“Your Majesty! Commander Cornelius has arrived!”
I immediately stormed out of my tent and came to see one of my commanders who was suddenly marked as MIA or short for missing in action after they managed to enter the den of Magnius Lothim’s hideout. He was MIA for more than a week already.
I almost cried upon seeing one of my commanders from Eagle Mist who I thought died on the battlefield already. But he managed to mind link me that he was in the Ursupol, a nearby town not so far away from Auritaurie.
I got teary-eyed when Cornelius saluted me, who was in perfect condition. “Your Majesty, just as I promise. Commander Cornelius Haynes has arrived.”
I turned at my other battle commanders of Eagle Mist who felt emotional as well. I even had to stop my tears because I couldn’t control my emotions well.
This was because of my pregnancy.
“Welcome back, Cornelius,” I said, smiling. I inhaled and exhaled. “I am glad that you are back,” I said emotionally.
He bowed with a smile. “Please do forgive me for worrying about you, Your Majesty.”
I nodded. “You have to tell me the updates later.”
Cornelius told us about what he experienced back when he almost sneaked into Lothim’s hideout. He said that they set a trap there which was supposed to be unexpected but he underestimated them. It was why he landed at the Ursupol.
I had alerted the nearby towns as soon as I got to know that one of my battle commanders from the Eagle Mist went MIA. I only alerted them because losing one of my battle commanders was a chaotic situation. I told the knights stationed in the nearby towns to guard the towns heavily and strictly.
“Your Majesty, I met Sir Philippians in the Ursupol.”
I glanced at Cornelius who compelled himself to guard me tonight even though I told him that he could take a rest. “Is it? Did something happen?”
He stepped forward and knelt before me. ‘He told me that His Majesty, Alpha King Claudian, wanted to learn about the situation of the war. However, none of our intel had come back to send a report. He also told me that His Majesty wanted to confirm if you are really pregnant or not,’ he stated by mind linking me.
It was safe that he mind linked me in order to avoid the prying eyes and ears here in the camp.
I stiffened at his words and turned at him. ‘Has this really spread about my pregnancy already?’ I caressed my stomach that was already growing as I sighed.
‘It is just a rumor. But I am confused, Your Majesty. You said that we will act normally but why did the reports stop updating the progress of the war?’ He creased his forehead.
I averted my gaze. Oh, yes… I remember. ‘Because until we find you, I cannot update the situation of the war. It is a way that I do not need the palace’s help as I can handle everything here.’
It was true. But it didn’t mean that I didn’t want them to know about my condition.
‘What if His Majesty pays a visit here in the camp? And he found out about your pregnancy, Your Majesty?’ he asked, worried. ‘Don’t you think it is best to return now? You couldn’t be able to hide your growing stomach.’ His eyes were full of worry.
I stood up and took the other military uniform which was larger than what I was wearing. ‘This will hide my stomach. No one can tell the difference since everyone thinks that I am only bloating.’ I grinned. I even wore it to show it to him. “See?”
Relief washed over his face as he nodded and stretched out a small smile. “Indeed, Your Majesty. You are right.”
I chuckled. “Well…” I shrugged and caressed my stomach. ‘I’m certain they wouldn’t find out about my little Cloudy here.’
‘Cloudy?’
I turned at him, grinning. ‘The nickname of my son. Claudian Alexander V. Cloudy shall be his nickname.’ I wiggled my eyebrows.
‘Your pup is a he?’ He looked surprised.
I chuckled. “It’s just my speculation,” I told him that I’d been craving spicy foods as soon as I found out that I am pregnant with Claude’s pup.
Cornelius nodded. ‘I understand, Your Majesty.’
“So, tell me about the woman who helped you back when you landed at Ursupol’s Meadow Forest.” I grinned when he told me that a woman helped him to be treated when he was injured.
He looked surprised. “You mean Isabel?” He blinked.
I smirked when he didn’t hesitate to say her name. “Hmm… Isabel is the name, huh?” I kept nodding my head when I looked at him.
Cornelius must have realized what he said. His face suddenly flustered which made me laugh.
“Uh-huh… Looks like something interesting back then.” I wiggled my eyebrows which he frowned.
“Your Majesty…” He squinted his eyes at me.
I returned to my table and checked the reports while chuckling. “So, is she your mate? You looked a little different when you returned.” I placed my elbow on the table and rested my chin on the back of my palm. “I would like to hear your escapade while being healed there, Commander Cornelius.” I grinned.
Cornelius knew that I wouldn’t back down once I took interest in it. He sighed. “Fine, Your Majesty. I am surprised that she is my mate. Moreover, my second mate.”
My eyes widened. “Second mate?” I gasped. “Isn’t that a legend only?”
Here in this world. They said that the legend that has been passed down to generations as there was a possibility that a werewolf who had lost his first mate or was rejected by his first mate could be granted by the Moon Goddess a second mate. Though, it was just a legend. But if there is a certain circumstance that it happened, then it was a rare case.
I watched Cornelius smile. “I thought so, too, Your Majesty. But I am glad that after I rejected my first mate for wreaking havoc in my pack, the Moon Goddess fated me to have a second mate. And that’s her.” His expression softened.
There was a teasing smile on my lips. “Aww… That’s sweet. Commander Cornelius, Alpha of the South Monterey pack, is blushing,” I teased.
Ah, yes. Cornelius being a battle commander was also an Alpha of his own pack who was serving his service to the military. And he was also a noble, too. He was a Count living on the east side of the Waevalon Kingdom.
