Second Chance Luna
Chapter 108

"Here you are," Phoebe said handing the next book to Emma who hurriedly delivered it to Norah to shelve with the others.

It had been two months since the New Year Ball, which by all accounts was a rousing success. She had been happy to see alphas and lunas of multiple ranks mingling with each other every night and actually be able to converse freely without animosity or dominance. There was some tensions earlier in the week but everyone seemed to get along and it allowed her to reconnect with several lunas, including Koko. Someone she hadn't expected to see was the newly appointed Alpha Michael and his Luna Maryanne from Rimrock. Some paragraphs are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on Narugi.com. Visit Narugi.com to read the complete chapters for free. Maryanne seemed to be quite demur until asked about her expertise: computers and technology. Once the subject was open she came alive rattling off complex code and algorithms like nursery rhymes. Thanks to her Rimrock was recovering its losses much more quickly. Michael also accepted Jason's offer to send trainers to whip their warriors back into shape. Phoebe was happy to learn her former pack would be all right and eagerly accepted Michael's invitation to visit after her pups were born. The Rimrock pups were excited to see her and give her full reports on what they learned in her absence. Maryanne and Kleio also hit it off rather famously and spent a good portion of the night discussing how to digitize New Moon's vast collection and preserve it for future generations. The future for wolves looked bright indeed. Meanwhile Helen spoke with several human doctors about the difficulties with a multiple-births. They were all too happy to share their knowledge on a subject werewolves normally had very little interest.

For humans, the risk for complications was much higher with the birth of multiples. Multiples seldom made it full term, usually being born premature, but that was considered normal. Additionally, they were usually born via c-section, especially with multiple births involving triplets and above.

However, not everything translated to werewolf pregnancies. While human multiples were born earlier than normal, it seemed a werewolf multiple was opposite. Six months was the normal gestation for a werewolf and Phoebe was already a month overdue but as they had no precedents to gauge whether this was typical. Doctor Evans assured her, it was probably normal but as a precaution ordered bed rest while they continued to monitor her progress. It was actually getting annoying and Máni was beginning to chaff under the restrictions.

In fact, her wolf had been getting rather moody lately, vacillating between contentment, depression, boredom and frustration. And it was beginning to affect Phoebe's mood as well. Numerous times Phoebe caught herself snapping at others over the smallest things. She apologized after each incident and others seemed to understand but she still felt bad and afterwards Máni would descend into another depression spiral.

Phoebe wasn't sure what was wrong with her wolf. Everyone assured her it was just pregnancy hormones but she couldn't shake the feeling it was something more especially after reading Eris's diary, which was now with Kleio for restoration and copying. At the end of the diary, Eris mentioned she was worried about her pup's future and how well it would cope in a changing world. The later entries suffered the worst deterioration and Phoebe felt something important was lost in those missing words, perhaps the very key to Máni's melancholy.

It was Máni's moroseness that ultimately triggered Doctor Evans to order bed rest. Post-partum depression was rare in wolves but it did happen and the doctor wanted Phoebe to focus and bond with her pups before their birth in hopes of alleviating the risk. It was also the reason she was currently ensconced in a comfortable chaise lounge sorting books while Norah, Emma and Blake helped shelve them. They all claimed they wanted to be helpful in setting up her room but it was just to keep an eye on her. Phoebe really didn't mind and appreciated their concern. It was going to be hectic with the twins so she needed to enjoy these quiet moments.

"Oliver Twist," Phoebe announced, handing the book to Blake. "D for Dickens."

Norah dutifully moved the ladder before climbing up to the correct shelf. Phoebe's father had organized his book by topic or subject first then by author's last name. After his death she hadn't had the heart to reorganize his shelves but now that she was starting from square one she elected to go strictly alphabetical by author's surname.

