and Eden said, “We need the straps on the ceiling.”
Haravin was grinning and sweaty, slowly dancing against Eden. “As soon as this guy is out of me, I want that pastry.”
Rache looked around, found cross joists, and created the web panels. She hung from them and nodded. “We are good over here. It will hold.”
Eden walked back with her and said, “Can you do support?”
Rache walked behind Haravin and slid her arms under her friend’s arms. Haravin was sweaty and exhausted but determined. Rache held her as she dropped into a squat while Eden lay on her side. She grinned. “He’s on the way. Do what you need to, Hara.”
Rache focused on being support as Hara rocked, leaned, and sweated through the next few minutes. Suddenly, she gasped, and Eden moved fast, catching and bringing the baby to Haravin’s breast.
The squinting eyes looked at Rache over his mother’s shoulder. Rache looked at him and saw the even breathing. Eden waited for the cord to stop pulsing and tied it off at the baby and asked, “Rache, I don’t suppose you have...”
Rache leaned forward and snipped her claws, cutting through the human tissue. The placenta was set aside after being checked for completion, and Rache smiled. “Eden can hold the baby, and we will get you a clean gown and a shower. Not necessarily in that order.”
Haravin grinned and handed the baby over. “No one holds him until I am out.”
Rache got her friend into the pack shower and took care of her. “As soon as you are settled, Eden is going to be sent for a nap.”
Haravin chuckled. “You are staying?”
“I am. You will hold him, Kekoa will hold him, and if Alohi makes a move toward him, I will pierce far more than his ear or just web him to the wall.”
Haravin wobbled a laugh-cry. “I am so glad you two were here for me.”
“It was our pleasure. Seriously. This is a huge moment for you. You have a baby.” Rache grinned and wrapped Haravin in a drying cloth before working on her hair.
In six minutes, Haravin was dressed in a fresh dress with an absorbent pad and installed in the pack bed with the baby in her arms.
Eden had the placenta wrapped up in cloth, and Rache walked over to the door. She opened it and said, “Kekoa, you have weirdly strong genetics. You can meet him now.”
He bolted toward her, and she let him into the room but stepped outside and stopped Alohi.
She said, “You are part of their pack, but you are an uncle, not a parent. This moment is for them, and you will have your own with Narro at your side.”
Alohi stiffened and said, “I am the pack omega. I am Kekoa’s omega.”
Rache put her hand on his shoulder. “And I am the arachnid omega. I do not have a place inside until invited. It is not my baby.”
Alohi blinked. “Oh.”
“They need time to bond, and your instincts are not particularly interested in sharing Kekoa. He and his son need to form a connection before you fight for attention against an infant. Haravin will share with you, but you will give them this moment, or I will web you to that wall and leave you there.” She smiled and looked at him, letting her eyes black over.
He cringed and said, “Can I wait here?”
“Of course. I will wait with you.”
“Why do they need to bond?”
“Babies know their parents by scent, and so do the parents. Haravin just laboured for nearly a day to bring him out. She’s tired.
She’s vulnerable and can’t put up with any demands.
Are we clear? You will treat her like she’s a precious jewel, or maybe bring her some flowers or a nice dress.
Her body is going to continue recovering for weeks.
She will be insecure, there may be smells, and negativity is not something that will help her get back on her feet, emotionally.
This place has already done a number on her.
She needs nothing but support and kindness. ”
Alohi seemed like he was understanding. When an exhausted Eden opened the door, Narro was waiting as well. “Rest of the pack can come in. Narro, take care of her.”
Eden came out and let the guys in. Kekoa was sitting next to Haravin, his hand around her shoulder and the other resting on the baby.
Kekoa had tears in his eyes, and Hara looked at Narro and Alohi. “Come on in. This is Harkoa.”
Narro bowed and said, “My prince.”
Kekoa laughed and hiccoughed a little. He blinked. “Alohi, Narro, this is my son.”
Narro smiled and reached out to touch the cheek, and Alohi took the little hand. “He’s very pretty.”
