Matilda's POV
It had been weeks since Marco rescued me from Kade, and though I was still recovering, I was finally allowed to move around more. My body was still weak, but I felt stronger every day, thanks to Marco's constant care even if he was a bit overbearing.
Today, though, I wasn't thinking about Marco's protective nature. My heart pounded with excitement because I was finally about to see them again Lena, Elera, and Ana.
Marco had kept visitors limited while I healed, but now, as I made my way to the sitting room, I felt like a weight was about to lift off my chest.
As soon as I stepped inside, I barely had time to react before three bodies crashed into me.
"Matilda!"
I let out a small oof as arms wrapped around me from every direction.
Tears stung my eyes as I clung to them—my friends, my sisters in every way except blood.
Lena was the first to pull back, her blue eyes filled with emotion. "I swear if Marco had kept us away any longer, I was going to challenge him for Alpha."
Elera wiped at her eyes before smacking my arm lightly. "How dare you get kidnapped and almost die on us".
I let out a watery laugh. "I missed you guys so much."
Lena cupped my face, her expression turning serious. "Are you okay, Matilda? I mean really okay?"
I swallowed hard, my hand resting protectively on my stomach. "I… I don't know. Some nights, I still feel like I'm trapped there. But I know I'm safe now. Marco" I hesitated, a small smile playing on my lips. "He's been driving me crazy, but I know it's just because he loves me."
Elera smirked. "Oh, we know. He's been a nightmare to everyone. No one even dares to breathe wrong around him anymore."
I giggled, imagining Marco scaring the warriors with his mood swings.
Ana wiped her nose, then suddenly grinned. "But more importantly when do we start planning the baby shower?"
I groaned. "Oh, Moon Goddess, not you too!"
They all laughed, and for the first time in a long while, I felt whole .
I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. My belly was huge. It felt like overnight, I had gone from carrying a small bump to looking like I had swallowed a watermelon.
I turned slightly, placing my hands on my swollen stomach, sighing. "Marco… I look huge."
A deep chuckle rumbled from behind me before warm, strong arms wrapped around my waist. Marco's hands rested gently over my belly, pulling me back against his firm chest.
"You're perfect," he murmured, pressing a kiss to my temple.
I huffed, narrowing my eyes at the mirror. "No, I look fat."
Marco growled playfully, nipping at my ear. "Say that again, and I'll have to remind you exactly how breathtaking you are."
A shiver ran down my spine, but I still pouted. "You're just saying that because you're my mate."
He spun me around in his arms, his golden eyes locking onto mine with fierce intensity. "No, I'm saying it because it's the truth. You are carrying our baby, Matilda. The most precious thing in the world to me. And you have never looked more beautiful."
I bit my lip, my heart swelling at his words. "You really think so?"
Marco let out a deep, affectionate sigh before kneeling in front of me. His large hands cradled my belly as he pressed a soft kiss to it.
"I know so."
Tears pricked my eyes as I ran my fingers through his dark hair. I had never felt more loved.
I was sitting at the dining table, enjoying a meal well, devouring it,when suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my lower abdomen. I froze, my fork clattering onto the plate as a warm gush of liquid spread beneath me.
My heart stopped.
No…
My eyes widened in panic. "Marco!" I screamed, gripping the edge of the table as another pain hit me.
Heavy, pounding footsteps echoed down the hall, and within seconds, Marco burst into the room, his golden eyes wild with alarm. "What? What's wrong?!"
I opened my mouth, but all I could do was gasp as another contraction hit me like a wave. My breath hitched. "I think… I think my water just broke."
Marco's face drained of color. "What?" His gaze dropped to the puddle forming beneath me, and for the first time in his life, the mighty Lycan King froze.
"Marco!" I whimpered, another contraction making me clutch my belly.
That snapped him back to reality. "Shit okay, okay, I got you." In one swift motion, he scooped me up into his arms like I weighed nothing. "DARIUS! GET THE DAMN CAR READY! NOW!"
I buried my face in Marco's chest as he rushed through the halls. My heart pounded, fear creeping in. "Marco, I'm scared," I whispered, clutching his shirt.
His grip tightened around me. "I know, baby. But you're strong. You can do this."
