Dalton’s POVThe moment it started, I knew.Not because anyone announced it, not because of preparation, but because Aluna suddenly went still for half a second, like the entire world had paused inside her body before snapping back into unbearable reality. Then her grip tightened around my hand.Hard.Too hard.“Dalton…” she said quietly. Just my name. But it carried everything.I was already moving closer before the healer even spoke. “Now,” the healer said sharply. “It has begun.”And just like that, the room changed. Not gradually. Instantly.Aluna was guided onto the bed, but she didn’t look fragile or helpless. She looked like someone trying to hold herself together while something far stronger than control was tearing through her from the inside.Her jaw was clenched tight, her breathing uneven, but her eyes were still sharp when they met mine. Even now. Even like this. Another contraction hit her and her hand crushed mine immediately.A sound escaped her throat, sharp and invol
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