Chapter Six

Freya's aunt, a skilled midwife and experienced healer, had been preparing for the delivery for weeks. She had gathered all the necessary herbs and supplies and had been training Freya on how to breathe and push during labor. As the day of the delivery approached, Freya felt both excited and nervous, knowing that the arrival of her and Andie's child would bring both joy and challenges.

Freya had known that the day would come when she would give birth to Andie's child, but she had not expected it to be this soon. The contractions had started early in the morning, and she could feel the baby pushing down against her cervix. It was a feeling like no other, and she tried to stay calm and focused despite the pain. She took deep breaths, trying to remember the breathing techniques her aunt had taught her, and her aunt was by her side, holding her hand and encouraging her with each contraction.

As the contractions continued, they grew more intense, and Freya's aunt could see the pain etched on her face. She rubbed her back gently, hoping to ease her discomfort. "You're doing great, Freya," she said. "Just keep breathing and pushing, and we'll get through this."

Freya nodded, tears streaming down her face. She was scared and in pain, but she knew she had to be strong for her baby. She pushed with all her might, feeling the baby move down and out of her body. Her aunt helped to catch the baby and placed it on her chest.

"It's a boy," she whispered, tears in her eyes. "You did it, Freya."

Freya looked down at the tiny, wriggling bundle on her chest, and tears of joy streamed down her face. She had given birth to Andie's child, and nothing else mattered in that moment. The pain, the fear, and the uncertainty of the future faded away, replaced by a deep sense of love and gratitude.

Her aunt cut the cord, and they wrapped the baby in a warm blanket. Freya held him close, feeling his warmth and his tiny breaths against her skin. She knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but she was determined to do everything she could to protect her child and give him the best life possible.

As the minutes turned into hours, Freya and her aunt worked together to care for the baby, nursing him and changing his diaper. They talked about the future and what it might hold, both for Freya and her child and for Andie and his pack. They knew that there were many challenges ahead, but they were determined to face them together.

The sound of footsteps outside the door interrupted their quiet moment, and Freya's heart skipped a beat. She knew that Andie's father and the pack elders would not be happy about the baby's birth, and she was afraid of what they might do. But she held her baby close, determined to protect him no matter what.

********

Andie's father paced back and forth in his office, his face furrowed with worry. He had just received news that Freya had gone into labor, and he knew that the situation was dire. If the baby was allowed to live, it would cause problems for the pack. The rules were clear: werewolves must only mate within their own pack to ensure their bloodlines remained pure. Any offspring from outside the pack were considered a threat and had to be eliminated.

He called in his Special Guard, a group of elite warriors who were fiercely loyal to him, and gave them strict instructions. "I have received news that Freya is in labor," he said, his voice low and urgent. "We cannot let this baby be born. It is a threat to our pack's purity. I want you to take some men and kill the baby before anyone knows about it."

The guard hesitated, their expressions conflicted. They knew that this was a terrible order, but they also knew that they could not disobey their alpha. One of them stepped forward, his voice trembling slightly. "But sir, isn't this against our laws and traditions? Shouldn't we at least hear what Andie has to say about it?"

Andie's father rounded on him, his eyes flashing with anger. "Andie is weak. He has allowed himself to be blinded by his love for Freya. He cannot be trusted to make the right decision for our pack. This is my decision, and it is final. Now, go and do as I have instructed you."

The guard hesitated for a moment longer, but then they bowed their heads and left the room, their faces grim with determination. They knew that this was a terrible thing they were being asked to do, but they also knew that they could not disobey their alpha.

They moved swiftly and quietly, making their way to Freya's house under the cover of darkness. They burst into the room where Freya was in labor, their weapons drawn and ready. Freya's aunt, who had been helping her, stood protectively in front of her, her face a mask of determination.

"What is the meaning of this?" she demanded, her voice steady.

"We have orders to kill the baby," one of the guards said, his voice cold and unyielding.

Freya gasped, her eyes wide with fear. "No, please, you can't," she pleaded. "The baby hasn't done anything wrong. It's not its fault that it was conceived out of our pack."

The guard shook his head, his face implacable. "I'm sorry, but we have our orders. We must follow them."

Just then, Andie burst into the room, his eyes wild with fear and anger. "What are you doing here?" he demanded, his voice shaking with emotion.

His father's guard turned to face him, their weapons still raised. "We're here on your father's orders," one of them said. "He wants us to kill the baby."