Caged

Chapter 15.

II felt myself sway shakily as he moved away from me, leaving me feeling empty. I looked around the room and realized that I was surrounded by those who were now my family. The ache in my chest lightened slightly and I felt a reassuring arm reach around me as Ivy stepped next to me. "You ok? I thought you'd be thrilled."

I nodded and quickly tried to replace the obvious look of sadness I'd had with one of happiness. "I'm fine. It's just so strange to me. I went my whole life without this, and it's weird now. I never thought I'd have this."

She bumped me with her hip before pulling me into a quick hug. "Well you've got us now. That's all that matters. I better see you tomorrow at training girl. You'll be kicking ass before you know it." She pulled away and flashed me a smile which I quickly returned.

I could live without a mate. I'd thought I would live my whole life without one anyway. Why was it any different now? I finally had all that I had ever wanted. I had a pack. I had a family.

I felt a shooting pain in my lower back wrenching through my body as if I was being torn apart from the inside. My hand flew to the point of the pain as I doubled over, letting out an agonizing scream. I immediately fell to the floor as I felt a gush of warm liquid begin to coat my thighs.

"Oh my God. No it's too soon. This can't be happening." I cried as my hand moved to stroke my swollen belly.

Cage stormed into the little cabin and his eyes widened in shock as they fell to me crumpled on the floor. He barked something out of the door and instantly two females ran into the room, buzzing around me to cut away my clothing while the other prepared her tools and towels next to me on the floor.

"The umbilical cord is wrapped around the baby's neck. She's going to die if we don't get her out now." The lead healer yelled.

Cage's eyes flashed dangerously and he stepped just in front of her, clenching her around her throat. He spoke low and his voice was menacing as she gasped for air. "You do whatever the fuck you have to to save it. Do you understand me?"

She nodded and fell to the floor as he released her. He growled and she quickly jumped to action, speaking to the healer beside her. They both nodded in agreement and I felt panic begin to surge inside of me as she reached for the scalpel on the floor beside her.

"Wh-what are you going to do?" I said shakily between spasms of pain.

She looked down at me with an apologetic look and nodded to the female next to her. She stuck a needle into my arm and pushed a thick liquid through it. She listened intently before her eyes widened with worry. "I'm sorry honey. We won't be able to wait for the medicine to take effect. We have to get her out now. If we don't she'll..."

"Do it now damnit!" Cage growled.

I nodded and took the leather she'd given me, shoving it between my teeth as my hand gripped into the rug beneath me as another painful surge coursed through me, pushing spots into my vision. I clenched my teeth down and let out a muffled gut wrenching scream as I felt the cold blade come down across my stomach, slicing through my flesh easily.

The assisting healer leaned forward, holding my hand in hers as she whispered in my ear. "You'll pass out soon miss. You're doing great."

I heard the lead healer screaming for help and I could hear panic in her voice. A hard pressure built below my waist as I felt myself slowly fading into darkness.

I woke with a painful ache in my stomach. My hand reached down to tenderly touch the stitched line across my lower abdomen and my eyes snapped open. I blinked several times, willing my vision to clear faster.