ELIA
The roar shook the cave, echoing through it, vibrating the floor, the walls, bouncing from the ceiling. Even Elia heard it, still gripped in a contraction. She couldn't respond, but her heart rose with Aymora when she paused in her work, her hand tight on Elia's shoulder, to turn her face to the ceiling and roar her response.
A minute later, when she could breathe and Aymora mopped her brow again, Elia gasped, "What… was that?"
Aymora shook her head but gave a watery smile. "You focus on your job today, daughter," she said quietly, her lip trembling. "Let the Alpha males sort out their bullshit on their own."
Elia wanted to laugh, but her body was already tightening for another contraction and she was beginning to fade deeper into that pool of pain. "Tell Reth… I need him…"
"He will return soon. Jayah will find him—but by the sound of that roar, he's not far away," Aymora said gently. "Rest while you can. He'll be back."
