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No. She wouldn’t think of her friend’s death right now. Melanie wanted to live for Tristan, for their children, and most of all, for herself.
After riding out another contraction and seeing the growing worry on the nurse’s face, she decided to fuck it. If she was going to die, she wanted to know the truth. Her voice was weak to her own ears when she asked, “The nurse looks worried. What’s wrong?” She glanced to Dr. Sid. “And don’t lie to me.”
Sid replied, “Your blood pressure is rising and thanks to birthing one baby and not the other, the level of dragon-shifter toxins in your blood is getting higher than I’d like.”
She vaguely remembered being told that when under stress or duress, dragon-shifter babies in utero could release a toxin that she would absorb. In dragon-shifters, it caused mild nausea. In humans, it could kill them.
No doubt her little girl was stressed because of the long labor and at losing her womb-mate. She’d been alone for nearly an hour now.
Tristan squeezed her hand and said to the doctor, “You haven’t been able turn the baby. Can’t you deliver it breech?”
Sid looked grim. “Yes, it’s looking like you daughter is being stubborn. I wonder where she gets that from.”
Melanie managed enough energy to smile and said, “Her father” at the same time Tristan said, “Her mother.”
She glanced a
t Tristan and took strength from the love shining in his eyes. She squeezed her mate’s hand and said, “This is just the beginning. You know they’re going to be little hellions, right?”
“As long as you’re there to help me, I don’t care how much trouble they are.”
She so very much wanted to be there, but if she couldn’t push out her daughter soon, she knew she may not make it.
Sid moved down between her legs again and said, “I’m going to help the baby along. What I’m about to do may be uncomfortable.”
Before she could reply, she felt something in her vagina and Mel clenched her teeth. She could swear it was the doctor’s hand.
Tristan murmured into her ear until the doctor said, “Okay, on this next contraction, we’re going to work together. Don’t push right away, but do it when I say push.”
She nodded and gripped Tristan’s hand even tighter. She breathed in and out, in and out. Then the contraction hit her and she screamed.
“Don’t push yet!”
She hurt so badly and every instinct in her body told her to push. Tears flowed down her cheeks and she was vaguely aware of Tristan caressing her cheek.
“Push!”
And Melanie let out a yell as she pushed as hard as she could. When she finally felt the baby slip out of her body and let out a cry, she glanced to Tristan before the world went black.
~~~
Tristan heard their daughter’s first cry and was about to kiss his mate when Melanie’s hand went slack.
Both the man and beast yelled, “No. No, no, no.”
He glanced to the monitor and saw a weak heart rate moments before it went flat.
He squeezed Melanie’s hand. “Love, wake up.” He looked to Dr. Sid. “Help her.”
Sid and the nurses were already in action. Sid came to his side of the bed and pushed him away. “Leave the room, Tristan.”
His inner dragon growled. “I won’t leave her.”
Sid gave him a commanding glare. “I don’t have time for your alpha protective bullshit. Get out or let Melanie die. Take your choice.”
His dragon was clawing to get free, but Tristan pushed him back knowing full well that if his beast took control, Melanie would die.
Through sheer force of will he released his mate’s hand and moved out of the way. He let a nurse guide him out of the room, never taking his eyes off his mate until they were out in the hall.
