6 Don’t Flinch

~ RETH ~

The bones in Reth's hand crunched together as Elia groaned, then her breath stopped and she squeezed his fingers even tighter with a strength he hadn't known she possessed. For a long minute she seemed to barely breathe while Aymora quietly encouraged her to do so, but Elia's entire body was zeroed in on the pain so that she couldn't even speak. His beast roared at the flash of pain when her grip ground his knuckles together, but he shoved it back, unwilling even to give it mental space.

His mate was in pain. Serious pain. And she was trying so hard not to scare him.

He was sheepish and irritated, confronted with the truth of Aymora's earlier words when Elia slumped after the contraction, then immediately looked at him, her eyes—bloodshot with tears and pain, searching his gaze with concern.

"I'm going to be f-fine, Reth," she croaked.

Reth growled and shook his head. "Stop worrying about me. Focus on yourself and our son."