Page 100 of The Reluctant Alpha

Bayer

I nodded, kissed Danny, and said I would send Emery in, then walked the doc to his car.

"Bayer," Dr. Coughran said as we reached his car, his tone serious. "I need to be frank with you."

My stomach dropped. "What's wrong?"

He pulled out a bottle of prenatal vitamins from his medical bag, but his expression remained grave. "I've delivered dozens of shifter babies over the years, including assisting with Emery's pregnancy. But Danny's situation is unprecedented."

"Because he's human-born?"

"That's part of it." Dr. Coughran leaned against his car, choosing his words carefully. "Emery was as well, but he only had one fetus developing and likely had shifter genes. Danny's body is essentially rewriting itself in real-time."

A chill ran down my spine. "Is that dangerous?"

"I don't know," he admitted, and his honesty wasn't exactly comforting. "The bleeding concerns me. The rapid development of new anatomy, the fact that he's carrying triplets in a single sac—it's all uncharted territory."

"But you said shifter multiples were manageable—"

"For shifter mothers, yes. Danny's human physiology is trying to accommodate bear cubs while simultaneously developing the ability to deliver them. It's miraculous, but it's also..." He paused. "Risky."

I felt my bear surge beneath my skin, protective instincts screaming. "What do I need to watch for?"

"Any increase in bleeding, severe cramping, sudden changes in his scent, extreme fatigue beyond normal pregnancy tiredness." Dr. Coughran's expression grew even more serious. "And Bayer, I need you to understand—male omegas always give birth early simply because there isn’t room. The time between viability and birth is already a small window, but add the fact that we now have three babies—well, it complicates things immeasurably."

The words hit me like a physical blow. "You're saying—"

"I'm saying that if Danny goes into labor early and I can’t stop it, there’s a very high risk to the babies." He placed a hand on my shoulder. "I know that's not what you want to hear, but you need to be prepared for that possibility."

I thought about the Gathering in a few days, about the revenant still hunting us, about the bears who might challenge my leadership, and felt my bear strain the confines of my skin. He wanted out, and I didn’t blame him. I nodded, shook the doc's hand, and turned to see Phoenix and Kaylan standing on the steps, knowing they would have heard every word.

As the doctor's car disappeared down the driveway, I stood frozen, the weight of his words settling like lead in my stomach. Three cubs. Three impossibly fragile lives, all depending on Danny's equally fragile human body to sustain them.

"Bayer." Phoenix's voice broke through my spiraling thoughts. He and Kaylan approached, their expressions somber.

"You heard?" I asked, though it wasn't really a question.

Kaylan nodded. "Shifter hearing. Curse and blessing."

"He'll be okay," Phoenix said with quiet certainty. "Danny's stronger than anyone gives him credit for."

"And more stubborn," Kaylan added with a forced smile.

I looked toward the house. "I can't lose them," I admitted, the words barely audible. "Any of them."

"You won't." Phoenix squeezed my shoulder.

"I'll make sure of it," I swore, feeling my resolve harden. "We need to move up our plans. The sooner we deal with the revenant, the sooner Danny and our cubs will be safe."

Phoenix nodded. "The messengers have confirmed all packs will attend the Gathering. It's in three days."

"And the bears?" I asked, glancing toward the gamma house where Torrel and his followers were staying.

"Quiet, but watchful," Kaylan reported. "They've been asking questions about you and Danny."

A growl rumbled in my chest. "What kind of questions?"

"About your leadership. Your mating. Any challenges to your authority," Kaylan shrugged.