THE LUNA WHO CONQUERED DEATH novel Chapter 63

Episode 36-1

THE LUNA WHO CONQUERED DEATH

Chapter 36: Life and Death

The medical wing smelled of blood and antiseptic.

Dr. Moira worked with practiced efficiency, but could see the concern in her eyes as she examined me. Katherine held one hand, Elena the other. Outside the room, I could hear the controlled chaos of treating wounded warriors.

“The baby’s in distress,” Dr. Mpira said quietly. “Her heart rate is dropping. You’re only thirty weeks along. This is too early.”

“Can you stop the labor?”

“I’ve tried. Your body isn’t responding.” She positioned equipment, her movements quick but careful. “Alpha, I need to prepare you for the possibility that”

“Don’t.” My voice was sharp. “Don’t tell me she might not survive. I didn’t fight through a war to lose my daughter now.”

“I’m just being realistic.”

“Then be realistically prepared to deliver a premature but healthy baby.” I gripped Katherine’s hand tighter as another contraction hit. “How long until Diana’s warriors reach Seattle?”

“Sera, focus on yourself right now,” Katherine said.

“I can’t. Adrian’s still there. Fighting Pierce and goddess knows how many Hunters.” Through our mate bond, I could feel him. Alive, but in pain. Fighting. “I need to know he’s okay.”

“He’s one of the most powerful hybrids alive. He can handle himself.” But Katherine’s voice wasn’t entirely

convincing.

The bond pulsed with sudden agony. Adrian was hurt. Badly.

“No.” I tried to sit up. “I need to.”

J

“You need to stay in this bed and deliver your baby.” Elena’s voice was firm. “Adrian would kill us himself if we let you portal back there in the middle of labor.”

She was right. But every instinct screamed to go to my mate.

Dr. Moira checked the monitors, her frown deepening. “The baby’s heart rate just dropped again. I need to perform an emergency C–section.”

“is that safe? For either of us?”

“Safer than waiting and hoping labor progresses normally.” She was already prepping instruments.

~ Episode 364

“Katherine, Elena, I need you outside. This is going to be delicate.”

“I’m staying,” Katherine said flatly.

“So am I,” Elena added. “She needs her support system.”

Dr. Moira looked ready to argue, then nodded. “Fine. But stay out of my way.”

Everything happened quickly after that. Sterile drapes, an anesthetic that only partially worked on my supernatural metabolism, and the cold slice of the scalpel.

I felt everything, dulled but present. The pulling, the pressure, the moment when they lifted my daughter free.

She didn’t cry.

Terrible silence filled the room.

“Why isn’t she crying?” My voice cracked. “Dr. Moira, why?”

“She’s not breathing.” The doctor worked frantically, clearing the baby’s airway, rubbing her tiny chest. “Come on, little one. Breathe.”

Nothing.

Through the mate bond, I felt Adrian’s pain intensify. Like he could sense what was happening, even miles away.

“Please,” I whispered. Not sure if I was talking to Dr. Moira, the Moon Goddess, or my daughter herself. “Please breathe.”

Katherine’s hand found mine, squeezing tight. Elena moved closer, her presence a silent support.

Dr. Moira kept working. Seconds stretched into eternity.

Then, finally, a weak cry.

“There we go.” Dr. Moira’s voice was thick with emotion. “There’s my girl.”

They placed her on my chest, this impossibly tiny creature. She was smaller than she should be, her skin pale, her breathing shallow. But she was alive.

“She’s beautiful,” Katherine said softly.

She was. Despite everything, despite being born too early into a world at war, she was perfect.

“Luna,” I whispered, the name coming to me instantly. “Her name is Luna.”

As if responding to her name, my daughter’s eyes opened. Not the unfocused gaze of a newborn, but clear and aware. Silver eyes, like mine.

And power radiated from her. Faint but unmistakable. Daughter magic, present from birth.

“That’s not normal,” Dr. Moira said, checking monitors. “Most supernatural children don’t show power

6 Episode due!

signatures until at least six months.”

Olam

“She’s seventh generation twice over,” Katherine said. “Through both her parents. Normal doesn’t apply”

Luna’s tiny hand wrapped around my finger, and I felt it. A connection forming, different from pack bonds or mate bonds. Mother and daughter, linked by blood and magic and something deeper.

“She’s strong,” I said, marveling at the grip. “Premature but fighting.”

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