Haravin snorted. “He has a remarkably large head.”
Kekoa laughed. “I am very sorry about that.”
Haravin looked up and said, “Rache, get in here.”
Rache stepped inside and smiled. “Thanks for waiting, Hara. You know how much I need my sleep.”
“Did you complete your mating last night?”
Two alphas and an omega stared at her.
“We linked but didn’t consummate. We are also going to sprint in that free-running thing tomorrow. I am not sure how effective the aftercare will be.”
Narro laughed silently, and she felt the heat of two familiar bodies behind her.
Xeti put his hand on her shoulder. “Terus has healing skills. You will be fine.”
“Not until Haravin is under the care of someone with a uterus. Eden is falling asleep and needs to be in bed.”
Haravin grinned. “I am not too far behind.”
“What is your housekeeper like?”
Haravin sat up. “I’m awake.”
Kekoa kissed her temple. “Serin is on the way. She said she needs the practice.”
Alohi said softly, “I can watch over you and him. I won’t bring him out of the room, I promise.”
Haravin sighed and said, “Are you sure you can do this? When he’s hungry, if he is not here when I wake up, I will come downstairs looking for him as the statue, so I am going to punch my way through the palace.”
Alohi nodded. “I will be here or across the hall with all doors open. Narro and Kekoa are going to have to bring the bassinet and all the little clothes from the other room.”
Rache nodded. “Right, Krossos, take Eden to the bed and breakfast. She likes fruit and Danish, but then tuck her in.”
Krossos emerged from the corner and nodded, picking Eden up and stepping back into the shadows with her.
Narro grinned. “He’s a show off.”
Rache smiled. “But effective for a solo link.”
She looked at Haravin. “May I disperse your pack?”
Her friend nodded, and the guys were all given tasks to account for the newest pack member. The diaper station needed to be set up sharpish.
Alohi took the baby and grinned. “I am an uncle.”
Haravin leaned back, exhausted. “You are an uncle, and I am tired.”
Rache helped her settle, and Terus talked to Narro for a moment. Narro smiled, and Terus knelt next to Haravin and took her hand, setting his other hand on her forehead.
Rache heard a hum and saw the colour return to Hara’s face. She sighed and rested without flickers of pain.
Rache leaned over and kissed Terus’s cheek. He looked bashful but kept going.
Alohi watched with the baby in his arms. When Harkoa snuffled, he looked toward Haravin. She slept on.
Rache went around the room and tidied up. As an afterthought, she yanked the webbing down from the ceiling and wadded it up. Xeti came to her and took the webbing. He unfurled it and created a sling of silky webbing.
The guys brought in the low bassinet so the baby would be within easy reach. Blankets weren’t needed, but tiny diapers and smocks for the baby were brought in and stored in a small chest.
When the baby started to squeak in earnest, Haravin stretched, sat up, and held her hands out. Alohi brought the baby over and relinquished him without hesitation.
The little one started his first meal with only a few false starts, and Rache smiled as Serin showed up. Rache was given her freedom to see the island for the day, but she was expected back for dinner.
“Cool. I want to see if elves can surf.” Rache grinned, kissed Haravin on the forehead, and told her that she might have experienced healing.
With that done, she waved at Serin, touched the baby’s head, and headed out and down the stairs to the main floor. It was filled with locals, who were talking quietly and enjoying a communal breakfast.
Rache went to Kekoa and gave him an update as to the situation. He grinned and headed upstairs to see his baby’s first meal.
Xeti said, “Would you like to try surfing?”
She linked her arm with him and with Terus and took on her full height. “I think that sounds great. This has been a very good morning.”
They laughed and walked out as they were stared at by the population, who were slowly getting used to the dark elves in their midst.
They popped by the new shop, and Moira and Mickey were excited by the knowledge of the new prince. Rache was going to have to go to Ahheel’s for swimwear.
First, they would shop, then they would rent, and finally, they would surf. After Rache finished spitting up seawater, it would be time for lunch and a nap. She doubted she would be napping alone. She would be disappointed if she were.