The slow rhythm of late pregnancy shattered in a thunderstorm.
Gu Liang woke in the dead of night— Struck by a sharp, unfamiliar pain. It wasn't fetal movement. Not Braxton Hicks. It was a downward pull— Terrifying and relentless.
He clutched his swollen belly. Sweat broke across his forehead. He tried to rise— But his body failed him.
At the same moment, Emma jolted awake in the next room. A wave of dread seized her. She didn't stop for shoes— She ran barefoot to the master bedroom.
She flung open the door.
Gu Liang lay curled on the bed, Pale as paper, Lips bloodless from biting, Breath ragged.
"Gu Liang!" Emma's heart nearly burst. She rushed to his side, Her voice cracked with fear. "What's wrong? Where does it hurt?"
Gu Liang looked up— Eyes wild. He clutched the sheets, Whispered through clenched teeth:
"My stomach… It hurts… Something's wrong…"
Emma's gaze swept over him— And froze.
A wet stain on the sheets.
His water had broken.
Thirty-two weeks. Premature.
Panic drenched her. But she forced herself to stay calm.
"Don't be afraid. Look at me, Gu Liang. Look at me."
She cupped his face, Guiding his eyes to hers. Her voice was low, urgent— But steady.
"It's early labor. We need to get to the hospital. Now."
"Breathe with me. Slow. Inhale… Exhale…"
She led him through Lamaze breathing— Something she'd secretly studied. Her fingers trembled as she grabbed the phone, Called the hospital and driver, Spoke quickly, clearly.
Then she turned back, Lifted him gently.
"Come on. We'll go slow. I've got you."
Gu Liang was consumed by pain. His composure gone. He leaned fully into her— Letting her carry him.
Outside, thunder roared. Rain poured.
Emma shielded him from the wind, Settled him in the back seat, Buckled him in, Then jumped into the driver's seat.
She hit the gas. The car shot into the storm.
She drove fast, But steady. Ran red lights. Eyes locked on the road— And the rearview mirror.
"Hold on, Gu Liang. We're almost there."
"Breathe with me. In… two… three… four. Out… two… three… four."
"Don't be afraid. I'm here. I'm always here."
Her voice filled the car— A lifeline.
Gu Liang clung to it. To her hand. To her scent.
His white tea pheromones were chaotic, fragile— Like petals in a storm.
Emma's cedar was stronger than ever— Protective, grounding. A fortress.
Their scents collided, Merged— No longer tentative. But primal. Instinctive.
At the hospital, staff were waiting. Gu Liang was rushed inside.
Emma never let go of his hand.
At the delivery room, A nurse stopped her.
"Family must wait outside."
Emma saw Gu Liang's exhausted, terrified face. His eyes begged her not to leave.
She grabbed the nurse's arm. Her voice cracked— But burned with conviction.
"I'm his Alpha. I have to be with him."
Whether it was her pheromones, Or the urgency— The nurse nodded.
"Come. Change into sterile gear."
When Emma returned, Gu Liang clung to her hand Like a drowning man to driftwood.
Time blurred.
Emma forgot business. Forgot history. All that remained Was this person— Enduring pain To bring their child into the world.
She wiped his sweat. Guided his breathing. Held him through every contraction.
"You're doing amazing." "Almost there." "Our baby's waiting to meet us."
Her voice. Her scent. They became his anchor.
And then— A cry.
Soft. Clear.
A baby's first breath.
Emma's tears broke free.
She saw him— Tiny, red, squirming like a kitten.
Joy. Shock. Gratitude. Responsibility.
It crashed over her.
"A boy. Thirty-two weeks and three days. Vitals stable…"
The doctor's voice was distant.
Emma looked down— At Gu Liang, Exhausted, trembling, Still trying to see their child.
She leaned in, Pressed a tearful kiss to his damp forehead.
"You did it…" Her voice broke. "Gu Liang… Thank you. Thank you…"
Thank you for keeping the child. Thank you for your strength. Thank you for letting me be part of this miracle.
This night was a pressure test.
Not of hatred— But of love. Of instinct. Of responsibility.
And in the newborn's cry,
The last shards of ice
Finally melted.