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SageIn the spirit of living in the present, I push all future concerns aside, willing away my worries and focusing on the joy radiating through our bond. Alaric’s excitement is infectious and I won’t disappoint him by borrowing trouble from tomorrow. "We should tell Helena and Iris," I suggest as we walk toward our private quarters. "Before they guess on their own."Alaric nods, though I sense his reluctance to share our news with anyone, even family. His beast has already categorized our child as something to be fiercely guarded, information about its existence included in that protection.As we move through the packhouse corridors, I notice how his body subtly positions itself between me and others we pass. His hand, once casually resting at the small of my back, now presses with slight but constant pressure, guiding me away from anything he perceives as potential danger - from servants carrying trays to warriors engaged in routine patrols."You realize you're doing it, don't you?"
SageTwo weeks pass in a whirlwind of preparation. Though my body shows no outward signs of the life growing within, everything around me transforms in anticipation of the announcement. Security tightens to levels that would seem excessive if not for the fierce determination I feel through our bond each time Alaric issues another protective measure."The eastern balcony provides the best security profile," Garrett explains, reviewing the announcement plans one final time. "Clear sight lines, controlled access points, multiple escape routes if needed.""It's a pregnancy announcement, not a military operation," I point out, though I've long since stopped fighting the increased protection. Through our bond, Alaric's approval flows as Garrett continues outlining security measures that would befit a declaration of war rather than new life.While they finalize logistics, my own preparations have taken a different direction. Since Iris's casual mention of the prophecy, I've devoted every spar
SageThe morning of the announcement dawns clear and bright, as if the Moon Goddess herself approves our news. I stand before the mirror in our chambers, studying my reflection for any visible sign of the changes occurring within. Though my body appears unchanged, through our bond, Alaric's perception of me has transformed completely – his mate, his queen, and now carrier of his child."You're certain about this?" he asks one final time, his hands settling on my shoulders as he meets my eyes in the reflection. "We could wait longer.""We've waited long enough." My decision hasn't wavered despite the prophecy's discovery. "The kingdom deserves to know their future heir approaches."What remains unspoken is our strategic reasoning – controlling the narrative before rumors of prophecies overshadow simple joy at a royal birth. Through our bond, our shared determination flows both ways, strengthening our united front.The royal apartments bustle with activity as final preparations unfold. H
SageAnother note, carefully folded and slipped beneath the herbs I'd set aside for morning sickness remedies. I unfold it with practiced caution, already knowing what I'll find – the same ancient script, the same vicious threats against my life, my child, our future."Your healing blood will spill before the abomination draws its first breath."I burn it like the others, watching ancient parchment curl and blacken to ash. Two months have passed since our announcement, my pregnancy now visible in the slight curve beneath my gowns. Two months of increasing threats, each more specific than the last. Each carefully hidden from Alaric.Through our bond, I feel him approaching before I hear his footsteps – his awareness of me heightened with each passing day of pregnancy. I scatter the ashes and compose myself before he enters our private study."You should be resting," he says immediately, noting the books spread across my desk. His protective instincts have only intensified as my body cha
Sage"I'll accompany you personally," Alaric decides finally, the words clipped with restrained emotion.When I fail to wilt under his kingly glare as the strongest of men often do, he determines this to be the compromise to end our stand-off. I’d be lying if I said the thought of spending my day in his company was unappealing. But I’d be an unworthy queen if I allowed him to shirk his duties for such an unnecessary cause. He’ll just have to find it within himself to behave rationally, however unlikely that may be. "You have border negotiations this afternoon," I remind him, victory within reach though I keep satisfaction from my tone. "Negotiations you've postponed twice already."The trapped expression that crosses his face would be almost comical in different circumstances – duty to kingdom versus protection of mate creating an impossible choice. Through our bond, I feel his beast's snarling rejection of any separation battling with the king's responsibility to handle threats that
Sage"The integration program shows remarkable progress," Lord Harrison reports, genuine approval evident in his typically measured tone. "Three territories have established healing centers staffed by wolves previously hiding their abilities."I try to focus on the council update despite the persistent ache in my lower back – a new development in my fourth month of pregnancy. Through our bond, Alaric's attention divides between council business and constant monitoring of my comfort, his awareness of my physical state sometimes exceeding my own."And security at these centers?" he questions, his priorities clear in the ordering."Comprehensive," Lord Harrison confirms. "As you specified, my King."What goes unspoken is the reason for such unprecedented security – not just protection for previously persecuted healers, but safeguards against those who might use healing centers to track my movements, my interests, my potential vulnerability.The past month has settled into an uneasy patter
