Elowen leaned down, kissing Malzahar softly on the forehead. "Your dad and I will be out picking up the guests. There's a surprise waiting for you," she promised, her eyes twinkling with anticipation.
Liora couldn't help but giggle at the sight of him, scrunching his face in mock annoyance as he complained about his mother kissing him goodbye. "I heard that, son," he muttered, exhaling dramatically as he rubbed his forehead in exasperation. With a playful glint in her eyes, Liora rose from her seat and gently pulled him toward a chair beside her at the dining table. Maeve, sensing the vibrant energy between them, politely excused herself to handle some pressing matters. As Liora and her mate exchanged playful banter, laughter bubbled up around them, lightening the air in their cozy surroundings.
A few pack members traipsing by couldn't resist glancing their way, their expressions ranging from awe to delight at witnessing such a tender moment between their king and queen. It was a rare sight to see them so openly affectionate, teasing each other like two schoolchildren lost in their world. "Come on, let's get going," he said, taking her hand in his, and together they exited into the crisp air, warm smiles lighting up their faces as they climbed into the car.
As they drove toward their destination, Liora's thoughts spiraled into a whirlpool of concern, her mind consumed by questions about her baby's well-being. She gripped the seat, her heart heavy with apprehension. Would their little one be healthy? What news awaited them?
Noticing her rising anxiety, Malzahar turned his gaze to her, his voice steady and soothing. "Stop overthinking, my love. Everything will be just fine," he said, enveloping her hands in his as he tenderly traced circles with his thumb. "I just can't shake the worry. I know everything has seemed okay this past week, but still, I can't help but hope our baby is safe. I want the baby to be healthy," she confessed, her voice a mixture of resolve and vulnerability.
He nodded, his eyes filled with understanding, and returned his focus to the road ahead. "I completely get where you're coming from, but trust me—our pup is going to be as fit and healthy as can be. I bet it's just as energetic as you are." His teasing brought a chuckle from her, and she placed his warm palm against her slightly rounded belly. The moment softened Malzahar's expression into a gentle smile, one filled with love and sincerity.
This baby was a tangible symbol of their love, a cherished memory encapsulated from the very first night they met—an evening etched in their hearts, filled with the thrill of new beginnings and the promise of a future together. "Alright, we've arrived," he announced, bringing the car to a stop. He hopped out, quickly making his way around to her side, and held out his hand with an air of confidence and charm.
"So confident, huh?" she teased, taking his outstretched hand and stepping out of the car.
"Of course! I know my king will always have my back," she responded playfully, and he pulled her close with a chuckle, wrapping an arm around her waist as they walked toward the reception. With her heart racing in her chest, she felt excitement and fear intermingling within her, a thrilling reminder of the journey they were about to embark on together. Liora stepped into the parlor, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and anxiety. The warm, dimly lit room was filled with the soft chatter of six other women, each at various stages of pregnancy. Their expressions ranged from joy to apprehension, painting a vivid tapestry of emotions that melded together in the air. Liora's gaze drifted to the reception area, where she spotted her mate, Malzahar, engaged in conversation with the receptionist. A pang of jealousy stabbed at her as she noticed the way the receptionist's eyes sparkled with interest, lingering on him a moment too long.
"Don't let it bother you. He's all ours," Nyra's calming voice sliced through her thoughts. Liora took a deep breath, feeling the tension in her shoulders ease slightly. "Of course he is," she replied, a hint of frustration breaking through. "But I just don't like the way she's looking at him."
Nyra paused, her laughter faltering before shifting into an almost ominous tone. "Do you want to teach her a lesson?"
Without fully realizing it, Liora nodded, her gaze still fixated on the scene unfolding before her. The receptionist was now tossing her shiny, bouncy hair as if it were a prize at stake. Just as Liora gathered the courage to confront her, an unsettling change swept over the receptionist. She froze, her body moving like a marionette controlled by invisible strings. Suddenly, she yanked open a drawer, and Liora's heart dropped as the woman produced a pair of scissors.
"Hey! No!" one of her colleagues cried out, rushing forward to intervene, but it was clear that the receptionist was lost to some powerful influence. In a shocking display, she began to hack away at her hair, strands falling like discarded confetti onto the polished floor. Malzahar's brow furrowed in confusion, but Liora remained rooted in disbelief, torn between the absurdity of the situation and the deepening chaos.
"Did you do that?" Liora finally asked, her eyes flicking between Nyra and the bizarre scene. Instead of responding directly, Nyra let out a soft, playful purr, her gaze drawn to Malzahar as he approached them with an air of authority.
"I didn't know my queen had such intriguing tricks up her sleeve," he remarked teasingly. Liora stood, shaking her head in disbelief. "That wasn't me; she did it!" His expression morphed into skepticism, and Liora opened her mouth to insist on her innocence when her name rang out clearly through the din.
With shared sighs of resignation, they made their way toward the examination room. As Malzahar snapped his fingers, the chaotic screeching ceased abruptly, leaving an eerie silence. Liora turned back to see the receptionist, now holding a fistful of hair, tears streaming down her cheeks. It was as if wisps of smoke were rising from her ears in a dramatic display of despair.
"She got what she deserved. Nobody seduces my mate and gets away with it," Nyra declared, a triumphant smile stretching across her face as they both erupted into laughter, the tension of the moment dissipating into the air like the fallen hair around them.