Destiny (Shifter Royal Dynasty Book 3) by Becca Fanning (1)

It was barely past noon, and Korrin Gitan, King of the Shifters, was already exhausted. He’d been sitting in the Council building since sunup, listening to those in the room with him talk about the logistics of running an entire Kingdom. Mercifully, the meeting was almost concluded. He took a deep breath, laced his fingers together, and leaned back in his wooden chair. A warm breeze blew in through the open window bringing with it the smell of campfires, Shifters, and livestock.

Despite everything, he smiled.

“We’re looking to train another company of guards,” Gunari was saying. He was leaning forward, halfway across the large round table where the rest of the Shifters sat, his intense expression sweeping in the rest of the Council. His golden eyes fell on Korrin, who looked deep into them.

Korrin hesitated a few moments before answering. “If you think it’s necessary, Gunari.”

Gunari gave a grimace, which was as close to a smile as Korrin had ever seen on his hard face. Gunari was a Council man through and through. He’d been the leader of the Council guard long ago, when the Council had ruled the Kingdom and tried to kill Korrin. Korrin had decided to keep him on as the leader of the guards, and then he’d decided to promote him when he’d rebuilt the Council from the ground up. Korrin didn’t like the man. After all, Gunari had followed the Council’s orders and tried to have Korrin killed, but at least Korrin knew he could trust to man to follow orders and do what he was told.

Korrin looked around at the rest of the Shifters seated around the table. To his direct left sat Stochelo, the only remaining member of the original Council. Korrin didn’t completely trust him either. Stochelo only cared about one person, and that person was himself. Still, his knowledge was invaluable, and he was Korrin’s adviser.

Next to Stochelo sat the twins, Manfri and Jin. They were Korrin’s closest allies, having been by his side in the worst of times. He nodded at them and listened to their reports.

Jin went first. “Well, to begin with, there’s no bad news as far as the humans are concerned.”  A few of the Shifters around the table sighed with relief. “We’re well within our established territory, even if some of our settlements are too close to the border for my comfort.”

“How close are we talking?” Korrin asked, leaning forward in his chair.

“Within a mile, Korrin,” Jin answered. Like most of the other Council members, Jin called Korrin by his first name instead of title; it was something Korrin insisted on. He didn’t want to alienate himself from those who served under him, especially not those closest to him.

Korrin rubbed his hand along the weeks’ worth of growth on his chin, thinking.

“What families are out there?”

“The Odams, Burdons, and Harts,” Jin replied.

“Good people,” Korrin said. He was silent a few moments then said, “Just let them know they have to take extra care to stay on our territory. If they’re found trespassing on human lands, we could be in for a disaster.”

“Okay. Our next shipment will be here in two weeks. Medicine, mostly.”

“Good,” Korrin said, and he gave Jin a nod. Most Shifters had been wary when Korrin had agreed to trade with the human population, but it had worked flawlessly in the last few months. They supplied essentials that Korrin and his people had no access to. Korrin had agreed to let some researchers study—from a distance—just what Shifters and their lifestyle were really like. They’d also agreed on clear boundaries, which eliminated the threat of human hunters coming after their Kingdom. There was a truce between the two species, and for once, Korrin felt that the Kingdom was safe from humans. “What about our relations with other tribes?”

“Those… are not so good,” Manfri answered. While Jin dealt with the humans, his brother focused exclusively on keeping their relations with the other Kingdoms, tribes, and Clans in good standing.

“Explain.”

“There’s… some misgivings,” Manfri began. He hesitated, looking as if he was unsure if he wanted to continue. But Korrin shot him a hard look, and Manfri continued, “They say we’re weak for working with humans, for letting them control our territory, and for abandoning our nomadic lifestyle.”

“It’s a way to ensure our safety!” Korrin yelled. “And that’s temporary! How do they not see that?”

“They’re ignorant,” Tem suddenly spoke. “But they do have a point.”

Korrin turned to his right where Tem sat. He was the youngest member of the Council, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t qualified. Right now, though, Korrin glared at him.

“Explain,” he rumbled. His voice was like ice.

“Look at our history, Korrin,” Tem said. For all intents and purposes, he didn’t look intimated by Korrin’s glare. “We’ve fought with each other, fought against humans, for our entire existence. I’m not saying I want to go back to those ways—I would prefer not to, in fact—but look at the big picture. If we stop fighting, what happens to us when someone does want to fight against us? What happens if we’re attacked? Are we to simply roll over and let them walk all over us?”

“We’ll fight, if it comes to it,” Korrin said. “But we don’t fight unless we have to.”

“Maybe we should be more prepared though.”

“Gunari runs the Council guard, and you run the peacekeepers.”

“We should build an army, a way to keep us safe, Korrin. A way to kill anyone who disagrees with us.”

“That’s not what your father would have wanted, Tem, and you know it.”

“Nack’s dead, Korrin,” Tem said, shooting a glare back at Korrin. “And if we’d had an army or anyone who listened to the King, he would still be alive today.”

Korrin didn’t answer that. Nack had been one of Korrin’s father’s best men, and he had been important to Korrin’s rule, as well. But he’d been killed, and there was nothing Korrin could have done to prevent it. An army wouldn’t have stopped the old Council from doing what it did.

Where Nack had been wise and always looked toward the future, Tem was hot headed, but Nack had passed down a lot of his ideas, information, and knowledge to Tem, and he was useful to ruling the Kingdom. Again, Korrin was wary about having Tem on the Council, but it was necessary.

“What do the rest of you think about a standing army?” Korrin asked, taking in the table. He had the final say in all decisions—he was the King, after all—but the Council’s decision was just as important as his own, in his mind.

“It would show others we are not to be trifled with,” Gunari said, leaning forward onto the wooden table again, slapping a hand on Tem’s back.

“You’re always one to show force,” Stochelo said from Korrin’s left. “It would be unwise to bring an army to fruition. The other Clans and even Kingdoms might see it as a declaration of war. Your father taught you what happened in our last war, did he not?” Stochelo asked, turning to Tem.

“He did,” Tem answered, though Korrin could tell he didn’t like admitting it.

Jin answered, “No army,” and Manfri said, “I agree.”

Korrin nodded then turned to the last member of the Council, who was seated directly across from him. The open door was directly behind the other Shifter, obscuring her facial expression, though Korrin already knew what it would reveal. She would have her face fixed into frown, unhappy that she was here.

“And what do you think, Tawni?” Korrin asked.

“It’s not in our traditions to have a standing army,” she whispered, and Korrin could tell by the tone in her voice that she hated saying that. She hated agreeing with Korrin.

Tawni had been the last member on the new Council, and for good reason. She was untrustworthy, had helped plot Korrin’s downfall, and worse. She had vehemently fought against Korrin’s dismantling of the caste system, though now she kept quiet about it once she saw how much life had improved with it gone. She was a stickler for the old customs and laws, and those that she didn’t already know before being appointed to the Council, she had quickly learned. They didn’t like each other, but Korrin knew he didn’t have to like her. She was good at what she did.

“Then it’s settled for this meeting,” Korrin said. “There will be no standing army.”

Tem looked unhappy, and even Gunari looked disappointed, but the rest of the Council nodded. Korrin had been trying to lead the Kingdom out of warfare, fighting, and death, and creating an army would bring them right back down. He’d even wanted to disband the Council guard, though Stochelo had talked him out of it.

“The last item on our list is our living conditions,” Korrin said, looking down at a piece of paper with topics on it. Most had been crossed out, but this one remained. Korrin glanced down at it for what felt like the hundredth time today: food stockpiles, medicine reserves, livestock numbers, living conditions, jobs, rival Clans, Kingdom expansion, wagon repairs. Those were just the topics for the morning.

Topics they’d covered in the afternoon were even worse. They’d talked about timber pockets, water quality, new laws, whether they should stay at the lake or if they should move the Clan, relationships with the humans and with other Clans, guard duties—the list went on and on.

At least these meetings are only once a month, Korrin thought to himself. Korrin trusted each member of the Council to make the best judgments on a daily basis and come to him if needed, but it was important to sit down and touch base over everything in the Kingdom, even if it was mind-numbing and tiring business that seemed to last all day.

Their food stockpiles were running low, as to be expected from the harsh winter. But they were being replenished by those Shifters out fishing at the lake, trapping small game, or hunting in the woods. In the past, Shifter society was a free for all. Each did what they saw fit for survival—whatever would benefit their family most. Korrin had changed that quickly. Now, some Shifters who were great hunters hunted for their Kingdom, while others trapped or fished. Those not good at those skills did other jobs: farming, building, cutting down lumber. It wasn’t perfect, but the Kingdom was growing.

