That’s a new scar, Karen thought to herself as she watched Kai’s bandaged chest rise and fall in step with his breathing.
The healer had concluded her business some minutes ago and left, leaving Kai, Nicolas and Karen alone.
Karen sat by his bed, holding his had and watching his face. His skin looked ashy and he looked like he had lost weight in hours. Karen could see the back tendrils of poison spreading across his skin. It was oddly reminiscent to the time her father had given her her permanent scar.
She had no idea what he used, if it was even poison or not. But today had confirmed that it is indeed poison.
“You should get some rest ” She heard Nicolas said beside her.
“I can’t when he’s like this…”
“Karen,”
“No.” She refused. “I’ll be here. I can’t go.”
Nicolas sighed. “Very well.”
She thought he was leaving but he pulled a chair and sat beside her. “Don’t wait alone in that case.”
Karen nodded, trying to smile and failed.
She didn’t get a wink of sleep, watching Kai closely for any indicator of his waking. The sun rose and he birds started chirping.
She felt tired, her eyes felt dry and scratchy. Nicolas had stayed up with her, but he took it better than she did.
“Get some rest.” He said to her.
Karen didn’t want to leave Kai’s Side. She touche her belly, thinking about the life growing inside her. She wanted to tell Kai about it. See his reaction. But she couldnt do anything if he was passed out cold and recovering from poison.
“Is that daddy?”
Karen turned to see David. This time she wasn’t fats enough to block his view. “Yes baby. It’s daddy.”
David walked up to the bed, his eyes wide and misty. “What happened to daddy? Did the bad guys get him?”
“Yes. But done worry,” Karen managed a smile for him. “He’ll get better and he’ll make them pay.”
David nodded.
Karne rose from the seat. She had chores to do, and the healer would be coming by in a few hours to check up on Kai. “You should get some rest too ” Karen said to Nicolas.
“You’re right.” He said and got to his feet, cracking his joints. “I’ll have some guards stationed outside, increase the security. Asher may attack directly now that Kai is weak”
That was true. The Man was a coward and always looking for the easy way to get things he wanted. Karen had no doubt he would try to attack them.
But she was ready for him.
Witht the fire burning In her to protect her family, she was ready for the man.
***
The rest of the day went by in a blur. Nicolas had a maid deliver food to the suite for Karen and David.
The healer came by and Karen helped her dress Kai. She got a glimpse of the wound and it was nasty. It looked like a demonic blade had cut into his skin and was eating him away. Karen turned away, tears flowing down her eyes
“Don’t cry my lady, please.” The healer said. “He’ll be fine, the wound will just leave a nasty scar. He’s an alpha. They heal faster than normal.”
“I know that… it’s just …” She cried softly, covering her mouth as she did.
“I’m really sorry.” The healer said. “Have some tea. It’ll help calm you down”
The healer prepared some earthy smelling tea and gave her a cup. Karen drank some of it, and it felt soothing to her soul
The next day, Kai woke up for a few seconds and quickly lasped back to sleep. Nicolas heard of it and rushed down. He had been taking on the position of alpha since Kai was out of commission for a while
“We caught two spies today form Asher.” He broke the news to her after she had told him about Kai.
“I want to see them”. Karen said , her voice dark .
“Don’t bother yourself with it. ” He said. “I’ve had them taken care off. Be on the lookout. And show no mercy ”
“I don’t plan to” Karen hissed. If she did get her hand on one of Asher’s people, she would tear them apart limb by limb.
Nicolas left to continue running the pack
David was a perfect child. It was like he understood the situation at hand and tried to make sure he helps in a whatever way. When he wasn’t telling her funny stores to try and cheer her up, he would read her a book form Kai’s enormous library.
She was so grateful she was blessed with a sweet child.
Every hour she prayed for Kai’s recovery. She remembered she had done something like this and Verena had woken up.
She poured herself more into the prayers.
***
Nicolas dropped the whip, the sound it made clattering with the metal tray slicing through the air. The only other sound in the air was that of heavy breathing and sniffling.
“Dispose of it.” He said to the guards that stood by the doro.
“Please please! I told you everything already! Please spare my life!”
The spy’s pleas fell on deaf ears. Nicolas could never spare such scum. Not for any reason.
Form the information he had gathered, Asher believed Kai was dead. With was a thing he could use to his advantage. And he was planning a huge takeover in just a week.
That worried Nicolas. There was no way Kai could be back on his feet in less than one week. Plus now he had a family, there was much more at stake for him now.
Nicolas wished the sword had cut and not Kai. Kai was better suited to this whole running a pack business. Nicolas knew he wasn’t meant for it.
But Kai was in coma, narrowly escaping with his life. Till he got better, Nicolas knew he had to hold things down. Such was the duty of a beta
It was late at night before he was able to return to Verena . She had recovered at an outstanding pace, the hole in her neck gone by now and replaced with smooth flesh .
Nicolas didn’t know if it was Karen’s healing or the healers gifts. But either way, he was grateful for it.
She was steated on the couch, reading a book. She pulled him into a hug that melted away his stress and worries. “Hey,” She said softly. “It must have new a really long day.”
Nicolas breathed in her scent “you have no idea.” He said. “More spies, Kai isn’t awake yet, and Karen seems to be losing it”
“I’m sorry.” She said and stroked his head. “My father is causing you this pain and I…”
“You aren’t your father.”
Funny, Karen has said the same thing. Nicolas was beginning to see a pattern.
He suddenly felt silly for spending so much time judging Karen because of her father’s evil deeds. Just as Verena was different form her father, so was Karen
Nicolas said wonders if Kai had realized that.
“I wish you would let me help ”
“Not a chance. He could kill you. I can’t let anything happen to you.”
“He’s my father, Nick. He won’t kill me.”
“No “Nicolas said with a note of finality. “I’m not putting you in danger. I’m tired of people I love getting hurt because of me.”
Verena went silent for a while, her fingers threading through his hair. “I have something to tell you.” She said.
“What is it?”
There was a beat of silence.
“I’m pregnant ” She said.
His head shot up and he looked at her. “Your … pregnant?”
She smiled, her eyes filling. With tears. “Yes!”
“That’s fantastic!” He exclaimed, pulling her into a hug. He felt joy fill his heart. “We’re going to be a family! I’m gonna be a dad!”
“I’m so happy for you! For us!” She hugged him pack, her head bruied in the crook of his neck. “At long last….”
Nicolas felt like he might cry. A baby. A baby could change everything for them! He had always wanted a child of his own, a family to call his
And it was finally taking place
A knock sounded on the door, interrupting their moment. Nicolas glowered at the door.
“Who is that!”
“Alpha Kai has woken up!” The voice outside shouted.