THE ALPHA'S UNWANTED MATE

Chapter 6: Labor

The hospital doors slammed open.

“DOCTOR!” Damien’s voice shook the walls. “She’s bleeding! Save her! Save my pup!”

Leo was pale. Soaked in rain and blood. Unconscious in his arms.

Nurses ran. Gurney. Oxygen. IVs.

“ETA to delivery: immediate,” the OB yelled. “She’s 8 months. This is preterm labor. We need to get the baby out NOW.”

Damien was shoved out of the OR. “Sir, you can’t—”

“I’m the father!” He slammed his hands on the glass. “Leo! Leo, stay with me!”

Inside, Leo’s eyes fluttered open. Pain. So much pain.

"Push," the nurse said gently. "For the baby."

Leo screamed.

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30 MINUTES LATER

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A baby's cry. Small. Weak. But alive.

"It's a girl," the nurse announced. "5 pounds. She's breathing."

Damien collapsed to his knees in the hallway. Relief. Terror. Love.

The door opened. A nurse came out with a tiny bundle.

"Alpha, she needs you."

Damien took his daughter. So small. Dark hair. His eyes.

"Hey... little wolf," he whispered. "Your mom is so strong."

Right then, the OR door opened again.

Leo was wheeled out. Still unconscious. Too pale.

"Her blood pressure is dropping," a doctor said. "We need to keep her under observation."

Damien looked from the baby in his arms... to Leo on the bed.

He made his choice.

He walked into Leo’s room. Laid the baby gently on Leo’s chest. Skin to skin.

Leo’s eyes opened. Slowly.

"Damien?" Her voice was a whisper.

"I'm here." He took her hand. "And she's here. Our daughter."

Tears fell down Leo’s face. "Is she... okay?"

"Perfect. Just like her mom." Damien pressed a kiss to Leo’s forehead. "I'm so sorry. For everything."

The door creaked open.

Selena stood there. In a white dress. Holding flowers. Smiling.

"Well," she said sweetly. "Look who decided to have the baby early. How... inconvenient for me."

Damien stood. His wolf eyes flashed gold.

"Get. Out."

Selena looked at the baby on Leo’s chest. Her smile dropped.

"That's not supposed to happen," she hissed.

Two security guards appeared behind her.

"Miss Vance," one said. "You're under arrest for fraud and attempted murder."

As they dragged her away, Selena screamed: "That baby is MINE!"

Silence.

Damien sat back down. Took Leo’s hand. Took the baby's tiny hand.

"Never again," he promised. "No one will ever hurt you two again."

Leo closed her eyes. This time, she smiled.

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END OF CHAPTER 6