“Push!” Meghan shouted.

One of the dragon shifter elders held her hand tightly. “You’re okay, sweetie,” she whispered. “You’re doing great!”

It didn’t feel like it. Ceri had been in labor for hours, more than she could count. She’d been pushing for what felt like forever. Her reserves were all but drained.

“It’s a tight fit, but I know you can do this. You need to dig really deep,” her doctor urged. “You ready?” Meghan had an encouraging smile and very kind eyes. Ceri had liked the human from the moment she had met her.

Ceri tried to nod. Had to work just to make that small movement. Right now, even breathing felt like an effort.

There was a commotion at the door. “I don’t give a fuck!” It was Bay. Her mate sounded agitated. He’d been trying to gain entry for the last hour.

“Bay,” she tried to scream, but it came out as a whisper. “Bay,” she tried again.

The elder squeezed her hand. “You can do this.”

“Move or I’m going to hurt you,” Bay snarled. The door opened and then slammed shut again.

A male said something, she wasn’t sure what because another pain was searing through her. She clenched her teeth. “No!” she moaned. “I can’t. Not again!” Her throat felt dry.

“You can!” Meghan urged. “Breathe.” Her doctor began mimicking the breathing technique. Ceri did the same.

Doctor Meghan looked between her legs. “Push!” she shouted.

Instead of doing what her doctor instructed, she slumped back. Her head was pounding, her lips felt dry and chapped. Her hair clung to her damp forehead. All she wanted to do was sleep; if not for the pain, she would.

“Don’t fight the birthing pains,” the elder urged. “You need to work with them. They are your friend.”

Ceri wanted to snort. “No!” She shook her head.

“Move!” Bay yelled. There was a thudding noise of flesh on flesh, followed by a grunt and a hard bang. Then the door was flung open, knocking the wall and Bay strode into the room. “I’m here.” He gripped her hand. “I’m not going anywhere.” He growled the last, making sure everyone within hearing distance knew it.

“You should not be in—” the elder began.

“My mate needs me,” Bay growled. “I am staying!”

She felt instantly better. Ceri tried to smile but another birth pain hit. This one more aggressive than the last. She ground her teeth together.

“Push, Ceri!” Meghan egged her on. “You need to give it everything.”

Bay clutched her hand. “I wish I could do this for you.”

Ceri nodded.

“I love you and our baby so much. Please, my love, I need you to be strong.” He leaned in and kissed her on the forehead.

Ceri nodded. She could do this! She had to do it. For their unborn child. For Bay. For herself. She pushed with everything she had. The pain seemed to last an age but she pushed and pushed and pushed, finally falling back on the pillow as it subsided. She made a noise of frustration.

“I saw the top of your baby’s head.” Meghan looked animated. “For just a second there.”

Ceri had barely caught her breath and the next pain hit. She wanted to crunch forward. To scream. To— Bay squeezed her hand.

“Push, Ceri,” he encouraged her.

“I can’t,” she sobbed.

“You must,” Bay urged.

Ceri pushed. It was with all of her might. Everything she had, which wasn’t much. She slumped back, trying to catch her breath. “Can’t,” she muttered. “Not working.” She could barely get the words out. Could hardly keep her eyes open. The reprieve wasn’t going to last.

“The baby keeps sucking back.” Her doctor looked frustrated. “You’re so close, Ceri. Just that little bit more. When the next one comes, you need to…”

Ceri shook her head, hot tears coursed down her cheeks. She had been strong for so long. She had reached a point where she just didn’t have much left. She wished she could take a break. A proper break. A twenty-minute power nap or a— The next pains began to slice through her. Like she was being torn in two. She clutched her belly and moaned.

“Here,” Bay held out his wrist to her, “drink. You need to—”

Ceri tried to lift her hand to clasp his wrist. It flopped uselessly at her side. “Here.” Bay held his wrist to her lips.

Ceri bit down and his blood filled her mouth. She only took a few sips. She knew that too much would make her ill.

She could actually feel the blood enter her stomach, could feel how its energy began to surge through her. This time when Meghan screamed for her to push, she did. She gave it everything and more. A growl forming from deep inside her. She grit her teeth and clasped her thighs.

Ceri yelled as their child was born. The infant yelled even louder in the very next second.

“It’s a boy!” Meghan shouted. “A healthy son.”

“A boy.” Bay beamed. Instead of looking at his son, his eyes were on her. “You did it, my love.” He kissed her. “I love you so much.”

“Love you too,” she managed between pants.

“Here he is.” Meghan held the little one.

“He’s completely bald.” Bay choked out a laugh, his eyes were glistening. “He has your eyes,” he said as he took the squirming baby from Meghan. Their baby. Her little boy. Ceri realized that she was crying.

“He’s perfect,” Bay said, his voice hitching.

Ceri took her son and cradled him in her arms. He quietened down, looking up at her. “I’m your mom,” she crooned. “It’s nice to meet you,” she managed between the tears.

She looked up at Doctor Meghan who was holding her own bump. The female was soon to be a mother herself. “Thank you,” Ceri said.

Meghan nodded once and smiled. “He is beautiful. I’m so glad it all worked out.”

“Me too,” Ceri responded.

“Me three.” Bay looked down at his son. His eyes filled with joy and wonder. “We’re a family,” he announced.

Ceri felt like her heart would burst.