Page 41 of His Human Rebel

“So you have done this before, caring for someone during the rainy season?”

I drape an arm around her small shoulders and pull her in close. “Yes. This is not my first season.”

One week later we sit together in our bed, eating human food.

My female looks relaxed, with her back propped up with pillows. The bedroom door is open, but both Coco and Boots are in the room with us, playing on the floor with a small ball of rope.

We watch another Hyrrokin reality show on the screen. Often there are shows that last exactly one month during the rainy season, because they know that's when they will get the biggest audience. We're watching one of the most famous shows called Fire Savers, about a team of Royal Hyrrokin firefighters.

She places a hand on her swollen belly. “The baby is moving a lot.”

And I reach over and put my hand on her stomach too. “I can feel it move.”

“Ouch,” she says.

I look at her quizzically.

“I feel a pain.”

“Is it time?”

“I don't know. It could be nothing.” She looks outside. “It's raining so bad. And the wind is so strong I can feel the walls vibrate. Is that lightning?”

“Yes. It does happen to be the time of the month when the storms are becoming the most intense, at their peak. They start out slower, very intense. And then start to trickle down until they finally taper off.”

Later, after a break in the show, I look over and see her panting.

“I think I'm having cramps. This might really be starting. I'm so sorry.” She starts to look weepy. “Why does this have to happen during rainy season?”

“Females all over the planet give birth during the rainy season. It has happened for all of recorded history. They have survived even before med labs existed.”

“Thank you, I needed that reminder.”

She's out of breath and takes my hand.

“I'm going to get our bags and take you to the med lab.” I stand and turn off the wall screen.

“I guess I'm worried we’re going too early. And then we'll be over there for too long. Also, we’ll be outside in that.” She points out the window at the dark, raging storm.

“It doesn't matter.” I tell her. “It's comfortable over there. Remember we've set that lab up ahead of time. What matters is that we're there because I don't want you to be in pain.”

She smiles. “I don't want to be in pain either.” And then her features harden and she bends over, grabbing onto the bedding, moaning.

I swiftly gather the bags that were already packed and waiting, just for a moment like this, and I make sure her human foot coverings are on her feet.

“Don’t forget Coco and Boots,” Stella cries out.

“Dammit.” I race back and round them up and make it back with the cage filled with two hissing cats.

We reach the top of the stairs and then two things happen at once. This storm is indeed getting more intense. I can hear it outside and the entire building shakes. And then there is a huge lightning strike that flashes right in front of the window in the front of the house and lights up the whole room.

“I think my water broke,” my bound says.

I look down and I can see indeed a puddle of water at her feet.

I sweep my female into my arms and race for the garage and the utility vehicle. I gently place her in front passenger seat. I open the garage door as another lightning strike hits.

Stella screams.