51

"Hurry," Adrianna barks as we run through the halls to the room where Max was moved to.

The Death Alpha and I were racing the clock basically as we get to his room. There he lays, still unconscious and hooked up to all those machines. Goddess, I cannot wait for this nightmare to be over. I just want to hold my mate and look at his eyes, hear his voice.

The Death Priestess takes the objects from us and smears it on his wounds, his heart, eyes, and abdomen.

"I am going to need absolutely silence and space while I cast this, am I clear," she asks.

The Death Luna and I back away, Octavius was already gone. Adrianna explained to me he feasts on life energy, so he probably was going to go and contain the two life forces being expelled. Just as his mate he has divine magic but cannot use it or it'll poison his blood stream. In order to prevent that he casts said magic and instantly consumes one. This not only prevents the poison but he regains his strength and energy. Sure, Adrianna can heal him and give him back his energy, but he is taking this opportunity not letting perfectly good life forces go to waste.

Adrianna shields my eyes in her shoulder and pushes her face into my shoulder as the room flashes in colors. Being covered in shapes and other forms. Although our eyes were covered the lights were still bleeding through our eyelids, giving me a headache. Her chants called upon others, now making the room sound like children crying out. A powerful force leaves her body making us drop to our knees in shock and pain. It took the air right out of my lungs.

Right after that the room calmed down and it went back to normal as if nothing happened.

"It is done, now we just wait," she tells.

Adrianna picks herself up off the ground and assists me up as well.

"Thank you," I murmur.

She only nods.

|Alpha Maxwell|

My eyes strain against the light overhead, taking time to readjust to the light. Yet, I see Three heads beaming at me. I try to call out, but my throat is dry and horse. How long have I been out for? What as happened to my kingdom? Is Natalie safe?

I blink a few times and shield my eyes.

"Give him some space," a male barks and I feel his fingers slide against the sides of my face.

Octavius looks down at me smirking. "Is that better, buddy?"

Sunglasses. I nod.

"What? Cat got your tongue?"

Smack. "Octavius! He just woke up! His throat is dry," his mate shuns and then yells, "Can someone please get the King a drink!"

Thankfully one is brought to me and I down it quickly. "Thank you," I cough out.

"No problem, how are you feeling," he asks.

"Fine," I struggle to talk.

A nurse comes and sits up the bed and I see everyone in the room, my mate sitting at the foot of the bed. She smiles brightly.

"Max," she says softly.

"Baby," I respond.

At that point everyone starts to file out, giving us much needed privacy. She moves up the bed so she is closer and I wrap my arms around her in tight hug, but she backs up a little, loosening my grip.

"What is the matter," I ask.

"Not too tight, Max," she tells.

I nod and her arms wrap back around me, something seeming off, but I do not let it bother me.

"How long have I been out?"

"Three long ass weeks."

"How are you, my love?"

"I am doing great. Running the pack was a bit much, but an eye opener. Ryder and my father have been helping. The pack has calmed down and the criminals are dead for their crimes."

I shake my head. "I am asking how are you doing? Not that pack, I want to hear about you first."

She smiles but it quickly fades as shaky hand reaches for mine and guides it to her stomach. My eyes widen feeling the sudden bond, my wolf howling in celebration. I was still trying to process everything and she goes and surprises me.

"Are you?"

She nods, tears pricking at her eyes and she bites her bottom lip. "I am."

"Oh fuck me, I am so sorry. So sorry, Natalie ."

"Why? You couldn't control Desmond and his little schemes."

"I know, but I wish I could've been with you. This must be so hard taking on not only your own duties but mine. You literally just became Queen and you aren't use to your duties yet and I go and dump mine on you."

"Shh, it is over now. You are awake and the pup is only four and a half weeks in, you will be there for the first kick and the birth. That is all that matters," she soothes and runs her hand over my forehead.

I still felt bad she took on so much work and then had to prepare to carry and raise a pup on her own. I wish I could've been there for when she found out, hell, she probably had no clue. I just feel like a horrible mate with piling so much stress on her at once. I should've listened to her when she said to call off the challenge.

