Chapter Thirty-Six
Most of the next hour seemed to go by in a blur, with moments of crystal clarity. The birth of their first daughter, their first son. Their second son, sunny side up just to be contrary. And finally, their second daughter, with a cry so loud the walls seemed to shake.
Hunter, true to his word, never left Cade’s side, never let go of his hand. Seth took hold of their firstborn, Ollie and Davyn arrived just as the second was born. By the fourth, they were running out of pairs of hands, and Jensen carefully laid her on Cade’s chest.
“They’ll all get a cuddle with you, as soon as possible,” he said.
Joe’s attention was still on his duties, he was pressing gently on Cade’s stomach and frowning.
The pressure that had eased started up again, taking Cade by surprise.
“Is that… ow, that’s really strong.”
“Um, Jensen,” Joe said, wide-eyed, his hand still on Cade’s stomach.
Cade watched the doctor lean over, placing his hand where Joe’s had been before nodding.
“What’s wrong,” Hunter asked as Joe began to roll up his sleeves.
“One more time, Cade,” the beta said.
“No,” Cade replied, waving a hand through the air as if to ward him off. “I counted, we did four. I can see four babies. One, two, three- ow.”
“Four,” Hunter finished for him, rubbing circles on Cade’s back. “Is this the afterbirth stuff I don’t want to know anything about?”
“Seconded,” Seth called, rocking the baby he was referring to as the leader of the band.
“No, Cade,” Joe said, resting a hand on Cade’s knee. “There’s another heartbeat.”
“No, but there can’t be. You scanned and we counted and-”
“We missed one,” Hunter said.
“Just one though, right?” Seth said. “A clown car womb sounds funny but we’re running low on baby holders.”
“Just one more,” Jensen confirmed. “It’s easier to tell a single heartbeat apart from Cade’s than four or five together.”
Cade was ready for this to be over. “Okay. I can do this.”
Hunter squeezed his hand. “Of course you can.”
The pressure started to build again. Joe leaned closer, his eyes closed, listening. They opened suddenly.
“Cade, push now.”
“But I’m not ready-”
“Now. Push now.”
Cade didn’t ask, he just pushed, pouring every ounce of energy he had left into it. Hunter pressed closer, buoying him with his strength.
As soon as the baby was out, Joe handed her to Jensen. The alpha set her down on the special heated table they’d set up. Cade watched anxiously, one hand still holding his fourth-born against his chest.
There was no cry from the table, no little sound of life, no extra heartbeat or tiny first breaths. Just silence.
Hunter clasped his hand as Cade choked back a sob.
He looked up at the alpha, seeing his own sorrow reflected in his mate’s eyes.
“Take her to Eamon.”
His words came out a whisper and not the shout he’d intended. But Hunter heard him.
“Cade?” he asked.
“Take her to Eamon. Down by the river.”
Hunter let go of his hand and moved. Before Cade could even blink, he’d whisked the baby away, blanket and all, running full tilt out of the house.
No one tried to stop him but from the looks on their faces, none of them understood, they all thought it was too late.
“Why Eamon?” Joe asked softly.
“I don’t know,” Cade replied. “It… it just seemed right.”
Hunter ran for the river, the baby clutched to his chest. She was so small, smaller than the other four, and felt terribly fragile in his hands. He wasn’t sure why he was bringing her to Eamon, except that this was Cade’s wish and he would see it done.
It was raining, huge drops of water hitting him as he did his best to shield the baby from the downpour. She was still and silent, her heart unmoving, her chest not rising or falling.
When he reached the river, Eamon was standing there, staring silently at the running water.
“Give her to me,” he said, and Hunter handed her over.
Eamon cradled her in his arms.
“So small, little one,” he murmured, kneeling down by the water. “Your grandfather was the same. The tiniest baby I had ever seen. My youngest. I loved him. Raised him. Kept this place safe for his children, long after he was gone. But all things must end. And all must start anew.”
Dipping his hand into the water, he drew a symbol across the baby’s forehead.
He looked up at Hunter then, his dark eyes shining. The baby in his arms stirred. “Five is an auspicious number for us shapeshifters. Five senses. Five roads to walk. There were five Dens, once upon a time. Five shifter groups signed a pact to ensure the survival of all.”
With a sigh, he looked down at the baby in his arms. “Welcome home.”
The baby made a sound and waved one tiny fist in the air.
“Go to your papa, now,” Eamon said, looking tired and gray. Hunter took her from the alpha, watching as Eamon struggled to his feet before turning and disappearing through the trees.
Hunter looked down at his daughter, two bright blue eyes staring up at him. She looked no worse for wear after her rough arrival. He didn’t pretend to understand what had just happened, he simply wrapped the blanket tighter around her, held her close, and carried her home.
Cade burst into sobs when Hunter settled her into his arms. He didn’t have time to adjust to the feeling of empty arms as Ollie handed another baby to him. “Your eldest son. An alpha.”
The baby managed a lazy yawn, settling quickly in Hunter’s arms.
“You never told me Eamon was your grandfather,” he said to Cade, having deciphered the old man’s words.
Cade gave him a tearful smile. “He didn’t like to talk about the past. It hurt a lot, after what happened to Dad. But it’s why he came here, to Riven Den. It’s why we’re all here.”
At Joe’s urging, Hunter sat next to Cade and Davyn handed him another baby. One in each arm. The second, a girl, cried a little before turning her head and scenting. As soon as she caught his scent, she settled.
“See, they know you already, papa bear,” Seth said.
Hunter looked on as Joe helped Cade take the other three babies. Cade was smiling through tears, overwhelmed with happiness. Hunter knew, because he felt it himself.
“Four and a surprise. Great, huh?” Ollie said, bouncing on his feet. Seth actually settled hands on his shoulders to keep him still.
“Perfect,” Cade agreed, looking to Hunter.
“Just perfect,” he said, holding Cade’s gaze.