The other rival Clans were concerning, though they’d always been there and always would be.

Life was hard, maybe harder than it ever had been, but it was working. The Clan and the entire Kingdom was thriving under Korrin’s rule.

Korrin looked up at Tawni, waiting for her to continue. “Most of the Kingdom are still living in their wagons, though more are moving into our houses as we speak. That won’t be permanent, of course, if we decide to move,” she answered. Korrin nodded; they’d yet to decide what to do in the spring.

We still have a few days to make a decision. Should we stay here, farm the land, and make a life for ourselves? Or should we revert to our old ways, traveling the land, day after day? It was a heated discussion, not only in the Council chambers, but across the entire Kingdom as well.

They’d set up at the edge of the gigantic lake that was the center of all the Shifter lands for the winter. They’d stayed on the lake during the brutal snowstorms after being driven out of the caves that they’d used each winter. It had been rough. Without the natural shelter of the caves, they’d lost some of the older members of the Kingdom to the elements. They’d even lost a few trappers in a freak blizzard. But they’d had plenty of fresh water, fish, and the game was plentiful in the woods.

And, most importantly of all, they had created a life here. Korrin had ordered houses constructed—nothing fancy, a little more than a roof and four walls, but they had provided shelter. Even the Council chamber was constructed of wood. Gone were the days when the Council held meetings in a massive tent. After all, that was impossible now. Korrin had burned the damn thing.

Land had been cleared off, ready for planting and farming. If the Kingdom decided to stay, they would have an actual life here.

An actual life with my future wife and son.

Kris.

He missed her so when he thought about her and felt an almost real pain in his chest. Korrin grinned to himself. He’d last seen her this morning, curled up under the blankets, trying to stay warm in their bed.

But she was nine months pregnant—due any day now—and Korrin could hardly bear to be away from her.

“Is there anything else?” he asked. When no one else had anything important to say, Korrin got up and said, “Until next month,” and strode to the door.

Korrin Gitan, King of the Shifters, leader of the Kingdom, had more important matters to attend to. The Kingdom could wait, but Kris couldn’t, and he missed her more than he could say.

He stepped out into the warm sunlight, leaving the Council and all the problems of being a leader behind, and instead, he focused on the most important task of all: preparing to be a father.

*

*

*

Kris took two deep breaths, screamed for help, and started to run. She stumbled out of the tent, leaving a bloody hand print on the fabric. Blood was everywhere. She’d barely taken two steps before she slipped on the wet ground, one foot sliding through the mud, but she managed to keep her footing.

From inside the tent came another yell, bloodcurdling, painful, and desperate. Kris looked left and saw no one. She looked right, but there was no one there either. Right now, she was alone.

Steeling herself, Kris turned back into the tent, pushed the flap back open, and took a deep breath.

I can do this. I have to do this. It’s a matter of life and death.

Kris had been in many situations where the wrong move could mean death—more than she would have liked to admit anyway—but living with Shifters was often dangerous.

But I’ve never dealt with anything like this.

She called for help again, but there was no answer.

The inside of the tent looked like a massacre had taken place. Blood lined the carpets on the ground and was splashed on the tent walls, and glancing up, Kris even saw some on the ceiling.

Laid out in front of her on a long wooden table was a Shifter. And if she didn’t act fast, he was going to die.

“Hold on!” she yelled. “Help is on the way!”

But there wasn’t enough time. Shifters were tough, extremely hard to kill, but if she didn’t do something, he would bleed out in front of her within a matter of minutes. She’d sent for help, but help wouldn’t get here in time. It was up to Kris to save this man’s life.

He’d been brought into camp on horseback, half conscious. Kris hadn’t been sure of the specifics—some kind of accident while out cutting trees for the houses—but she’d heard enough. She’d sent the man’s partner out to look for the doctor, hoping he could get here in time to stop the bleeding.

The man’s leg was a ruined mess. Even if he lived and they could save the leg, he would never use it again. Kris wasn’t sure what that meant for Shifting, but that was something she would have to worry about later.

Kris grabbed the man’s leg, putting as much pressure as she could against his artery. Already, the flow of blood was decreasing. His leg was elevated, but it wasn’t enough. Kris was covered in blood from head to foot, hands slick. The man’s screams began to taper off.

“Stay with me!” she screamed. “Just a little longer!”

This was out of Kris’s realm of expertise, but she didn’t have a choice. She’d have to find the crushed artery, tie it off, and then repair it. Her father was the doctor of the family; he’d know exactly what to do.

Only he’s not here right now, Kris thought bitterly.

She heard the tent flap opening behind her then a man saying, “How bad is it?”

Kris glanced backward, telling him, “Tree accident. Crushed artery. He’s losing a lot of blood.”

The man strode up to her, pulling on gloves, and dropped his surgical bag onto the bloody table. He peered down, nodded, and then said, “Okay, let me take a look.”

“How bad is it, Dad?” she asked. “Is he going to die?”

Her father glanced at her for a split second, just enough for her to see that he looked serious. Then he shook his head and began digging through his bag.

“Watch out, I’m going to clamp it. This should stop the bleeding. Ready? Three, two, one,” he said, and Kris pulled her hands back in a spurt of blood. At least he’s here, now.

He started barking orders at Kris. She had never seen her father like this. He was sometimes a hard man and he pushed, but he’d always been kind to her.

Nothing like this. But she knew it was what he had to do to save this man’s life. Kris gritted her teeth, dealt with her father’s orders, and together, they got to work on keeping him alive.

*

Kris had fought with her parents almost tooth and nail to get them to go home, to leave the Shifter lifestyle—to go home and be safe.

And they had agreed, on one condition: they’d leave just after they got to meet their grandchild. Kris had argued about this, but in the end, she’d given in to their wishes. They were going to be grandparents, after all, and she lived across the world. Letting them meet their grandchild was the least she could do.

Kris sat outside of the tent in the warm air. She looked down at her hands. They had been scrubbed free of the blood, but there was still a red tint to them, and they shook considerably. She inspected them more closely and saw blood underneath her fingernails.

At that moment, she felt her unborn son kick. Kris smiled and whispered, “That was too exciting, wasn’t it?” She ran her hands over her very large belly.

Her father came out of the tent, peeling off his gloves and stuffing them into his apron pocket. He sat down on the crate next to Kris, looked at the lengthening sun, and together they watched it in silence.

“You did well in there, Kris,” he said, and gave her a one-armed hug. She’d been dreading this moment—what he would say about her abilities in a situation like this.

Her father had wanted to stay for another reason besides meeting his grandchild. He’d warned Kris that not having a doctor, or even a nurse—anyone qualified for medical emergencies—was a death sentence this far away from the civilized world. Kris didn’t know how close they were to a real hospital, but it had to be over a couple hundred miles.

And he’s worried about the birth, though he won’t admit it. He wants to be here to ensure that everything goes smoothly. And can I blame him?

“Thanks, Dad,” she said, and she leaned into him, though it was hard with her bulging stomach. “It means a lot to me.”

“And you know I wouldn’t just say that to make you feel better,” he replied, grinning.

Her father was the best doctor she’d ever met. He was chief surgeon, head of an entire hospital, until he’d stepped away from it to come and find Kris over half a year ago.

“Do you miss it, Dad?”

“Miss what, honey?”

“The hospital. Surgery. Saving people’s lives.”

He hesitated for a moment before answering. “You feel guilty?”

“No,” she lied. Though in truth, in some little way, she did. She’d disappeared from college after she’d met Korrin and found out she was pregnant. Effectively, she’d dropped off the face of the earth. Her parents, worried that their daughter had been kidnapped—or worse—had traveled across the globe to find her. And it was all her fault.

“Don’t feel guilty,” he said, seeing right through her lie. “It’s complicated, I’ll give you that much. But don’t feel bad. I miss it, yeah. But I came here and saw you, met Korrin, found out you’re having a child. Those are memories that can’t be replaced. Other people can do what I do. They’ll keep saving lives. But I can stay here with you, for a little while longer anyway, and I can help you. Teach you. Teach some of the Shifters what to do. Pass on my knowledge. That’s what’s important to me.”

Kris nodded but didn’t respond. Her father had been training her and a few of the smarter Shifters, but she’d done little more than a few stitch jobs. She’d helped extract a bullet once, fired by a careless hunter. She’d set broken bones, though doing so was usually pointless. Almost everything she’d done to help was pointless. Shifters were just that tough at surviving injuries.

“He would have died, you know, if you weren’t there to staunch the bleeding. You did everything right. When I’m gone, I’m confident you’ll know what you’re doing. That you’ll be able to guide those others to help save lives.”

