Read The Cub Club for Free Online

his face as he struggled through the agony tearing through him. A moment later, he glimpsed the crown of his daughter’s head.
    “I can see her! She’s got your blonde hair,” he informed Sarah.
    Sarah moaned, collapsing back as she caught her breath, and Erik watched as the strangest thing happened.
    Little Piper’s head began to retreat.
    “I need you to push again, Sarah,” he urged. “Her head is going back. It never came all the way out.”
    “What do you mean it’s going back? Babies don’t have a reverse direction during birth.”
    “Then she goes against the grain just like her mother, because that’s exactly what just happened.” Erik felt Sarah’s worry mingling with his own and was so happy to hear the front door opening. “Stephanie is here now. Just hold on. She’ll know what to do.”
    No sooner had the words left his mouth than the sound of running footsteps came through the house. Stephanie skidded into the room and came to an abrupt halt when she took everything in.
    “You had one of the babies already?” She seemed stunned, her eyes wide as she blinked slowly, but she quickly managed to pull her focus together and approach the bed. “How are you two doing?” she asked as she gently checked over a snoozing Peyton. “You did a good job securing the cord, Erik.”
    “Something’s wrong,” Sarah panted, and Stephanie’s attention snapped back to her. “Piper went back up. I was pushing, and Erik saw her head, even said she had my blonde hair, but then she just slid back up. Why would that happen?”
    “Let me get scrubbed. I’ll need to do an exam.” Stephanie’s clipped answer did nothing to sooth Erik’s nerves. In fact, it only confirmed his suspicion that something was really wrong when she ordered, “ Don’t push .”
    His mother entered the room next. Her eyes lit up when she glimpsed Peyton on the bed, and she came to Sarah’s side. Erik noticed her wrinkled clothing and figured that she must have tied them to carry in her wolf form as they’d run over.
    “I see you two got started without us,” she teased. “So who are we still waiting for?”
    “Piper seems to be having second thoughts,” Erik replied.
    Stephanie stepped back into the room, came to the foot of the bed then leveled a stern stare on Sarah. “I’ll have to examine you. This will involve my reaching inside to check Piper’s positioning and it will not be pleasant,” she warned. “I know you don’t do well with pain, but if you kick me, we’re going to have words.”
    “I can handle it. Just hurry.” Sarah was being as brave as she could, but Erik knew the truth. She was running the risk of completely losing control as her fear escalated. If that happened, her body might force a shift, and in the past, Stephanie had made it clear she was not a vet.
    “Okay, on the next contraction, breathe through it, and I’ll see if I can feel what she’d hung up on.”
    Angela picked up little Peyton when he stirred on the bed, the commotion in the room disturbing his attempt at rest. “I’ll go get him bathed and let him visit with his uncle Adam while you do this. I’ll be back in a few minutes. Just call if you need me quickly. You are doing great, Sarah.”
    “Thank you,” Sarah panted.
    Erik sat by her side, holding her hand as her womb did its best to expel the child inside, whether Sarah helped or not. They both groaned and curled in as it reached the peak again.
    “Don’t push, Sarah. I know the urge is strong, but you need to fight it.” Stephanie’s tone of voice told them she was in total medical mode. “Okay, it’s easing off now, and I’m going to check on Piper,” she explained as she donned her long surgical gloves. “Let me know when you feel another contraction coming on.”
    All Erik could do was hold his mate’s hand as Stephanie placed one open palm on Sarah’s belly while the other disappeared under the sheet. In the next instant, Sarah jerked and tried to scoot back,