Rhen nodded once.
His arms tightened around her like a shield.
He did not know how to make this gentle.
He knew only how to remain.
Leena whimpered and folded forward.
Rhen moved with her, one hand bracing her waist while the other held firm between her shoulders.
“Breathe.”
Another contraction slammed through her, tearing a sharp cry from her throat.
She leaned harder into him, fingers fisting his shirt.
Behind her, Sule smoothed damp hair away from her face, his hands shaking despite the control in his voice.
Malakai’s message flashed across Sule’s phone.
Malakai: Birth medic is ten minutes out. Where do you need us?
Sule typed with one hand.
Sule: Keep the other female stable. Send the medic upstairs the second she arrives.
He shoved the phone aside.
“Ten minutes.”
Rhen’s gaze met his.
Both understood.
The birth medic would not reach them before the child did.
The contractions stopped releasing Leena fully. Pressure replaced pain, low and overwhelming, and her body began bearing down before either male told her to.
Leena gasped.
“I can feel him.”
Rhen’s arms tightened around her waist.
“We’re here. Focus on my voice.”
Sule moved toward the foot of the bed, terror hollowing his expression before discipline forced his hands steady.
Another contraction surged.
Leena cried out against Rhen’s chest.
Sule watched the change in the shape of her belly and the instinctive way her body pushed.
“Now,” he said. “It’s happening now.”
Leena’s gaze flickered between them, exhausted but blazing with resolve.
