From Rejected Mate to Luna Chapter 68

Julia's POV

I sat at the small desk in my guest quarters, spreading the Spring Valley pack health records across its surface. The data revealed interesting patterns about preventative care access that I hadn't initially expected. Despite my professional focus, I couldn't ignore the tension permeating the pack territory.

Glancing out the window, I noticed increased security patrols—warriors moving with purposeful strides along the perimeter paths, their expressions grim. The attack from a few days ago had everyone on edge.

I wondered how these security concerns would affect our research project. Professor Andrews had mentioned extending our stay if the data collection phase took longer than anticipated, but with the current situation...

My thoughts drifted to Olivia. She'd been so kind since my arrival, despite her advanced pregnancy. James had been spending most of his time coordinating security, leaving her alone more often than seemed fair for someone so close to her due date.

A sudden, urgent knocking jolted me from my thoughts. Not gentle tapping, but frantic, almost panicked pounding that made my heart rate spike. Kaia instantly went on alert.

I approached the door cautiously, inhaling deeply to identify the visitor. The scent of lavender and something distinctly feminine told me it was Sarah before I even opened the door.

"Julia!" Sarah's face was flushed, her breathing rapid. "Thank God you're here! We need your help—it's Olivia! She's gone into labor, and there are complications!"

My nursing training kicked in immediately. "How far along is she? What kind of complications?"

"I don't know exactly," Sarah said, wringing her hands. "But James isn't here, and the pack doctor and nurses were called to the border after the attack—there were injuries. Olivia's in pain, saying something about the baby being in the wrong position."

I grabbed my emergency med kit—I never traveled without it. "Where is she?"

"The Beta residence. Ryan and Taylor are with her now, but none of us know what to do."

We rushed through the community center, Sarah explaining between breaths. "The pack's medical team won't be back for hours, but Olivia says the baby isn't waiting."

The implications hit me immediately. "Has anyone called for an ambulance? Human hospital?"

Sarah shook her head. "Too risky with werewolf births. Sometimes the babies shift during delivery."

*We can do this,* Kaia reassured me. *Our mothers have been delivering cubs since before hospitals existed.*

The Beta residence was eerily quiet when we entered, except for pained moaning coming from upstairs. Ryan stood at the bottom of the stairs, looking pale and lost.

"She's upstairs," he said unnecessarily. "Taylor's with her."

I took the stairs two at a time, Sarah close behind me. The master bedroom door stood ajar, and the scent of fear and pain hit me like a physical force.

Olivia lay on the bed, her face flushed and damp with sweat. Her floral nightgown clung to her body, darkened with perspiration. Taylor sat beside her, awkwardly patting her hand.

"Julia," Olivia gasped, relief flooding her features. "The baby—something's wrong."

I set my kit down and moved to her side, slipping immediately into professional mode. "I need to check you, Olivia. Is that okay?"

She nodded, another contraction gripping her. I checked her pulse—rapid but strong—then carefully examined her abdomen, feeling the baby's position through her stretched skin.

"The baby's in breech position," I confirmed, my fingers detecting what Olivia's instincts had already told her. "How far apart are your contractions?"

"About three minutes now," Taylor supplied. "They started getting close really fast."

I ran through my mental checklist. This was happening, ready or not. "Sarah, time the contractions. Ryan, I need warm water and clean towels. Taylor, help Olivia stay comfortable between contractions."

Everyone moved to their tasks, grateful for direction. I looked into Olivia's frightened eyes.

"I know you're scared," I said softly but firmly. "I've been trained for this. We're going to get through this together, okay?"

She nodded, gripping my hand with surprising strength. "James?"

"We'll update him as soon as we can," I promised, though I suspected the pack's Beta would be difficult to reach during the security crisis.

As I prepared, Kaia sensed something I couldn't. *The cub's wolf is struggling,* she whined in my mind. *It's afraid.*

That meant we had less time than I thought.

Over the next hour, the labor progressed rapidly. I monitored Olivia's vitals and the baby's position, using techniques I'd learned to try encouraging the baby to turn.

"You're doing great," I reassured Olivia, though my concern was growing. The baby remained stubbornly in breech position, and Olivia was tiring.

"I can't," she sobbed during a particularly painful contraction. "I need James. Where is he?"

"He's handling the security situation," Taylor explained gently. "Ryan's trying to reach him."

I focused on the immediate problem. The baby's heartbeat was becoming irregular—I could hear it with my enhanced werewolf hearing, a faltering rhythm that sent chills down my spine.

"Olivia," I said, making a critical decision. "We can't wait any longer. On the next contraction, I need you to push while I help guide the baby out. This isn't ideal for a breech birth, but the baby's in distress."

She looked terrified but nodded bravely. As the next contraction built, I positioned myself, recalling every detail from my training.

"Now, push!" I directed, and Olivia bore down with remarkable strength.

The next twenty minutes were the most intense of my life. With careful guidance, I managed to help the baby's buttocks and legs emerge, but the shoulders and head—the most dangerous part of a breech delivery—still remained.

"The heart rate's dropping," I warned, hearing the faltering beats. "One more big push, Olivia!"

With a primal scream that probably echoed throughout the community center, Olivia gave one final, heroic push. I maneuvered carefully, supporting the tiny body, easing the shoulders through, and finally, with a slippery rush, the baby's head emerged.

I cleared the airway immediately, my fingers trembling slightly as I worked. For a heart-stopping moment, there was silence—then a loud, indignant cry filled the room.

"It's a boy," I announced, my voice cracking with emotion as I placed the squirming infant on Olivia's chest. "A healthy baby boy."

Tears streamed down Olivia's face as she cradled her son. "He's perfect," she whispered.

I efficiently handled the third stage of labor, delivering the placenta and checking for excessive bleeding. Sarah and Taylor helped clean up, while Ryan stood in the doorway, looking both awed and slightly traumatized.

As I guided Olivia through the baby's first feeding, she looked up at me, eyes shining with gratitude.

"Julia," she said softly, "without you, we might have lost him. I don't know how to thank you."

I smiled, feeling a warmth I hadn't experienced in months. "He's beautiful, Olivia. What's his name?"

"We were thinking Ethan," she said, stroking the baby's cheek. "Ethan Parker."

"It's perfect," I replied, watching the tiny fingers curl around his mother's thumb.