“Knowing and doing are two completely different things, Dad,” she reminded him. “You’ve taught me so much, but when it comes down to it, I’m not sure if I’ll be ready.”

“You’ll be ready,” he said, rising. He reached out a hand and helped her to her feet, which was much harder than she had initially anticipated. “I’m going to go see what your mother is making for dinner. Do you two want to come over later this evening and talk?”

“Yeah, Dad, that’ll be great,” she said. He gave her a hug, somehow around her massive belly, and disappeared into the camp. She smiled as she watched him go. Going to her parent’s house had been an almost night occurrence lately. They were giving advice on what it was like to be parents.

Kris peeked her head back into the tent and told the medical assistant, “If you need anything, you know where to find either me or my dad.” She then started to make her way through the camp.

It was a different world now than when they’d first set up camp here. Sure, the wagons were still as numerous as ever, and those heavy canvas tents the Shifters seemed to favor so much were still there as well, but there were also houses. Real houses. Real homes.

For once, everything was good. Korrin was happy, she was happy, her parents were happy. Kris felt less and less like an outsider with every passing day. She was no longer just some intruding human. She’d learned skills that the Shifters had taught her, and now she’d even helped save one of their lives.

Kris wasn’t a Shifter and never could be, but she was as close as she could get without outright being one. Korrin had taught her to fish, hunt, trap, and everything else necessary to live out in this life. She’d given other Shifters life advice, helped cut down a few trees, and even carried water over rough terrain to help make dinner. She could start a fire in less than five minutes with nothing but what she could find in nature. She could track and navigate by the stars.

Korrin had shown her the entire world, a place she’d never known had existed.

Her previous life living in the comfort of huge cities, going to college, getting a well-paying job—that had all been Kris’s idea of the perfect life, way back before she’d met Korrin.

And now, she could never imagine going back. She was happy.

And most importantly, she was home.

*

*

*

“What do you think, my King?”

“Korrin.”

“Yes, yes, hmm,” the old man was saying. “What do you think… Korrin?”

“It’s beautiful,” Korrin replied, looking at the ring between his two large fingers. It was indeed beautiful, probably the most beautiful ring Korrin had ever seen.

I just hope Kris thinks the same, Korrin thought. Shifters weren’t well known for wedding rings or jewelry, and Korrin had to admit that it had taken him a while to come around to the idea. But this wasn’t for him. It was for Kris.

He was going to ask her to marry him.

Why have I put it off for so long? He didn’t have the answer. Marriage also wasn’t important to many Shifters, though a good amount did marry. But it’s important to Kris, and it’s important to me.

“And this is sized right?”

“Absolutely,” the old man told him, grinning to reveal a half-toothless smile. Dukker was a relic from the old days. He was also the man who had fixed up Korrin’s crown after Kris had used it to knock out another Shifter, denting it almost beyond repair. “My plan worked, eh?”

“It did,” Korrin agreed. Since Shifters didn’t value baubles such as rings, Korrin had no way of finding out Kris’s ring size. Dukker had come up with the idea of having her come in and get her hands sized for a custom-made pair of gloves for the winter. She has no idea.

“A few more days and it’ll be ready,” Dukker was saying, taking the ring back from Korrin’s hands. Korrin was reluctant to give it up, but he understood. “A little more polish, a little more work, and it’ll be ready.”

“Thank you, Dukker,” Korrin said. With that, he left the old man’s wagon. He stepped off the stairs onto the muddy ground. His boots squelched wetly as he headed off toward his next destination.

The camp, which held the majority of the Shifter population in the Kingdom, was bustling with activity. The hour was drawing late, and most of the Shifters who had been out felling trees, hunting, fishing, and working at their other tasks were now coming home for the evening. The smell of roasting meat and vegetables filled his nostrils from dozens of cook fires around the camp.

He reached the lumber mill in just under five minutes. Barsali Crafter was just what his name implied: a crafter. His lumber mill, his pride and joy, was little more than three walls, a dull saw, and some planks of wood, but he did good work.

“How’s the mill holding up?” Korrin yelled, trying to get Barsali’s attention as he used his rotary saw to cut through some planks of wood. “Barsali!” he called again, waving his hands until he got the crafter’s attention. Barsali smiled, turned off the saw, and made his way to Korrin. “How’s the mill holding up?” Korrin repeated.

“Great, great,” Barsali said. Before, Barsali had done his woodworking in the back of his wagon—when his wife would let him. Now, with a more permanent camp, Barsali was able to do what he loved and help the Kingdom while doing it. “I’ve been meaning to ask you something, Korrin.”

“Anything,” Korrin said, reaching out and shaking Barsali’s extended hand. Korrin liked Barsali. He was a hard worker and barely older than Korrin. Growing up, Korrin had never really known Barsali, and now that he was older, he regretted not getting to know him better when they were younger.

“Are we staying here longer or packing up again?”

“I don’t know yet,” Korrin admitted. “Not really supposed to say one way or the other until the Council makes the decision.”

“Of course,” Barsali answered, looking a bit disappointed. “I just… I just like the mill, is all.”

Korrin considered for a moment and then said, “If it were up to me, I think we would stay. But keep that close to your chest.”  He knew he shouldn’t reveal too much of Council business, but he liked Barsali, and plus, he needed his help.

“That’s good to hear,” the crafter answered, grinning ear to ear. “Here, come look at this.”  Barsali led Korrin over the corner of the mill, and spread his arms wide. “One of my pa’s designs.”

“It just looks like a pile of wood,” Korrin said, raising an eyebrow.

“It is, but here, look at this,” Barsali said, then he was grabbing the wood laid out in front of Korrin. “This piece fits in here, like so. And then this piece fits into it, and then this one completes the frame. You see?”

“I see,” Korrin said, and now he was grinning.

“Left it dissembled. Figured you would want to put it together yourself. All the pieces are there, I swear to you. Want me to box it up for ya?”

“That would be great,” Korrin said. He took a step backward to let Barsali grab a crate. Korrin watched as the crafter boxed up the pieces of wood, then handed the crate to Korrin. Korrin was strong, but he still winced underneath the weight. “You slip some rocks in here when I wasn’t looking?”

“It’ll last forever. Good, heavy wood,” Barsali said. “And that’s a Crafter’s promise.”

Korrin wished him goodbye and made his way out of the small mill, entering the camp proper again. He stopped and talked to a few of his citizens, even helping one family decide what to have for dinner. His father, despite not being truly in charge, had always tried to be close with his subjects, and Korrin was no different.

Finally, after nearly half an hour making his way through the camp, he was outside of his home. It wasn’t much—a small two room building—but it was home. He saw smoke billowing from the fireplace; Kris was already inside.

“Saban,” he said, nodding to the guard stationed outside of the house, to the right of the front door. Stevo would be around back, watching for any signs of danger. There had been none for months, but the guards never relaxed. Sometime in the next few hours, he knew the shift would change and new guards would come to watch out for them overnight. Korrin tried to will them away, and had managed to once, but eventually he’d felt bad that they weren’t able to do their job and he’d called them back. Plus, he was worried about Kris’s safety—never his, but hers.

“My King,” Saban answered, bowing low and opening the door for him.

“Thanks,” Korrin said, entering the house. The main room housed the bed in the left corner. A fireplace was against one wall. The kitchen, complete with a small, four-person table, occupied the other half of the space. In the back corner was a small room that acted as their bathroom. It wasn’t much, but Kris had insisted on a tub with a pipe running outside, which allowed hot water to be piped into the tub.

He was the King, but he had agreed to it immediately. After all, who couldn’t use a hot bath?

Korrin set the crate down next to the door and just watched as he always did when he came home. Kris was by the fire, stirring something in a pot. Delicious smells wafted up to his nostrils. His stomach rumbled; he’d eaten nothing all day. She looked toward him then, and Korrin’s heart melted. Her smile never failed to make him smile.

“Hello,” she said, her voice soft and smooth, and she made her way toward Korrin. She less walked and more waddled, so pregnant that she would be having her child—their child—any day now.

“Darling,” he said, smiling even more than he had been moments before. He met her halfway across the small house, wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her as close to him as he could. His lips found hers and they kissed deeply, as they did every time they saw each other again. No matter where they were or what they were doing, they always found time for their embrace and their kiss.

“How’s he doing?” Korrin asked when they finally pulled away from each other. He put his hand on her stomach, felt his child kick, and grinned again. “Feisty today?”

Kris laughed and answered, “Extremely. He’s been kicking nonstop since early this afternoon. I have to admit, it’s been driving me a little insane.”

“Just a little?” Korrin teased, taking her hand in his own. Together, they made their way over to the food pot. “What are we having tonight?”

“Steak and potato stew,” Kris answered. “Your favorite.”

