Ileus: The Dark Prince

The boulder removed from their way, the cavalcade was on its way. An hour later they found a clearing for camp near a brook. Olivia was so exhausted that Kaizan didn't allow her to go anywhere. She just went to the brook, washed herself a little and then he made her change into another cotton gown that he had kept in a satchel he carried with himself in the carriage.

Dinner was served to them in their camps. True to what Ileus had said, through the entire journey, as they passed through a town, people had come out of their houses to watch the royal cavalcade. Traders with their troops had moved to the sides on the path in order to give preference to them to go ahead. Kaizan was sure that by now every one of the rogues knew about their journey to the Whiteclaw pack, and that worried him all the more.

After tucking his wife in thick furs over the pallet on which she was sleeping, he had gone out to check the protection of the place and to see who guarded their camp. Two witches, two Mozias and four werewolves were on guard until midnight and another unit had to take over later.

Although everything was in place, Kaizan was still alert. Tired after a long journey, all he wanted was to snuggle with his wife and sleep, but his instincts screamed 'Protect'. But Kaizan shifted in his wolf form. He loped inside the forest to check its protection personally. The two wizards had told him that they had cast a protection spell around the camp and not even a bird would be able to pass without being caught in the spell and getting charred to death. Yet… When Kaizan returned, he didn't shift back, and entered the tent in his wolf form. Olivia was sleeping already, so he padded close to her and then lay right beside her.

As if she sensed that it was his wolf, she snuggled closer to him, dug her fingers in his warm fur and with a soft whimper drifted off into deep sleep. Kaizan chuffed seeing his mate so relaxed and he too closed his eyes. Soon her head and torso were on her mate's fur. She had sprawled all over him and also on the pallet. He opened his eyes, licked her face and once she settled, he also went off to sleep. The night went without any incident and Kaizan's worry lessened a bit.

They reached the Whiteclaw pack in the evening of the fourth day without any incident and then only Kaizan could take a breath of relief.

Vaarin and Kaia were overjoyed to receive their daughter and the General of the Silver Vales army. When last time Vaarin was trying to get rid of them, this time, he just couldn't help feeling excited. His chest swelled with pride when he saw mating marks on the necks of both Kaizan and Olivia. It was unbelievable that his daughter had found her mate in a man like Kaizan.

When the two met, Vaarin clasped the upper arms of his son-in-law and greeted him like the two people in hierarchy. And when he met his daughter, he just hugged her tightly, as if pouring all his emotions of lost years in her. His eyes watered with tears, which he blinked away. And then suddenly her changed smell hit his nostrils. "You are with a babe?" he asked, disbelief surging through his body. Olivia's cheeks flamed. She nodded. Vaarin's world stopped and then tilted. "Oh my god!" he rasped and then stared at her daughter trying his best to fight those tears. He hugged her again and stroked her hair and patted her back. Could he get any prouder? "Why didn't you cancel the journey?" he chided her, not at all meaning it. She giggled. For the first time in long, Vaarin didn't miss Luke.

Kaia was waiting on the side for her daughter and when Olivia hugged her mother, Kaia just couldn't stop crying. She closed her eyes and let her tears run. She glanced at Kaizan and mouthed a thank you at which Kaizan smiled.

Vaarin took Kaizan inside the mansion. He was surprised to see that this time his cavalcade also included a dozen witches and wizards apart from a large number of werewolves. He was happy to see how Kaizan was taking care of his daughter, but then he realized that she was his mate. If need be, he would do more. When they settled in the main hall, Vaarin said, "You must be very tired from the journey. And I am angry that Olivia didn't mention her pregnancy. She should have avoided trip." He sounded like he wasn't angry with her. "Now that you are here, you must stay for at least a month until she is stable with her pregnancy."

Kaizan shifted uncomfortably. "I can't—" he looked at his wife. "We can't stay here for more than a week," he replied.

"In that case, let Olivia stay here," Kaia insisted.

"No!" Kaizan immediately snapped. "Olivia has to stay with me. Her safety and my child's safety are my primary concern. I can't leave her here!"

The way he retorted Kaia was taken aback. She wanted to say something, but Vaarin stopped her. He understood Kaizan's anxiety. "I understand, Kaizan. Now let us forget that and enjoy what lies ahead."

Kaizan pursed his lips. Meeting his in-laws for the first time informally was slightly uncomfortable for him. Vaarin had been his enemy for too long. But what he said contained a lot of meaning—enjoy what lies ahead. Vaarin started talking about other things to mitigate the tension.

Kaia gave in to her husband's instructions. "Your aunt Fuchsia was very happy with her stay with you. She told me that you are content in your home. Even Bernice was pleased and appreciated with the way you treated her."

Olivia narrowed her eyes for a moment and then glanced at Kaizan who was in deep conversation with her father. She didn't know what games Fuchsia and Bernice were playing, but she had to stay alert. She wondered if she should talk about Bernice's nonsense to Kaia.

"Bernice will be getting married to a captain in your father's army next month," said Kaia.

Olivia jerked her head back with shock. "So soon?"

"Yes, isn't that nice. Fuchsia told me that Bernice doesn't want to go away from her parents, and so she will marry within the pack."

A smile curled Olivia's lips when she remembered the vow they had made to the Lore. "It is good then."

"They will come to meet you the day after."

Olivia bit her lip and nodded. She changed the topic. "How long are the festivities?"

Vaarin looked fondly at Olivia and said, "The festivities are going to run for a week, Olivia, but now that I know that you are expecting a babe, I will cut them short. I don't want to tire you."

"Thank you, father," Olivia replied with a tired smile. She glanced at her parents and Kaizan. Such a lovely family she had. Her hand went on her tummy inadvertently.

After they had talked some more, Kaizan and Olivia were shown to their bedchamber.. And when Kaizan saw her bedchamber, his eyes grew wide with surprise. "Pink!"