103.

-HER-

The rest of my time in Zaeris passed like that. In the morning I would get up for training, followed by the sessions at the court and then the afternoon in the library with Nefret and Celeste. As my stomach grew bigger, my training sessions got smaller and lighter.

Although, I still tried to give my best at whatever task I was given. After months of hard work, I was able to win most of the minister’s affection in Arles’ court. The wolves were starting to accept and trust me. I also managed to win their affection after everyone came to know that I was carrying Ares’ pup.

Celeste and Nefret were by my side always, protecting and guiding me through difficulties. Although, Arles’ attitude didn’t change much towards me but he did start to soften up a little bit after the news of my pregnancy was announced.

Even though the work kept me busy, I still found some moments to miss my mate. And the fact that I was carrying his pup while he was completely unaware out there, made it even harder for me. I tried my best to find any way to communicate with him but I simply couldn’t.

All I could do was wait for his arrival and I did. As the months rolled by and I could finally count the days left for his arrival off my finger, I started to get excited. I would spend nights thinking about how he was going to react to seeing me like this.

The pup had already grown a lot in my womb and day by day, she became more and more active. I was told it was a girl after being checked by a healer. I was very happy to find this out because I always wanted a girl.

Just the night before his arrival, I couldn’t sleep. I stayed awake for the most part. It was in the morning when I was able to get a couple of hours of sleep. Celeste woke me up that morning as usual.

“He’s here,” I even felt the pup kick as soon as she had said those words to me.

~

-HIM-

I and my wolf got excited as soon as we spotted the carriage from Zaeris waiting outside Ezekyle’s palace. We were finally going home after six months of extensive training. We had even gone to some war. It had transformed us in a lot of ways. I now understood why it was necessary.

Even though I hated being here, I still appreciated the things that I had learned here. I knew that they were going to help me in the long run. I just wanted to go home to my Pharaoh now. I and my wolf had missed her a lot in the last six months.

I needed to see her sooner otherwise I was going to devise a plan to sneak back into Zaeris. I wondered how she was doing without me. I knew it was hard for her, but it was much harder for me.

The three of us climbed into the carriage before we were off to Zaeris. I could sense the same level of excitement in Regulus and Augustus as well. They had looked forwards to finish the training as well.

Out of the three of us, Augustus had gained a lot. He was even awarded the title of “War-Lord” by Ezekyle’s General after Augustus' strategies had proved to be very useful in some vital situations at the war. I felt more confident to have him in my council now. All that was left was for me to be crowned king.

We were deep in our thoughts when we finally reached Zaeris. My wolf was instantly active and pacing inside me at the thought of seeing Arsinoe. We could finally be together without anything keeping us apart.

My whole family and all of my father’s ministers were there to greet us. I scanned through the crowd to find a pair of bright green eyes but I was disappointed. As my mother and Avyanna hugged me, I scanned through the crowd once again.

“We have missed you so much,” My mother sobbed very lightly as she placed a gentle kiss on my cheek while Avyanna commented, “You look so different,”

After they let me go and embraced Regulus, I started looking through the crowd for Arsinoe again but she was nowhere to be seen.

“Welcome back, son,” Father patted my shoulder soon after but I was too eager to see my mate that I asked him instead, “Where’s Arsinoe?”

I didn’t fail to notice how everyone instantly tensed at my question.

“Let’s go inside, Son,” Mother told me but I wanted the answer first. What did they do to her? Did they send her away while I was away? Thinking this made my blood boil.

If this was so then I wasn’t going to spare anyone. I was done with everyone and everything trying to take my mate away from me. I wouldn’t hesitate to fight now.

“No, first tell me where’s Arsinoe?” I demanded. Everyone was silent for a moment before mother tried again, “Let’s go inside, Ares. You’ll know everything soon!”

“No, I want to know where she is NOW!” I pressed.

“Ares,” Avyanna tried this time, “She’s alright. Let’s go inside,” I stared at my sister for some moments before deciding, “Alright, if I don’t find her inside. I am going to burn this place down,”

“We’ll see,” Father muttered before we were led inside. After doing some formalities, I was finally sent to my wing. I almost ran to the place and got inside.

“Oh, Ares!” I instantly spotted Celeste inside my wing. She gave me a wide smile before hugging me, “I am happy to see you back! They’re waiting for you inside,” She told me before leaving my wing.

“They?” I thought to myself as I headed to my room. I was getting more and more restless the closer I got to my room. I took a deep breath before I finally opened the door to my room.

I was instantly met with her bright green eyes as soon as I entered the bedroom. They lit up even more as soon as they fell on me. She was sitting on the bed with thick blankets covering her.

“Ares!” She threw her hands for me while I went running to her and threw my arms around her instantly. I felt tears in my eyes as I tried to pull her closer to me but she wouldn’t move from where she was sitting.

“Be gentle,” I heard her whisper before she sobbed happily in my arms. I let my tears out as well. I just couldn't control them anymore.

I filled my lungs with her intoxicating scent. It took me some time to register that her scent was a bit different. I clearly remembered how she smelled before I left. She smelled so different now but I was too happy to bring it up now.

“I missed you so much, Ares….” She sobbed in my arms. I tried to pull her in my lap to get her closer to me but she wouldn’t budge.

“I missed you too… Arsinoe,” I told her before kissing her like I used to. I felt alive once again as soon as I tasted her. I had missed her so much. I tried again to shift her on my lap but she kept pushing me away. I felt this thing coming between us. It was probably the heavy blankets.

I pulled back before lifting the blanket off her. That’s when my eyes fell on her swollen stomach. I was left staring at it for a couple of moments before it finally registered to me.

“Are you…” I trailed off as my eyes swelled up with more and more tears. She giggled as she wiped her tears and told me, “We missed you so much, Ares,”

I was crashing my lips on hers in the next moment while I ran my other hand over her swollen stomach. I had never imagined that I would come back to this.

“It’s a girl,” She told me after we pulled back, “And she likes your voice already,” She spoke against my lips as she took my hand and placed it at another side of her bump. I instantly felt something move. It was my pup. I was going to burst with happiness at that moment.

I kissed her back and felt the pup move even more. I felt this new emotion concur me. I was finally going to be a father. I could gift all the jewels to Arsinoe but nothing would equal to what she gave to me today. It was priceless.

I was going to cherish them forever. And now that we were finally together, I wouldn't let anything come between us. Even if it were the gods and the fates and even if it were my parents or any known force out there. I wouldn't let anyone or anything take her away from me anymore.

"I will make sure that this was the last time when we parted," I promised her. I still had my hand on her bump so I felt the pup move. It made me feel powerful all of sudden, " I will always fight for you, my pharaoh, no matter what!"

"We love you, Ares," She sobbed before kissing me again. The word 'we' now rang in my ears, making me realize that the new life and its new responsibilities were waiting for me and for us.

I was finally ready for her.