“As long as it’s your recipe,” Korrin replied. It was far from Korrin’s favorite. He preferred more red meat, more on the raw side, and less potatoes, but Kris enjoyed it, and Korrin was happy to eat whatever she wanted to eat. “Thank you for cooking. I didn’t think the meeting would go as long as it did.”

Kris rolled her eyes and started to stir the pot full of stew. “You say that every month. And at every meeting, they take longer than you think. Maybe one day you’ll be right, but I–”

“Doubt it?” Korrin finished.

“Doubt it. Did you come to any agreements?”

Korrin lowered himself to the chair at the kitchen table and shook his head. “We’re not creating a standing army, so there’s that.”

“Let me guess: Tem, backed up by Gunari?”

“Bingo,” Korrin said. “Sometimes I think you should be at these meetings instead of me. You know them better than I do half the time.”

“No thanks,” Kris said, spooning out some of the food and carrying it carefully over to Korrin, one hand underneath the spoon.

“It’s good,” Korrin said, tasting it. And he did mean it. Kris was a natural cook, and her recipes always seemed to just work.

“I couldn’t deal with some members of the Council, and you know it.”

“Tawni?” Korrin asked. She nodded. “It was your idea, you know. To have her be a member of the Council. I was against it, if you remember right.”

“That doesn’t mean I would like to be a part of it.”

“What’s that saying you used to tell me about the Council?”

“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. That one?”

“That’s the one,” Korrin said, getting out of the chair and following Kris back to the cook pot. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, holding her close as she stirred the food once more. “Way better than our old Shifter sayings.”

“Kill ‘em all?” Kris joked, though Korrin had to admit that she wasn’t far from the truth. “Are we going to be moving soon?”

“I don’t know,” Korrin admitted. “This was supposed to be temporary, just until our son was born, but I don’t want to leave. We have a good life here. We can make it work. Better than it’s ever worked before. I just wish everyone could see that.”

“They will, my King,” Kris said, turning in his arms and placing her lips upon his again. “They’ll see that you’re right. That you’ve always been right. It’ll all work out.”

“How can you be so sure?” Korrin asked. It had been a long time since he’d thought things wouldn’t work out, but he had no idea how Kris could so firmly believe it.

“Because they always do, Korrin,” she answered, smiling. “Now, what’s in the box?”

“A surprise?”

“I don’t like surprises,” Kris said, but she made her way over to the box just the same. She opened it up, peering into the darkness. “Is this…?”

“A crib?” Korrin asked, coming up behind her and grabbing the box. “If that’s what you were going to say, you’d be correct.”

“And you’re going to put it together?” Kris asked, skepticism heavy in her voice.

“What? You don’t think I can?”

“I’m not saying that…” Kris said, but she didn’t deny it. “But…”

“Kris, I’m the King. I’ve done way harder things than put together a crib.”

“I can’t wait to see this,” Kris said, smiling. She sat down on the bed and watched Korrin empty the box, starting to laugh as he tried to piece the crib together, already forgetting what Barsali had shown him.

“If you think it’s so easy, why don’t you help?” Korrin snapped, still good natured.

“This is too good,” Kris said, and they both started laughing. Korrin dropped the pieces on the ground, leaping over to the bed and on top of Kris. He attacked her, his lips and hands moving over every inch of her body, the crib forgotten on the floor.

*

*

*

Kris felt Korrin’s hands grab her and push her ever so softly onto the bed. She let him lower her down, his body pressing against hers, and she smiled. She barely had seconds to smile before his lips were upon her again, pressing against her own. They kissed hard at first, insistent, and Kris could tell that he had missed her. Then they slowed down.

But his hands never did.

I missed this, Kris thought. It’s been nearly twelve hours... too long…

They’d made love that morning before Korrin had left for his Council meeting and Kris had saved a man’s life, but it was never enough.

Korrin’s hands moved from her hips to over her very large belly, then up to one of her breasts. He squeezed gently, just enough to get through the fabric of her bra, then his hand was moving downward again. It came to the bottom of her shirt and slid underneath it. Kris moaned at the touch of his soft fingers against her bare skin. They trailed up along her stomach, then to her bra, finally sliding underneath the fabric and brushing against her breast. Kris closed her eyes and arched her back as Korrin grabbed her nipple and twisted ever so slightly—there was the hint of pain followed by pleasure—and then his hand was moving out of her shirt altogether.

His lips were still on hers, but he was able to grab the bottom of her shirt and start lifting it over her head. When it was just about off, he broke the kiss for the briefest of seconds, and then he tossed the shirt away and buried his lips against hers again. He kissed there for a few moments, then his lips were on her left ear. Goosebumps exploded across her body as his tongue slid against her. His teeth nibbled at her earlobe, and then he was moving his lips down her neck, kissing and sucking.

Korrin worked his lips along her body as his hands undid her bra. He pulled it away just as his lips were moving down to her breasts, and his lips wrapped around the hardened nipple he had played with earlier. He sucked it into his mouth and ran his tongue along it. All the while, his hand cupped her other breast and squeezed gently. After a few blissful seconds, Korrin’s lips slid across her chest and started working on the other one.

Kris was running her hands through Korrin’s hair, which was growing longer as the days passed. She started to think, He needs a haircut. Maybe I’ll… But then Korrin grabbed her pants, and in one swift move he yanked them off her legs. Kris laughed in surprise as his lips immediately started kissing the insides of her thighs, moving up and down her legs.

Kiss after kiss brought his lips that much closer to the middle of her legs, still hidden by her panties. He kissed to the right of them, so close to kissing right where she desired, then he jumped over to the left and kissed there too, until his lips made their way all the way down to her kneecap. From there, his lips kissed her knee and then started to move upward on the top of her thigh, until he was kissing her stomach.

Please, move down…  Kris pushed his head downward, but Korrin was strong, and he wanted to kiss her stomach, so that’s what he did. Kris moaned then, enjoying it just the same, and let him work his magic lips over her almost naked body.

She could feel the wetness growing between her legs, soaking through her panties, but Korrin was still kissing everywhere but there. His lips had made their way back to her thighs, and finally—finally—his lips moved between her legs.

“Please,” Kris moaned, when his lips barely touched the wet fabric. “Please, take them off…”

Kris looked down and only saw her large belly. She had to prop herself up on her elbows to get a look at Korrin. He was between her legs, grinning. He knows exactly what I want and how much I want it. This man… he’s infuriating!

But finally, Kris felt his finger slide against her panties and trail along her wet slit. His finger pushed ever so slightly over her clit and Kris moaned, dropping back onto her back, and running her hands through her hair in pleasure. It was the slightest touch, but it was wonderful.

Korrin’s finger finally hooked the side of her panties, just enough to pull them to the side, and Kris gasped, her breath taken away, as Korrin pushed his mouth against her wetness. For a split second, all Kris could think was: Finally! And then the only thing she could focus on after that was the pleasure Korrin was bringing her.

His tongue slid the entire length of her wetness in one long, slow, drawn out motion. Kris felt his tongue dip into her, tasting her, then it was sliding back out so slowly it was maddening and moving down the rest of her. It moved upward, just as slow as before, and danced over her clit. Kris jerked forward in pleasure, powerless to stop herself. Korrin then moved back down her, faster than before.

Korrin’s tongue was soon accompanied by his lips. Using them together, he was able to work Kris exactly as she wanted. He sucked, kissed, licked, and even once, slightly nibbled her, and Kris’s moans were filling their small house. Meanwhile, his hands were running over every inch of her body—chest, belly, thighs, legs—sliding softly across her neck, grabbing her hands.

Kris could feel the small pinpoint of heat building ever so slowly between her legs, and she knew that her orgasm was rapidly approaching. She tried to focus on anything else, but with every stroke of Korrin’s tongue, her thoughts were drawn back to what he was doing so perfectly.

Within half a minute, Kris could ignore it no longer. She felt herself wrapping her thighs tightly around Korrin’s head, barely registering that her hands were pulling his head closer to her by the hair, and then suddenly, she was cumming.

She let out a scream of pleasure, feeling the waves of bliss washing over her body, wracking it with their incessant desire. Everything else faded away, her vision went black, and she only knew of Korrin, his lips, and his mouth.

Finally, after what seemed like minutes, the final wave of pleasure faded away, ever so slowly. Korrin was still kissing her—her lips, the insides of her thighs—wherever he could reach.

“How was that?” he asked.

Kris looked down at him and could only see her belly blocking her view again. She went to open her mouth, to tell him just how perfect everything was, and then she smelled something.

Something… burning?

