Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 79: Emergency Delivery

The tall giraffe leaned down. "Director, let me tell you, that divorced hippo couple at the Hippo Pavilion is at it again!"

"The male hippo actually lured his ex-wife’s new flame—that strong young male—right to the edge of the crocodile pond..."

The shorter giraffe suddenly interjected. "And guess what? The new guy and the crocodile ended up becoming best friends! Now they team up every day to steal the ex-wife’s fodder!"

Nancy burst into laughter.

Just then, her phone rang. The panicked voice of the on-duty keeper came through the receiver. "Ms. Nancy, it’s an emergency! Silver Blade the snow leopard has gone into labor, but something is very wrong!"

"What? I’m on my way!"

Nancy’s heart tightened. Dropping everything, she grabbed her umbrella and bolted into the rain.

When she arrived breathless at the Snow Leopard Pavilion, the sight made her gasp. Silver Blade, usually so majestic, was curled in agony in the birthing room. The bedding beneath her was soaked with amniotic fluid and blood. She was panting heavily, her amber pupils contracting sharply with every wave of pain, punctuated by low, guttural whimpers.

Nancy quickly pulled on her gloves to perform an exam, her expression growing increasingly grim. "The fetus is malpresented. The cub’s front limbs are stuck in the birth canal. We have to perform an emergency C-section right now!"

She looked up at the keeper. "Get the anesthesiologist on the line!"

"The anesthesiologist went back to his hometown in the north today! The soonest he can get here is an hour!"

The keeper’s answer sent Nancy’s heart to the pits of her stomach. A snow leopard was far too large for her to handle alone. She needed help—one person to stabilize the mother and another to deliver the cub.

Nancy’s hands shook as she scrolled through her contacts, but she couldn't find a single professional vet who could make it in time.

Just then, security called. "Ms. Nancy, there’s a Mr. Barry at the gate looking for you..."

"Barry?" Nancy’s eyes lit up.

Barry had been a combat medic. He had performed countless surgeries without anesthesia under the harshest conditions imaginable; his surgical skills were beyond reproach. Though he wasn't a veterinarian, she had no other choice. If they didn't act now, she would lose both the mother and the cub.

Asking for Barry's help was their only lifeline.

"Let him in immediately! Tell him to come straight to the Snow Leopard Pavilion!"

At the entrance of the Loren Zoo, a pair of piercing headlights cut through the rainy night. A discreet black Maybach rolled into the park.

Inside the car, Barry’s face was a thundercloud, looking ready to challenge the storm outside.

"You. Are. Bold," he muttered, grabbing Star’s ear. His long fingers rhythmically and dangerously twisted the furry tip.

Star’s "illness" hadn't lasted the car ride; Barry had seen through the act the moment the dog got too comfortable. Star let out a soft awoo, piteously rubbing his head against his master’s knee. "You're here, so this means… Miss Nancy misses me too!"

"Heh." Barry gave a cold laugh. He let go of the ear and caught the dog’s muzzle instead. "You’re getting out on your own in a minute. And don't even think about stepping foot in this car again. I’m leaving you here."

Star wagged his tail sorrowfully.

The Maybach had barely come to a halt in front of the Snow Leopard Pavilion when, before Barry could kick Star out, a loud thud echoed through the car.

The rear door was yanked open!

Through the curtain of rain, Nancy appeared, holding a lopsided black umbrella, water dripping from the ends of her hair. Her doe-like eyes were incredibly bright, as if she had just found her savior. "Barry! Your timing is perfect!"

Before Barry could recover from the shock of his car being "hijacked," he felt a firm tug on his wrist.

"Hurry!" Nancy pulled him along. "Come help me deliver a baby!"

Barry was stunned. "...Deliver? A baby?"

He froze for a heartbeat in the rain.

"The snow leopard is having a difficult labor," Nancy explained, pulling on his sleeve as they ran, rain matting her hair. "I need help adjusting the fetal position and opening the incision!"

She struggled to hold the large black umbrella high enough to cover him. "Can you help me? Please?"

Barry’s brow furrowed slightly. Nancy’s breath hitched, fearing he would refuse.

The next second, the man’s long fingers took the handle from her. His calloused fingertips brushed against her skin. With a steady hand, he held the umbrella over them both, creating a dry sanctuary in the midst of the downpour.

"Lead the way," he said, his voice low. He kept a polite distance but moved protectively by her side, his large frame blocking the wind-blown rain.

The sound of their footsteps splashed through the puddles as they hurried toward the birthing room.

Inside, Silver Blade was howling in pain. "It hurts…"

Nancy’s heart ached. She began the sterilization process. "Don't worry, Silver Blade. You and your cub are going to be just fine!"

The keeper had already laid out the surgical instruments.

Barry stood in the prep area, expertly folding back the sleeves of his surgical gown. His movements as he tied his mask were fluid and graceful, the thin straps knotting at the back of his neck and emphasizing the lean strength of his throat.