redith.
I cleared my throat softly, then pushed myself up from the seat. "For now, I think I will take a walk in the gardens. The air will do so good."
"I want to go too!" Xamira piped up, imdiately slipping her small hand into mine, her face lighting up with the idea.
Her enthusiasm made laugh gently, and I tightened my hold on her little fingers.
Draven leaned back in his chair, a low chuckle rumbling from his chest as he watched us. "Go on then," he said, amusent glinting in his eyes.
"I will be in my study for a while. There are so important calls I need to make."
I nodded, eting his gaze briefly before giving Xamira a little tug toward the door. The little girl skipped happily at my side, her small hand warm in mine.
As we stepped out into the hall together, I felt his eyes still on us, heavy and protective, following until we disappeared around the corner.
---
Xamira’s small hand swung lightly in mine as we walked the garden path. She was still chattering happily about the castle we built together, her eyes bright as she tugged along.
"My lady," she asked suddenly, tilting her face up to , "do you think Daddy will build us a real one soday now that he has seen the pictures?"
A laugh slipped from my lips. "Maybe not a real castle, little one," I said gently, brushing her hair back from her face. "But sothing special, I’m sure of it."
Xamira giggled, clearly satisfied, and leaned into my side. I had just opened my mouth to tease her further when a voice cut across the quiet.
"There she is," Mabel said.
I stiffened and turned, my smile fading as I spotted my sister and brother walking toward us, a servant trailing just behind them. The easy warmth of the mont drained from .
"Enjoying a walk already, sister?" Gary’s eyes skimd over before flicking to Xamira. His smirk made my stomach knot.
Mabel’s smile was tight, practiced. "The servant’s tour was... dreadfully dull. Since we saw you here, we thought it better to join you instead."
Beside , Xamira pressed closer, her hand tightening around mine. I gave her fingers a reassuring squeeze, forcing my expression to remain calm even as unease stirred inside .
But just as I parted my lips to respond to Mabel, she looked up at them with unblinking honesty.
"Daddy said you two can only walk in certain places," she piped up, her voice light but cutting in its innocence. "You shouldn’t bother his wife while she’s resting."
Both Gary and Mabel froze, their polite smiles faltering for a fraction of a second.
I smothered the urge to laugh and instead brushed my thumb over Xamira’s knuckles, keeping my expression composed.
"Xamira," I said softly, though warmth curled in my chest at her protectiveness, "that’s enough."
She blinked up at , entirely unbothered, then leaned back against my side as if she had said nothing wrong.
Mabel recovered first, forcing a chuckle. "Children say the funniest things."
Gary’s jaw was tight, but he only muttered, "Indeed." His eyes lingered on , sharp and assessing.
Just when I thought they might excuse themselves, Gary’s voice cut low, ant only for . "It seems like you never paid heed to my instruction."
My heart stuttered, a sharp thud in my chest. I blinked, feigning confusion, though the weight of his gaze made it difficult to keep my expression steady.
"What do you an?" I asked, my voice quiet but even.
Gary’s eyes narrowed, his aning made painfully clear. "Why are you not with Draven’s child yet?"
Heat flushed up my neck. I felt Xamira tilt her head, confusion flickering across her innocent face as if she sensed the tension. My chest ached at the thought of her hearing words she shouldn’t.
I couldn’t let this conversation unfold in front of her.
I drew in a breath and t Gary’s stare, my tone clipped but steady. "This isn’t the place to have such conversations."
The warning in my voice was clear, though my pulse raced so fast I worried he might hear it.
Just then, Mabel leaned in with a smile that was far too sweet to be genuine.
"Gary’s right," she said softly, though her eyes were sharp as glass. "It’s strange, isn’t it, sister? You’ve been here all this while, yet there’s no heir in sight."
I swallowed hard, my fingers tightening protectively around Xamira’s small hand.
"I already said this isn’t the place," I replied, forcing a calmness into my voice that I didn’t feel.
My pulse thrumd like a drum, but I held their gazes firmly, not giving them the satisfaction of seeing falter.
Mabel smirked knowingly, as if she had already struck her blow. Gary’s eyes, colder than ever, lingered on a heartbeat longer before he gave a quiet, dismissive scoff.
I bent slightly, brushing a loose curl from Xamira’s forehead and forcing a smile for her sake. "Shall we walk a little further, sweetheart?" I asked gently.
"Yes, my lady," she answered, her voice bright and unbothered, and I let her tug forward, leaving my siblings standing in the path behind us.
Only when their figures blurred in the corner of my eye did I allow myself to breathe.
As Xamira skipped ahead, humming to herself, I let my thoughts sink inward, deep into the space where my wolf waited.
Valmora’s presence filled instantly, steady and grounding.
"They want to have a child already," I whispered to her, my heart still unsettled from Gary’s piercing words. "I could see it in Gary’s eyes... he looked angry I didn’t obey his instruction."
Valmora’s voice flowed through , firm but calm. "Forget them. Now isn’t the ti to bring a child into this world, redith. Your priority is training—unlocking your strength, our full power. You can’t afford distractions, not when so much depends on you."
I chewed my lip, glancing at Xamira’s carefree little figure. "But... would a child really be a distraction?"
"Yes," Valmora answered without hesitation. "Children change everything. They demand your focus, your ti, your body. And right now, that will only delay our plans. You must only have a child when you’re ready—not because others push you into it."
Her certainty made exhale shakily. "But what if Draven wants it now?"
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