“The food!” she exclaimed. Kris tried getting up as fast as she could, which was much harder than it should have been. She pulled her panties back in place and tried rolling out of bed, but she couldn’t. Then she was sitting up, and all the while Korrin was laughing between her legs. Finally, she managed to throw her legs off the side of the bed—slapping Korrin playfully for good measure—and she made her way over to the smoking pot.

“How is it?” Korrin asked, still lying on his stomach, watching her with a bemused expression on his face.

“Ruined!” Kris exclaimed, though she knew she was being dramatic. She stirred the pot over and over and knew that too much damage hadn’t really been done. “So much for a romantic evening laying together in our bed.”

“You can always come back,” Korrin said, patting his hand on the bed. Kris glanced at him and saw that he had a concerned look on his face. Then he asked, “Do you miss it?”

“Miss what?”

“Your old life. Lying around, watching TV… what’s that like anyway? Cell phones, going out with your friends. That sort of thing.”

“No,” Kris said, and that was the truth. She’d thought about it a few times—pretty often, if she was being honest with herself—but she didn’t really miss it. She was happier than she’d ever been. “Though I do wish you guys had a few more books around here. I feel like I’ve read them all at least twice.”

“You have,” Korrin said, grinning. “But, truly? You don’t miss lounging around, something on TV in front of you?”

“I can do that here just fine. You’re more entertaining than TV anyway,” Kris said, coming back to the bed and leaning down as much as she could. Then she kissed Korrin again, just a peck, then again and again. “I’d rather be here, happy with you.”

“Okay,” Korrin said, finally getting to his feet. “Go sit down at the table. I’ll get our food ready.”

“Our burnt food,” Kris said, but she grabbed her shirt and waddled over to the table just the same. She’d only been up for a few moments, yet she already felt worn out. Being pregnant is tiring business. I wonder how it compares to being a parent… 

She watched Korrin, more than a little lovingly, as he grabbed a couple of plates and bowls then scooped some of the soup into the bowls. Then he made his way to the kitchen counter, which was truthfully little more than a piece of wood, and grabbed a chunk of hard bread. She laughed as he rapped his knuckles against it twice, shrugged, and began cutting it up. Then he brought the food over to the table, dropped it off, did a 180, and grabbed them silverware.

He sat back down at the table, ready to eat. Kris, meanwhile, had already started to dig in. Her appetite was ravenous.

“Want some chocolate to wash that soup down?” Korrin asked.

“My cravings aren’t that bad anymore!” Kris exclaimed. They had been bad, however. Kris had been craving chocolate so bad she thought she would go crazy, but there was none out here in the wilds. Korrin had sent a few of his men into the nearest village—a couple of days walk away, and dangerous in the winter, to boot—to get her chocolate. She hadn’t wanted him to do it, but she’d appreciated the gesture just the same.

After that, they ate mostly in silence because Kris was too busy eating as much and as fast as she could. When she could barely move, and not just from being pregnant, she finally pushed her plate and bowl away. Korrin was smiling at her across the table.

“What?”

“You’re beautiful.”

“I’m fat and pregnant, Korrin!”

“You’re beautiful no matter what,” he told her. Then he got up, grabbed the dishes, and took them out back to wash them. While he was outside, Kris managed to get herself out of the chair and make her way to her favorite place in the entire house—the bed.

Korrin came back in a few minutes later and came to sit down on the edge of the bed.

“Uh-uh,” Kris warned.

Korrin’s look of confusion was laughable. “What?”

“You have work to do,” Kris said, pointing at the crib, which was still in pieces on the floor.

“I’ll worry about that tomorrow.”

“You’ll worry about it tonight,” Kris told him. “We’re supposed to meet my parents later.”

“What good is it being King if you can’t do what you want?” Korrin asked. Then he sat down on the floor and got to work, Kris laughing all the while.

*

*

*

Korrin sat on the floor putting the pieces of wood together as best he could. Kris laid in bed, offering advice, though every time Korrin asked if she wanted to come down and help put it together, she just laughed.

Life is good.

“I’m a King, not a builder!” he exclaimed, and tossed the pieces down for the third or fourth time. He’d lost count.

“You should have asked for instructions,” Kris teased. “It can’t be that hard.”

“Why don’t you give it your best shot?” he growled.

“I’m too comfortable here,” she told him. “You’d better try again.”

Truthfully, it wasn’t that hard. But Korrin loved the little games they were playing. He couldn’t figure it out, and she knew exactly how to put it together but wouldn’t help him. It was fun. And he realized they didn’t get to do enough things that were just that: fun.

There was always something on their plate, from Korrin making important decisions, to Kris helping save someone’s life—which she had told him about after dinner—and it never seemed to end. Plus, on top of all of that, they were about to be parents.

The scariest and most important thing I’ll ever have to do. Even scarier than the assassination attempts, the Council, everything. Ruling the Kingdom is important, but is it as important as being a parent?

Will I be a good father? The question had often plagued him. And every time he voiced his concerns to Kris, she just told him it would be okay and that he would be the best father in the world. He wanted to believe her, wanted her to be right, but was she? Was she just saying that, or did she actually believe it?
Looking at her lying in the bed, smiling down at him, he knew she believed it. But do I?

After another half hour of joking around, the crib was finally starting to come together. He had the frame together right, the bars to keep their child from falling out laid out in order, and the legs set to the side.

“You’re doing great,” Kris said, finally sitting up and giving him a back rub. It felt great, but Korrin had to admit that it made concentrating on building the crib just a little bit harder.

Finally, it was done.

“It’s beautiful,” Kris said. She had managed to stand up and was walking around it, running her hand along the smooth and treated wood. “He did a good job. Thank you, Korrin.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, though in truth he didn’t do much. “But I just put it together.”

“That’s enough,” she told him, kissing him on the cheek. “Now, how about you come lay down in bed for a little while? We have a little bit more time to ourselves before we needed to head to my parents’, so I was thinking that I could repay the favor from earlier…”

“I like the sound of that,” Korrin said, reaching down and picking her up. Kris screamed in mock alarm, and Korrin carried her with ease to the bed. He set her down lightly and was just about to start undressing them both when there was a loud knock at the door.

“Who is that?” Kris asked. “At this hour?”

It wasn’t awfully late, but it wasn’t often they got visitors at night, even with Korrin being King.

“I don’t know,” Korrin growled, more than a little annoyed that their lovemaking session had been put on hold. The perks of being the King, he mused.

Saban was at the door, looking grim.

“Saban? Shouldn’t you be off duty by now?”

“You should come with me, my King.”

“What is it?” Kris called from behind him.

“I don’t know. Just relax and stay in bed. I’ll go with Saban and sort this out,” Korrin said, turning back toward Kris. She was lying in bed, covers pulled over her half naked body.

“Close the door, Korrin. I’m coming with you.”

“Kris, don’t trouble yourself,” Korrin began, but he saw that Kris was meaning to get out of bed. He quickly nodded to Saban and closed the door while waiting for Kris to get dressed. “Are you sure?” he finally asked when she was completely dressed.

In answer, she opened the door and strode out into the night. Korrin sighed and followed.

“What’s going on, Saban?” he asked.

“Intruders on Kingdom territory,” he answered. “Four Shifters—three males, one female.”

“How far out?”

“Two miles from camp. Our scouts are watching them. They have no idea that we’re here. Should I bring them in?”

“No, I want to meet them myself.”

“Sir, it may not be a good idea.”

Korrin opened his mouth to tell the man that he was King, but then he thought about taking unnecessary risks. He was King. It wouldn’t be smart to go out into the wilds, even on Kingdom land, for something like this. But he would have still done it, except that Kris was coming with him. Taking her out that far, especially while she was pregnant, was something he wasn’t willing to risk.

“Bring them to the Council chamber,” Korrin said instead.

“Yes, my King,” Saban answered and disappeared into the dark camp, lit only by the moon and the cook fires that hadn’t burned out yet.

Korrin and Kris made their way through the camp until they reached the deserted Council building. Inside was dark, so Korrin opened a window, letting in a bright stream of moonlight. Kris sat down heavily in one of the chairs.

Korrin gave her a sly look as he made his way to the wall of the building where some candles were sitting out of the way. He started to light them up as behind him, Kris asked, “This is Tawni’s seat, isn’t it?”

Korrin almost laughed but decided it would be unwise. He just nodded instead, not meeting Kris’s eyes. Behind him, he heard her sigh then slowly get up and move to another seat. Finally, he could hold it in no longer and started to laugh.

“Is something funny, Korrin?” she asked, her voice dangerous.

“No, honey,” he said, bringing the candles over to the table and setting them down. “Nothing at all.”

A raised eyebrow and a grin was his answer.

