Soon, the lights changed, and the room brightened under the overhead lights — a stark, unforgiving white.
Machines beeped at steady intervals, and sterile air mixed with the subtle scent of antiseptic filled the space. Everything was too clean, too still —until Arwen's first true contraction tore through that stillness like lightning.
"Arghhh!!!!"
Her back arched, and her hand flew out blindly.
Aiden caught it instantly, and the world inside him snapped. "Moon!"
Her soft breaths turned into sharp gasps as she tried her best to contain the patience that only felt slipping.
Her knuckles whitened as sweat dampened her forehead.
Aiden stared at her deeply. His pupils dilated more —the darkness swirling at the edges of his irises deepening into something feral.
"Husband …" Arwen panted, grabbing his wrist. Her nails dug into his skin. "It's … coming again — ahhh!"
