She sounded so sad and scared, Marcus’s wolf became even more agitated, clawing to be let out so he could protect her.
“Shh, it’s okay.” He saw Doc’s F-350 truck turning onto the street behind him and let out a silent but relieved breath. “Doc’s pulling up too. I’ll get us in, and I’ll fix the door later, okay? Don’t worry about it.”
“Okay,” she said softly.
“I’m going to hang up now, but I’m right outside, and Doc and I will be inside in just a minute, okay?”
He heard her take a shaky breath. “Yeah, okay. Patrick is coming?”
“Jamie will get ahold of him. Don’t worry, Teresa. The pack will take care of you.” He knew that she didn’t fully understand what that meant since she didn’t grow up in a pack and had only been mated to a shifter for a little over a year, but she’d soon know. If Marcus knew Rick and Kai at all, the two of them would be showing up before too long—especially if Jamie mentioned how distraught Teresa was when she called.
“I know. See you soon,” she said breathlessly, then hung up, but as Marcus stepped out of his SUV and tucked away his phone, he heard her cries from the street.
Dr. Carter Bell parked right behind Marcus and jumped out of his truck. The man was enormous, like most bear shifters, but Doc always seemed smaller because of his gentle and calm demeanor. He had an old-fashioned doctor’s bag in his hand as he approached Marcus where he waited at the back of his SUV.
“What’s going on? Kieran didn’t give me much information.” He shoved his bag into Marcus’s gut and reached up to pull his wavy brown hair into a bun.
Marcus filled him in as they hustled up to the front door, Teresa’s panting whimpers ringing in his ears. He tried the knob just in case but didn’t hesitate when it wouldn’t turn to take half a step back, raise a leg, and kick it open. The heavy wood was no match for him, part of it splintering off.
“Wow. That’ll need to be replaced,” Doc muttered, taking his bag and striding into the house, following the sound of Teresa to the living room.
Marcus barely spared the ruined door a glance but made a mental note to text Nico to order a new one. He or a couple of pack betas would sit outside until the door could be replaced and secured once more.
Entering the living room, he was horrified to see Teresa on the floor next to the glass coffee table. “Teresa! Why are you on the floor?” He landed on his knees next to her, taking her trembling hand in his own.
Doc was sorting through things in his bag, but he absently said, “Can you carry her up to her bed?”
Marcus looked at Teresa and waited for her to nod an okay, then slipped his arms under her back and legs. He ignored the dampness he felt on her sweats as he easily lifted her into the air.
Cheeks pink, she muttered, “Um, my water broke. I didn’t…”
He smiled gently at her. “I know. You don’t have to be embarrassed in front of me. This little one will actually be the third pup I’ve helped bring into the world. I’m practically an expert now.”
Doc snorted behind them as they climbed the stairs, but he didn’t think Teresa heard it. He was exaggerating, sure, but it was his third time witnessing childbirth. He wanted her to be as relaxed and comfortable around him as possible though.
Entering the bedroom, Doc slipped ahead and peeled the comforter off the bed and untucked the top sheet at the end, turning it down so Marcus could lay her on it. Then he darted across the hall, and Marcus heard the water turn on as he washed up.
“Cover her with the sheet,” Doc said as he came back in, then pulled on a pair of gloves from his bag. Once Teresa was covered up, he nodded at her. “If you’re comfortable, can you remove your sweats?”
She nodded and reached under the light blue sheet. She had to stop once as a contraction hit her, but then she pulled the wet pants out from under the sheet and dropped them on the floor, collapsing against the pillows with a groan.
“May I examine you, Teresa? Marcus will stay where he is, and I’ll leave you covered as much as possible.” Doc was smiling gently, hands at his sides as he waited