My Alpha's Mark

205 Epilogue Part 3

My heat aches as the thoughts flit through my mind one after the other. Tears prick the corners of my eyes before filling them. My chest pangs with the need to be wrapped up in his arms. I know without a shadow of a doubt that Jake would do all of those things. He would care for me as he had before. He would look after me as my Beta, my partner, and the father of our child.

My soul wept for him, my heart broke for him, and my mind went mad for him. I curled into a ball on the bed and grasped at the sheets as the pain poured from my body. I screamed as it became unbearable and my vision went white. I cried out, my cry turning into a scream, as the door burst open. It slammed against the wall, but still my vision remained impaired.

I couldn’t see anyone, but I heard voices. I felt the rush of people around me and hands checking me and prodding my belly. I froze when I felt the warmth of a hand on my shoulder and a familiar scent I didn’t think I would ever smell again. I threw my head back as a contraction hit me. I grabbed the hand on my shoulder and clutched it for dear life as I realized the pup was ready and he was coming.

“I’m going to need you to push, Luna,” a firm voice said.

“I’m so tired,” I cried.

I know, My Queen. You can do this.

I can’t.

You can.

I need you.

Please push for me.

“Push!” The pack doctor demanded.

I pushed my head back into the pillow as I screamed and did as he demanded. I cried out as tears streamed down my cheeks. I couldn’t think straight, I couldn’t rationalize what was happening. The pain was excruciating. I could feel my body contracting and I knew I had to push again.

“AAaagghhhhh!” I screamed as I pushed.

“There we go! One more! Give me one more!” The Doctor said.

You’ve got this my Queen.

“I don’t know if I can,” I gasped.

“You can! Take a deep breath and give me one more final push. Give it everything you’ve got. You’ll be done after that, but I need one more big push, Luna,” The Doctor said.

I cried out, exhausted for the days events, from the last few months, from life. I took a deep breath, squeezed my eyes shut tight, and pushed once more. I screamed, cursed, plead as I pushed, pushed, pushed. My body collapsed against the bed and I gasped for air. A cry filled the room and tears streamed down my cheeks.

I’m so proud of you.

I opened my eyes and looked up, but found no one. I looked around the room, but didn’t see who I sought. The pack doctor walked up to my side and placed the child in my hands. I looked up at the doctor as he smiled down at me.

“Congrats, Luna. You have a son,” he said.

I looked down and sobbed as I looked down at him. Red lips, chubby cheeks, and dirty blonde hair. I knew that when he opened his eyes, I would find Jake staring back at me. I held him to close to my chest and thanked the Goddess.

The door burst open again and Viktor stood in the doorway. Sweat coated his brow, his lips were parted as he took in deep breaths. I knew he had recently shifted from his bare chest and the pair of shorts that hung loosely on his hips. I’d missed him so much the last few days. I sobbed as I saw him and he was by my side in a flash. He fell to his knees and threw his head down on the bed.

“I’m sorry,” he rasped.

I’m sorry.

Everyone started to file out, but the pack doctor said he would be back to take tests. I nodded and thanked him as he left. My mate didn’t raise his head or move to look at the baby. He kept his head low and I felt his tears when I touched his cheek.

“I’m happy you made it,” I whispered.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” Viktor choked.

“Lift your head,” I murmured.

My mate lifted his head and looked at me. His eyes held a sadness that only I could understand. The pup wiggled in my grasp and I turned to look down at him. Gently, I touched his hair. I laughed and I felt my mate’s eyes leave my face and land on the child.

“Meet Jake,” I said.

I lifted my eyes to Viktor’s as I turned the baby toward him. I’ve never seen a grown man cry before, but my mate’s mask fell. His eyes filled with tears and streaked down his cheeks. He reached out and gently caressed Jake’s cheek with the side of his finger.

“I … I don’t deserve this,” Viktor murmured.

“What? Happiness?” I asked. My mate remained silent. “But you do. We both do. We lost him, but I don’t want to lose you. I don’t want to lose us.”

“You won’t. I’m sorry that I’ve been… absent. It’s been hard,” Viktor said.

“I know. It’s been hard on me too. He was a part of us,” I whispered.

“We deserve this. I’m sorry, My Queen, I’ll try harder,” he whispered.

“We still have a small piece of him. Let’s focus on that,” I said.

“We do,” Viktor said.

I stared at him as he got up and sat beside me. His arm wrapped around me while he looked down at what Jake had left behind, and what the three of us had created. Life wasn’t easy and it wasn’t going to be. Viktor pressed a kiss to my forehead and I relaxed into his embrace.

“With the two of you in my life, I can do anything,” I said.

“With the two of you in mine, I promise to do better,” Viktor promised.