Phoebe reached for the next book and a sharp pain suddenly assailed her. She breathed out slowly, waiting for it to subside. For the past several weeks, she had been experiencing contractions, another reason for her bed rest. The pain subsided and she breathed easier again. A few minutes later came another pain worse than the first.

Phoebe groaned, trying to breathe through it like she did the last one but it was slow to subside. She gripped the edge of the box until it finally eased.

"Phoebe, are you all right?" Norah asked.

"I'm not sure," she hugged her stomach as the pains came and went. "I think...I might be going into labor."

"It's all right," Norah gripped her hand. "Breathe, one, two...good. Come on, we need to get you to the hospital."

"Jason?"

"Mom?"

"It's time. Phoebe needs you."

She felt his surge of panic before the link closed. Focusing on Phoebe, Norah helped her to her feet and carefully led her toward the elevator. Phoebe could barely waddle as she fought the pain of the contractions getting stronger as she moved. They just managed to reach the landing when Jason suddenly rushed around the corner to meet them. His gaze was full of worry as he ran up the steps to her. Cupping her face, he pecked a kiss on her lips before taking over from his mother and escorting her to the waiting elevator. Phoebe leaned against him. His scent and touch calming her beyond words. He half-carried her to the front doors of the packhouse where vehicles waited to rush them to the hospital. It seemed laughable that they would need to use a vehicle for such a short distance but she certainly wasn't going to walk.

Jason helped her in before rushing to the other side. Luke was behind the wheel and drove off the moment they were settled in the backseat. Behind them, Norah, the pups and Lucille climbed into the other SUV with Ben to follow.

"Doctor Evans! Phoebe's in labor!" Jason announced holding Phoebe's hand as she winced with another contraction. "We're ready," was the immediate answer.

Over the last couple weeks there had been a couple false starts but the staff was waiting in eager anticipation for their Luna to give birth. None dared fall behind when the warning was given.

They arrived at the hospital moments later but for Phoebe it felt like years as she breathed through her contraction, trying to time them in her mind. As soon as the vehicle came to a stop Jason was out and circled to her side to help her out.

Bridget was at the door with a wheelchair for her. Phoebe gratefully collapsed into the chair and Jason wheeled her in. Bridget led the way to the maternity ward where their room was already prepared. Jason helped her onto the bed and waited anxiously as they hooked her up to the vital signs monitor and began measuring her contractions now coming and fairly regularly.

"We're still about six minutes apart," Doctor Evans concluded. "Alpha, Luna, it'll be a good idea to relax. This may take awhile."

"But the babies are coming," Jason said.

"Yes," she smiled. "They are definitely on their way."

Jason let out a heavy sigh, kissing Phoebe's hand and held her close. Finally, their wait was almost over and their pups would soon make their entrance into the world. Elder Ansel made him promise to alert them the moment the twins arrived as the werewolf community was also waiting in anticipation.

"I'm sorry, I hope I didn't pull you out of an important meeting," Phoebe apologized. He had been working tirelessly to clean up the last loose ends of the previous king.

"Don't be ridiculous," Jason scoffed, "there is nothing more important in this world than you and our pups. Everything else can wait."

He kissed her forehead and nuzzled her, making her chuckle and easing her anxiety. Jason never failed to make it clear she came first. Jason stroked her cheek, smiling as she leaned into his touch.

"Rest, Phoebe," Jason finally said. "The doctor said we'll be here for awhile."

Phoebe nodded. She dosed on and off. Norah, the pups, Ben and Lucille, Luke and Mona, Dash and Cam, and Noah took turns coming in to visit as the labor slowly progressed. Bridget remained on hand to monitor her when the doctor had to step out.

When Phoebe got closer Bridget helped her into a hospital gown with the contractions growing closer and more painful. Phoebe let out a pained gasped during a trip to the bathroom feeling something shift and her inner thighs were suddenly coated in a fluid. She looked at the puddle at her feet then at Bridget.

"Is that?"

"Yep, your water broke. Your pups are definitely on their way now."