Helanie:
The pain was excruciating. Giving birth was never easy, and giving birth to four babies made it even harder. My body had not been properly prepared because I didn’t have enough time.
I was starving, restless, and everything had happened so fast, nine months had passed in just two months for me, and my belly grew almost overnight. I screamed so loudly that at one point I thought I had deafened myself.
But when I saw the first baby come out, I smiled widely and tears rushed down my face.
When my water broke, they rushed me to the hospital. My mom and a few friends came with me, while the others stayed at the mansion, preparing to look for Maximus.
He was out there alone, probably hungry, in pain, and losing his mind. If he encountered any pack members and hurt innocent people, I knew he would never forgive himself.
And then there was the Zharns. If he was in the woods, he might come across them, and they would attack him.
He would keep fighting. I had so many worries, but after I gave birth to all four babies, I passed out for a short while.
I woke up fifteen minutes later, and the doctor told me the babies were healthy. My mom said Emmet had a boy, and so did Kaye.
Norman and Maximus had baby girls. I couldn’t help but smile, each of them had gotten exactly the babies they had wished for.
It was as if they were so strong, they knew what they wanted. I smiled as tears ran down my face.
Just two years ago, I was an abused, helpless victim. Now I am a mother. One of my mates was free of the curse, but the others were still suffering.
I thought about Norman’s curse. With each brother in pain, his heartbeat must be slowing. I instantly got up from the bed.
"You need to rest a little," the doctor suggested, but I shook my head.
"I will transition and heal," I said, reassuring him I would be fine. As soon as I stood, I felt a strange power inside me and couldn’t help but smile.
"Welcome back, Cora," I said, hearing her giggle.
"We are mommies now," she commented.
"Yes, we are, but our mates are in pain. We need to hurry," I told her, reaching for the door. I peeked outside and saw the others gathered around the babies’ room, probably staring at them.
I wanted to see them too, but I had to transition because I didn’t have time. If I told my friends and my mother, they wouldn’t let me go, they would want me to rest.
I had only seen my babies while giving birth, and as much as I wanted to stay, spend time with them, and feed them, I had to run. I had to find my mates.
He was still holding me close, then leaned down, kissing my lips very gently.
"Congratulations. We are parents now," he whispered with a broken smile.
I know both of us had plans for our first baby’s arrival, but none of it happened. Nothing went the way we planned.
At least we were happy that I had given birth and all the babies were healthy. At least for now. The minute we didn’t do anything about these brothers’ curses, my children would face the same pain and curses in the future.
I did not want that. I wanted my mates and my children to be free from this poisonous cycle of suffering.
"You gave me the happiness that nothing else could," he said. "You gave me a daughter, Helanie." He continued, giving me a very satisfying look while I frowned.
"Wait! Oh my goodness!" I covered my mouth as I realized this might be the surprise he had planned for me. I got so teary-eyed that I hugged him while sobbing on his chest.
But before we could continue our reunion or stay longer in the hug, a warrior arrived, yelling from afar to inform us that something had happened back at the mansion. We broke the hug and turned to look at him.
The minute he arrived, breathing heavily, he said only a few words, but those words were enough to shake our world.
"Lady Darcy is at the mansion," he said.

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