Chapter 73
POV: Queen Tamara Pierce
It took her some time to compose herself after everything that had happened. The betrayal that was slowly lingering inside her heart was just so painful. The trust and friendship that she had given to Kage just vanished in a snap.
Until now, she still couldn’t believe that he could do that to her.
Tamara let out a deep sigh, but sobs mixed with her exhale. It seemed like even her breathing was too heavy to lose. It was clenching her heart.
“Stop crying, Tamara, hmm?” Hades whispered in her ear as he was still hugging her so tightly.
Tamara bit her lower lip as she tried to stifle the sobs that were still escaping her lips. She slowly took a deep breath before letting it go out of her lungs.
She moved a bit, and Hades loosened his grip on her. He gently wiped away the tears from her face.
“I just couldn’t believe that Kage could do this to me.” Her voice croaked.
“Sometimes you can’t just tell someone to reciprocate the friendship and trust that you gave them, Tamara. You can’t control them nor their minds and decisions. Always remember that.” Hades seriously reminded her.
Tamara nodded her head and let out a gloomy sigh.
“I know, but it just so happened that it just hurt so much.” She slowly whispered under her breath.
King Hades let out a deep sigh as he held her face using his both hands and planted a soft kiss on her forehead.
There was a comforting silence that was slowly consuming them, and Tamara just wanted to feel and enjoy that particular moment. She wanted the soothing feeling that she hadn’t faced this treachery caused by Kage all by herself. She was grateful that she was with Hades.
After a short moment, Raven knocked into their room, where his face was laced with worry and concern which he was just trying to hide, but she knew better.
Elder Zeparu silently went inside with him maybe to tell them her condition.
“What happened?” Hades seriously inquired about his younger brother, but Raven just gave a swift glance at her before looking intently at his brother as if he was telling him something that shouldn’t be heard.
“Let’s just talk about it in the Throne Room. Elder Zeparu, please come with us.” Raven equaled the seriousness that her husband had before taking a swift glance at Elder Zeparu before turning around at them.
But Tamara couldn’t just let it slip into her just like that.
“Why not now? Why not here? And why Elder Zeparu can some and not me?” Her voice was dripping with deep curiosity.
Raven let out a deep sigh and took a swift glance at Elder Zeparu, who had just let out a deep sigh and slightly bowed his head down. He seriously looked at her.
“I need to talk about it to Hades and Elder Zeparu. It is about our father. My brother can give you the details, that is, if he wants to share them with you.” Raven coldly replied making Hades’ forehead furrowed.
Tamara bit her lower lip before glancing at her husband before looking at Raven who was intently looking at his brother.
Tamara let out a deep sigh.
“Okay, then, maybe, you can go with him for now.” Tamara softly replied and looked at Hades who was still looking curiously at his brother.
“But I didn’t know what your condition was yet. Are you feeling better now?” Hades worriedly asked her.
But before Tamara could even answer his question, Raven had already interjected between them.
“My brother can go later and meet me at the Throne Room. I’ll leave first for now. I still have more things to do.” Raven darkly bade his goodbye and gave his brother a knowing look.
But Hades’ attention didn’t leave hers even though his brother was already out of sight. It was like he was more attentive towards her and nothing else mattered more than her. He didn’t even take even a swift glance at Raven, who was waiting for his answer.
Raven let out a deep sigh and slightly shook his head before he stormed out of the room.
“So, how are you feeling?” Hades repeatedly inquired about her.
Tamara nodded her head and let out a deep sigh.
“Well, compared to a while ago, I guess I am getting better now.” She sincerely stated.
Hades let out a deep sigh as if he was feeling better now.
“Very well, then. Is that true, Elder Zeparu? Is she truly fine?” Hades wanted to confirm it to their salutary wolf.
Elder Zeparu cleared his throat before staring at Raven and then at them.
“Well, I… I need to check on her pulse first to confirm my hunch, Your Majesty.” Elder Zeparu seriously told them making Hades’ face get worried once again.
“Why? Is there something wrong with her?” He suddenly became concerned and apprehensive of her.
“Well, not really, Your Majesty. I just need to check on something first before I confirm the Queen’s condition, Your Majesty.” His deep voice said.
The king nodded his head while his forehead creased and motioned to the old man to check on her pulse.
Tamara felt so anxious all of a sudden.
‘Did Leah do something to her? Did her condition worsen or is her humanity slowly being consumed by her lycan form?’ Her mind suddenly turned into chaos.
‘But I didn’t feel anything weird inside me. I felt like nothing happened although I knew that I am that close to being an uncontrolled lycan once again’ She mentally thought.
“Your Grace, will you please take a deep breath and compose yourself. Just be calm.” Elder Zeparu’s voice pulled her back to reality.
Tamara took a deep breath and tried to compose herself.
Elder Zeparu swallowed hard as he held her wrist and closed his eyes as he was concentrating on checking her pulse. It was an odd thing for her, though because she didn’t say a word. She didn’t want to break his concentration.
Besides, based on how serious his expression was, it seemed like it was something crucial.
The moment Elder Zeparu gently let go of her hand, Hades instantly threw him a question. Elder Zeparu stood up and slightly stepped back a few feet away from them.
“How is she?” He worriedly asked.
Elder Zeparu let out a deep sigh.
“The Queen needs a lot of rest, Your Majesty. She needs to be careful from now on.” The old kind man started before giving them a small smile.
“Because the Queen is pregnant, Your Majesty. Congratulations.” Elder Zeparu smilingly declared.
Tamara’s breathing hitched as she heard the great news.
“W-What did you say, Elder?” She weakly inquired.
She couldn’t believe what she had just heard from him. Even Hades seemed shocked at the news.
“You are pregnant, Your Grace, so please be careful from now on. Don’t stress yourself too much.” Elder Zeparu seriously advised her.
‘Now, it is confirmed. I am truly pregnant!’ She screamed in her mind like it was the greatest blessing, she could ever receive.
Tamara gently held her still flat stomach and she bit her lower lip absorbing the greatest news that she had ever heard.
“Did I… Did I hear him correctly?” Hades absentmindedly stated and Tamara chuckled at his reaction.
She excitedly nodded her head. Hades’ face brightened up as he instantly kissed her briefly before he hugged her tightly, but she could still feel the gentleness in him.
“We are having our baby. Thank you, wife. Thank you so much.” He emotionally whispered as he kissed her temples once again.
‘Now, I already have another reason to fight and win this battle. And I really thank the moon goddess for giving us this blessing. I am truly and sincerely grateful.’
With that, Tamara felt that she couldn’t ask for more. And even amidst the chaotic war that was happening and even amidst the painful betrayal she felt, they were still given another source of happiness and strength.
One thing that could be their reason to go on and make sure that they would be getting the triumph until the end.
For all the people of every pack under them. For the people that sacrificed their lives for them. For their family.
And most especially, for their child.