The palace livelier than other days, the people of Lorande anticipated the birth of a royal child in centuries. Childbirth was never easy for the Lycan when it came to a human-Lycan pairing. However, human mothers tended to die in childbirth. Lyra knew all this, but she never swayed. She didn't regret anything. 

She didn't regret meeting him.

She placed a hand on her round stomach, rubbing it gently. Her breathing even and calm. She concentrated on the machine next to her, the beeping a melancholic tune. She should have brought a radio instead. We're going to be okay, little one, mami isn't going to let anyone hurt you.

"Okay, your highness, just a couple more centimeters and you should be ready to push." Her doctor looked at her with sad eyes. Lyra wasn't going to let her take this moment. Even if her chances of survival were low from the start. It was all she heard up until this moment. Not personally to her face, but she could hear the whispers and felt pity in the eyes that laid on her. 

The Lycan pitied the human, sealing her fate.

Still, she hoped. There were other human mothers who came out of this alive. They lived to be with their Lycan and their children. She was stubborn enough to be included in those statistics.

She felt a hand envelope hers on her stomach. She looked up at his eyes and smiled.

Her love in the room with her, supporting her, was the only relief she felt. He wore a small smile, but it didn't reach his hazel eyes. She knew this had to be hard on him as it was for her. His posture rigid, King David of Lorande an intimidating man to many, but not her.

Never to her.

He could have broken her hand from the tension coming off of him. She never saw him act like this before. Her concern must have been etched in her face because she felt his fingers pat her forehead.

"Who would have seen it?" she joked, pressing her head against the pillows, trying to find a more comfortable position to look at him. She never got tired looking at him. "The fearsome King of Lorande, yet when it comes to his Queen in pain, he's all but scary." 

She winced sucking in a breath. He immediately came closer, "I'm okay, mi amor, it's just another contraction." She rubbed her belly, "Your son or daughter might be getting too comfortable in there."

His face inched closer, gently pressing his lips against hers. She loved the way he tasted. Her body hummed. Before she could wrap her arms around his neck, he backed off.

His fingers squeezed her pouty lips. He smirked, "Left you wanting more, love? "Her breath hitched, her green eyes glazed over. He still affected her in ways like he did when they first met. How he could tease her as she laid there ready to pop was one of the many reasons she fell in love with him.

She opened her mouth to answer, but another wave hit her. This time it felt like knives.

"Lyra." No longer was the smile there, David's face mirrored her own. Unimaginable pain. She prepared herself for the pain to be like this, but this was her first time. This was a thousand times worse. 

Could she go back to the easy pregnancy when everything was sunshine and rainbows?

Her body shook, taking in the contraction. She nodded her head to the midwives, hoping they'd understand her signal.

She was ready.

Here goes nothing, she thought.

Her doctor was in position, checking her cervix, then spoke up. "Her highness is at the max, everyone, get in your places." She had midwives tending to her, everything was order for the arrival for the new Prince or Princess. They turned, facing her, midwives at her every corner, "On my count, get ready to push," she said.

Lyra had her legs spread and elevated in front of her. She did her best not to curse at the them, but her contractions increased every moment they delayed. David's hand intertwined with hers, bringing the back of her hand to his lips as he placed his other hand on her cheek.

She nuzzled it, crying tears of happiness and of an emotion she couldn't quite place.

"One." His hand squeezed hers, again.

"Two."

Lyra took these last few seconds. What if they both died? It pained her, but she never wanted anything to happen to her baby.

David would be the greatest King she knew he could be. He'd do right by his people and humans alike. Her child would live, and he would love and care for it.

A sob escaped her, and David could only wipe her tears with his fingers. "I love you so much, Lyra, but you can't leave me." Her eyes found his, detaining them there, "Please don't leave me."

"Three, push, your highness!" Lyra screamed and pushed with every ounce of energy she had. "Yes, yes, keeping pushing." It all took one push because she heard the doctor and midwives go to work.

"It's a girl!" One of them yelled at the station they had previously set up.

A girl.

She heard the baby's first cry, tears once again forming in her eyes. The doctor finished cleaning her up and placed her little naked body on Lyra's chest. Lyra looked down to see her crying daughter. She hugged her to her chest, thankful they both survived.

He brushed his newborn's black hair with his hand, kissing her head. "She looks so much like you, Lyr." She could hear the emotion in his voice. The fearsome King cried for her and his daughter.

She smiled, "She is a reflection of us."

"Aye, of us." He beamed.

They both smiled at each other then turned to their daughter.

"You won't be alone again, David. You have us now." And Lyra meant every word.