Eight months later…..
The war room was tight.
A large map was spread out across the table in the middle of the room. Thorne stood at the head, eyes locked on the map. Beside him was Caelum, Mason, and the head guard.
"The eastern border won't hold much longer," one of the generals said. "We've already lost two outer settlents."
"They're pushing harder than expected," another added. "If this continues, we risk a full breach."
"Our defenses are getting weaker, and from all angles, we risk losing this war. We cannot afford to lose the war, your majesty," another piped up.
Thorne said nothing, his eyes moving across each angle and ticks of marks on the map, trying to find a solution. One that doesn't involve what they were implying.
A war had broken out in the eastern part of the realm, and usually, packs get into little brawls of their own, but this ti around, it was much more than just a little brawl. One of their own had sold out a pack from the eastern realm, inherently putting the east at risk.
Now, everyone waited for him to speak, all eyes were on him. Thorne shook his head, "We need to deploy more warriors. Quadruple the effort. Send the best fighters and the most skilled archers."
"My king…" one of the generals said quietly.
"Deploy a few hundreds, have them relieve those at the forefront and take on the war."
Caelum shook his head, "Your majesty, I'm afraid that's not what will solve the war."
Thorne ran his hands through his hair frustratedly. "It has to work!" He growled.
"Alpha…"
"Everyone out! The eting has been adjourned. We'll begin in so hours again," Caelum announced, his gaze following Thorne as the man moved to the window, shoulders tight with tension.
Soon the room had cleared out, leaving him and Thorne.
"Your majesty…" he called, and Thorne turned to him, shaking his head.
"I can't."
"Your majesty…" he called again.
"I can't leave. Not now. You've seen how she is."
Caelum took a step closer. "And I have also seen the state of the eastern border. If you do not go, we lose more than land—we lose control."
"I'll send more n," Thorne snapped.
"They don't need more n," Caelum replied, steady. "They need you."
Thorne looked away, his gaze falling back to the map like it might offer him another answer.
It didn't.
"She's not well," he said finally, quieter now. "Sothing isn't right."
Caelum hesitated for a second before speaking again. "Thessara says it is the pregnancy."
Thorne let out a bitter breath. "Thessara says a lot of things."
Before Caelum could respond— A voice ca from behind them.
"I will remain with her."
Both n turned only to find Thessara; she stood at the entrance, eyes on them. She stepped in, bowing to Thorne.
"Adina will not be left alone," she continued, stepping inside. "I will take care of her. I swear it on my life."
Thorne's gaze hardened slightly; he had too many reasons not to leave, "Carter still hasn't been found."
"And he will not strike here," Caelum added quickly. "Not in his state. He is weak, stripped of everything. He poses no real threat."
Thorne didn't look convinced. "I will stay as well," Caelum said. "I will not leave her unguarded for even a second. You have my word."
Thorne stared at the two of them, his jaw clenched hard. It was difficult choosing between his duty and his mate…. He would do anything to stay at Adina's side. But he also knew, only he could stop the war.
With a heavy heart, Thorne nodded. "…Two days," he said at last. "No more."
_______
The corridor outside her chambers felt colder than usual. There stood outside the door, He pushed it open quietly.
Adina stood near the bed, her back to him as she adjusted the nightdress she had on.
For a mont, he couldn't move. Her fra looked… wrong. She was too thin. Too fragile. Her shoulder blades pressed sharply against her skin, more pronounced than he had ever seen them.
Naturally, Adina was a thin woman, but this…it was beyond being thin. He could see her bones poking out her skin.
He swallowed hard, "You shouldn't be out of bed." His voice ca out softer than intended.
Adina stilled before turning, a small smile already forming like she had been expecting him. "I was getting cold."
He stepped closer, his eyes dropped to her round belly; he still couldn't believe how eight months had gone by. She was now heavily pregnant and was required to be on bed rest till delivery.
"Co on, let's get you back into bed." He said, holding her waist carefully, ignoring how pale her skin was. He carefully helped her back into bed and sat next to her.
He watched as she took a shawl, wrapping it around her shoulders.
"You keep staring, anything wrong with my face?" She asked with an awkward laugh.
"You have beauty on your face, that's why I keep staring." He replied.
Adina snorted at his words. "You're so corny, your majesty."
Thorne humd, holding her hand, this ti unable to ignore how frail it was. How fragile she seed.
"Shall I tell Thessara to add more vitamins to your diet? You seem more fragile than yesterday."
As though summoning the devil, Thessara's presence filled the doorway.
"It is normal. Pregnancy weakens the body for so won before it strengthens again. She will be fine."
Thorne nodded slowly, though the unease didn't leave him.
He reached for Adina, pulling her gently toward him before pressing a kiss to her lips.
"I have to leave," he murmured.
Her fingers curled lightly around his sleeve. "Where?"
"The eastern border."
She humd; the news about the war was a famous one. "How long?"
"Two days," he said. "No more."
She studied his face for a second before giving a small nod. "You should go," she said softly. "You are their king."
He nodded, lifting her hand, he pressed a kiss to her fingers. Then he lowered himself slightly, over her stomach and kissed it.
"I'll be back before you miss ."
A faint smile touched her lips. "I already will."
With that, he was out of the room, leaving her and Thessara. Once the door shut, Thessara's frown grew tight.
"You haven't told him still." She accused.
Adina looked away, clutching her shawl tight. "There's been no ti. Not with the war."
"Adina. Our agreent was that you tell his majesty—" she lowered her voice. "—That the core is still inside you."
"What is the point now?" Adina murmured, her hand over her stomach. "In two months… I will give birth to our pup."
Her fingers trembled slightly. "Everything will be fine. I just have to hold on even more."
"You keep saying that," she said softly. "But your body is telling a different story."
Adina didn't respond. Her gaze remained fixed on her stomach. "I will be fine," she repeated, though this ti… it sounded weaker.
A thin line of blood slipped from her nose, dripping slowly down to her lips.
Thessara moved instantly. "Adina—"
"I'm fine," Adina said quickly, wiping it away "Don't… don't look at like that."
Thessara shook her head, already reaching for the vial at her side. "This is no longer sothing you can simply endure."
She poured the dark liquid into a small cup and held it out. "It will help with the pain."
Adina stared at it for a mont then took it. Her body sagged slightly against the bed as the liquid took effect.
Thessara stood there, watching her, knowing ti was running out.
Reviews
All reviews (0)