Primitus (Emberhold Academy #3)

Prologue

ADELAIDE

“That’s it, baby. Just breathe through it.” John squeezed my hand. “You’re doing an amazing job.”

“You’re a goddess.” Jesse squeezed my hand from the other side of the bed and brushed my hair back gently.

I smiled weakly, appreciating their encouraging words. However, it was probably more a gritting of teeth than a smile. I definitely didn’t feel like a goddess. Sweat was trickling down my face, and my hair was in a messy bun that had slid to the side of my head above my left ear.

“Deep breath in…that’s good, Adelaide. Now let it out slowly.” Shannon, my doula, said in a soothing voice.

I’d gone to the nearest Aurathion town and interviewed several birthing experts.

When I met Shannon, I knew she was the right fit immediately.

She had such a calming presence about her, and I knew I would need that.

My men were wonderful, but I couldn’t count on them to hold their shit together while I was in labor.

“How much longer?” I gritted out.

“You’re dilated to an eight. Things will move much quicker now.” Shannon rose from her position at the end of the bed. “I’m going to get you a cup of crushed ice and give you three a moment alone.”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to leave.” John frowned, clearly not a fan of the idea.

“My brother’s right, what if the baby comes while you’re downstairs?” Jesse had a look of complete panic on his face.

Shannon smiled, “Then you yell for me to come back up or send one of your critters to get me.”

There were at least five animals in my room right now. They were all sensing John’s distress and wanted to be close. When my labor first began, Moxie had used her little paws to rub my hair, trying to soothe me. She was a raccoon that had shown up not long after we moved in and hadn’t left since.

“It’s only the fucking kitchen, Jesse, not Aurathia.” I gritted out as I felt another contraction coming on.

John winced at my language but knew better than to say anything in this moment.

I squeezed both of their hands tightly and tried to breathe through the pain like Shannon had taught me. The contractions were coming so quickly now that one was rolling into another with hardly any break in between.

Shannon used the distraction to leave the room quietly. She knew our story and all the sacrifices we’d made to be here. The last eight months had been horrible, and without this precious life I was bringing into the world, I don’t know if I would’ve made it.

John kissed my hand, then hurried into our bathroom. He came back shortly and wiped the sweat from my forehead. The cool, damp rag felt wonderful on my heated skin.

I breathed through the last of the contraction, and tears came to my eyes. “I wish Sly and Rue were here.”

I’d tried to stay strong and not mention them. I didn’t want to upset John and Jesse, but I was in so much pain that it was impossible to shield my emotions. I longed so badly for them to be here to witness the birth of our child.

Jesse’s eyes grew sad. “They would’ve given anything to be here with us, you know that.”

“Please don’t cry, baby girl,” John leaned down and kissed me gently. “This baby is a little piece of each of us, and they would’ve sacrificed their life ten times over to make sure our child is safe.”

“I know you’re right, but I want them here!” I began to cry, stopping abruptly as the next contraction stole my breath.

The pain was excruciating. My stomach started to burn from the inside. I felt my Nexus mark begin to tingle. Then my face heated so quickly that the tears dried on my cheeks.

Something wasn’t right.

“Get Shannon!” I screamed as another wave of intense pain hit me. Now the burning had consumed my entire body.

“I knew she shouldn’t have left!” Jesse ran out of the room in panic, screaming Shannon’s name.

John didn’t leave my side, flinging the rag on the nightstand, the heat from my face rendering it useless.

“Baby, what’s happening?” He sat down on the bed beside me, “Please Adelaide, tell me what to do.”

My heart broke from the look of helplessness on his face; John was the one who usually had all the answers, so I knew this was killing him. I wanted to reassure him, but the pain was so intense that I wasn’t able to speak.

None of this was normal.

I felt my body levitate slightly off the bed just as Shannon and John came rushing into the room. I was so hot at this point that I felt like my blood was boiling.

“Help her!” John pleaded.

The burning was turning into a cold that was beyond anything I’d ever felt. My teeth started to chatter, and I began shaking uncontrollably. Then the heat started back up, burning my insides once again.

“I’ve never seen anything like this. Some Aurathions will have abilities that act up during labor, but nothing like this. She’s actually glowing.” I could hear the amazement in her voice even through my pain.

“Stop staring and do something about it!” Jesses growled, losing control of his ability and partially shifting. Traces of his wolf evident in his voice.

Shannon squeaked, “Wet towels…that’s what we need. It’ll help bring her temp down. While you’re doing that, I’ll make some calls.”

“No!” I screamed, startling everyone. “No one can know about this.”

“Why?” Shannon asked, panic clear on her face.

My contraction ended, and the craziness paused for the moment.

“I don’t know why, but I feel like it’s important to keep this between us,” I spoke through gritted teeth, narrowing my eyes at the woman in warning.

I couldn’t explain it, but I knew if we told anyone it would end badly for us and our baby. Precognition wasn’t one of my abilities, or at least not one I’d gained up to this point. I hadn’t told my men, but since Rue and Sly's absence, I’d noticed my abilities becoming more and more unstable.

“I don’t have any experience with this, and if you don’t let me contact my colleagues, I’m not sure how much help I can be.” Shannon shrugged her shoulders.

I could tell she disapproved, but I didn’t give a damn. The safety of our baby was all that mattered. I’d do whatever it took to make sure this precious child was protected.

John and Jesse looked at me, then turned to look at each other, communicating in the special way only twins could. Sly used to get pissed at them for not including the rest of us in their mental conversations.

“Please, guys, you have to trust me,” I begged telepathically.

Both of them nodded in unison, then turned their narrowed gazes toward Shannon. I’d seen many a man tremble when they received that look. My two men were beyond intimidating when they wanted to be.

John spoke, “It will be as our Nexus asks. If you disagree, you’re welcome to leave.”

Shannon rolled her eyes, seeming to be made of stronger stuff than I expected. “Of course I’m not leaving. If Adelaide feels this strongly, then I’ll do as she wishes.”

At that precise moment, the pain came back along with the alternating sensations of burning and freezing. I wasn't sure how much longer I could handle this.

Suddenly, I felt intense pressure and knew it was time.

“I need to push.” I panted, giving Shannon a pleading look.

She rushed to the end of the bed. “The baby is crowning. Okay, Adelaide, when the next contraction hits, you can start pushing.”

I nodded my head and grimaced, the next contraction rolling over my body as soon as the last had receded. My men came to stand on either side of my bed and I was grateful for their support.

“You’ve got this Nexus…now push.” Shannon gave me a reassuring smile of encouragement.

I held onto John and Jesse’s hands, gritted my teeth, and pushed with all of my might.

It still felt strange to realize I was bringing a child into the world. I’d never pictured myself as a mother. When I met all of my wonderful men, none of us could have predicted the challenges we would face or how it would end.

My time at Emberhold Academy remains the best of my life, up to this point. It’s wild to think it all began because of my shit roommate and my knack for always being late...