Chapter 214 Chapter 213
Her trembling fingers felt her stomach through her dress, and a startled sound spilled from her lips, tears already gathering in her eyes. The air felt heavy, suffocating, squeezing her chest till it hurt. She wanted to cry, to laugh, to scream — but all she could manage was a whisper to herself, barely audible.
It didn’t matter what she thought or felt — a life was already growing inside her. One that needed to be protected and loved. She had to summon courage, push through despite all rejection, and safely deliver this child. Most importantly, she didn’t want to end up like the late werewolf princess — Xenon’s mother.
The door creaked open, and Xenon stepped in, looking several times older than before. He closed the door behind him and sagged against it, head tilted up as he lost himself in his thoughts. Rayena watched him, feeling her anxiety worsen at his silence.
Eventually, he pushed himself off the door and began to amble toward her, swaying slightly on his feet. Rayena’s gaze trailed him until he reached the side of the bed where she lay. Casting a glance in her direction, she watched as he dropped to his knees, letting his head fall on her lap.
Rayena gasped, even more stunned by the act. He stayed there for a while, not speaking — his breath warming her skin and, eventually, her heart. When he finally raised his head, she saw his eyes had reddened and were now glossy. Her breath hitched.
She caught the faint quiver of his lips, and her heart palpitated.
He sniffed once. “You’re pregnant.”
Rayena swallowed the lump in her throat, shakily nodding her head. “I am, Xenon,” she muttered, hesitantly reaching for him.
He let out a shuddering breath. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to feel.” His arm squeezed her thigh, and he gulped, looking around him. “This is what I’ve wanted for a while now, and now that I have it, I don’t know how to proceed.”
Rayena gave a watery chuckle, feeling a tear slip from her eye.
Xenon continued, seemingly to himself. “I sired a child... Someone carried my seed...” He stopped short, his face twisting. “Oh, Rayena. What do I do?!”
Rayena couldn't speak; no words could explain how she was feeling. Xenon took several deep breaths, trying to ground himself. He moved closer, resting his hands on her stomach, staring intently at it.
She saw when he made a decision. "I'll protect you. I'll do whatever it takes to make this easier for you. I'll do it," he said, vehement. "As long as I'm with you, no harm will come to you. I swear it." he vowed.
"Oh, Xenon…" Rayena cried, her voice trembling.
He glanced at her then, his hands now cradling her teary face. "We'll keep this a secret for now, so the wrong people don't find out about this. I can't proceed with telling anyone you're pregnant if you haven't been accepted and recognized as my mate first. Do you understand?"
Rayena nodded, gripping his hands. "Yes, I do."
He reached up to kiss her, pouring out the feelings he couldn't put into words. Rayena responded eagerly, her heart exploding with gladness as she kissed him back, more tears streaming from her eyes.
He pulled back too soon, resting his forehead on hers. "Thank you for making this impossible dream feasible. I really appreciate it."
Rayena gave a watery smile, her heart bursting with happiness. "I'm glad it worked out too," she whispered, gazing into his bright eyes filled with so much wonder and happiness. That was more than enough for her.
He claimed her lips again, this time more gently and reverent. Rayena fluttered her eyes closed, feeling the words she couldn't say. Xenon cupped her cheeks as he pulled back. "Thank you. I'll never take this for granted."
Rayena smiled. "I know."
.
.
.
"Rayena is pregnant?" Morvan parroted, voice filled with disbelief as he glanced at the king, who was sitting behind his desk in the study room, hands clasped in front of him, brows furrowed in thought.
"Yes," he answered in a single beat, leaning back in his seat.
"Wow, that's so sudden! How long have you been together for this to happen?"
"Apparently you only need to be intimate once when you're with your destined mate. The pregnancy is in its early stages but yes, Rayena is carrying my child."
Morvan eyed the king, suddenly skeptical. "Isn't this supposed to be good news? Why do you seem so deflated about it?"
Xenon glanced at him, letting out a deep sigh. "It's not, if my Royal Council hasn't accepted that my mate and queen is going to be a human. I'm worried that if I inform them that she is with child, they will subject her to more demeaning trials and tests to prove our bond is legitimate." A shadow crossed his eyes as he said that.
"I don't want her to go through something like that. Not to mention the ripple effect that will take place if more people learn she is with child. The last thing I want is to make her a target."
"You're right about that," Morvan mused slowly. "More people might target her if they learn she's pregnant by you and seek to eliminate her. It's best for it to be kept a secret for now." He said, and Xenon sighed.
"She needs my attention now more than ever. A shifter's pregnancy is a delicate period. I'm just so confused," he admitted with a groan.
Morvan watched him, feeling pity for the king who had a lot on his plate and had no idea how to navigate it. He stood to his feet, delivering a small bow. "Whatever it is you plan to do, just know you have my full support, your majesty," Morvan said, his voice low but resolute.
"Thank you, Morvan. I know I can count on you at times like this. I really appreciate it." Morvan nodded, hands clasped behind his back.
"You're dismissed," Xenon muttered with a wave of his hand. Morvan bowed once more and exited the study room, closing the door behind him. Silence settled and Xenon glanced out the window, staring at the shimmering stars in the sky, his heart heavy. So many thoughts swirled in his mind he had no idea which one to focus on first.
He groaned, clasping his hands on his face.