Page 5 of The Dark War

King Elijah took no time knocking up his wife once Clara was safely back in Bergarian. Just like she promised, she would give him four more children after this.

“We have, but it’s best if we announce it together.” My fingers brushed Clara’s hair away from her face. Color had returned to her cheeks, and her freckles stood out more clearly.

Mother nodded. The room continued to filter in with people, with Clara’s parents sitting on a comfortable couch. They cleared out their entire schedule for the next three days so her mother could help Clara learn how to feed Evelyn. Despite breastfeeding being short for pups, Clara was still adamant about doing it.

“It isn’t that hard. Pups are easier to nurse than human children. She read so much about human pregnancies I don’t think she realizes how quickly pups grow,” Eden mentioned.

“I told her that,” Raine said, leaning up against the wall. “I think I really freaked her out. I didn’t mean to. Hope that isn’t why she went into labor.”

Queen Eden waved her hand. “Oh no, she was due any day. In fact, I saw a vision not but a day ago that it would be very soon.”

“That doesn’t count,” King Elijah spoke. “We all knew it would have been soon. She was as big as a her belly was as big as a dragon’s egg.” His hand waved to Clara. Eden slapped Elijah in the stomach, who only laughed.

“It’s a hard gift to decipher.” Eden snorted. I’m just glad it gave me some idea when the baby was coming. She could have gone another two weeks, according to the doctor!”

Clara stirred as our daughter wiggled in the blankets. Picking up my tiny daughter, I bounced her to keep her sated just for a few more minutes until Clara woke up. Her enormous eyes looked up at me, blinking several times to focus on my face. “Hi, little one,” I cooed, sitting in the rocking chair. Holding her close, she yawned and fell asleep right in the crook of my arm.

“Wow, what is this? Another lady that has the terrible Alpha Kane wrapped around her finger?” Raine nudged Dad, who only laughed. Throwing the middle finger toward her, Clara woke up and saw exactly what I had done.

“Not around the baby,” she hissed.

“Sorry, baby.” I stood up, kissing her forehead. She gave a hazy smile, then blushed those rosy cheeks around the room.

“You should have woken me up.” The back of her hand rubbed her eyes. Clara’s wolf had already healed her from birth. Her body was almost back to normal except for her breasts to help feed the baby. Torin purred at that, the horny bastard.

“So,” her mother prodded, “do you have a name?” Clara looked at me as if asking me if it was all right to say. I nudged her, giving her a smirk and the little one a smile.

“We did. Evelyn Margret.” Clara’s mother grabbed her chest, rubbing it longingly, remembering her sister Margret and her mate saving Clara all those years ago from Darius.

“Thank you, Clara.” Everyone in the room cooed at the baby, finally passing the pup around. I sat on the bed, watching my daughter get passed from parent to parent and even Marcus, who had been standing watch by the door. His nose went to smell her, imprinting the smell in his mind so if he ever needed to find her, he could. His beta nose could find her anywhere in the pack house or territory now.

Small repetitions at the door had Clara’s head perk up. Her smile widened, leaning over the bed. “Kit,” she whispered, motioning for him to come forward. I waited for Torin to growl at Kit, but it never came. Evelyn was now tucked in her arms as Kit crawled into the bed.

“You dressed up,” Clara cooed at him. His eyes were sparkling, hair parted to the side. He looked like a damn mini warrior in his dress uniform. This was the same white uniform with the red sash specially made for our mating ceremony. He was the littlest future warrior the pack had ever seen.

“You only get one chance to make a first impression, right, alpha?” Kit’s begging eyes of approval had me nod my head. Chest puffing out with pride, he stared down at little Evelyn, whose eyes were trained on him. Clara gently put Evelyn in his arms. He held her with such care and devotion.

“I’ll protect you,” he whispered in her ear. “From all the bad stuff, you and your family.” The room stood silent, watching the two.

“I have a feeling,” Clara mind-linked me, “that little Kit might be closer to our family than just a guard.” Queen Eden’s eyes were distant. A smile was painted on her lips. “Mother sees it as so too.” She giggled internally.

My face frowned, but Clara’s glowed. I didn’t want to think that my daughter had already found her mate. She was still mine to take care of.

“Your Highness and Luna.” A special forces warrior came into the room, matching Kit’s uniform. “We have come to gather Kit for his training.” Clara cleaned off a wisp of hair from Kit’s forehead, looking at him and Evelyn adoringly.

Kit would travel to the Blue Waters pack, a special school, Alabaster Shifter Academy, which resided there for gifted shifters with warrior high warrior ranking intentions. They stayed and lived in dormitories to train for many years. It was a rigorous training process, and few strong shifters were taken in. Most of the pack at Blue Waters were held by former alphas, retired but willing to help train those with no alpha blood. The training was so difficult many dropped out, but those who graduated became just as strong as their alphas.

Kit looked to Clara, who only nodded for him to go.

“I hope to see you real soon, Luna.” Kit’s cheeks blushed red.

“Oh, you will. I’ll come to visit you. That’s a promise,” she whispered.

Chapter Three

Jasper

TheVermillionKingdomwasdark, desolate, and nothing good.

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