Chapter 40
Ansley
I’m up in the tower again.
Failing miserably, just like I’ve done every day since I started training with my father.
“I’m done,” I sigh, grimacing as I try to stand. Lucifer rushes over to help me get to my feet. “At least for today.”
“Probably for the best. I don’t think you should be climbing the stairs anymore until you give birth. Should be any day now,” he says, steadying me until I’m able to stand on my own.
“Yes…” I say, then I feel something in my stomach. A sharp, sudden pressure that makes me gasp. A second later, warmth spreads down my legs, and I look down to see liquid pooling at my feet.
“Oh no,” I whisper, my eyes widening.
“Your water broke. Not any day. The baby is coming now,” Lucifer says, his voice calm.
“What do I do?” I cry, taking another step and holding my belly. “I can’t make it down the stairs!”
“I’ve got you, daughter. Nothing to fear,” Lucifer murmurs, no concern at all in his tone.
In one smooth motion, Lucifer scoops me up into his arms, cradling me against his chest. The next thing I know, we’re airborne. He doesn’t shift or use his wings. He just glides down the side of the tower, lands on his feet, and carries me into the castle.
“Daisy!” he yells. “Ansley’s water broke. The baby is on the way.”
“Take her to her room!” Daisy yells, running ahead. “I’m ready!”
Lucifer carries me into my bedroom and carefully places me on the bed. Daisy springs into action, undressing me and placing a cool washcloth on my head. She drapes a blanket over me for privacy, then moves to the foot of the mattress.
“My mates,” I say, looking towards Lucifer in a panic. “They should be here!”
“I’ll get them,” Lucifer assures me, walking out of the room.
“If they don’t make it in time, I’ll take care of you,” Daisy promises. “I’m officially a midwife now! Got a certificate an everything!”
“You really didn’t have to do that,” I groan, feeling a contraction. “But thank you.”
“Hey, if you can work remotely for York Financial while we’re living in this castle paradise, I can at least pick up a few things,” Daisy says, checking my vitals and then my temperature. “Besides, all the money Storm gave me got burned up. I gotta support myself somehow if we ever go home.”
“I don’t think midwife is your calling,” I laugh, trying to picture it.
“Maybe not, but you’re dilating,” Daisy says as she peeks under the blanket. “Where is my measuring thingy? It might be time for you to push.”
“I haven’t even had that many contractions,” I groan as I feel another one. “But I don’t think the baby cares,” I say, feeling my connection with her. “Nope, the baby doesn’t care at all.”
“Ansley!” Hayden roars, then I hear his thunderous steps.
“We’re in here!” Daisy calls out. “Hurry if you don’t want to miss the birth of your child!”
More footsteps pound through the castle, and I sense the entire pack. They’re all here. They rush into the room and fan out around me. Hayden looks like he wants to take over, but Daisy shoos him away. Then another contraction comes. And another. They make it hard for me to breathe.
“We’re here, mate. What do you need?” Hayden asks, clutching my hand.
“Just for the baby to come,” I groan, squeezing his hand tight enough for my nails to dig in.
The contractions get stronger, and closer together. Daisy is between my legs, carefully measuring, even though it feels like I’m already there.
“Ten, eleven, twelve centimeters. We only need ten, so push on the next contraction!” Daisy calls out.
It hits seconds later and I suck in a huge breath and push with all my might. God, it hurts so bad! I feel like I’m being torn apart. When it ends, I pant and Wyatt pats my face and forehead with a cool cloth.
“You’re going to be fine, Ansley,” Wyatt says soothingly. “The baby is ready and so are you.”
“Nothing to worry about,” Storm encourages. “You’ll probably be doing cartwheels by this time tomorrow.”
“I don’t know about that!” I cry out, pain lancing through me as the next contraction begins. Again, I try to push this baby out of my body.
“I see a head!” Remy says.
“Definitely Hayden’s kid,” Jaxton chuckles. “Look at that big head.”
“AAAArrrrgggggh!” I cry out, pushing again.
“Baby’s coming! One more big push!” Daisy calls out.
I squeeze Hayden’s hand, grit my teeth, and give it my all. The pressure gets more intense, I feel a strange sensation, and then the pain fades, and I hear a cry. My baby’s cry. My daughter’s cry.
“It’s a girl!” Daisy crows proudly, standing up, holding my child.
She quickly suctions the baby’s nose and mouth, making her cry even more, then grabs a clean, soft cloth, and cleans her up a little bit.
I lift the blanket and Daisy lays her on my chest. I wrap my arms gently around my baby’s tiny, wet body.
