Chapter Two - Don't Assume

The ride did not take long. Watertight was a sprawling community of cabins laid out in a rectangle within which was the packhouse. It was lit up by more than moonlight and she had time only to hear the loud beat of popular music and smell corn on the cob before she was hustled to the birthing chamber.

This pack seemed to be making a celebration out of something which could not be guaranteed. She swallowed. What if something went wrong and she couldn’t save either mother or offspring?

“What are you waiting for? Go inside. My aunt is with her and can send for whatever you need.”

“Yes, Alpha Liam,” Nell said, wondering why he was so reluctant to look at her now.

The she-wolf was muscular, as expected, but also filled with compassion in that she offered Nell a hot drink from the outset. They lingered in the small kitchen area.

“You must be perished,” she said. “I’m Deborah, by the way. Have you been doing this long?”

“I’ve done several assists.”

“Please tell me you haven’t lost a pup yet.”

“I can honestly say no. Because I haven’t attended a live werewolf birth before, only seen videos.” She covered her mouth with her hand. Should she have admitted to that? They weren’t generally available.

Deborah didn’t appear to mind. She pressed her hand.

“Well, I like to know what I’m dealing with. Maybe we should have a chat – ?”

She realised she should have introduced herself well before now. “Eleanor,” she supplied. “But I prefer Nell.” She stared up into frank green eyes. “Something’s wrong, isn’t it?”

“That’s why our medic wanted a second opinion. Liam sacked him on the strength of that. Stupid mutt. He’s always been a hothead.”

“I see,” she said, though only to be polite.

His action made no sense.

The hot chocolate went down a treat. She passed a hand across her mouth, wondering about stains.

“Minimal make-up. I approve,” her new friend said. “You certainly don’t need rouge.”

It was weird to meet someone who also used old-fashioned terms.

“Oh,” she said, touching her hot cheek. “Dad has sandy hair and freckles. Guess I just inherited the blushing gene.”

“What’s happening?”

The loud, angry words jolted her from her cosy reverie. The Alpha was certainly light on his feet.

“Patience, Alpha. Martha is sleeping, isn’t she, Nell?”

Unable to verbalise a lie, however well-intentioned, she just nodded. Deborah hadn’t been telling an untruth, she had obviously seen her.

“Remember, whatever you need,” the Alpha muttered before leaving them to it.

Was he talking to her?

Deborah got to her feet, massaging her back briefly before saying, “Come and meet the patient.”

“Now?”

“You need to know what we’re dealing with. The best thing I can do is show you.”

When Nell entered the quiet chamber and saw the hugely distended belly and the partially shifted paws and half-muzzle, she almost turned and ran.

“Is she really asleep?”

It was the only thing she could think of to say.

“Yes, but she won’t ever wake up.”

Nell gaped. “Does the Alpha know?”

“My nephew has chosen to hear only good news where his mother is concerned.”

“I – I don’t understand.”

“Martha is – was – my sister-in-law. Please, Nell, you must help me save at least one pup.”

“Whatever you need,” she pledged, unconsciously echoing Alpha Liam’s words. “Are we attempting a Caesarean?”

“Yes. You’re familiar with the procedure?”

“Among human females.” She had to say it. “And you’re wrong about the Alpha, I’m sure of it. He told me this litter would be the Luna’s last.”

“A victory for the Moon Goddess,” Deborah declared. “I never thought I’d see the day. Shall we get started?”

Only then did she take off her coat.

Less than an hour later they had extracted four pups, one of which was taking shallow breaths.

They named her Fallon. It had apparently been Martha’s wish. Had there been another three possibles? Nell tried her best not to think about that.

Deborah mind linked the Beta, asking him to break the news. Despite the success of sorts, Nell felt like crying.

Jack took one look at the pup and a longer one at Martha’s mangled and partly-shifted corpse.

“A miracle,” he said. “You do realise what this means, Nell?”

“I can go home?” she hazarded.

He shook his head and ran a hand through his shaggy hair, looking troubled.

Alpha Liam arrived just as Deborah was covering the body.

“No!” he cried, making a fist. Nell watched the blood drip beneath his fingers.

“I am sorry for your loss,” she told him.

“You will be,” he vowed.

Deborah tsked. “Alpha, your mother had no chance. It isn’t this girl’s fault.”

“One of her kind raped our Luna. How am I supposed to feel?” Nell’s mouth fell open. So the pup was a hybrid. The Alpha seized hold of her by the hair. “See to it she lives, or face the consequences.”

“But what about my father?”

“Do a good job here and I will consider releasing you for a visit.”

Nell glanced at Deborah who was busy making the newborn comfortable and obviously wasn’t about to leap to her defence. Why would she?

Jack seemed equally reluctant to remonstrate with his Alpha, except that she heard him say, low-voiced, “Treating the girl like this might make her cruel to the pup.”

She bridled. “I would never do such a thing. And, for your information, I’ll be twenty-one soon enough. A woman grown.”

Alpha Liam gave her that look again, the appraising one which affected her in an all-too familiar way. But what would the likes of him want with someone like her?

“Is the nursery ready?” he asked.

“Yes, Alpha,” Deborah replied. “The room opposite yours, just as you requested.”

“And the pup can be moved?”

“I reckon so.”

“Then that’s where she’ll be staying for the foreseeable. Arrange it.”

She had to speak up. “The name’s Nell, Alpha.”

“Whatever. Just make sure you take good care of Fallon. She’s the pack’s heir until I find my mate.”

"You're treating me no better than a slave," she protested.

Alpha Liam came very close to her and lifted her chin. "Don't tempt me, woman," he said, his seductive tone reminding her of Josh.