AlaricThree hours.Three hours since her consciousness faded from our bond, leaving only a faint pulse of life where a vibrant connection should exist. Three hours of rage so consuming my partial shift remains permanent, claws extended, beast clawing beneath skin that can barely contain fury."The guards were found unconscious, specialized tranquilizer," Garrett reports, keeping physical distance as my beast's state demands. "The old wolf and supposed patient vanished completely."My roar shakes the command center walls, maps and reports trembling in its wake. Around me, warriors flinch but hold positions – every available fighter mobilized the moment Sage's desperate message pierced my mind. Cassius. Child. Prophecy.Three words that confirmed my worst fears, that transformed background vigilance to foreground war."How?" The question emerges as a growl, my voice distorted by my partial shift. "How did he get past our security? Our scouts? Our intelligence?"No one answers immediatel
AlaricNo further protest emerges as guards begin their methodical search, examining communications, personal items, even scent markers that might indicate recent contact with unauthorized territories. Through the still-strained bond, I focus completely on Sage's presence – faint but persistent, life force strong despite circumstances."My King," a guard approaches, his expression grave as he presents a scroll discovered among one council member's possessions. "This contains detailed security protocols for royal healing visits. Specifically, eastern village procedures."Lord Kincaid – elderly wolf who opposed integration of healing abilities from the beginning – maintains his dignified posture despite damning evidence. "Standard security briefing," he claims, though pallor beneath silver fur betrays awareness of position's weakness."With delivery route information?" The guard indicates specific notation on scroll. "Arrival times? Guard rotation details?"Silence confirms what evidence
Alexander I close the distance between us in one stride, my mouth finding hers with newfound urgency. Her response is immediate and enthusiastic, her body arching into mine as her arms wind around my neck. I tug gently at her loosened tunic, breaking the kiss only long enough to ask, "May I?"She nods, and I slip the garment from her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. My breath catches at the sight of her—strong and lithe from years of healing work, skin pale gold in the afternoon light, the curve of her waist flaring into hips still covered by her leggings. The binding around her chest is utilitarian rather than decorative, but somehow all the more appealing for its practicality."You're beautiful," I tell her, because it's true and because the flush that spreads across her cheeks at the compliment is worth any momentary awkwardness."You're still wearing too many clothes," she points out, fingers already working at the fastenings of my shirt.I laugh, the sound rusty with dis
Alexander I stand in the doorway of Lyra's chambers, all my carefully prepared words evaporating at the sight of her. She looks exhausted but resolute, chin lifted slightly in that way I've come to recognize means she's bracing for an argument. The bond between us pulses with conflicting emotions—relief at our proximity battling with the lingering tension from our courtyard confrontation."Can I come in?" I ask, my voice softer than I intended.She nods, stepping back to allow me entry. I close the door behind me, grateful for the privacy after our too-public disagreement earlier."I owe you an apology," I begin, pride giving way to more important priorities. "My reaction to your return was..." I search for the right word."Possessive? Accusatory? Completely unfair?" she supplies, though the slight curve of her lips takes some sting from the words."All of the above," I admit with a rueful smile. "I was worried sick, Lyra. The bond separation, the power surges, the reports of Vega's a
Lyra The palace looks different this time—less intimidating, more like a potential sanctuary than a gilded prison. Maybe it's because I'm not arriving as a captive or a curiosity, but as someone making a conscious choice to return. Or maybe I'm just too exhausted to be intimidated anymore."You okay?" Kieran asks, pulling his horse alongside mine as we approach the eastern gate."Just tired," I assure him, though that's only part of the truth. The bond with Alexander strengthens with every hoofbeat closer to the palace, the familiar silver warmth spreading through my chest after days of uncomfortable stretching.The guards at the gate snap to attention when they recognize me, their expressions a mixture of relief and curiosity. They wave us through with minimal questions, though I notice how their eyes linger on Kieran and the other healers with suspicion.Some things haven't changed, then.The eastern courtyard bustles with activity—servants carrying supplies, guards changing shifts,
