The Secrets of a Luna

Chapter Fifty: A New Howl Echoes in the Night

Hudson:

The months passed begrudgingly slow, the first snow storm raging away outside. A depressed Evie didn't leave the house, Christmas and New Year's Day passing without a smile on her face. If I was being honest, holidays were never her thing. She never showed up to school during those weeks, my old man probably having something to do with it. Something was eating at her, my eyes falling on the calendar. Today was January fourteenth, an annoyed Evie working on her millionth charcoal picture. Cupping the side of her head, a long groan poured from her lips. Boredom darkened her expression, the anxiety driving her insane. Her wolf had refused to let her shift for the past months, the desire to run itching at sanity.

"Can't this pup arrive already? I can't stand to sit here." She grumbled under her breath, her gaunt cheeks showing her lack of an ability to keep any food down. "I want to eat again. What the hell has my life been reduced to?" Grappy and Bloodsworth sat on either side of her, her fingers drumming on the coffee table. Her agitation swelled by the day, the rough coldness of it affected everyone. The house felt cold, foreign to us all. Her warmth had cooled to a tiny ember.

"I don't need a babysitter every ten seconds. Trust me, I am too fucking sick to move." She spat viciously, chewing on her lips. "I don't feel right today. Do me a favor and get me a cup of ice cubes. I am thirsty and a bit hungry with a sour stomach. Never mind, I have another plan. Smoothing out their matching scarlet silk suits, their eyes watching her struggle to her feet. Leaning on the wall, she climbed the stairs gingerly. Latia watched on from the kitchen table, seconds from her due date as well. Adjusting her sweatshirt, Grayson hugged her from behind. His hair had grown out to his shoulder, a tinge of jealousy flashing in my eyes at the sight of how lovey-dovey they were. A steady stream of curse words shattered the quietness, my ears perking up at the sound. Raven poked her head out of the room, my bare feet pounding up the stairs to view a sweat soaked Evie standing over a puddle of water. The wood groaned underneath her strengthening grip, her hand holding her swollen bump. Our pup was coming today, my heart pounding out of my chest. Sliding on my boots, her fingers grasped my t-shirt.

"Get the doctor." She squeaked out, fighting the urge to scream. "Get the doctor!" Running out into the hall, Grappy was on the phone. Calling me down, his nervous smile alarmed me in the most unsettling way. Pulling me in close, his next words sent chills up my spine. Of course, nothing seemed to be going right.

"The doctor is already at another birth." He laughed anxiously in my ear, hanging up the phone. "We have to take her to a hospital. It's your move, boss." Clenching my fists into a ball, another steady stream of curse words bounced off the wall. Fishing around my pockets, I dropped the car keys into his palms. Keeping him in his place, my sarcastic smirk sent him into a panic.

"Start the fucking car. Her water broke and I don't know how long we have left." I commanded impatiently, my nerves fraying by the second. "Is that even safe? What will they say about your eyes?" A throat clearing captured our attention, a quaking Evie sat at the top of the stairs. So many questions rested on the tip of my tongue, the sight of her wincing snapping me out of it for a quick second.

"You can tell them I am albino, idiots." She chastised with a sarcastic half-smirk, an overnight bag rested in her lap. "It hurts a bit, so let's speed it up. Grappy is my brother and so isn't Theros when he visits. We all know that he will." Hiding her pain behind a twitching snarl, her calmness frightened me. Gripping a banister, the wood snapped in half. The banister paid the consequence for our indecision.

"I can't move. I need help getting to the car." She continued with a small whimper, the leather handle groaning underneath her grip. "I am ready to pop this pup out of me. So let's go before I lose my cool." Chuckling darkly to herself, she meant it. Resting her head on the banister next to her, silent tears streamed down her cheeks. Rushing up the stairs, my arms scooped her up. She felt light as a feather, her black bags hollowed out her eyes. The ghostly paleness of her skin alarmed me, her lips pressing into a thin line. How did she end up like this? Rushing her into the car, Grappy hopped in behind the driver's wheel. Her breathing grew labored, my shaking hands clicking in her seat belt. Gripping my midnight black cotton t-shirt, her claws tore at the soft cotton. Her inner wolf howled in response to the immense jolts of electrical pain associated with each contraction.