Chapter 109
NADIA.
My eyes fluttered open as the smell of antiseptic reached my nose. It was only then that everything came back. I was at the infirmary giving birth, or I had already given birth.
Yes. I gave birth.
The labor was painful, and the only time I was able to breathe and relax a bit was when Riley insisted on sharing in my pain.
But it wasn’t still easy. I guess it was payback time for the easy pregnancy.
I felt my vagina was tearing, and all my energy was exhausted by the time I was able to push him out.
Him.
I heard it before the blackness took over. I heard Genevieve when she said we have a male Alpha.
Riley was vocal in stating that whether we got a male or a female, our firstborn would be the rightful heir to the pack. And we wanted to keep it a surprise. But regardless of gender, knowing I bore a healthy child was the biggest win.
‘Are you awake, my Luna?’ Riley’s voice rang in my head. He must have felt my emotions.
‘Yes. Where are you?’
‘At the nursery. Baby Alpha and I are coming now.’ I could hear the excitement in his voice.
I smiled despite myself as I sat up from lying down and leaned against the headboard, waiting for them. My heart thumped loudly with anticipation the moment the door creaked open, and Riley came in holding our baby, bundled up in the quilt Zahra had personally made.
Riley looked too big and rugged, but at the same time, he also looked so gentle with the way he was looking at the pup in his arms. My eyes watered as I watched them as they approached the bed.
My mate leaned down and captured my lips, kissing me passionately before withdrawing and sitting beside me.
My gaze was drawn to the little one bundled up in his arms, and my heart jumped out of my chest. I was staring at the bluest eyes I had ever seen. They were Riley and Zahra’s eyes.
“His eyes—they’re your eyes.”
“Yes, and his hair too…” His fingers traced the little hair on his head. “Thank you, Nadia.”
My eyes shifted to him, and our eyes locked. Riley has always looked at me with love in his eyes, and this was one of those moments, but I could see something else. Gratefulness.
I smiled at him as my eyes welled with tears. “What for?”
“I always thought I was not capable of feeling this happy. That I don’t deserve to be happy. But since you came, something in me has changed. I feel important.”
“Because you are. You’re important to me, Riley.
You’re like the air that I breathe, something I didn’t know I needed until I lost it.
” Tears fell from my eyes as our pup’s hand coiled around my finger, drawing my attention to him.
“And just like you, I thought I had nothing of value. I’m glad we found each other.
And now, look at this little thing we made out of love. ”
His lips touched my forehead before he whispered. “I love you, Nadia.”
“I love you too, Riley. With all my heart.”
He handed our pup into my arms before his arm coiled around my body, drawing me closer to him. “Give him a name.” His voice was so soft and loving as his lips found their way back to my forehead again.
We never discussed names because we wanted it to be a spur-of-the-moment decision, since we had no idea whether we would have a boy or a girl. But I always knew the name I wanted for a boy.
“Zachary. For Zahra. Zachary Adams.”
“Zachary…” Riley repeated as a smile graced his lips. “Zachary Vernon. For Veronica.”
Soft sobs escaped my lips the moment he mentioned my mother’s name, as I nodded my head. For Zahra and Veronica. The females we loved and lost.
“Zachary Vernon Montrell Adams. The four people we owe our lives to, Nadia. The people who gave us to each other.” He added, and my heart just burst with happiness.
I was a crying mess as I nodded my head in agreement. Riley was right. These people, our parents, made it possible for us to be together even if they went against the Goddess’ will.
I sent a silent prayer to Selene, the Goddess, thanking her for making both mine and Riley’s existence possible, even though our own parents were not fated mates. It was like we were both products of a mistake, but in a way, we were created that way so we could be perfect for each other.