Chapter 22 · The Blood Speaks First

Derek's eyes find mine across the room and everything else goes quiet.

Not actually quiet. Rena's still yelling something about silver extraction and Cole's on his feet even though he shouldn't be and there's blood everywhere. But all I can hear is my own heartbeat and the baby kicking hard against my ribs like she knows.

She knows her father just walked in.

"Ivy." Derek's voice comes out raw. His face is a mess of burn scars, fresh ones, the kind that come from walking through fire to get somewhere. "You're in labor."

I don't answer. Can't. Another contraction hits and I double over, gripping the edge of Rena's exam table so hard my knuckles go white.

Derek takes a step forward. Cole moves faster.

He's between us in half a second, one hand braced on the doorframe, the other hanging limp at his side where the silver bolt went through. He can't talk but his body says everything. You're not touching her.

Derek stops. Looks at Cole like he's a piece of furniture someone left in the way. "Move."

Cole doesn't.

"I said move." Derek's voice drops lower, and I feel it in my chest. Alpha command.