Alex’s pov:
I was happy to see my beautiful Jade up and about. And seeing her interact with Anna, the sweet child who had warmed up to her, made something bloom in my chest. I could picture her with our own child, playing with him, cooing at him softly… The images were comforting given the circumstances, and yet bittersweet at the same time as I might not be a part of their future.
I watched her and Anna laugh merrily, almost unaware of the looming danger. She was not carrying just an alpha, but the alpha of alphas. And although the Alpha King might have taken the news well, the queen, his mother, most definitely did not… Possibly, moreso because The Alpha King had yet to be mated.
There was so much to do and say, but all I knew was that we needed some kind of break and alone time too.
Cole, I mind-linked the warrior who had tagged along as my driver, Watch out outside the room for any threats. I need to have a word with your Luna.
Yes, alpha, was his immediate answer, as he stepped out of the room.
“Paulina, Anna, would you mind coming at a later time? I need to talk to Jade,” I soon let out in a polite manner, wishing they didn’t take this as an offense.
They had helped protect my Luna, and I would be forever in their debt… But time was of the essence.
“Sure,” Paulina nodded, and soon, she was leading her little one out of the room.
Lucille needed no other clue and simply kissed Jade on the forehead, before retiring to her own room.
“What’s wrong, honey?” Jade asked as she sat straighter, her eyes darting every each way in a panicked manner.
“I want you to be prepared, love,” I told her in a soft tone of voice as I sat next to her.
“Prepared for what?” She squeaked out, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“The guards might lie, and the queen will try to make it seem like she was the victim in this whole issue,” I went on, and I watched as her eyes widened in shock, and out of fear too.
“But she… We were only protecting ourselves,” Jade assured me in a soft tone of voice.
“I am aware, love,” I nodded at her, the ghost of a smile stretching my lips. “Should push come to shove, I might get imprisoned for treason charges before I face a trial.”
“But… that’s so unfair, it’s insane,” she retorted, her tears falling down her cheeks. She shook her head negatively on repeat, as if she refused to believe her own ears.
“If that happens, I want you to go back to the pack, and call Alpha Ian and Kade,” I went on, even as I cupped her face, so she would focus on me. “They could offer help to the pack.”
“Alex, please tell me you’re just tormenting me,” Jade let out in a hoarse voice, her tears still far too stubborn to stop. “It won’t happen, right?”
“All I know is that the queen won’t be easy to deal with, love,” I admitted sotto-voce. “Don’t cry, love.”
“How can I not?” She sniffled.
“Getting to know and love you was my biggest achievement as a man, and though I hate to disappoint you so, I know that this matter goes beyond anything we’ve ever faced.”
She shook her head negatively again, more vehemently this time around. “Please don’t do this to me.”
“If we are to be separated today, I need you to know the depths of my feelings for you,” I told her gravely but she cut in before I could continue.
“We won’t be,” she assured me even though there was no conviction to her words. “There has to be a way.”
“We might though,” I offered her a bleak smile before leaning down and capturing her lips, in a kiss so passionate, and yet so sad, I thought I might lose my mind.
Jade returned the kiss with equal passion.
There was nothing I regretted, save maybe for this training which put my mate’s safety in jeopardy. But then again, sometimes things were simply meant to be, and there was no helping the outcome one might face.
Actions always have consequences, and I feared the queen’s actions might go unpunished, and she would remain a threat to my love and child. I shall try to do my best to ensure she would not be able to touch either.
** ** ** **
Jade’s pov:
Alex was speaking in English, but it seemed like I couldn’t comprehend his words. The mere thought of having to separate from him, so soon after we found our way to one another again, was maddening. And as I kissed him, I made sure to allow him full access to my mouth, but also to bite on his bottom lip.
If there was one thing I refused to do, it was giving up. Even if he were to get imprisoned, surely there had to be a way to prove that we weren’t lying, that he had only been trying to protect me.
Heavens have mercy, the guards still breathed. And if his intention had been to stage a coup or anything of the sort, he wouldn’t have come with only Cole.
I didn’t know what was going to happen, but I feared for him and for me too. What would become of me? The loss of my dad had already been hard enough… Would I be able to go through life without my mate by my side?
“I want Luc to take over the position of Alpha,” he said right after breaking the kiss. “And I want you to remain with the pack, but only tell a select few that our son is the alpha of alphas. The less people know, the less likely it is that an attack will happen.”
“Alex, honey, please, no more,” I implored him in a hushed tone of voice.
“I am sorry, love. I truly wish nothing of the sorts was even a possibility,” he heaved a sigh.
Before he could tell me a word further, there was a knock on the door a firm and powerful one.
“Yes, come in,” Alex let out in a seemingly weary voice.
Beta Marc stood at the door, and I felt like my heart might explode.