Her heart jumped into her throat and her eyes went wide in fear. The pounding on the door was so unexpected she jumped. She stood frozen. Bang! Bang! Bang! Resigned to her fate she slowly moved to open it. Her fear was swallowing her. Had he found her? Anxiety filled her chest. Her hand slowly reached for the knob. With trembling fingers she opened the door and came face to face with a muscled chest. She looked up into coffee brown eyes that were shifting between black and brown. His blonde hair was messy from the wind. His body radiated heat. Mate! Mate! He's here! Talie shouted. Suddenly a contraction had her reaching out. His hands came to her shoulders, her hands held onto his forearms. Her bright blue eyes held his as she breathed through the pain. Her fingers digging into the muscle of his arm.

"So you find me now." She panted harshly. This contraction was a lot harder than the last one. "After everything." Her words came out harshly. She had thought she had no mate. Long ago she had given up hope. She could see how he felt. His eyes showed the anger, the hurt and the guilt he felt.

"I didn't think that you existed." He said firmly. Some of the anger and frustration he was feeling leaking into the words. She breathed in his scent of pine. It was soothing to her. She let her eyes close and swayed slightly as the hard contraction let up. She released his forearm and stepped back. He stepped forward. He closed the door behind him. She rubbed her belly in a soothing circle. Sweat was covering her skin. She quickly removed the loose dress she was wearing. A sports bra and underwear were all she wore. The contractions were coming so much faster. This time she moaned. "If you're not here to help. Leave." She snapped. She felt the pull of the mate bond. It was almost as if an invisible thread had reached out from her soul to his, a connection.  She turned to face the fire and gave him her back as she groaned through a hard pain. She couldn't help the small sob when it let up. She felt the sparks as her mate slide his arms around her from behind and rubbed her belly. She couldn't help but lean back into him and sigh in relief. She closed her eyes. She was already tired and the good stuff hadn't even started yet. She chuckled at her self a little. "What's so funny?" She opened her eyes and looked into his. Her back still to his front. His hands still rubbing her belly. It was so soothing. Before she could answer a hard contraction stole her breath. It was time.

She gripped his forearm hard and groaned. He held her and her belly. She was sure that he could feel how hard her muscles were constricted. She panted when it eased. "It's time." She said shakily. He helped her get comfortable on the floor. The pallet she had made ready was warmed from the fire. The wind had picked up outside. It had probably started snowing again. When the contraction hit this time she couldn't help the small scream that escaped.