Chapter 134: Episode 183: My water just broke
"Um... Hi guys, I think it’s almost time for me to give birth," she says in a strained whisper.
Drax sat up in the bed instantly. He didn’t ask her to repeat herself. He tossed the thick gray blankets aside and turned to face her. His dark eyes searched her pale face, reading the sudden tension in her features.
Outside the bedroom, sharp ears caught her quiet words. Caius and Axel walked through the wooden doorway just seconds later. They both looked tense. Their broad shoulders stiffened as they quickly assessed the situation.
A sudden rush of fear hit Rue’s chest. She shrank back against the soft pillows. The last time she did this, she was trapped in a dark, dirty cave. She birthed Theron all on her own. She bit down on a piece of rough leather so she wouldn’t scream out loud.
It was a lonely, terrifying night. She remembered the cold dirt floor. She remembered the sheer panic of not knowing what to do or how to help her own body.
Now, her room felt full. Drax sat right beside her. Caius and Axel stood near the foot of the bed. To make things worse, Tanith, Gianna, and Tyara stayed over in the spare rooms last night. The three royal sisters peeked their heads into the bedroom, their faces etched with deep concern.
Having all of them here felt overwhelming. She felt like a tiny rabbit surrounded by a pack of giant, hovering predators. She expected them to panic. She expected loud arguments over who got to stand where. She just wanted to hide under the sheets and wait for it to be over.
But they didn’t panic. They surprised her. They relied strictly on their practical beast instincts.
"Move out of the way, wolf," Tanith ordered Axel softly. The Swamp Queen walked into the room with a calm, steady grace. "Gianna, go fetch the fresh water pitcher. Tyara, bring the clean cloths from the hall."
The sisters didn’t use any flashy powers. There was no magic in this house today, just raw biology and hard work. They shifted into gear like normal beasts preparing a safe den for a pack member.
Tanith smoothed the wrinkled sheets around Rue’s legs. She gave Rue a warm, reassuring smile that instantly eased the tight knot of fear in her stomach.
"You’re going to do great," Tanith whispered, brushing a stray silver curl from Rue’s forehead.
Gianna ran back into the room holding a wooden bucket. She filled it from the deep well outside. The water was cold. Tyara dropped a stack of soft white towels on the nightstand.
Gianna also brought a small wooden bowl filled with sweet green grapes and crisp apple slices. She knew Rue couldn’t handle the smell or taste of meat, especially right now. The sweet fruits offered a small burst of energy.
The men didn’t just stand around watching. Drax moved right behind Rue. He sat against the tall headboard, acting like a firm, living chair for her to lean on. His broad chest provided a sturdy anchor. He wrapped his arms loosely around her waist, letting her rest her full weight against him.
Caius walked over to the wooden bucket. The Serpent Alpha didn’t need to conjure frost. His natural snake blood kept his skin freezing cold all the time. He dipped a square cloth into the well water, wrung it out, and pressed it gently against Rue’s flushed neck. The natural chill felt like pure heaven against her burning pregnancy fever.
Axel tapped the glowing blue screen hovering near the bed. He opened her system inventory. He pulled out the extra birthing materials the system provided. Soft cotton pads, fresh blankets, and clean water bowls materialized on the wooden table. The white wolf organized everything neatly, his sharp blue eyes focused on the task. He moved with the quiet efficiency of a hunter preparing for a long night.
Just before noon, the front door burst open.
Knox ran straight into the bedroom. The Southern panther smelled like pine needles and running sweat. He ran all night to fix his border dispute just so he could be here. He didn’t even stop to wash the travel dirt from his hands. He dropped his leather travel bag on the floor. He dropped to his knees right beside the bed and grabbed Rue’s small hand.
I’m so glad you made it back, Rue thought, feeling a wave of relief wash over her.
Knox felt her thought pulse through the mate bond. His chest rumbled with a deep, soothing purr. He pressed a firm kiss to her knuckles. He refused to let her hand go.
