Second Assault — Bond And Treason —

The Mansion's kitchen, 3:53 p.m.

XANDER

—What?!

Oh. My. God.

Did I hear right?

Pregnant?

Me?

Xander King?

It can't be. Mrs. Ewa must be delirious, the poor woman's age is already affecting her. I should tell Magnus it's time to put her in a nursing home. Although, I'll have to wait until she gets over the shock she's in now.

—You seriously didn't know, boy? — I'm surprised she doesn't seem at all upset by Magnus' presence.

—But... — I try hard to pronounce the words, but my brain is blank, unable to process what I just heard. I take a glance at Magnus out of the corner of my eye, and I honestly can't figure out what to say to him. I can't have babies, there's no way I'm pregnant. That possibility was ruled out before I could escape from the boarding school. No. It's not possible... Is it?

—What about you? — addressing Magnus, who slowly walks towards us, with a neutral expression on the face —. Didn't you feel the change in his scent? You must have been the first to notice — with the tone the old woman uses, it's like she's scolding him.

Magnus doesn't respond, he just keeps getting closer and closer. By the time he's finally by my side, just watches me, making me even more nervous and anxious than before. I look back at him, trying to catch some emotion that tells me how he's feeling right now. If what Mrs. Ewa says is true, I have no idea what he will think about it. Will he refuse? Will he be angry?

I have no clue, we never talked about having children in the first place. Though I guess he never brought it up because he knew it was a sensitive subject for me.

But now, I'm scared... Very scared. His stare freezes my bones and sitting here, appears to be bigger than he already is. Yet, I refuse to move from my place. Also for fear of feeling bad again.

—Magnus? — I hesitate, desperate to get any answers from him, but nothing happens. But, after a few long seconds, he is moving.

Slowly leans over me, bringing the face closer to mine. I thought he was going to kiss me, so I stood as still as I could and closed the eyes, waiting for the contact of his lips... But it didn't happen. Instead, I hear his nose brushing against the skin of my neck and sniffing me.

I immediately get goosebumps and small tremors spread through my body, but I try to stay still, regulating my breathing as much as possible. He takes deep inhalations in different parts: above my pulse, through my Adam's apple, and finally in my clavicles. At this point, I'm super anxious, and the silence in the kitchen is suddenly deadly. Not even the twins are moving, watching the scene closely.

—I can feel it — mumbles, concluding in a short gasp, and his breath tickles my skin —. Xander... — his voice is low and I can feel my heart breaking into a thousand pieces. Then it's true. I am pregnant. And Magnus... He doesn't want it? —. Kitty — I feel a drop fall in my throat and, if I was immobile, now I'm frozen —. How did I not notice before? — his voice fading away and... Was that a sob?

his

forget how to breathe —. You are expecting my child — long, thick

can convey to me the love and emotion that seems incapable of uttering with words. The breath I was suddenly holding back, is finally released from my lungs, the relief and happiness I sense at

can at last have within reach. The memory of what my grandmother told me that time comes back and makes me even more excited and extremely happy.

that has not yet disappeared. My feet touch the

It is the result of the immense love we feel for each other and which we have fought for. He places the hands on top of mine, covering them completely with their largest size and

of my forehead and my eyes rise to meet his again —. How can I express to you how happy you have made me? — I want to answer... I truly

crying in which I am immersed, means that I can't form words now. Magnus smiles and hollows my

my cheek on his chest, taking great delight in feeling the rapid beating of his heart. Caresses my hair with one hand, the other still surrounds

to discover that he's still smiling and I can't help but be affected by the gesture —. For a moment, I thought that... —

happier by your side, I was seriously wrong — his smile comes back and stops stroking my hair,

—I don't...

feel it? — I take a deep breath and concentrate. Though it's a

night anymore, it's not gloomy or grim. The sun illuminates the highest part of the sky and the air is warm and light. Large extensions of green grass give beauty to the picture and make it look more

dark like the

out through the delicate waves that form on the surface. But our tree is what takes

it to guide me at that time in the midst of darkness. Now its branches are full of vitality and energy, with red leaves that make it look huge and its reflection in the

the more I observe it, the more peace and calm floods my soul. Its thick roots stick out a bit over the water

Only here, next to him. Next to me Alpha, my partner, and the love of my life. When I open the eyes, he is still waiting for me, but I have no more doubts. I could see him, I could feel him and even almost touch him. His love for me is beautiful and intense. And so is the love I

longed for and loved like never before —. I would never lie to you, Xander. You belong to me as much as I belong to you. And the life you carry

hard not to cry again —. You've given me everything I ever dreamed of, and

nose —. I'm not the one who has to carry a baby inside me for nine months — And so,

an idiot — I hit him on the shoulder and he has the balls to laugh —. Did you have to ruin such

lose the sincerity through the loud laughter that

out of my trance, reminding me that there were more people with us —. Babies, old Ewa! — holds her by the arms and shakes her

old woman hits him again with the wooden spoon, but this time on the arm —. Better stop shouting and get to

and squeezes my cheeks —. You must look so adorable when your tummy grows, Xander! —

him alone? — Magnus grunts and embraces me, protecting me from Lev's mighty attack of pamperings

Lev pouts, crossing the arms

you'll regret it — my Alpha points at him and I roll the eyes, starting to get irritated —. Only I can touch him now.

Lev grunts back —. Now, if you don't give him to me,

up exploding without being able to tolerate their absurd tantrums any longer —. No one will touch me if you keep

my fault — points

to go and rest, little one — hands me a steaming cup of tea that smells delicious —. Drink this, it