24

We play like this for a while till Leanna finally begins to slow down. I realize that she’s tired now. She doesn’t want to stop, however, so it’s my job to make sure she does. Snapping at her, I block her path. She takes a few steps backward, unwilling to change back to her human form. When I snap my teeth at her again in warning, she gives me an irate look before sinking to the ground.

I’m the first one to shift back. “That’s enough,” I tell her. “We need to go back to the castle.”

Huffing, she closes her eyes, and I watch her shift back into her human form. As she finishes, she stumbles forward, and I catch her in my arms.

“I—” She struggles to say something, but then she passes out. I’m not surprised. If she has never taken part in pack runs before, it makes sense that she would not be accustomed to holding her wolf form for such a long period of time.

I hold her still form in my arms, gazing down at her relaxed features.

Her breathing is steady. She passed out due to exhaustion, that’s all.

 

  

Harriet is waiting for us when we return, and she smiles when she sees us. “Did she have a good time?”

I shrug. “She seemed happy enough.”

“Good,” she says decisively. “She complements you, Your Majesty.”

She takes the sleeping woman from me as I frown. “What do you mean?”

“While you are cold and rational, she is understanding and gentle. She softens your rough edges.”

“I don’t need anybody to soften me up.” I bristle, and the older woman chuckles.

“Of course you don’t, but she is your perfect match. I’m glad you brought her here. And I know I’m not the only one who feels that way.”

I look at the motionless person in her arms, and I hesitate. Is this tiny slip of a woman really changing me? And more importantly, do I want her to? I don’t think I’m acting any differently than normal, but maybe I should be more cautious around her.

“How is she eating these days?”

Harriet beams, setting down my mate on the bed. “She’s doing much better. The healer is seeing remarkable progress. It seems like she wants to get well now, so her body is going along with it. It’s amazing how the mind assists the healing process. Perhaps it’s got something to do with your growing relationship with her.”

I scowl. “There’s nothing going on between us.”

Harriet disagrees. “You’re fated mates. Of course there’s something going on between you. There’s no need to deny it.”

“When did you get so talkative?” I growl, and she raises a brow.

“I can leave if it’s a problem.”

Shaking my head, I mutter, “That’s not what I meant. Anyway, you say she’s eating better now?”

“We’ve introduced some fatty foods, and she’s able to keep them down. Healer Pat told me to let you know that if you wish to try for a child, she will be able to conceive.”

“And her body? Will it be able to withstand the strain?”

A few weeks ago, I wouldn’t have cared about how her body would handle the effort of carrying a child. But now, after seeing how fragile she truly is, I don’t know if putting her through that stress is a good idea.

“If she conceives, then she will have to monitored and cared for, but Healer Pat believes it should be safe enough with the right amount of vigilance.” She hesitates. “The elders are being vocal about this and called to ask him. That is why he told me.”

A snarl builds up within me.

The pack elders are the heads of the noble families. My father always kept them at bay, but ever since I came to power, they have become more interfering, especially during my constant absences when I’m fighting at the Veil. The only reason they did not protest my bringing in Princess Vivian as queen was because she was of royal blood. They want to preserve the sanctity of the royal and noble bloodlines. I understand the importance since my parents also believed in it. That is why I have not revealed Leanna’s true identity to them.

If they find out that she is not of royal blood, they will call for an immediate dissolution of the marriage. While I can prevent that because she is my fated mate, it doesn’t change the fact that any child she bears will not be a pureblood. I have to admit that this thought does bother me, but it was my decision to bring her in for political purposes, and I can’t hold that against her.

There are only a scant few individuals who are aware of Leanna’s true identity. I plan to keep it that way.

“I have not decided whether I want to have a child with her yet.”

I know I told Leanna differently, but seeing how she passed out after holding her wolf form for more than an hour gave me pause. It would be better to wait till she’s healthier. I don’t trust that Healer Pat’s words are not influenced by pressure from the elders.

Leanna stirs, and Harriet moves toward her. “She will want to change her clothes.”

“Leave her be. She’s tired. You can retire for the night, Harriet.”

Harriet leaves, and I strip off my shirt before climbing into bed. Gathering Leanna’s small form in my arms, I curl around her. As I sink into sleep, I feel her body jerk. When I open my eyes, she’s still asleep, her breathing deep.

Maybe I just imagined it.

I allow myself to drift off, my wolf content.

 

  

The first report about the surge of monster attacks on the villages near the Veil lands on my desk two days later. I dispatch a squadron of my soldiers to assist the two units that are already stationed around the Veil.

The second report arrives three days later. Derrick paces in front of me as I read the hastily written report. “We had it under control. I think we will have to go ourselves, Cedric.”

I frown. “This isn’t a typical time of the year for attacks to increase. It’s still winter. Considering the extreme temperatures around the Veil, the monsters should be in hibernation. Why are they getting worked up?”

Edgar shoots me a sharp look. “You think somebody crossed the Veil?”

“It could be a reason why they’ve ventured out of hiding,” I muse, my brows knitted together. When the Veil is crossed, it draws out the monsters that are affected. That’s why the Northern Wolf Kingdom is in charge of monitoring who crosses the Veil and when.

“But nobody saw any movement within it,” Rothan points out.

“The Veil is vast and covers a large amount of territory. Part of it is in the Misty Forest. Even our kind doesn’t venture in there,” I say thoughtfully. “We have no one guarding the Veil in that area.”

“But that’s because nobody has ever been able to exit the Misty Forest,” Edgar responds.

“What about the rebels in the Eastern Kingdom?” Derrick stops pacing and turns to face me, and I set down the report in my hand.

We share a quiet look. There’s not much information about the individuals who murdered our families. Now that we have seized some control over the Eastern Wolf Kingdom, we have begun our preliminary investigations into the assassinations. The previous king, Vivian’s father, refused to look into the matter. After nearly two decades now, it’s hard to find much information.