“What could that mean, Korrin?” she finally asked. Korrin looked over at her and saw her grimace in the flickering candlelight.

“I don’t know. Maybe they wandered into our territory by accident,” he replied. She looked skeptical, and he knew he didn’t believe it either. “But that’s highly unlikely. Every Shifter in any of the Kingdoms know not to cross into other Kingdom territories uninvited.”

“Do you think it could be trouble? An attack?”

Korrin answered with a shrug. Then a few moments later he said, “The last time we had Shifters come into our land was months ago. They’d been exiled from their Clan.”

“Yeah, I remember. And you let them go.”

“Let them pass through,” he corrected. “Their business with the other Clans is none of our business, so I turned a blind eye. Though not everyone agreed with that.”

“So, you’ll let these Shifters pass through too?”

“We’ll have to see,” Korrin said. In truth, he wasn’t sure. He had no desire to start a fight between Kingdoms or Clans. But he also didn’t want dangerous Shifters traveling unimpeded through his Kingdom without a care in the world. It would set a bad example for any other Clans looking to make a clean getaway. He often thought letting them go might have been a mistake, but what was done was done.

They were silent for a few moments longer, and then Korrin smelled something he wasn’t used to—outsiders. “They’re here,” he growled. Kris moved faster than he’d seen her move in a long time. Within a few seconds, she’d managed to come over to where he was sitting. He didn’t blame her. Last time outsiders had been in the camp, they’d attacked her and Korrin. Kris’s forearm still bore the scars from that encounter. He glanced down at it, and the scar tissue glowed brightly in the moonlight, though it wasn’t noticeable in normal light.

Saban came in first, followed by four Shifters Korrin didn’t recognize. He looked closely at them in the darkness, and then he realized that something wasn’t quite right. He recognized two of the men and the woman. The other man he’d never seen before.

“What are you doing back here?” he growled. The three he knew immediately dropped to their knees and the fourth quickly followed.

“We made a mistake, my King,” one of the men said.

“I’m not your King any longer. You made that decision long ago.”

“Please, we beg your forgiveness. It was a mistake,” the woman pleaded.

Korrin was silent for a moment. What am I to do? He glanced over at Kris, who looked troubled but unable to offer him any help.

“You followed Olovina when she was exiled. What made you come crawling back here? Where are the rest of your compatriots?” Korrin finally asked, his voice dangerous. “I offered you a better way of life, and you abandoned us to stay with her and her dangerous ideas.”

“And we are sorry,” the first man said again. “We ask that you take us back. We never should have abandoned you, my King. We should never have abandoned the Kingdom. We thought we were doing what was right for the Kingdom, but we were really betraying your kindness. Please.”

“Please,” the other two said. The fourth was silent.

“And who is this?” he asked.

“I am called Tobar, Your Grace.”

“And what are you doing here, Tobar? Why come here, to my Kingdom?”

“My friends… my friends told me of a kind King, a benevolent ruler, who did what was best for his subjects. A ruler who actually cares. Please, don’t make me go back to my Clan.”

“And what Clan is that, Tobar?”

“I was a member of the Hearnes, Your Grace.”

Korrin leaned forward. “The Hearnes?” he asked. They were a Clan of Shifters who had attended his brother’s ceremony when he had been appointed King. Over half of their Clan had been killed in an explosion that had been meant for Korrin and his family.

“What few members remain,” Tobar grimaced. “We were assimilated by another Clan and life turned… bad.”

“And what is this Clan’s name, Tobar?”

“They… they have no name, Your Grace.”

No name? That doesn’t make any sense.

“They’re absorbing smaller Clans, fighting others, and building an army, Your Grace. An army to take down the Gitan Kingdom—to kill you, enslave your subjects, and then wage war on all of those who oppose them, including humans.”

The words were like an icy blade to Korrin. They threaten everything I’ve worked so hard to build. He turned toward Saban and said, “We need to get in touch with the other Kingdoms. Let them know that there’s a rival Clan out there who will eventually come after them. Tell them I wish to set up a meeting.”

“That… That’s pointless, Your Grace,” Tobar interrupted.

“Why?” Korrin asked.

“Because the other Kingdoms are decimated. Those who stood up to the Clan are either dead or have fled. Those that didn’t are now part of their Clan. They’re all dead or gone. Your Kingdom is the last one standing.”

“That can’t be.”

“It is, Your Grace,” Tobar said. Korrin took a deep breath to compose himself. He could smell Tobar, and Korrin could tell one thing: Tobar was telling the truth.

The other Kingdoms were gone.

“Get the other Council members here immediately,” Korrin ordered Saban. “And take these four to the jail.”

“Please!”

“Your Grace!”

“Don’t do this to us!”

“It’s just temporary,” Korrin growled, and turned toward Kris. “You might want to let your parents know that we won’t be joining them tonight.”

Kris slowly got up, looking stunned at what she had just heard. Then she took her own deep breath, nodded, and said, “Good luck tonight, Korrin. I love you very much.”

“Please, don’t leave me, Kris. I need you here. I can’t do this alone.”

“Okay,” she whispered. “I’ll let them know, and then I’ll be right back.”

Kris kissed him on the lips and disappeared into the night, leaving Korrin alone with his thoughts.

*

*

*

Kris made it back before any members of the Council arrived. Korrin was still sitting exactly where she had left him, looking troubled. Without a word, she grabbed a chair and pulled it into the corner where she could sit out of the way.

“You can pull up a seat here,” he muttered, without looking up.

“I’m not a member of the Council, Korrin. I’ll stay out of the way.”

He didn’t answer, his mood stormy.

The first to arrive was Tem, followed almost immediately by Gunari. They both glanced at Kris sitting the corner, their looks unreadable, and took their seats to Korrin’s right. Tem kept glancing up at her, his face blank, but Kris knew enough about him to know that he wasn’t happy she was here.

“What’s this about?” he finally asked.

“Wait,” was all Korrin said. Tem opened his mouth to argue but closed it and stared at the table. Then he looked up at Kris another time.

He’s nothing like his father. Kris hadn’t known Nack for long, but Korrin had trusted him, and that was enough for Kris. He had been fair, level headed, and loyal. He had been old and raised in the old ways, but he had always looked toward the future.

The next to enter were Jin and Manfri, both looking concerned. However, when they saw Kris sitting in the corner, their expressions lit up. “How’s the baby?” Jin asked. “Any day now,” said Manfri. Kris told them he was good, kicking all the time, and they nodded a lot. She couldn’t help but smile at the twins: they were good, nice people. They were kind, even kinder than most people she knew, and they were still Shifters.

Tawni entered next, immediately freezing in the doorway when she saw Kris. “What’s she doing here?” she hissed. The tone of her voice made the hairs on the back of Kris’s neck stand up. “She’s not a member of the Council. She shouldn’t be here.”

“Sit down, Tawni!” Korrin exclaimed, suddenly looking up toward her. Tawni muttered under her breath but kept shooting daggers at Kris. If Tem’s looks were mean, then Tawni’s were downright dangerous.

I miss her, Kris realized. I don’t know why, but I do. Tawni had been Kris’s first friend in the Shifter camp—almost her only friend. They’d been close, but Tawni hadn’t been able to stomach Korrin’s changes to her lifestyle. She’d sided with Olovina and attacked Kris, something Kris had never been able to forget, or forgive.

Stochelo was last. He walked in, nodded curtly to Kris, and sat down at Korrin’s left without a word. Korrin glanced at him but paid him little mind.

I don’t trust that man. And who could blame her? Stochelo had helped Korrin out before. He was probably the only reason Korrin was in charge now. But his actions hadn’t been for Korrin’s benefit. Stochelo was a rat, and he always would be, as far as Kris was concerned. But at least he’s nice. I’ll give him that. She knew that he would only be friendly to her as long as it benefited him though.

“So, why are we here?” Gunari asked. He was looking eager, as if he knew something was going on. “I heard there were intruders. Scouts? The first of a war party?”

“Nothing like that,” Korrin said, finally turning around completely and facing the table fully. From where she was sitting, Kris felt him take her breath away. Is he always like this when I’m not around? All the Shifters were large, and some like Jin and Manfri were even larger than Korrin. But the way he held himself, the presence he gave off… He was the man in charge, and no one at the table would dare question it. “They were refugees.”

“Refugees?” Stochelo asked. “From where?”

“Another Kingdom, another Clan.”

“Then what’s this meeting for?” Tawni interrupted. “There are laws for this. Maybe this time you can actually do what needs doing.”

“It’s different this time. They weren’t exiled from their Clan. They were running.”

“Running? Why?” Gunari said. He was now leaning forward, the eagerness back on his face that had previously faded when he heard the new Shifters were only refugees.

