THE THIRD MATING
RONAN:
I spotted the hut from far off through the trees. I shifted back to human form. Cuts and bruises burned across my body, but none of it mattered. I ran faster, bare feet pounding the dirt path, my heart slamming so hard I thought it would burst.
As I reached the door, Mara stood there holding something small wrapped in soft cloth. The most beautiful sound in the world hit me, the thin, strong cry of a newborn baby. Fresh tears flooded my eyes instantly. My legs almost gave out.