Cael reached Neve before anyone else. His leopard instincts made him move faster than the crowd, and he dropped to his knees in the dirt the moment he heard the groan.
Neve was bent over with both hands pressed against his belly. Sweat ran down his face, and his red and black hair was stuck to his forehead.
"Neve! Look at me," Cael said, holding him steady. "Breathe. Slowly."
Neve lifted his head. His lips were trembling. "It hurts, Cael. It really hurts."
Roan came running from the side, his golden eyes wide with panic. Ryker was right behind him, and Maren pushed through the crowd of kneeling beastmen with his heart pounding.
"What do we do?" Roan asked, kneeling beside Neve and placing a careful hand on his back. "Tell me what to do. I will do anything you say."
"We need somewhere to take him," Cael said, looking around. Too many people were staring. The festival grounds were loud and crowded. "Somewhere quiet. Somewhere he can lie down."
