Goddess Of The Underworld.
<b>Chapter </b><b>185 </b>
Levi caught my hand, crushing it in his grip, his other palm pressed against my lower back, pouring warmth into me with each ragged breath. “Push when your body tells you. Don’t fight it, Envy. You can do this.”
“<b>I </b>can’t…”
“Yes, you can,” he cut me off fiercely, his voice a growl of certainty. “You’ve survived worse than this. And you’re not doing it alone.”
Noah moved closer, hisrge hands gentle as he pressed along my swollen belly, guiding the rhythm of my breath with his own. His eyes held mine, unshakable, pulling me out of the storm of pain for just a moment. “You’re almost there, love. Trust your body. Trust us.<b>” </b>
Haiden cradled me from behind, his arms anchoring me as I pushed, his lips at my temple murmuring constant encouragement. “That’s it. That’s my girl. Gods, you’re incredible.”
And Xavier, Xavier stayed at the front, his gaze sharp and unwavering, wiping sweat from my brow, whispering soft promises between his clipped orders. “I’m here. We’re here. You’ll never have to face anything without us.”
Time blurred. Pain and love crashed together until I didn’t know where one ended and the other began. My cries filled the chamber, met each time by their voices, their strength, their touch.
And then with a final push, a cry, and the sweetest, shrillest wail pierced the air. My chest broke open. Tears streamed down my face as Xavier lifted the tiny, wriggling pup into the light. “It’s a boy,” he breathed, his voice trembling as he passed him to Noah, who was already wrapping him in soft cloth.
Another contraction hit, and there was no pause, no reprieve. Haiden held me tighter, Levi bracing my thighs as another surge ripped through me.
“You’re not done yet,” Levi growled, though his thumb stroked gentle circles into my skin. “Stay with us.”
I screamed, pushed, sobbed, tried again, and another cry filled the room, this one deeper, stronger.
“Another boy,” Xavier announced, his voice cracking with emotion this time.
The air was thick with heat, sweat, and the sound of tiny cries. Two boys already. Two perfect little boys. My arms ached to hold them<b>, </b>but another wave ripped through me before I could even catch my breath. I watched as the second pup was bundled, and Levi took hold of him.
Haiden’s arms locked tighter around me from behind, his chest solid against my back. “You’re doing so well. You’re doing it.” His voice was fierce, steady, but I could feel the tremor in his hands.
My body bore down, the contraction like fire.
“Push, Envy,<b>” </b>Xavier urged from in front of me, his hand firm in mine, grounding me. His eyes glistened, sharp but
full of something breaking open inside him. “Push, sweetheart. He’s almost here.”
I screamed, the sound raw and primal, and Levi pressed against my thighs, his grip bruising but his words soft. “That’s it. That’s it, little goddess. Give him to us.”
With a final push, another cry split the air. Louder. Stronger.
“The third boy,” Xavier announced, tears slipping free this time as he cradled him to his chest with a look of absolute awe.
My head fell back against Haiden’s shoulder. I was spent, trembling, my body wrung out. “I can’t,” I whispered, broken.
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“You can,” Noah said firmly, his big hand pressing against my belly, soothing and steady. His forehead dipped to mine. “One more, love. Just one more. She’s waiting for you.”
Something inside me reignited. I bore down with everything I had left, gripping Xavier’s free hand so hard I thought I’d snap his fingers. Haiden murmured into my ear, words of praise and love that carried me through the storm. Levi’s voice joined in, fierce encouragement pouring over me like fire. Noah’s steady rhythm of breath kept me from shattering.
And then…The final push. The final cry. Higher–pitched, delicate, but strong.
Xavier’s face crumpled as I reached down and caught her. “And a girl,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “Our daughter.”
The sound of her wail cut through the room, softer than the boys but no less powerful. My heart shattered and was rebuilt all at once. Tears spilled freely down my cheeks as Haiden leaned to grab a cloth, and then I leaned back against his chest with our daughter on mine as heid the nket over us. I held her close, her tiny fists pressing weakly against me, her mouth searching until she found my heartbeat. My daughter. My little girl. Three sons and one daughter. Four lives born from love and war and survival.
Levi leaned down, pressing his forehead to mine, his voice thick. “You gave us the world, Envy.”
Haiden kissed the crown of my head, his arms still around me. “Our family.”
Xavier brushed tears from my cheeks, his smile trembling. “Our future.”
And Noah, ever steady, ced his hand over mine, murmuring, “Our forever.”
Iughed through the tears, looking down at the four tiny souls who were ours. “Our pups,” I whispered.
And the room, heavy with cries and love, became the centre of everything we’d ever fought for.
The room was quieter now, though the echoes of the births still clung to the walls. My body ached, my hair <b>was </b>stered to my temples with sweat, but I had never felt more alive, more full, more whole. Three boys, one girl. Haiden was quick to paint each of their toes a different colour so we could keep track of who was who. Then, we
Y
bundled them up, and their soft cries had faded into little whimpers. Four tiny bundlesy cradled against me, nestled close in the crook of my arms and along my chest. Their small mouths searching, their bodies curling instinctively toward my warmth. I brushed trembling fingers across downy hair, tiny ears, and impossibly small hands that clutched at me with surprising strength.
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Levi was the first to break the silence, leaning over to adjust the nket around our daughter. His voice was husky, reverent. “She looks just like you.”
“She’s perfect,” Haiden murmured from behind me, still half holding me upright, his chin resting lightly on my shoulder. He pressed a kiss to my damp hair. “All of them are.”
Xavier knelt beside the bed, his sharp edges gone, his gaze undone as he traced one finger along our eldest son’s cheek. “We’ll protect them,” he said, “Always.”
Noah sat closest, his hand resting over mine, anchoring me as he had through every push, every cry. His eyes were calm but glistening. “Rest now, love. They’re here. They’re safe. You’ve done everything.”
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