Chapter 129

Kingdom of Wisdy

Felix Fire

Felix and his companions had been away from home for about a month. They were all returning invigorated and happy; it had been a good trip and everything had gone as planned.

The men were close to Diego's castle and could hardly wait to tell everyone what had happened. Felix had several letters to deliver to Cateline; he knew she would love to read them as well as eat the sweets and preserves made by his mother and sister. He imagined how beautiful the woman must be with her belly growing larger every day. He was counting the seconds to be by his love. His heart was beating rapidly; the longing was too much...

Zebeu was also eager to see how Cateline's pregnancy was going. He knew it would be different from usual pregnancies, but she was human and needed the care of one of his kind.

The castle gate opened, and Felix already noticed some changes; there was something different there. There were fewer men, and they all looked downcast as if they had just come from a funeral.

They headed towards the stable and put away their horses; they were tired from the long journey. Some of the soldiers approached them, greeting them. Everyone missed them and was worried.

They began to talk, sharing their experiences and details of the journey. Some of the wolves, seeing Zebeu there, ignored him, but Tomas and Fabrício drew the soldiers' attention. They had become intimate with the old healer and wouldn't stand for any disrespect toward him.

Felix couldn't wait any longer; he left everyone in the courtyard and went in search of his beloved. On the way, he ended up bumping into his father, who froze upon seeing his son.

"Father!"

Felix gave a huge smile and walked toward the Alpha, opening his arms to hug him, not even noticing the wounds on the man that were still healing. It had only been a few days since the castle had been invaded, and Felix walked unconcerned with that smile on his face without even knowing.

As Felix approached, Diego struck him hard in the face.

He remained serious, saying nothing.

"What the hell was that?!"

Felix asked, putting his hand on his face, feeling the stinging pain. Now that he looked at his father, he saw the wounds on his body, some still deep.

"What happened?"

The wolf looked confused; now he understood the reason for his father's cold expression. Something had happened; that's why everyone was so sad and downcast.

At that moment, he thought of Cate; was she okay? Had something happened to her?

"Were it the ICES?"

Felix asked through clenched teeth; he knew those cursed ones would plot something sooner or later.

Diego said angrily.

"Because of you! The filthy ICES invaded! They cleared the prison and nearly caused Cateline to miscarry! If you had stayed put where you should have been, none of this would have happened!"

Diego shouted; he was overflowing with anger. His son wasn't there when his people and wife needed him. He had made his choice. He wanted to help the humans, an issue that didn't involve the Fires. The wolves had nothing to do with their wars.

Diego was angry at his son for fighting there instead of protecting his own.

"I... completed the mission successfully! I wasn't just strolling around; I was in a war! I'm just ONE person! Do you understand? I can't do everything!"

Felix retorted, shouting. He was tired. He knew his responsibilities, but unfortunately, there was no way for him to know about the attack.

Diego put his hand on his forehead, thoughtful, and began to speak more calmly. He knew he had gone too far, but he needed to say that. The responsibility as Alpha was already too heavy on his shoulders, and now Felix had left his wife and child in his care; he was almost going crazy.

Diego sighed, and Felix realized that his father was at the limit; he wasn't saying that out of malice. He just wanted his son to know how difficult it had been for him.

The Alpha had to think of everyone, yet most of the time during the fight, he worried about his daughter-in-law. He feared something might happen to her and the baby. Diego ran his hand over his face for a moment, calming himself.

The Alpha took a few steps toward Felix, embracing him tightly, and as he hugged him, he whispered in his son's ear.

"There's a traitor here, Felix... Someone here informed me that you weren't in the castle... Be cautious about whom you speak to... No one is more trustworthy, than my son. We need to find out who this person is and execute them, but we must do it in secret."

The Alpha spoke gravely, then released his son. Felix met his father's eyes, his own nearly bulging from his face in surprise... a traitor? Someone else besides Amanda?

But who could it be? It couldn't be possible. He tried to say something, but the stern look from his father silenced him; they couldn't discuss it there.

Diego continued.

"I'm glad you've returned alive. Now, go see Cateline; she's been asking about you incessantly... Later, I'll have someone fetch you, but for now, go to your wife."

Diego said, giving a faint smile. He knew his father had spoken harshly out of anger; he had left him alone in that fight. He needed his son.

Diego was happy that Felix had returned; now, there were more things than ever to resolve. Felix placed a hand on his father's shoulder, nodding and offering a slight smile.

Shortly after, Diego left, and Felix remained on alert; he needed to discover who the cursed traitor was and eliminate them as soon as possible.

The wolf rushed to his room; he needed to see Cateline; he was worried about his beloved. Upon arrival, he spotted a soldier at the door, someone he knew was a good person; it couldn't be him who was the traitor.

Felix swiftly opened the door, and as he entered, his eyes went to Cateline lying in bed, asleep. Felix breathed a sigh of relief; she wasn't injured.

The man walked over to the bed; Cristina had been by the woman's side the whole time.

"Lord Felix! I'm glad you're back!"

Cristina bowed, showing respect. She was visibly happy to see him there; now, her mistress would get better. Cateline had been without appetite and sad due to her husband's absence.

"Thank you for taking care of her."

The servant said joyfully.

"I am more than happy to serve my mistress. With your permission, sir."

Cristina left, leaving Felix alone with Cateline in the room. He missed her, even with his wife asleep; he approached her lips and kissed them.

She was beautiful, her long brown hair falling freely over her shoulders, her rosy lips, her pale skin due to the cold and lack of sun; she must have been lying there for a few days.

The woman murmured and stirred in bed, waking up.

"Felix?"

She said softly; Cateline couldn't believe it was her beloved; was she dreaming?

The woman got up, sat on the bed, and embraced the man intensely, and he did the same. They felt each other's warmth, the touch of the soft skin; they connected as if they belonged to one another. He felt her heart beating as fast as his own.

Felix sighed happily to be with his beloved; now he felt complete and would make up for the time he had been away.

"I was so scared, Felix... of losing our baby... he was moving, and I didn't know what to do... my belly hurt so much that I..."

Cateline spoke, crying between sobs. She had panicked on the night of the invasion; the pain was intense, and she thought she wouldn't endure it.

"Please don't cry... I'm here now... you need to rest... I'll take care of you, today and always, my love."

Felix said, holding the woman tighter in his arms. His scent calmed her; she missed feeling it every night, and now he was there, her beloved Felix.

Felix talked to the woman for a while. They remained embraced. He recounted how everything happened—about the letters and gifts. He felt the human's heart becoming calmer; she needed to relax.

He noticed how the woman's belly had grown. It was incredible that there was a being in there, growing and moving, eager to come out.

The wolf played with his wife, showering her with kisses and caresses, and they both smiled. He realized she was better, thanks to her father and the other wolves; she was okay.

There was a lot of information he still needed to gather about the day of the invasion. Things couldn't remain as they were. Something was happening behind all of that; the wolf would investigate.