The Shadow of the Forgotten Crown

Celestia's voice.

"Push Luna! push!!" The midwife's voice vibrated into a guttural growl.

Thickened sweat rolled down my forehead, my insides stretched with a hurt that rivaled my first shift. 

My jaw tightened so hard and the fluorescent lights above me flickered.

"This isn't working, we'll need to perform a C-section," I heard the doctor say through a blur of pain.

"But the Alpha isn't here yet, we can't do anything unless he signs off on it," 

"He still isn't here yet!" 

I swallowed.

Raphael wasn't here yet...what..what could be more important than this? Then the birth of our first child? 

He wouldn't... no...no...I'm sure that woman has her limits, she wouldn't keep him away.

With my draining strength, I contacted him through mindlink, mates could contact each other through any distance with mine link.

"Raphael, where are you? Our pup..." 

"Medea is also in labor, she needs me right now." 

I sucked in a deep breath.

"But I'm your mate, this is our baby I'm talking about." 

"My parents will be there for you but Medea is an orphan with no one, she needs me more than ever. I can't leave her now." 

Tears welled in my eyes, I knew nothing I said would make him choose me over his first love.

Another wave of contractions hit me.

I screamed, and the doctor yelled out a skewed push.

I inhaled deeply, every inch of me trembling.

This wasn't the time to exchange words.

"Raphael, the doctors say I need a C-section-" 

"No," He whipped back before I could finish, "You will not humiliate me by getting a C-section. All Alpha children are born through natural birth that's how it has always been, you're not the exception," 

My tears pooled up.

"I'm in so much pain...Raph..please..."

"My mother did it, so did my Grandma. I will allow you to spit on the Ashen Alpha family name. Give birth the normal way or else I won't acknowledge that pup as my own," 

After that he cut off the connection, blocking me from his mind while my body was wrecked with contractions 

Through heavy breath, I told the doctors that we should continue with the route of natural birth.

"I want to have my pup the right way," I said, fighting back tears.

With doubt clouding his eyes and that of the nurses aiding her the doctor reluctantly agreed.

Three more hours of screams, sweat, and blood as I drifted between life and death were broken by the wet cry of my pup.

His cry bounced off the walls of the delivery room, and my heart swelled with pride. That was a strong sign of a healthy powerful pup.

"May the moon goddess light remain on you," the doctor said to me.

Soon my baby was placed in my arms.

He had been sniffling before but he calmed after he was placed on my chest.

My whole body felt like jelly, but I was drenched with joy seeing my pup.

"What will you name him?" A young nurse asked curiously as he peeked to look at the pup, the Doc chastised him.