I am going to be a Dad.

Although Max had woken up a few weeks ago, he still needs to recover and regain his strength. Although he was released from the hospital, he needs to complete physical therapy. Until then I'll be still acting as Alpha. Yet, it'll be a little different as he is awake and can help in the decision making and give me pointers. Unlike when he was asleep I was making decisions on my mind and completely unsure of the effects. But, he can tell me what he wants done and I'll just have to do the work. This makes me feel a little better as he obviously knows what is best for the pack.

As for me, I was half way through my pregnancy and I couldn't wait to get this pup out. Literally this is the worst experience of my life. A lot of women say they feel their best during their pregnancy, yeah trying carrying an Alpha male who also has royal blood coursing through their veins.

We found out a few days ago it was a boy. Max couldn't be more excited, although he expressed he was a little disappointed it wasn't a girl. There is always next time he kept saying, goddess he wants more?

I hear the front door unlock and it open before Maxwell announces his presences, "I am home, my Queen."

I laugh, "you are quite energetic today."

He nods with a smile before finding me in the kitchen, his arms wrap around my stomach and rests his head on my shoulder.

"Yes, I have completed my physical therapy and can return to work. You may relax now until the pup is born. You are going to need it."

"Thanks for the permission," I tease.

He nods again with a goofy smile present on his lips. "Anything for you," he coos. "Anyways, since I can return to my duty as King, I requested the new Alpha of Desmond's pack to visit so that we may meet him and get to know him."

"When will he be here?"

"Soon."

"When is soon?"

He looks at his watch. "About two hours or so."

Seriously, he couldn't have told me sooner?

~~~

Max and the council decided to talk to the new Alpha over a lunch. This was seen as the best choice as he was to be seen as one on the council, so a meeting in the throne room was seen as intimidating. A lunch was seen as formal and friendly to talk and get to know our new member. As for myself, I wanted to sleep and I could care less about this lunch, but as the Queen I had to be in attendance.

Thankfully I didn't look like I was as far along as I was, so I could dress in one of my nicer gowns.

"My love, he just arrived. Are you ready," Max asks, poking his head into our closet.

I nod. "Almost, I don't know if I should wear a tiara. Is that too much?"

He shakes his head and places his crown on his head before disappearing and reappearing with a case. Opening it, it reveals a gold tiara adorned with diamonds and opal with matching earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings.

"Obviously you do not need to wear everything, but my father gifted my mother this set when she gave birth to me. I only see this fitting as you are carrying our pup. She wanted you to have it as it's been passed down to every Queen once she is carrying their first pup."

"Thank you," I murmur, admiring the jewels.

"May I," he asks, raising the tiara out of the case.

I nod and bow my head feeling him set it in place. He motions for me to turn around and I watch in the mirror as the necklace come over my head.

"He has made his way to the mansion, we have to greet him," he tells and pecks my cheek.

In the foyer we greeted the Alpha. Alpha Vincent came from Alpha blood, he was after all the brother of Alpha Finn. Alpha Finn is an ally of ours and is also a neighboring pack. We only saw it fitting that a male who has Alpha blood and has trained to be an Alpha his whole life to step in. Nominating one seemed risky as anyone could run and we could've ended up with another Desmond. He simply went before the council in which he was examined and eventually approved.

"Your majesties," Alpha Vincent greets with the bow of his head.

"Alpha," we respond with a similar gesture.

"I believe my thanks and congratulations are in order."

"Nonsense, there is no need to thank us," I tell.

"Okay, then my congratulations are in order for the awaiting motherhood and the journey of raising family."

"Thank you," Maxwell tells. "Now, will you please follow us to the dining hall where we will discuss the new agreements."

He nods. "Lead the way, my King."

And so started our three hour long meeting asking various questions. Everyone had to be involved as he was a new Alpha and he was to be a member of the council as well. This being stated the council was heavily involved in this meeting, while I only asked a few questions. I didn't think my input was really that needed. I had no clue what to ask, I wasn't raised to think like an Alpha. I only needed to make sure he was true to his word and how many wolves left his pack. The issue with either relocating or becoming rogue.