Daisy goes about cutting the cord and packing a towel between my legs.
My mates stand there with their jaws hanging open, in awe of the squalling newborn.
Hayden has tears pouring down his face. With a gentle smile, Daisy lifts my daughter from my arms and wraps her securely in a flannel blanket.
Our little girl immediately stops crying.
Then Daisy turns to Hayden and lays his daughter carefully in the arms of her father.
To say Hayden is stunned would be a supreme understatement.
“Congrats, handsome. You make pretty babies.” My best friend is grinning from ear to ear.
“A daughter!?” Hayden gasps, staring into his baby’s eyes. “This an incredible blessing.”
“Not just a daughter,” I say softly. “A she-wolf. I would have told you sooner if you’d let me.”
There’s a collective gasp. Everyone knows what that means. There hasn’t been a she-wolf since the Crimson Templars burned the last of them at the stake. It’s not just the future of our pack, but a promise of a future for all wolves, if there are other packs still out there.
“A she-wolf,” Wyatt whispers, astonishment in his voice. “After all these years.”
“And we already settled on a name,” I say, looking at Jaxton. “We’re going to call her Joanna, if that’s okay with you.”
Jaxton’s jaw falls opens, but no sound comes out. A tear appears in the corner of his eye, but he quickly wipes it away. “That’s beautiful, Ansley. She’ll be warrior, just like her namesake.” The huge man’s words are choked with emotion.
“When we said we’d name the baby Joanna if it was a she-wolf, I had hope… but… damn, I wish I would have let you tell me sooner. This calls for a celebration!” Hayden declares, 100% the proud papa.
“Let’s focus on making sure Ansley and Joanna are okay before you go running off celebrating,” Daisy chides, clicking her tongue. Waving the men out of the way, we work together to finish all that delivering a baby entails.
All cleaned up, I look around the room. All of my mates are looking at me with love. Daisy looks prouder of the baby than I am, and I feel like I’m glowing. Then I spot Lucifer, standing behind my mates, leaning against the wall.
“Come meet your grandchild,” I call to my father.
Lucifer smiles and walks closer. He leans down and moves the blanket so he can see her face. “Hello, Joanna. I’m your grandfather. You’re as beautiful as your mother.”
I’m a mother now. The reality finally seems to hit me as I gaze lovingly at my daughter, all my mates around me, along with my best friend and the father I never knew I had.
I feel like my heart is going to burst with the love I feel for all of them.
Maybe Lucifer’s castle is the best place for us.
We’re safe. She’s safe. What more could we ask for?
I spend the rest of the evening in bed with my baby and her father, getting used to nursing her and just gazing at her perfect little face.
By morning, I’m feeling considerably better.
I nurse Joanna, get used to walking again, and spend some time with Daisy and Lucifer while my mates are doting over the first new member of their pack in centuries.
Despite not feeling like most women would after giving birth, I still wait a week before I return to the tower with Lucifer, and I don’t spend as much time up there. I hate being away from Joanna, even when I know her godmother is looking after her.
“Still nothing?” Lucifer asks, leaning against the wall.
“No,” I say dejectedly, but then I feel a sudden spark in my chest. “Wait, I’ve got something. It’s not close, but it’s a Scion. Wow, I think they’re… far away.”
“That’s progress, daughter,” Lucifer says, pleased. “Don’t try to communicate with them, just keep extending your reach. See what else you can feel.”
I concentrate harder. It’s much easier now that I’m not pregnant. Once I sense one Scion, it’s like the floodgates open. I feel the spark again and again each time a new Scion appears in my sphere of awareness until it’s practically full of them.
“I can sense bear shifters in Canada. A witch coven in Nebraska. Fae… lots of Fae in… Italy? Yes, Italy!” I say, getting more excited. “There are Scions everywhere!”
“Ah, now we’re getting somewhere,” Lucifer proclaims, clearly impressed. “The baby was probably drawing too much from you for you to focus your power.”
“That has to be what was doing it,” I agree. “Okay, I sense more wolves! I have to tell the others! They’re not the last pack!”
“Patience, daughter,” he encourages with a smile. “If you can sense the Scions like that, then you may not even have to leave this tower to talk to your mates. Try it.”
I’m more determined than ever. I close my eyes until I sense my mates. They’re not far, but I can sense they’re sparring, instead of running. That makes me grumble, but I focus on Hayden.
“Hayden, can you hear me?” I ask.
There’s silence for a moment, then he responds. “I hear you, mate. Is everything okay? Is Joanna okay?”
“Yes, she’s fine. I’m fine,” I reply.
“Are you close? I don’t sense you,” he says.