Alexander "Your Highness, the eastern patrol has returned."I look up from the maps spread across my desk to see Captain Merrick standing at attention in the doorway. The grim set of his mouth tells me he's not bringing good news."Report," I command, straightening to my full height."We've confirmed the presence of at least eight individuals matching Northern territory descriptions moving through the eastern forests." He points to the area on my map where Lyra's healing community had relocated. "They're using search patterns consistent with tracking specific targets, not random patrols."My stomach knots. "How close to the healer settlement?""Too close," he admits. "Less than five miles from their last known location."A surge of power—part Alpha, part healing—runs through me at the news, making the maps glow faintly beneath my hands. I've been fighting these manifestations all day, each one stronger than the last as the bond between Lyra and me stretches with our separation."Shit,
Lyra "What existed between us was real," I acknowledge quietly. "Friendship, respect, potential for more. I never denied that.""And now?" His question carries no accusation, only sincere desire to understand where my boundaries are now."Now complexity exists where once things seemed so simple between us, so easy." I reply, honesty demanded by years of trust between us. "The bond with Alexander doesn't erase what came before, but it changes the context irrevocably."He reaches out slowly, giving me time to withdraw if I choose, and gently brushes a strand of hair from my face. The casual intimacy of the gesture—one he's performed countless times before—suddenly carries a different weight, awareness crackling between us like the static before a storm."If fate hadn't intervened," he murmurs, "if you'd never met him...""We can't know that path because we're not walking it," I interrupt gently, though I don't pull away from his touch. "Speculating about what might have been only makes
LyraThe familiar scents of wild herbs and wood smoke welcome me as we crest the final ridge overlooking our community's temporary settlement. After the palace's overwhelming grandeur, the simple cluster of hide tents and wooden shelters feels like drawing a deep breath after being underwater too long. My shoulders relax instinctively, the tight knot of tension court life created beginning to loosen."You look happier already," Kieran observes, pulling his horse alongside mine. His green eyes study me with the perception that comes from years of friendship. "The palace weighs on you.""It's... different," I acknowledge, remaining deliberately neutral despite the relief coursing through me. "Complex in ways I never imagined.""And the prince?" he asks carefully. "Is he worth the complexity?"The question carries layers beneath its simplicity. Through our temporarily stabilized bond, I feel Alexander's presence like a silver thread stretched thin but unbroken between us. Even discussing
Alexander Throughout the day, power surges continue with increasing frequency and intensity. During an afternoon security briefing, my Alpha energy flares so strongly that decorative weapons mounted on the walls rattle in their holdings. Later, while reviewing border reports, healing power manifests as visible glow surrounding my hands, making parchment maps luminescent where I touch them.By evening, controlling these manifestations requires constant focus, draining energy needed for royal duties that cannot be postponed despite my discomfort. The council reconvenes to discuss increased activity along the eastern border—reports of strangers matching Northern territory descriptions moving through regions where healing communities traditionally hide."Vega's agents, most likely," Dominic assesses, pointing to locations marked on the tactical map. "Their movement patterns suggest searching rather than random patrol.""Searching for what?" Lord Harrison questions."Not what—who," I corre
Alexander The council chamber feels like a trap this morning—a gilded cage of obligation, duty, and politics that keeps me from what I truly want to be doing. My attention drifts repeatedly toward the window, toward the eastern gate where I know Lyra will soon depart with Kieran. Every instinct rebels against letting her leave the palace, letting her travel with another man who clearly harbors feelings for her."Your Highness?" Lord Harrison's voice cuts through my distraction. "Your thoughts on the Northern territories' proposal?"I refocus on the documents before me, forcing composure over agitation. "Their offer of partial reparations is insufficient," I state, scanning the diplomatic language that disguises the Northern delegation's attempt to minimize consequences for their actions. "They participated in an unprovoked attack on our throne. I won’t accept anything less than full accountability."The council members exchange glances, some approving, others concerned."The Northern
LyraThe council chambers occupy an imposing section of the palace, all dark wood and serious faces. When I enter, conversation halts abruptly. Alexander stands at the head of a long table scattered with maps and documents, looking exhausted but commanding. Relief crosses his features when he sees me."Lyra, thank you for coming," he says, gesturing me forward. "The council requires information about Vega's capabilities and possible locations."I step further into the room, acutely aware of the scrutiny from a dozen pairs of eyes. Most expressions range from skeptical to overtly hostile, with only Dominic and Elara offering friendly faces among the assembled advisors."Surely there are more reliable sources of intelligence than a... healer," one councilor objects, the pause before "healer" making the word sound like an insult."You’d do well to remember my mother, your queen, is a healer. As am I.” Alexander snaps, a hint of Alpha authority edging his tone. “Lyra has firsthand experien