<b>Envy </b>


    The warmth of Xavier’s words was still soaking into me when the door swung open again. Levi strode in, his presence filling the kitchen like it always did,manding and steady. But instead of his usual sharp edges, he softened the moment his eyesnded on me.


    “Doll,” he said, leaning down to press a kiss to my forehead. His hand lingered against my cheek, thumb brushing my skin as he looked at me like I was something fragile and precious all at once. “What do my pups want to eat tonight, hm? Shall I make you a feast? Or maybe just something simple, bread, cheese, fruit?”


    His voice dropped lower, conspiratorial, as if the babies could already hear. “Or maybe a little of everything, yes? Keep them happy in there.”


    Iughed, giving Haiden’s arm a squeeze before slipping free of his hold. With a hand on my lower back, I waddled toward the fridge, muttering, “Let me see what sounds good.”


    Halfway there, I felt eyes on me. I turned, catching Levi smirking, his lips twitching at my not–so–graceful walk.


    “Don’t you dare say a word,” I warned, narrowing my eyes.


    “Aww, but you’re <b>so </b>cute when you waddle,” he teased, his grin spreading wider, smug as ever.


    Before I could fire back, a sharp smacknded against the back of his head. Levi jerked forward with a low growl, spinning to re at Noah, who was standing behind him looking utterly unbothered.


    “Behave,” Noah said simply, his mouth quirking at the corner. Then, turning to me, he offered a hand and dipped into a deep, theatrical bow. “Come, my queen. Allow me.”


    <b>I </b>slipped my hand into his, unable to stop the grin already tugging at my lips. Noah twirled me dramatically in the middle of the kitchen, spinning me in a slow circle like we were on a ballroom floor instead of the stone tiles. Myugh burst free, bubbling up into the air, followed by a girlish giggle I couldn’t contain.


    Levi groaned behind <b>us</b><b>, </b>rubbing the back of his head. “Show–off.”


    Noah only smirked, guiding me back to my chair with all the pomp and flourish of a true gentleman. “And yet,” he murmured, his eyes soft on mine, “she’s smiling. Which means I win.”


    I was still giggling, clutching Noah’s arm as he guided me back into my chair, my cheeks aching from how much I’d been smiling. My mates were bickering, Levi muttering under his breath, Haiden shaking his head, Xavier trying to smother his own grin and for a moment it felt like everything in the world was light and easy,


    And then it happened. A massive wetness dropped suddenly between my legs, warm and unmistakable, soaking through the fabric and pooling at my feet. Theughter choked off in my throat. The entire kitchen went silent. Four sets of eyes locked onto me at <b>once</b><b>, </b>wide and stunned. Even I froze, my breath caught halfway in my chest.


    :


    Slowly, I looked down at the spreading wetness, then back up at them. “Oh,” I whispered, my voice faint. “Well…


    that’s new.”


    “Envy,” Haiden said first, his voice low and controlled, though I could see the panic ring behind his eyes. “Was


    that…?”


    “My water just broke,” I confirmed, still halfughing, half–terrified, my hand pressing against the swell of my belly. “I think the pups are ready.”


    Levi was the first to move, already tearing off his jacket and dropping it to the floor like that would somehow help. “We need towels. And hot water. And damn it, Noah, stop standing there and do something!”


    Noah, steady as always, didn’t flinch. He simply reached for my hand, his calm eyes locking with mine. “Breathe, love. We’ve got you. They’reing.”


    Xavier shot to his feet, already barking orders at anyone within earshot, his tone sharp andmanding, though when his gaze flicked back to me, it softened instantly. “Stay with us, sweetheart. You’re going to be fine. They’re going to be fine.”


    And me? I startedughing again, breathless and shaking, because of course this was how it would happen. In our kitchen, surrounded by all of them, with my belly heavy and my heart so full I thought it might burst. The pups


    were ready. And so were we.


    The pain hit so fast I could barely register what was happening. One moment I wasughing, cheeks warm from Noah’s twirl and Levi’s teasing, and the next a sharp, squeezing pressure gripped my stomach so hard I doubled over with a gasp. The room erupted into chaos.


    “Get her to the bed!” Xavier barked, already clearing chairs out of the way with a sweep of his arm. His voice was sharp,manding the room, but when his eyes met mine, the steel softened. “Stay with me, Envy. We’ve got you.”


    Haiden was at my side in an instant, his arm firm around my waist, practically lifting me off the ground when my knees buckled. “Breathe, love. Don’t fight it. Just breathe.”


    “I <b>am </b>breathing<i>,” </i>I hissed through clenched teeth, another wave tearing through me. Gods, it was too much, too


    fast…


    Levi appeared in front of me, his hand cupping my cheek, grounding me. “Eyes on me, Envy. Right here. You’re not alone in this. You’ll never be alone in this.” His forehead pressed against mine for just a heartbeat, his warmth seeping into me before Haiden hoisted me toward the hall.


    They half–carried, half–dragged me to our room, Noah already pulling nkets from the bed and spreading them across the floor, his movements methodical and precise. Calm. Always calm.


    “Down here,” he said, voice even, though his jaw was tight. He spread anotheryer of clean sheets, then settled onto his knees beside them, ready to guide me down.


    Another contraction ripped through me, and I cried out, clutching Haiden’s arm so hard my nails bit into his skin.


    “You’re doing so well,” Haiden murmured, pressing a kiss into my hair. “So strong. Stronger than all of us


    “Don’t…” I groaned, lowering myself with their help until I was kneeling on the nkets. Sweat slicked my temples. “Don’t tter me now.”


    Xavier was already rolling his sleeves up, snapping at Ss, who had rushed in to help, sending him for water and cloths. “We need towels, warm water, and damn it, keep everyone else out of here.” His voice cracked like a whip, but his hand was steady when he brushed damp hair from my face. “Focus on me, sweetheart. Just focus on us.”


    The next wave came. I screamed.