Mira surfaced in the pool beside Zale, her silver scales catching the bioluminescent light. Her experienced eyes took in the scene—the reunited mates holding each other, the tension still crackling between Naga and Zale, the palpable relief mixed with lingering anxiety.
"Lord Serpent," she said formally, inclining her head with respect. "I'm Healer Mira. I've been monitoring your mate since his arrival."
Naga's attention snapped to her immediately. "And? Tell me everything his situation."
Mira pulled herself onto a nearby platform, her tail remaining in the water.
"The truth is your mate and all six cubs are currently stable," she said. "But there are complications."
Naga's entire body tensed. "What complications?"
"The fall triggered early labor responses," Mira explained. "Alex is in what we call preparation phase—his body is readying for delivery. He's not in active labor yet, but it's coming sooner than expected."
"How soon?" Naga demanded.
