"Where is my tiny, scary flame?" He pulled her by the waist, leaning down slowly. She looked up at him with a smirk. "She couldn't make it, so she sent me," her voice dripped with maturity and seduction. He thrived on this side of her; it gave him a sense of dominance over his queen. But he adored both aspects of her, regardless. "I'm tired—can you carry me to bed?" She stretched out her arms, indicating her wish to be lifted. "Do I have any choice?" She giggled and replied, "No, you don't, handsome." As he carried her, she ran her fingers through his hair. However, the playful and romantic moment would be short-lived. An unsettling shadow loomed over them, a past that was on the verge of catching up, threatening to change their future for better or worse, depending on the choices they made.
Outside, the sky lingered between night and dawn, with the chilly winds blowing gently as always. Birds soared freely toward their destinations. It was 4:40 AM. Some members of the pack were gearing up for their daily tasks. The guards who had been on patrol all night were set to be relieved for some rest, while the army and soldiers prepared for their morning training. Lilith, the army commander, awaited them in the field, where all must assemble by 5:00 AM. Those who were late would face punishment by taking on extra chores, like returning equipment to the palace. Silos, the pack's beta, had the duty of ensuring every detail about the pack and its members was securely stored in a place known only to him. If he had no pressing matters, he would see to it that the pups made it to school, even waiting an extra ten minutes for any stragglers. Pregnant women also had their schedules to follow, needing to be up by 8:30 AM and at the gym by 9:30 AM, as preparations took time. Those not yet showing, but still in delicate conditions, were to take two-hour walks in the forest for clarity and connection with nature, under the watchful eye of guards ready to intervene in case of complications. The royal family members also had their respective daily activities tailored to their age and skills. For teenagers, the focus was simply on attending school and contemplating their futures, both within the royal family and throughout the kingdom.
Dawn's early light crept into the sky, though the sun had not yet risen due to the approaching winter season. The king's chamber, however, was anything but tranquil. Liora was perched atop Malzahar, desperate to rouse him from sleep. "Wake up! Why are you still in bed?" She tapped his chest to catch his attention. "Nyra, I'm starving. How do I wake him up?" Nyra rolled her eyes in frustration, her pregnancy hormones clearly overwhelming her. She glanced down at Malzahar, taking in his features: his unruly hair and strong physique. She bit her lip, feeling an urge to taste him all over, but the hunger nagged at her. An idea sparked as she peeked at him through her lashes and noticed his eyes fluttering. "Did you see that?" Nyra wriggled her lashes and grinned. "Absolutely, Moonbud. Let's show him who's boss," Liora replied innocently, placing a sympathetic hand on her belly. "What's she plotting? I don't like the look on her face," Malzahar murmured as he cracked one eye open. "What do you want? I've been telling you to get up, but you wouldn't listen. If she snaps, you're handling it," Drakon advised before vanishing. "Get up quietly," Nyra instructed, and Liora promptly obeyed. "Leave and close the door," Nyra added, which Liora did, casting a sly glance back at her mate, who pretended to still be asleep. "Why, Nyra?" she whispered, peeking back at sleeping Malzahar. "Just follow my lead; he'll know better than to mess with pregnant women like us," Nyra smirked, swishing her tail with pride. Liora stepped out and gently closed the door behind her. At the click of the door, Malzahar sprang from the bed, rifling through his closet. "Look what you've done!" Drakon snapped, shaking his head in frustration. "What? I was just teasing her! Maybe her hormones are messing with her," Malzahar defended, throwing on a blue shirt as he hurried to find his mate. "You don't understand; I've tried to teach you, but you just don't get it," Drakon mumbled, his voice fading away as Malzahar ignored him. "Fine, do it your way. Don't come crying to me when you need help with a pregnant woman," Drakon warned before falling silent. "Oh, please! Like you've never been there," Malzahar countered, rushing out the door. He got no reply from Drakon. "Do you think he'll follow us? I mean, he was asleep, right?" Liora asked, clutching her stomach.