Chapter 14 Riven
FOURTEEN
RIVEN
“Are you sure you want to go?” Indigo was struggling to find a comfortable position on the couch. He was eight months pregnant and still working, though I’d tried to convince him to stop.
“For the tenth time, yes.” He winced. “If I'm going to push a tiny shifter into the world, I want all the information I can get.” I didn't correct him.
He understood that Dr. Allardi expected him to deliver via C-section because the baby was big.
“Besides,” he continued and stopped wriggling, “I'm tired of getting conflicting advice from every pack member who sees me. A class should give us consistent information.”
He had a point. Despite being under the care of a doctor, we'd been bombarded with ancient wisdom from pack members about the delivery, and as the one carrying the baby, Indigo had experienced it more than me.
The monthly childbirth preparation class at the lodge was specifically designed for expectant parents, taught by Judy, an elder and midwife who’d assisted more births than anyone else in the pack. We should have attended one or more before this… but we hadn’t.
I helped my mate to his feet while checking my mental Before Baby Comes to-do list. The closer we got to the birth, the more my instincts insisted I make sure everything was ready.
I'd already renovated a bedroom to become a nursery, built a crib from local pine, and stockpiled enough baby supplies to outfit triplets.
Triplets? My wolf loved babies but not three at once.
Don’t worry.
“You're doing it again.” Indigo's voice brought me back to the present.
“Doing what?”
“Hovering.” He patted my butt. “I can almost hear you going over your checklist.”
“Can't help it.” I threw up my hands. “Looking after your pregnant mate is instinct and love. It’s hardwired inside me.”
“Well, rewire it for an hour or two.” He grabbed his jacket. “We're going to be late.”
During the drive to the lodge, Indigo pointed out how different the land looked now that it was autumn. But his pleasure at studying the orange leaves vanished as he rubbed his lower back.
“You looking forward to meeting the other expectant parents?” I was trying to distract him.
“Yeah. It'll be nice to talk to other people going through this.” He glanced at me. “Though I'm guessing I'll be the only human.”
When we arrived at the lodge's community room, five other couples were sitting on mats in a large circle. All eyes turned to us as we entered. There was a mixture of curiosity and surprise that still sometimes greeted Indigo months after we mated.
Judy bounded over to us. She had the energy of someone half her age.
“Riven! And this must be Indigo. Welcome.” She hugged my mate. “We're so pleased you've joined us.”
“Thank you for having us.” Indigo gave Judy a shy smile
“Come, sit.” She guided us to a mat. “We were just about to begin.”
I helped Indigo to the floor. At almost full-term, it was hard for him to get down, and I’d brought cushions. The shifter omegas would have no problem squatting and bending. We definitely should have organized this class earlier.
“For our newcomers,” Judy began, “this class focuses on preparation for birth within shifter traditions. We cover practical techniques and the cultural aspects that you may wish to incorporate.”
“Cultural aspects?” my mate mouthed at me.
“Judy will explain.” I wasn’t a hundred percent certain what she was talking about because traditions varied from family to family.
“Today we're discussing the final-month preparations.” Judy moved to the center of the circle. “As you all know, the nesting instinct becomes quite strong in this phase. Many couples find the den-building ritual helps channel this energy.”
Indigo had read about dens because he always had his nose in a shifter book.
“Mark, perhaps you could demonstrate the basic den configuration? You and Eric created a lovely one for your last cub.”
A burly alpha male stood, guiding his pregnant mate to a pile of blankets, pillows, and furs in the corner of the room. He arranged them in a circular pattern.
“The den should be enclosed with multiple layers for comfort.” Judy plumped the cushions in Mark’s den. “Traditionally, it's built in the quietest part of your home, away from pack activity.”
“We built ours in the walk-in closet,” Eric offered. “Lined it with cedar boughs for scent marking.”
Indigo tapped out a note on his phone.
“Next, we'll practice breathing techniques for labor,” Judy continued. “These help the omega remain calm and allow the alpha to support their mate through delivery.”
Another couple demonstrated according to Judy’s instructions. The breathing pattern started with loud pants, but ended in a melodic howl. Everyone joined in, even my mate, though he was off-key.
“This tonal range,” Judy explained, “helps stimulate the hormonal response and signals to the pack that birth is imminent, calling for support.”
Judy went around the circle getting each pair to practice individually. When it was our turn, Indigo breathed and howled. He was no longer off-key but majestic. Goosebumps crawled over my skin, and everyone clapped.
Judy spoke about pushing techniques. “Again, howling may help. Draw on your beast’s strength to help bring your baby into the world.”
I jumped in and explained my mate would be having a C-section.
“That brings us to our next topic: delivery options. While most shifter births happen naturally, there are situations where medical intervention is preferred.”
The class continued with discussions of birth plans, pain management, both traditional herbs and modern medicine, and the role of pack members during and after delivery.
During a break, one of the omegas approached us with his mate. “It's wonderful you're here. My cousin married a human, but they moved away from pack territory and that was a shame. They and their children are missing out on so much.”
“Thanks.” Indigo smiled. “It's definitely a learning curve.”
As the class reconvened, Judy addressed the final topic: “Now, let's discuss the immediate post-birth bonding period. This is crucial for establishing pack connections.”
She gave a detailed explanation of how new shifter parents often spent the first days with the entire pack making short visits to scent-mark the newborn, establishing their place in the hierarchy.
“After that, we recommend at least a week of seclusion for the new parents and their cub.”
Indigo spoke up. “Like a babymoon, but after birth instead of before.”
“Exactly!” Judy replied.
We were preparing to leave when Indigo grimaced, and his hand flew to his belly.
“Indigo? What's wrong?”
He didn't answer, instead doing the breathing technique from earlier and howling. Gods, was the birth imminent? I panicked, not knowing what to do. Did I hold him? Everything Judy had said vanished from my memory.
But Judy breathed with my mate and encouraged everyone to do the same. We got into a rhythm and howled.
“That was a contraction.” Judy told us it was likely Braxton Hicks, as my mate was thirty-six weeks. “How are you feeling now?”
“Better.” Indigo straightened, and I hugged him. “It's finished.”
“False alarm,” Judy announced. “Though well timed for our class.”
I kept my arm around my mate while my wolf badgered me to take him home.
“We should call the doctor.”
“It was one contraction, Riven.” Color returned to my mate’s face.
Judy reminded us practice contractions were the norm but we should contact the doctor if we were worried. We thanked her and said our goodbyes. The other couples told Indigo to join their weekly parents’ group after the baby arrived.
“That was interesting.” We were in the car on the way home. “I enjoyed it, especially the howling, and I learned a lot. But it was nice to see how welcoming everyone was.”
“You were amazing.” I was so proud of him. “Your howling exercises sent chills through me, and I loved the den we built.”
“I’m not sure about cedar boughs in our closet. Would pine be a good substitute?”
I nodded. “We're really doing this, aren't we? Having a baby. Becoming parents.” I took my eyes off the road. “Scared?”
“Terrified,” he admitted. “But also as ready as anyone can be for something so life-changing.”
“We'll figure it out.”
“But if you start howling before I do, we're going to have words.” He squeezed my thigh.
“Scout's honor.”
“Were you ever a scout?” Indigo giggled.
“Nope. Okay, make it wolf's honor.”