“The other Kingdoms… They’re gone.”

“Impossible!” Stochelo asked. “They’ve been around for hundreds of years. They can’t simply be gone.”

“That’s what these Shifters are telling me,” Korrin said with a shrug. “A new Clan is growing in power. They’re taking over other Clans, killing those who won’t agree with their new way of life. And they have their sights set on us next, and then the humans.”

“Who cares about the humans?” Tem exclaimed. “This is about us!”

“I care about the humans,” Korrin growled. Kris watched in silence, not daring to get in the middle of it. Instead, she just sat back and watched the members of the Council and how they were reacting to the news.

“It could be war,” Gunari said. This is what he wanted. Could… Could he be involved? But no, that was preposterous. Wanting to be involved in a war was one thing. Shifters loved to fight, after all. But starting one? He can’t be that stupid. “I guess a standing army isn’t so ludicrous, after all.”

Tem was nodding. He looked unsure, a little scared, and it made sense. He was young, reckless. All talk and no bite, Kris reasoned. Meanwhile, the twins looked unsure. They believed Korrin, Kris could tell that much. But they didn’t know what to do with the information he’d given them.

“Manfri?” Korrin asked.

“I don’t know, Korrin,” Manfri admitted. “I’d heard of misgivings with those I’ve talked to, people unsure of the relationships you were forming with humans. But I’d heard nothing of another Clan actually beginning to wage a war against us.”

“What do you think it means? Were those you talked to loyal to us or not?”

“I don’t know. They could be ignorant of what’s happening, or they could just be playing at it.”

“I want you to check,” Korrin told him. “Put out some feelers with some of those other Clans. Check and see if there’s any that will talk.”

“I’ll get started tonight. Right now,” he said, getting out of his chair. “I’ll report back in two days.”

“Keep your head down, Manfri. And I don’t have to tell you to be careful.”

Manfri nodded, gave his brother a hug, and disappeared into the night. Kris found that her breath had caught in her throat. I have a bad feeling about this.

“Is that a good idea?” she suddenly asked. She hadn’t meant to, but she couldn’t just let him walk out without voicing her opinion. That was why she was here, after all.

“I… I don’t know,” Korrin admitted. “But it’s our best chance of finding out more information about the other Clans. What these Shifters are like. What their plan is.”

Kris nodded. It was true, but she didn’t like it.

“Jin, get in touch with your human contacts. Tell them not to bring any supplies, to keep out of Shifter territory, and to let their government know what’s happening. Take a small team, three men at most. I want you personally to bring back necessary medical supplies. Stuff we need and can’t live without. Under no circumstances are you to let humans cross into Shifter territory. I don’t want something happening to them and us getting the blame. Something like this could ruin our shaky relations with them. Go as soon as you can.”

“I won’t let you down, Korrin,” Jin told him, and then he too was gone. Kris looked at the table. Korrin had just sent away his two best allies, and now he was left with untrustworthy and dangerous Shifters.

“Should I start gathering recruits?” Gunari asked.

Korrin was silent a moment, then nodded. “This is just temporary. A precaution.”

“I can help,” Tem said.

“No. Reach out to those your father knew. See if there is anyone who would know anything about these other Shifters.”

“That’s pointless, Korrin,” Tem protested. “A waste of time. I’m not a historian, I’m a fighter! Let me help build the army!”

“You’ll do what you’re told, Tem. I need someone looking into this, and that’s what I want you to do.”

“But Tawni can do that.”

“I won’t ask again,” Korrin said, his voice icy. Kris shivered. She’d never seen Korrin like this, but she couldn’t blame him in the slightest. Tem looked unhappy, but then he nodded.

“Tawni, this is a little outside your realm of expertise, but I need you to work closely with Gunari and prepare our settlement for an attack. Inform some of the citizens what’s going on—those that can help. We need weapons and stores of food in case we get trapped. Word will travel fast, even if we play this close to our chests, so don’t mince words. Get this done. We want them to be prepared but not panicking. Keep emotions under control. It’ll be important for us.”

“Okay,” Tawni said, but she wasn’t looking at Korrin. She was looking at Kris, who averted her eyes from the Shifter.

“Go,” Korrin said, dismissing the other Shifters. Once the door had closed behind them, Korrin turned toward Stochelo and Kris and asked, “What do you think?”

Stochelo shrugged his shoulders. “Might not be true, but if it is, we need to start looking toward the future, to what we’re going to do, to how best to minimize casualties and damage to the Kingdom. No matter what we decide, you’re running the risk of being very unpopular. Wars are never good for morale.”

“Shifters love fighting, but they don’t love wars,” Korrin muttered, chuckling bitterly. “Did you ever run into anything like this while on the Council?”

“I’m afraid not. Olovina was getting in bed with some other small Clans, but whether they were part of something larger against you or just looking to make some allies, I don’t know.”

Korrin got out of his chair saying, “Let’s find out.”

He made his way over to Kris, extended a hand to help her up, and whispered, “What do you think? What am I not seeing?”

“I don’t know yet. Let me think on it,” she whispered back, leaning in and kissing his cheek. She didn’t want Stochelo to think there was something going on, though from the look on his face he knew that there obviously was. I have a bad feeling that betrayal is going to happen again. But by whom? And why? And most importantly, how do I tell Korrin?

Korrin led the way out of the Council building and into the night. By this time, most Shifters should have been taking it easy, but Kris noticed that there was much more activity than usual. Word does travel fast between the Shifters, after all. Kris would never have thought them much for gossip, but she’d been wrong before.

Will they tell us anything this time? 

After they’d been attacked all those months ago and Kris had gotten her scar—she glanced down at it and grimaced—the men who had been part of the attack had been jailed. Old Shifter law stated they were to be hanged, but Korrin had decided against that. They’d been arrested, and so had one of the other members of the Council, Terrangi. Olovina had been exiled, deemed too dangerous to keep around.

They were going to the jail, which was now a full-fledged building. At first, it had been nothing more than a wagon under constant surveillance. It was one of the largest buildings in the camp by far, always under watch by no fewer than three of the Council guards.

It was completely dark at this time of night, but that didn’t mean much to Shifters with their bright golden eyes. Kris, on the other hand, couldn’t see much of the building. Luckily, as they approached, Korrin had one of the guards grab a torch, which he gave to Kris.

“Are you sure you want me to be here, Korrin?” she asked. She wanted to be here if he needed her, but this was none of her business.

“You’re the only one I trust,” he whispered, glancing back at Stochelo, who was respectfully keeping his distance. Kris nodded, and together they walked into the jail.

It wasn’t much: a gigantic room divided up into six sections by metal bars with a walkway down the middle. At the far end stood a guard, his keen eyes watching the prisoners inside.

They passed Terrangi, who immediately dropped to his hands and knees at the bars, pleading first with Korrin then Stochelo to let him out.

The leader of the Shifters who had attempted to kill Kris and Korrin was at the far end, closest to the guard. When they approached, he looked up, his rotting smile flashing in the candlelight. He looked dangerous, disgusting, but surprisingly sane.

“I’ve been waiting for you to come visit me,” he said, his voice as disgusting as an eel sliding through some weeds.

“What does that mean?” Korrin growled, keeping his distance from the bars.

“It means they’re coming.”

Kris felt her blood run cold.

*

*

*

Korrin lunged forward, trying to grab the Shifter through the bars. The other man just cackled, nearly a foot out of Korrin’s grasp. "What does that mean?” he bellowed. When the man answered by laughing even harder, Korrin took a step back and ordered the guard, “Open it.”

“But—”

“Open it.”

The guard nodded. Korrin took a step back, just enough to let the man between him and the cage. Korrin listened to the keys jangling on the keyring, sliding into the lock, and then the door finally clicked open. The other Shifter wasn’t laughing anymore.

“Korrin,” he heard Kris’s voice whisper from behind him. “Korrin…”

But Korrin flung the door open so hard that it slammed against the outside bars and almost slammed shut. Korrin was in the small cell in a flash, lifting the man into the air with one hand wrapped firmly around his throat. The man sputtered, smile gone, legs kicking uselessly in the air. His hands flew up to Korrin’s own, but the man was weak, not able to do much physical activity, and he couldn’t do a thing.

“Talk, or you die,” Korrin heard himself hiss. Who am I? He suddenly wondered. What am I doing? But he couldn’t bring himself to stop. He only tightened his grip, feeling the man’s airflow begin to finally die off. He would pass out in a few moments, and after that…

I won’t let them. I won’t let them harm my family. That was all he could think about—keeping them safe. At any cost.

“Okay,” the man wheezed. Korrin squeezed just a bit tighter before the words registered, then with one movement, he tossed the man onto his ratty cot. The man collapsed in a heap, his breath coming in harsh, wet sobs.