"I told you I wouldn’t miss it," Knox breathed, his golden eyes locked onto her face.
The kids wanted to help too. Mochi and Theron sat near the foot of the bed. They watched the busy adults with wide eyes.
Theron slithered up the mattress. The silver snake boy stopped right next to Rue’s giant belly. He patted the tight skin with his chubby hand. He leaned his face close, frowning sternly.
"No hurt Mama," Theron babbled to the stomach. He tapped his finger against the bump again. "Be good baby."
Rue let out a wet, breathy laugh. She rubbed her son’s messy silver hair.
He’s trying to protect me from his own sibling, she thought.
Drax heard her thought. The Dragon King pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head. Axel grinned from the corner, watching the brave little toddler scold the unborn panther. Mochi crawled up and offered Rue a carved wooden bird, placing it gently on the pillows as a gift. The little leopard girl shifted her shape fluidly, her body changing from human to a small gray cub and back again without any magical sparks. It was just a natural, biological shift.
The sun slowly crossed the sky. The hours dragged on, each minute stretching longer than the last. The pain started to build in a steady rhythm. It began as a dull, throbbing ache deep in her lower spine. It slowly crept around her sides, pulling her stomach tight like a stretched drum. She focused on the shadows moving across the floorboards, trying to distract her mind from the intense pressure.
Rue bit her lower lip. She squeezed Knox’s hand.
Her mates didn’t flinch. They met her pain with quiet, focused support. Whenever she grimaced, Caius refreshed the cold cloth on her forehead. Drax murmured low, grounding words in her ear. He reminded her to breathe. Axel used his sharp wolf hearing to listen to the baby’s heartbeat drumming inside her belly. The white wolf gave her a steady nod every few minutes, letting her know the cub sounded strong and healthy.
They relied purely on their physical traits. Knox used his panther strength to hold her steady when the harsh muscle spasms made her whole body shake. Caius used his natural cold scales to draw the fever out of her cheeks. Axel used his keen nose to check the air, making sure the room smelled clean and safe.
They were a true pack. They anticipated her needs before she even opened her mouth. When her throat felt like dry sand, a cup of water touched her lips. When her legs cramped, Tanith and Tyara were right there, rubbing the sore joints with firm, gentle hands.
As the evening set in, the cabin grew quiet. The birds outside stopped singing. The only sounds in the room were Rue’s harsh breathing and the soft crackle of the fireplace. Gianna lit a few thick wax candles, placing them on the wooden tables to fill the space with a warm, golden glow. Rue closed her eyes, letting the soft light filter through her eyelids.
The fear she felt this morning slowly melted away. She wasn’t alone in a dark cave anymore. She had a family. She had strong people holding her up. The pain was sharp, but the love in the room formed a solid shield around her heart. She felt soft. She felt cared for. She realized she didn’t view her fragile rabbit body as a betrayal anymore. Yes, it hurt. Yes, she was weak compared to these giant predators. But her body was doing something amazing. It was bringing a new life into their wild world.
The sky outside the windows turned pitch black. The bright stars dotted the night sky. The fire in the hearth popped and crackled, throwing long orange shadows across the stone walls.
It was close to midnight.
The contractions changed. They stopped being dull aches. They turned into sharp, violent waves that stole the breath right out of her lungs. Rue threw her head back against Drax’s shoulder. She gasped loudly, her fingers digging into Knox’s thick palm.
Her rabbit body fought hard. The physical strain pushed her to her limits. She was sweating fast. Her silver hair stuck to her damp cheeks.
Suddenly, a strange pressure dropped low in her pelvis. It felt like a tight balloon snapping open. She felt warm fluid soak the gray sheets beneath her legs. The sudden wetness made her gasp in shock.
The room went perfectly still. The men and the sisters froze, their beast instincts recognizing the clear, undeniable scent of impending birth.
Rue looked at the two toddlers sitting wide-eyed at the end of the bed. Her voice shook with a fresh wave of panic.
She whimpered, "Can someone please take the children out of the room, my water just broke,"