FULL NOVELXO Chapter 26
The wolf has me pinned and the only thing keeping him from taking a chunk out of my face are my
hands holding his snout, but he is too strong. Just as I'm about to give up, Malachi’'s brown wolf
tackles him off me. They spar on the ground, ferociously sinking their teeth into each other, but I
don't have time to focus on the fighting. I run for Marley and try to pull her up from the ground to
get her out of here, but she is still in so much shock that I must force her to move. “Marley, we have
to go now!” I shout, grabbing her hand and finally she snaps out of it and pushes the kids to run for
an entrance to the packhouse.
Suddenly, a dark brown wolf moves to block the door, trapping us all outside. I recognize this wolf immediately. “Evadean,” I whisper under my breath, meeting her eyes. She snarls at her name, baring her teeth at me in warning. “Marley, you and Ben have to take the kids inside and hide,” I order, pointing to a gate on the side of the house, before pushing her toward it. “What about you, Chloe?” She questions with trembling hands. “I will be okay. GO NOW!" I yell. Marley nods and grabs the kids, running to the open gate. She stops at the gate on the fence and looks back at me, like it could be the last time she sees me alive. I give her a glance and wave her on then bring my attention back to Evadean.
Evadean’s wolf never takes her eyes off me and when I start to back away, she rushes at me, shoving me into the tables. Food flies everywhere and I find a fork next to me. I quickly grab it when Evadean jumps on me and I plunge it into her neck. She lets out a yelp, but it doesn't stop her— Evadean charges at me again, striking me with such force it sends me flying into the wall of the house.
I fall to the ground and try to get my bearings. I notice Malachi still fighting the black wolf, but he has him on the ground pinned and doesn't hesitate to sink his teeth into his neck, ripping out his throat. Malachi turns to see me, and his wolf's eyes go wide with worry. He has blood dripping from his mouth and starts to rush to me, when another wolf slams into him. “MALACHI!" I yelled weakly as Evadean stalks towards me to probably finish the job.
Just when I think it's over, a giant silver wolf tackles her, and I know it's Cypress. He looks at me to check my well-being, so I give Cypress a nod to let him know I'm okay. Then, he continues to attack Evadean. I try to stand but stop when a gush of water rushes out between my legs like a waterfall. Shit!" I think terror takes over my emotions. Amelia notices my distress in her wolf form and runs to me. When she’s closer, she shifts back into her human form and comes to my side. “Chloe! Are you okay?” She asks frantically. “My water broke, and the contractions are coming in fast,” I tell her. "Shit! We need to get to the hospital,” She states, helping me stand.
We start to walk when a contraction comes, and I bend over in pain. “Aaah!!,” I shout, gripping my stomach. “We have to get to the car,” Amelia encourages me as she tries to pull me to walk. “She is coming. I can't make it,” I say, wincing as another contraction wracks my body. “Okay, then we need to get inside,” she states, looking around frantically. “Let's go. I will have another contraction soon. We need to move now” I gasp, trying to breathe slowly in and out.
Amelia puts her arm around me and helps me walk to the door. Once we're inside, she leads me to the office, which is the closest to the back door, and helps me lay down on the sofa. Amelia runs to get some clean towels. “Malachi, I need you,’ I think to myself, wishing he could hear me. My contractions are now so close that my body feels the need to push. Amelia rushes back into the room, holding sheets and a first aid kit. “Amelia, you have to get Malachi” I tell her, looking at her with terrified eyes. “I can't, leave you here alone” She exclaims, grabbing my hand. "MALACHI!!" I scream as a contraction, so strong my stomach tightens, passes through, and the urge to push is more robust.
Malachi comes running around the corner. I look up to him with sweat dripping from my forehead. “Luna, I'm so sorry” He apologizes, coming to my side and takes my hand while his other cups my face. He glances down at my lady parts and helps take my panites off so I can push Paisley out. I can't say much because I have a contraction, and I can feel her head coming out “AAAAAAH!!" I scream at the top of my lungs.
Malachi looks down and must have seen I'm crowning because when he meets my eyes again his eyes are so big he looks like one of those toys you squeeze, and their eyes pop out. “Chloe, one more push, and she is out,” Amelia coaches me, holding one of my legs while Malachi holds the other. I take a deep breath and push my hardest, and finally feel Paisley slip out and Malachi let's go of my leg to catch our baby.
Malachi brings her up so I can see her, and she is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life. I can see the umbilical cord is still attached, Amelia gets up and grabs a pair of scissors from the office desk and runs for the fireplace to burn off any germs. She rushes back in and hands them to Malachi to cut the cord. Amelia wraps Paisley in a blanket after cleaning her mouth and nose out. I look to Malachi and see his eyes light up like a Christmas tree as a tear falls down his cheek. I lay my hand on his forearm to comfort him, and he turns, smiling at me. “I love you, Luna. She is beautiful just like her mama" He says, planting a kiss on my forehead.
I see Marley running into the office, full of worry, until she sees Paisley in Malachi’s arms. She sits next to me and takes my hand, holding it tight. “Chloe, she is the spitting image of you,” She says in awe as she looks at me and I can't stop my tears. “I'm sorry Marley. Are the kids okay?” I question with concern. “We're all fine, just a little confused about the fact your fiancé and his family turn into wolves,” She says, looking at Malachi confused. He shrugs and looks around awkwardly. I grab Marley's hand bringing her attention back to me. “Let's save this conversation for later” I ask with little energy. Marley nods agreeing and squeezes my hand with a smile.
Malachi hands Paisley to me, and I cuddle her to my chest. “I love you,” I whisper, kissing her soft cheek. Amelia and Paul stand holding each other while Kali stands with Colette near the doorway. "Aunt Chloe, you did a great job,” Kali says, blowing me a kiss. I give her a wink. Cypress walks in to see his granddaughter in my arms. “Oh, wow,” he breaths. “Meet Paisley Marie Jacobson,” I say, looking up at him with a smile. He kneels closer to take in every ounce of her cuteness.
Suddenly, I'm overcome by a feeling that something is very wrong. I look to Malachi with a serious expression. “You need to take paisley,” I say, handing her to him. “Luna, what's wrong?" He speaks with concern. “Something is not right. I feel woozy,” I stutter, unable to get my words out clearly as the room spins in a blur. “CALL AN AMBULANCE!!!" Marley shouts. Amelia takes out her phone and dials.
I start to feel my eyes close and no matter how I fight to stay awake, they just feel so heavy. I can barely make out the voices, but I assume Malachi handed Paisley over to Marley. “CHLOE STAY AWAKE PLEASE!" Malachi yells with his voice cracking. I urge my eyes to flutter open again and see he’s holding my head, tapping my cheek as he tries to keep me awake, but I'm fading.
With all the strength I can muster, I meet his eyes, hoping my gaze is enough to convey how much I mean these last words, “I love you..."