The other Shifters responded: “We give our sister into the hands of the Goddess.”

Not the most reassuring of prayers. But Iona thought about Eric’s and Cassidy’s tales of how Shifter women often didn’t survive childbirth. In the past, they must have believed that all they could do was let the Goddess decide whether she lived or died.

Eric squeezed Iona’s shoulder. Iona would be in this room herself sooner or later, if Cassidy was right. Next year, they’d be saying the prayer for her.

Iona went to Cassidy’s side as Diego lifted her onto the bed. “If the pain gets too bad,” Iona said, “swear at all the men. My mother said that helps.”

Cassidy laughed weakly. “Sure thing.”

Diego held Cassidy’s hand after he settled her, not looking happy at all the Shifters around them. He didn’t argue, but he obviously didn’t like it.

Iona understood further why when the males, including Xavier, formed a ring around Cassidy, then, as one, turned their backs to her, standing like sentinels around her.

“What are they doing?” Iona asked.

“Guarding me.” Cassidy winced and touched her abdomen. “All the males of the clan form a ring around the female when she’s giving birth, to keep predators away, which includes other Shifters who might try to steal the woman and the cub. These days the pride plus friends of the family guard the female.”

“You expect predators in the clinic?” Iona asked Eric’s back.

“It’s tradition,” he said without turning around.

“Or Cassidy might want to be alone with her husband. I mean, her mate.”

Cassidy gave Iona a wan smile. “Give up. The ritual has been going on for centuries. They’ll stand there until this cub comes, whether I like it or not.”

“Or I could always tase them,” Diego growled.

Iona left Cassidy to walk around Eric. She looked up at the stubborn light in his green eyes and understood that he participated in the ritual from instinctive fear, his need to protect his sister.

“Eric, how much power do I have in Shiftertown now, as your mate?”

His gaze shifted slightly. “A lot.”

“Enough to speak for all the females in Shiftertown?”

“The ones who want you to, sure,” he said guardedly.

“Then on their behalf…” She rose on tiptoe and kissed Eric lightly on the lips. “Stand the guards outside the doors and let Cassidy have a little peace.”

“Hmm,” Eric said. “Not have my trackers in the room?”

“Diego’s here, and he’s pretty good at guarding. I’ll stay, if Cass wants me to, and she might concede to have you here too. There are two doors into this room, both of which can be defended from the outside, can’t they?”

Eric relaxed his stance and looked almost amused. “It will be a scandal, love. The old-guard Shifters will pass out when they learn my sister didn’t have a ring of protectors two feet away when she dropped her cub.”

“We can throw cold water on them,” Iona said. “Please, Eric?”

Eric studied her, and Iona looked straight back at him.

“Shane, Neal, guard outside the rear door,” Eric said. “Brody, Jace, Xav, the front. I’ll stay in here and liaise.”

Iona mouthed, Thank you. Eric returned her light kiss. “You’re a radical.”

“I hope so.”

Eric gave her a deeper kiss, then went out the front door. The other Shifters, looking surprised but a bit relieved not to have to be in the actual birthing room, left as well. Xav paused to kiss Cassidy’s cheek and clap his brother on the shoulder. “Good luck,” he said to Diego.

“This is why I want you here,” Cassidy said to Iona as Xav followed the others out. “The female voice of reason. That and I just feel better with you around.” She stopped and sucked in a loud breath. “Oh, not long now.”

Iona still felt a bit intrusive as the morning wore on, but Cassidy seemed relaxed and happy with her there. Cassidy had nowhere to lie but the table, but she didn’t appear to mind. Diego pulled up a chair next to her, and their clasped hands rested on her belly as they talked to each other in low voices.

Eric returned. He held Iona in the circle of his arms on the vinyl sofa under the window, the two of them cuddling while they waited.

“Is it always like this?” Iona whispered to him. “Why won’t they at least let her have a bed until it’s time?”

“Shifters are allowed this room, no others,” Eric said. “I’ve attended many births here—which is a good thing, love.”

“I’ll be fine,” Cassidy said from across the room. Iona still wasn’t used to Shifter hearing, which could pick up a whispered word at a hundred feet. “Eric and you are here, Diego’s with me, and I have guards outside the door. The cub will come, and we’ll go home and have another party.”

“After you rest,” Diego said sternly.

“Hey, I’m robust.”

“Have you picked out a name?” Iona broke in.

“Amanda Kirsten,” Cassidy said promptly.

“If it’s a girl,” Diego said. “If it’s a boy, Carlos Robert, after my father and hers.”

“Nice,” Iona said.

“It’s a girl,” Cassidy said with conviction. “But I guess we’re going to find out.” She sucked in another deep breath, then let out a wail.