He entered the home. The smell of incense and sweat permeated the area. “Rachel!”
No answer. Lev went toward where several women gathered in the birthing room. He looked over their heads. “How much longer?”
Rachel appeared to use massage to move the baby to the proper position. “I’m doing an external cephalic inversion. Almost there.”
He couldn’t help but admire her determination. “Turning her around?”
“Not easy without an ultrasound, but yeah.”
A woman looked at Lev. “Girl?”
Rachel answered. “The baby is small, which makes the EVI much easier.” She smiled at the mother. “Keep breathing, you’re doing great.” Rachel paused and then ordered the rest out. “All of you leave. For five minutes.”
Lev stepped back.
“Not you, Lev. Stay.”
“I know nothing of childbirth.” Had Rachel reduced him, the powerful feared werewolf into an assistant nurse?
“You don’t have x-ray vision, but can you pinpoint the location of the heart or even better the carotid artery?” She looked up. “On each side of the neck, to confirm the head is in the proper position.”
“I know where it is,” he said defensively. Lucky for you, I’m the best assistant nurse.
“Can you listen for them?”
“Yes.” He cocked his head. He pointed. “There.”
Rachel continued manipulating for another few minutes. She exuded great calm and focus. Much like her father while he treated patients. The fact bad werewolves hunted them did not concern her the least bit.
Rachel sighed. “Good. Thanks.”
“That was quick.”
“I’m slow. I’ve seen doctors in the field do it less than three minutes.” She wiped the brow from her head. “You think it’s a girl.”
Lev smelled a female. He shrugged. “Just guessing.”
“Tell her mother and sisters they can return.”
His gaze flicked upward.“Yes, ma’am.” Lev opened the door and signaled them. They flooded back in, and Rachel ordered a young woman to boil a knife. He turned. “Rachel, we must leave soon.”
The woman screamed.
“Not while she’s about to give birth.”
He wanted to nip her on the nose for being disobedient, before dragging her away. Yet, he felt oddly compelled not to. How could he not say no to her? All humans and the majority of werewolves were putty around him. Only Rylee, top LIA werewolf made him obey like a pup. He narrowed his eyes. “Very well, but don’t go anywhere.” In fact, he deliberately broke Rylee’s command to bring her in ASAP.
“Not until the baby is out and given her first checkup.”
Lev suppressed a growl and left. Woman, it will be a pleasure to teach you about our status rules. He left the house and scanned the area. Determined to fight them before they arrived, he hiked down the path between the dwellings and the village where the helicopter had landed. Far enough away no human would know about any battles and close enough he could hear Rachel’s calm voice directing the mother to breathe.
It was late afternoon, no baby cried out yet. He caught the stench of werewolves and his hackles rose.
Three werewolves stalked up the trail. Dressed like their dead comrades. Commando black. A fourth lycan, the pilot, remained below with the parked helicopter on the field. No doubt to make the pilot available if they needed another pair of claws.
Lev imagined their orders. Kill the alpha and retrieve the woman. His fangs emerged. The woman was no longer just a woman who had Stallo’s gene, but his mate. Lev removed his boots and clothes, hid them in a crevice and shifted.