Cornelius just scoffed and rolled his eyes. “But she is wolfless, Your Majesty. It is why she does not know that I am her mate.”
I gasped softly. “Like Cherish?” I blinked. He nodded. “I see…” His mate and my sister-in-law, Cherish had the same condition of being a wolfless human. But she didn’t take it as a disadvantage to joining the military. I know that in time, she would be able to transfer to her wolf form soon because she has the blood of lycan. I cleared my throat. “I would like to meet her soon.” I smiled.
Cornelius bowed his head. “Yes, Your Majesty. I am happy to hear that.”
Cornelius’ report of how he found out about the Lothim’s hideout after he returned to the military base safely and sound, helped us to make more diversions in our military tactic. I was glad that he was still alive because if he didn’t, there would be a distortion in the orders of the Eagle Mist.
The battle commanders of the Eagle Mist were very crucial to be alive and well since they played an important role on the battlefield. If one of them died, I would have to be alarmed.
General Cairo, General Benedict, and I carefully planned more military tactics which we already included the Eagle Mist. Also, I was included in it.
“Your Majesty… Are you sure that you will join in attacking them this time?” It was Cairo who asked. The Eagle Mist’s battle commanders were helping me to get dressed.
Also, they already knew about my pregnancy condition which was why they were hesitant that I was joining in attacking this time.
“Your Majesty, let General Cairo and I settle this. You can just sit here…” Benedict said, panicking. Then he nudged Cairo. I could tell that they wanted to cease me from going to the battlefield.
“This will be the last time I will join. I promise.” I caressed my belly for almost three months. I could no longer hide it after all. All the military soldiers were also aware of this and I refrained them in the name of the Luna Queen that they were not allowed to tell this to Claude.
“How about Captain Iris, Your Majesty?” Cairo stepped up. “She already threatened you that if you enter the battlefield again, she will inform Alpha King Claudian…” He had a worried expression on his face.
Flora carefully combed my hair and tied it up in a tight ponytail. “I had Lucy guard her in case she attempted to escape. I even put her food in a sleeping powder so that she couldn’t communicate with anyone using the mind link,” I said coldly. “Hence, she is not going to participate in the war this time.”
When I looked at their reflection in the mirror, I caught them exchanging glances before they nodded in agreement.
“Please be careful, Your Majesty. You are near your pregnancy term. We cannot afford it if something happens to you. Alpha King Claudian will kill us if you come back here harming yourself and the next heir of the Waevalon Kingdom,” Cairo said as he sighed, not liking my decision to join the war.
I nodded. “I will be careful.”
I stormed outside of the tent and went to my respective position. I caressed Alexander’s snout before I whispered to him hoping for his protection. I even prayed to the Moon Goddess that there should be no harm to me.
This must be the eighth time I would be joining the battlefield. I was glad that nothing happened to me but just some pure exhaustion from killing other rogues.
I unsheath my sword and raise it. “For the Waevalon Kingdom!” I shouted.
“For the Waevalon Kingdom!” the soldiers cheered before we started marching in the middle of the wide field.
I put on a cold facade as soon as the soldiers went to the battlefield. Lothim didn’t want to back down as many of the rogues he recruited were annihilated by the military. I would narrow them down from the remaining ten thousand rogues to zero. They already distorted the nearby towns from Auritaurie.
I caressed my stomach. I was near my full term of pregnancy. I needed to go back to the palace right away.
Claude would never forgive me about this but I would never give up having this dream to be taken away from me.
“Cloudy… I will name this place after you. You will be the First Prince of Auritaurie, I promised,” I murmured before I got down from Alexander.
I was at the end of the cliff when I let myself fall while I heard Alexander’s loud neigh before I closed my eyes and transformed into my majestic wolf form. With that, I landed in all fours before I growled dangerously and immaculately.
From afar, I heard them gasp as I walked to the battlefield. Perhaps, they were surprised at my wolf form having similarities with Claude. I never revealed my wolf form to anyone except to Claude and my pack members. I always partook in the war using my human form.
I was the blue-eyed, white-colored wolf having some golden specks of dust releasing from the end of the strands of my fur. It was majestic and I could be mistaken from the royal bloodline of lycans, which was that all of the lycans have white fur.
I howled loudly, catching them shivering before I started sprinting towards the enemies, joining with my soldiers. With that, I lacerated their bodies with the sharp claws of my paws. I smiled sheepishly and maniacally because having them killed in my hands was making my insides tingle as I felt how I badly thirst for bloodshed.
Going to a war allowed you to kill people who were marked as enemies although there would be casualties. It was part of the war so avoidance of it was impossible. There would be lives taken here whether you like it or not.
Before I could make an attack again, I halted when someone’s mind linked me.
‘Your Majesty, Alpha King Claudian is here! He wishes to see you!’
My eyes widened upon hearing General Cairo’s voice. I immediately looked up where the cliff was and my heart dropped upon seeing Claude holding the reins of Alexander.
‘Claude…’ I mind linked him, feeling my whole body stiffened right now.
I suddenly felt small when he was looking down with his cold expression when our eyes met.
‘Come back here, love. I would love to speak with you. Alone.’
With his icy tone I heard from the mind link, Claude smiled. It wasn’t a genuine one but it was a chilling one.
Then beside him was a woman who stepped forward having the same expression as him. I felt shivers down my spine seeing Cherish beside Claude.
If she was with him, then it could mean…
He already knew…
At that moment, I suddenly wanted to run away from the battlefield. This couldn’t be…