“Keep the baby warm,” I told Lori as I placed my hand on Jessica’s belly.
I saw the problem a moment later. “The placenta is buried too deep in her uterus,” I announced as my heart pounded. “I’m going to have to free it with some magical surgery.”
The other women took the first two babies back from Jessica’s limp body. Their cries grew louder as they were taken away from their mother, but I needed room to work. My heart sunk when I realized just how deep the placenta had grown into the uterine wall. There was no way to separate the two.
This was a rare condition for humans, but I suspected it might be the reason why so few shifter females survived giving birth. The placenta had almost become a part of the uterus, and they’d have to be removed together if we were to stop the bleeding and save Jessica’s life.
She was unconscious and losing blood so quickly that I couldn’t hesitate. Losing this part of herself would be devastating. I hoped she’d forgive me for this eventually, but I couldn’t stand by and let her die. The little pups needed their mother to live.
Chapter 36
Anna
Jessica did forgive me. Eventually and in her own way. Her pups were now almost six months old and in perfect health. I never thought I would see the arrogant wolf smiling happily while she changed dirty diapers, but having her pups appeared to have changed her for the better.
“Hey, Anna,” Lori called to me. “I wanted to see if I could talk to you?”
“Yeah, of course,” I told her with a smile. “What’s up?”
Lori twisted her hands and looked nervous. “I always wanted to go to college, but it seemed like an impossible dream for so long.”
“You can still have that opportunity,” I assured her. “Things are starting to open up again, and I heard Seaside is considering reopening schools part-time next year.”
Lori gave me a shy smile. “That’s why I wanted to talk to you.”
“What do you want to go to school for?” I asked curiously.
Lori took a deep breath. “I was never sure before,” she said honestly. “I just always saw college as a way to escape a horrible life. I thought it would give me a chance to take care of myself and my mother if I got a good degree.”
“And now?”
“Now I know what I want to be,” Lori said happily. “A nurse.”
“That’s great!” I said with a big grin. “I think you would make an amazing nurse.”
“Why not be a doctor?” James asked as he strode up beside us.
“Don’t be an asshole to her,” I said through our bond.
Lori didn’t seem bothered by his criticism. “Because doctors are in and out of a patient’s room, and they don’t provide the same daily care that a nurse does. Being a doctor seems…colder and more clinical. That’s not what I want to do with my life.”
“I know Austin will support your decision along with me,” I assured Lori. “Once colleges start operating again, we’ll get you enrolled.”
Lori gave me a happy smile. “Thanks, Anna!”
She threw her arms around my waist and gave me a tight hug. I returned her warm embrace, smiling as she pulled away.
“I’m going to let my guys know the good news!” Lori said cheerfully. “They’re waiting for me out on the beach, but I wanted to talk to you first.”
“Enjoy the surfing lessons!” I called after her as she ran off.
“Sam and her crew just got back from Colombia,” James said as he watched Lori disappear down the path to the beach.
“With good news?” I asked as I took his hand in mine.
“And supplies,” he said gruffly as we started to walk back to the house.
While Xichil had claimed South America as her territory, she was open to our people making an alliance with hers. Sam was working with her grandmother to build bridges between our communities, share information, and open trade. Each of our communities had something to offer the other - we just needed to work together.
Drake hadn’t caused any trouble – that I knew of. He’d been cooperative about keeping the fae out of this world and in their own, but I didn’t like the glint he got in his eye sometimes. He was up to something, and it was only a matter of time until I found out what it was. The bond between him and I had faded, but it was still there. It wasn’t as personal