Moonblood

Chapter 7

Eyes and Hair

EIRA

—Seven Months Later—

“I knew I’d find you here,” Hana says, poking her head through Esme’s door. I give her a tired smile and rub a hand on my very pregnant belly.

“What’s up? Did you need me?” I ask. Esme stretches a bottle of herbs in water to me. I collect it and store it on the nearby shelf.

Hana walks in. “Nah, just wanted to see how you’re doing. Alpha David asked of you.”

“Does he want to see me?” I struggle to get up, and Hana is by my side in a minute.

“No.” She shakes her head. “We’re all just looking out for you, you know.” Her eyes dip to my belly and she grins. “Any day soon.”

I roll my eyes but smile anyway. “I still have a whooping two months, Hana.”

Esme lets out a long hum then laughs. “You never know. The pup might be ready before then.”

“I really hope not,” I reply.

It’s ironic. Others would not wait to push out their pups, but I need more time. More time to prepare, to get myself together mentally and physically so that my pup has the best life.

“Come on,” Hana says. “It’s time for your walk. How’s he doing by the way?”

She helps me up, and I offer an appreciative smile.

“He’s doing great. Esme says he looks good,” I reply and look at Esme for confirmation and she nods.

We found out the pup is a boy a few months ago. And I’m happy that it is a boy. I can only hope he’s an Alpha like his dad, I’ll hate for him to go through the disadvantages of being an Omega.

Even though he’ll be accepted here.

“See you later, Esme.” I waved

She beams. “Definitely, my apprentice.”

I laugh. I’ve been learning about herbs, and healing plants with Esme. She’s been an amazing teacher too.

I’m lucky to have been found by Hana and Asha. Even luckier to have been accepted by this rogue pack that was yet to have a name.

Alpha David has been nothing but kind. When he met me the first time, he accepted me immediately.

I found out soon enough that most of the wolves in this pack were wolves that chose to live. That survived even when their pack and the world didn’t want them to.

Everyone here had a story. And their stories brought us all closer because we could all relate.

But amongst all of us, Asha and Hana had it the hardest. They were set apart as breeders in their old pack, as young as they were.

We weren’t large in number, but the few of us in this pack made a great family. The only thing I dare to miss at Ashbane Pack, is Cassian. Somehow, I still feel the pain of the severed bond.

It still aches. And I wonder… why? It’s been seven months.

Alpha David waves at me as soon as we step out of Esme’s dainty house and into the pack courtyard.

“How’s mama and pup?” He calls from the distance.

I rub my belly. It’s become a habit. “We’re fine, Alpha,” I yell back.

Wendy and Felix pop out from the pack house, and soon we’re all yelling “how’re you’s” and “I’m fine’s” even though we’ve all seen each other today, and we’re all wolves with perfectly good hearing.

We all burst into laughter in the open courtyard. A loud raucous laughter that turns into a coughing fit. I wish I could say this is strange, but far from it.

We laughed together, a lot.

As our laughters subside, that’s when I feel it. The burst of my water… it trickles down my legs uncontrollably and I freeze.

“Are you okay—oh!” Hana sees the wet sand between my legs.

“Goddess, Hana…goddess!”

And the contraction hits. My pelvis twists painfully and I scream.

“The pup is coming!” Hana shrieks.

All laughter dies out, eyes swivel to me, and soon everyone is rushing out of the pack house towards me.

***

”Breathe Eira, breathe,” Esme instructs.

Sweat beads form across my forehead and temples, and tears leak from the corner of my eyes.

“I can’t do this,” I cry, shaking my head. “I can’t.”

Asha holds my hand. “You can, Eira.”

“Yes, you can do this.” Wendy dabs at the sweat on my skin. I shiver when I feel a sudden breeze that whips into the room.

I squeeze my eyes shut and breathe.

In. Out. In. Out.

“Okay,” Esme says from between my legs. “Get ready to push in…3, 2, 1.”

Another wave of contraction hits and I push with a loud scream until it passes. I heave, my chest rising and falling rapidly.

‘I need this pup out of my body, now. Goddess, please,’ I pray to the moon goddess. It’s been hours of labour and delivery.

My grip crushes Asha’s fingers and I tilt my head to face her with tears falling from my eyes. “Asha, I’m so sorry,” I say, my lips wobbling.

“What for?” She rubs my arm.

“I’m crushing your fingers,” I cry. She bites her lips to stifle a smile.

“You’re not.” She looks into my eyes and places a kiss on my hands. “I promise.”

“I can see the head now, Eira. You’re gonna give me a big push in a minute.”

The next contraction almost drives my soul away from my body. And I push with it, my screams bounce off the walls.

“Good job. One more push, Eira dear,” Wendy encourages, and I push again. My pup slides out, and I feel the emptiness.

A loud cry pierces the room, and this time it’s not from me. I sniffle as I see my pup in Esme’s arms.

“Your pup, mama. A healthy, and beautiful boy,” Esme rocks him. Asha and Wendy hover over her as they both coo at my pup.

Esme cleans him up gently, and I’m exhausted. My eyes almost shut when Esme speaks.

“Ready to hold him? I’ll clean you up after.” Esme asks.

I manage a tired, watery smile then I nod. Esme places my child in my arms. His crying has stopped, and I hold him to my chest.

He melts in my arms, as if recognizing his mother. That’s what I am now… a mother.

I look at him, such a tiny, frail thing.

And then… he opens his eyes. And my heart lurches in my chest. My lips fall open on a soundless gasp.

His eyes… they’re golden. Like Cassian’s, his father. Golden orbs that flutter up at me. They remind me of the night that led to this. And my chest aches.

In longing, but also in love. Love for this pup that has my blood flowing through his veins.

I look at Asha, Wendy and Esme, they’re all standing with lips parted and wide eyes.

“An alpha,” Esme whispers.

My pup is an Alpha. With golden eyes… and white hair.