The celebration in the corridor had faded. Liana was resting, little Caelan swaddled in her arms. Lois had not left their side. The pack had returned to its rhythms, but Aria lingered outside the healer's wing, her hand pressed against the heavy curve of her stomach.
She had been counting the days. She and Liana had conceived on the same bloodmoon. And now Liana's son was here, healthy and perfect, while Aria's child still kicked beneath her ribs.
Something was wrong.
She pushed open the door. Elara looked up from her herbs, her silver braids neat again, her apron freshly changed. The birth linens had been cleared away. The healer's wing was quiet, Liana slept on the bed with Lois out of the room. Just the sound of soft breathing.
"Aria. Is something wrong? Is it the baby?"
"I don't