I squeezed my eyes shut as another contraction hit, making me cry out. Marco let out a feral growl. "Hold on, Matilda. I'm getting you to the hospital. Nothing is going to happen to you or our baby. I swear it."
And despite the pain, despite the panic i believed him.
The pain was getting worse. Each contraction felt like fire tearing through my body, and by the time we reached the hospital, I was struggling to breathe.
Marco practically kicked open the doors, his powerful voice booming through the halls. "Somebody help her!"
Doctors and nurses rushed forward, their faces blurring as they placed me on a stretcher. Marco refused to let go of my hand as they wheeled me down the corridor.
"Deep breaths, Luna," one of the nurses said. "You're doing great."
I wasn't doing great. I was in agony.
I squeezed Marco's hand hard, letting out a strangled groan. "I swear to the Moon Goddess, Marco, this is your fault!"
Marco's face paled. "I—I know, baby, but—"
"If you ever touch me again—" A sharp pain cut off my threat, making me arch off the bed.
Marco turned to the doctor. "Can't you do something?! She's in too much pain!" His voice was a desperate growl, his eyes flickering between human and wolf.
The doctor gave him a calm but firm look. "She's in labor, Alpha. Pain is part of it."
Marco let out a vicious snarl but didn't argue. Instead, he leaned down, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "I'm here, baby. I'm not leaving you."
Tears burned my eyes as another contraction hit. I let out a broken sob. "Marco, I—I can't—"
"Yes, you can," he murmured fiercely. "You are the strongest person I know, Matilda. You will do this, and our baby will be here soon."
I clung to his words, to his presence, even as the pain consumed me. I wasn't alone. I had Marco.
And I would bring our baby into this world.
The pain was unbearable. It came in waves, each contraction stronger than the last, leaving me breathless and screaming. My body felt like it was being torn apart from the inside.
Sweat dripped down my forehead as I gripped Marco's hand tightly so tightly I was sure I was breaking his bones, but I didn't care.
"Marco!" I sobbed, another sharp pain making me arch my back. "I can't—I can't do this!"
"Yes, you can," Marco growled, his voice rough with emotion. His golden eyes were wild, filled with helplessness as he wiped my sweaty hair from my face. "You are the strongest person I know, Matilda. You can do this. Just breathe, baby."
"I am breathing, you idiot!" I screamed, another contraction ripping through me.
Marco flinched but quickly recovered, his grip tightening on my hand. "I know, baby I know. Just a little more, okay?" His voice shook as if he was feeling my pain right along with me.
The doctor's voice cut through the chaos. "Luna, you need to push on the next contraction."
I shook my head frantically, tears spilling down my cheeks. "I can't! I—I don't have anything left!"
Marco cupped my face, forcing me to look at him. "Yes, you do." His voice was raw with emotion. "You have to. For our baby."
Another contraction hit. I screamed, my body convulsing as I dug my nails into Marco's arm.
"Push, Matilda!" the doctor ordered.
I gritted my teeth, gathering every ounce of strength I had left, and pushed.
The pain was excruciating, but I kept going. I pushed with everything in me, my cries filling the room.
Marco's voice was in my ear the whole time. "You're almost there, my love. Just a little more. I'm right here."
I pushed again, my entire body trembling, my vision blurring
And then
A sharp, piercing cry filled the room.
The sound shattered everything the pain, the exhaustion, the fear. My breath caught in my throat as I slumped back against the pillows, my body trembling.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then the doctor smiled. "Congratulations, Luna. It's a boy."
I let out a choked sob as the nurse placed a tiny, wriggling baby against my chest. He was so small, his face scrunched up, his little fists waving in the air.
Marco made a broken sound, his large hands trembling as he reached out to touch our son's tiny fingers. "Matilda…" His voice cracked. "He's… he's perfect."
Tears streamed down my face as I looked down at our baby, my heart swelling with an emotion so powerful it stole my breath.
Marco kissed my forehead, his voice thick with emotion. "You did it, my love. You gave me a son."
I let out a shaky laugh, pressing a soft kiss to our baby's head. "We did it."
Marco cupped my face, kissing me deeply before resting his forehead against mine. "I love you, Matilda."
I smiled, exhaustion pulling at me, but my heart was full.
"I love you too, Marco."
And as our baby's tiny cries softened, I knew—our family was complete.