The Alpha King (Kingdom of Askara #1)(64)

Guilt swamped Luca. Kit had taken everything Luca had thrown at him with grace and cheerfulness, and apart from making sure everyone in the pack was fed, Luca hadn’t asked once what he filled his days doing.

“You’re doing great,” Taheesha pronounced and covered Kit up.

Kit immediately rolled onto his side. “I need to get up.”

“Sire,” Sam said apologetically, reminding Luca of his other problem.

Kit grabbed his arm. “Luca, what is it?”

“I am worried there may be wolves close,” he hedged. “It makes sense for us to lead them away from here.” He didn’t tell Kit what Sam had said. He had enough to worry about.

Kit’s eyes filled. “Don’t leave me.”

“Never.” Luca cupped Kit’s face and thumbed a single tear that ran down his cheek. He bent and pressed a gentle kiss on Kit’s forehead. Luca glanced at Sam. “Make sure we have scouts posted.” Sam nodded grimly and disappeared.

“Luca, sit in front of him and spread your legs wide.” Taheesha interrupted, and in a few minutes Kit was resting his head on Luca’s shoulder, kneeling forward with Luca supporting his top half.

“Oh, that is so much better,” Kit groaned.

“Molly had three women last year who gave birth like that.”

Luca’s eyes shot up. “What?”

“Or actually crouching if you’re strong enough to hold him up,” Taheesha continued without missing a beat. Luca bristled indignantly. Of course he was strong enough. Then he caught Taheesha’s smile and realized he was being bated.

“I thought women were supposed to give birth laying on their backs.”

“Luca, they can stand on their heads if it makes it easier.” Taheesha clucked sympathetically at Kit’s groan. “Although I’d go with whatever position gravity makes easier.”

“Oh,” Kit ground out and pressed his head into Luca’s chest.

“What can I do, baby?” Luca murmured.

Taheesha looked down. “You’re doing great. Nearly fully dilated.”

Luca dropped a kiss on Kit’s head. “Hear that sweetheart? You’re gonna meet our son, soon.”

Kit said something muffled into Luca’s shoulder, and Luca held him, rubbed his back, and whispered how much he was loved.

An hour later Kit was screaming and Luca was about ready to. He’d been on his back for a while but he was getting nowhere. Every push seemed to hurt more and Kit was exhausted. Luca was channeling every healing thought possible into him and said that to Taheesha.

“You’re doing what?” she exclaimed.

“I’m healing him,” Luca explained.

“You complete idiot,” Taheesha lost it. “He’s not sick, he’s trying to have a baby. How do you know that you aren’t fighting what is supposed to be happening naturally? That could easily be the reason we’re not getting anywhere.”

Kit whimpered and Luca looked down in horror. This was his fault?

“Luca, get him back on his knees. He seemed easier like that.” Luca gently arranged Kit, but Kit didn’t even seem to be aware of what they were doing. Luca supported him and draped Kit’s arms over his neck.

“Now the next time the contraction hits I want you to push.”

“Who says they stop?” Kit muttered pitifully.

“Luca, when I say I want you to bite him.”

“What?” Luca said incredulously.

“I only saw one she-wolf give birth, but her mate bit her just as the head crowned. It’s the perfect pain killer and it gave the she-wolf the strength to finish the job.”

“Luca,” Kit gasped, “it’s coming.”

Kit seemed to heave and Taheesha cried out a stream of encouragement. She met Luca’s eyes. “Now.”

Luca licked Kit’s neck and sank his teeth in just below his tattoo. Kit stiffened, cried out, and then every muscle in him relaxed. “Perfect,” Taheesha cried. “I need one more big push.”

Luca licked his bite to seal the skin but Kit wasn’t moving. “Kit, baby. One more. Come on sweetie, one more.”

“I can’t,” Kit whispered, his eyes closed. “I can’t.”

“Kit?” Luca cupped Kit’s face. “Open your eyes, baby. One more time, for me.”

Kit cracked open his beautiful blue eyes, widening them as he felt the next pain. He screwed them up and pushed. Luca looked over at the first cry. Taheesha was holding a squirming, screaming, indignant tiny baby. Asher bent down with a cloth and handed Taheesha some string that had been soaking in the water. Luca hadn’t even noticed Asher had come in. Darrin was hovering with blankets as well.

“Is he okay?” Kit asked frantically.

“He’s perfect,” Taheesha grinned. She very quickly handed the baby to Asher and tied and cut the cord. He was still crying. “I think he wants his daddy.” She smiled. Kit tried to turn and Luca helped him until Kit was cradled against Luca’s chest. Kit immediately held his arms out and Asher handed him over. “Do you have a name?” he asked.

Kit shook his head and Luca gazed at them both, completely over awed. Their son had stopped crying as soon as Kit closed his arms around him. He was perfect—a few strands of black hair, light brown skin, the cutest nose possible, and... “Beautiful blue eyes,” Luca said as his son opened them. “Perfect, like his daddy.”