“Talk,” Korrin commanded. When the man didn’t immediately answer, Korrin took another step forward, reaching down to grab the man.

“Oh… kay,” the man managed, barely able to form the word. Korrin leaned back and the man flinched backward. “Okay… okay… one… second.”

“Time’s up.”

“I don’t know who they are!” the man screamed, backing into the corner on his cot, getting as far away from Korrin as he could. He was a far cry from how he had been the first time Korrin had met him. Back then, he had been strong, dangerous, and had nearly killed Korrin and Kris. He’d lunged at Kris like a snarling animal. Now… He was a broken man.

“How do you not know?”

“Shifters from somewhere else. Another Clan, another place. Just a few at first, and then more, and more. And what they were saying, it made sense. That humans had neutered us, had taken our world from us, that we weren’t ourselves anymore... That we should do something.”

“And you listened?”

“I was one of the first to join him,” the other Shifter answered, smiling his broken smile. Him? So, there is a leader. There was a twinkle in his eyes, and Korrin knew he was reminiscing. “We were going to take over the world and give it back to our kind, just like we rightfully deserve.”

“You can’t live in peace with humans? With me?” Kris asked from behind, disgust in her voice. The Shifter’s eyes went to her then turned back to Korrin.

“But they drive a hard bargain,” he said. “Submit, or you die. It’s simple actually. Just like the way things used to be hundreds of years ago. One Alpha. One Clan. Just how it’s supposed to be.”

“What were you doing here?” Stochelo asked. Korrin had completely forgotten he was there. “The night you came to meet with Olovina.”

“She never said? Oh, that’s right. She never had the chance,” the man said, and suddenly he was laughing again. Korrin lunged forward, infuriated that he could laugh at a time like this, and grabbed him again. He pressed him up against the wooden wall, but he didn’t squeeze—not yet. “She was… going… to make… a deal…”

“A deal?” Korrin asked, suddenly dropping the man. He cackled again, eyes gleeful.

“A deal to save your people. She knew they were coming. Knew they were spreading their influence. She knew it was only a matter of time before they reached your borders or those of some other Kingdom, and it would be too late. Because it doesn’t start off with fighting. It starts off with whispers. Promises. And then betrayal, from the inside. She was going to try to stop it.”

“No,” Korrin whispered.

“Yes, my King,” the other Shifter hissed. “And you ruined it. You doomed your people. You doomed them all.”

Korrin felt hands grabbing him—Kris’s hands—and felt her pulling him backward. He stumbled back, dumbfounded. The guard looked shaken, pale, and he locked the door then backed away without a word. Korrin hardly noticed him.

No. No. No…

“Because they’re not coming to make deals anymore. It’s too late for that now. Everyone here will die.”

The man’s laughter echoed through the jail. Terrangi was screaming, and Korrin found he was muttering the word “no” under his breath over and over. Kris angled him outside, slammed the door behind them, and Korrin suddenly felt himself leaning against the building, sliding down until he was crouched.

“What have I done?” he asked, looking up at Kris. She was worried, more worried than he had ever seen her, and this was his fault. “What have I done?”

“You couldn’t have known, Korrin. This wasn’t your fault.”

Stochelo was standing behind them, watching them thoughtfully. Korrin looked up at him and saw a gleam in his eye. In a blur, Korrin was on his feet, hands wrapped around Stochelo’s throat, slamming him against the building.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he roared. “You knew!”

Stochelo was completely calm when he answered, “Yes, I knew. I knew there were those out there who hate humans, who hate anyone who colludes with them. Those who would do anything to enslave our kind to the old ways…. the primal ways. But I didn’t know it was them. I didn’t know that man in there was a part of their group. How could I have known, Korrin? Because Olovina knew? She kept things close to her chest, you know that. Don’t blame me for this. Don’t blame me.”

Korrin let the man go. He looked down at his hands: they were shaking uncontrollably. “How long, Stochelo?” he asked.

“How long for what?”

“How long until you betray me to save your own pelt?”

Stochelo’s expression didn’t change, and then he disappeared into the night.

Kris was immediately at Korrin’s side. He bent his head down, placed his face against her neck, and breathed deep. For the briefest of seconds, the only thing he could think of was her lovely scent—love, comfort, and the family they were getting ready to start together.

“You need to leave,” he whispered, though it broke his heart to say it. “This is worse than anything else we’ve ever encountered.”

“I’m not going anywhere without you, Korrin. We’ve faced assassins together—and the Council. It’s always going to be dangerous, one way or the other. I won’t let you face it alone.”

“This is different, Kris. These aren’t just people set on ruling a Kingdom, or manipulating the King to do their bidding. This is something else. They don’t care about petty politics, or who runs what. They just want to destroy everything and start fresh. They won’t stop.”

“You can stop them,” Kris said, and Korrin heard the conviction in her voice. But is it enough?

“I don’t know.”

“I do,” she whispered. “Now, let’s go to bed.”

“Okay,” Korrin said, knowing that he would never be able to sleep. His mind was racing a million miles a minute. He felt like a noose that had been dangling over his head for the past year was finally lowering, slipping over his head, and was just about to tighten around his throat.

Before he even realized it, they were back at their house. His mind had been wandering. He could help wondering what this meant for the Kingdom, what it meant for him, and how he could get his family out of here before things got really bad. How long did he have before the Shifters moved in to attack? Would it be an entire army this time? Even if they prepared, could they hope to fight it off?

Could anyone survive what was coming?

I can submit. I can bend the knee, bow down to these people. Send Kris away. Save those in the Kingdom. And what will happen to me? Will they accept my surrender?

Will they let me live?

“You can’t,” Kris said, handing him a cup of tea she’d brewed. He came to, realizing he was sitting in the bed, his shirt already off. His boots were lying by the door. He hadn’t even realized he’d been changing for bed. “You can’t give in to these people.”

“Kris, I’ve never experienced anything like this before. No one has. I don’t know what to do.”

“You’ll figure it out, Korrin. You always do,” she answered, sitting next to him and pulling him close. He looked down and saw just how pregnant she was. “Things have never been easy, but you’ve always solved them. One way or another, you’ve led this Kingdom to greatness. You’re the greatest King they’ve seen in hundreds of years. You know what’s right.

“And it’s scary, I know. I can’t even imagine what you’re going through. But I’ll tell you something, Korrin. I know you won’t give up. It’s not in your blood. You won’t submit. You won’t roll over. You’ll do everything you need to do to survive, and it’ll work. I know because I know you. I love you.”

“I love you, too,” he whispered to her. He may not have always believed in himself, but he always believed in Kris, and if she believed in him…

That’s enough for me.

He could do this. He was doing this already. He’d sent the members of the Council to their tasks. He was leading these people, just like his father had done before him, and his grandfather before him. But they’d never experienced anything like this.

“I want us to take precautions, Kris. I want you to be ready to flee at a moment’s notice.”

“I won’t leave you.”

“Just in case things don’t go well. Please, agree to it for my sake. If we’re attacked before we’re ready or it’s more than our Kingdom can handle… I want you to go. I want you to take our child and leave here. Take your parents and our child, and don’t look back. Don’t come back. Just run and run until you’re safe from these people.”

Kris was silent for a few moments, and then she said, “Okay, Korrin. I’ll do it for you. But I won’t leave you if you still need me. Promise me that you won’t send me away unless you have to. Don’t leave me, Korrin.”

I won’t, he thought. He wanted to tell her that everything was going to be okay, that this was nothing to worry about, and it would all blow over soon. That they’d been through tough times before and come out on top, even when things were bad.

“And Korrin?” Kris ask. He grunted. “Watch out for your Council. I don’t know who, I don’t even know for sure if… but it doesn’t feel right. Something doesn’t feel right.”

Korrin nodded. He trusted Kris’s judgment. After all, that was why he had had her sit in the meeting. She could see things he couldn’t, and he knew just how important that was. Could he get rid of the Council? No, he didn’t think so.

I don’t know if I’ll be walking away from this one as King. Hell, I don’t know if I’ll even be walking away. But as long as my family survives…

I’ll do anything for them. Anything.

He set his tea down, wrapped his arms tightly around Kris, and somehow, they found sleep.

*

*

*

When Kris woke the next morning, Korrin was already gone. She took a deep breath, slid her hands along her stomach, and smiled. Life was good.

Then she remembered everything that had happened in the last day, and she frowned. Life was life, and it was no longer perfect. But are things ever? Somewhere out there, there was a Clan of Shifters determined to destroy Korrin’s Kingdom, attack all humans, and change the way Shifters walked the world.

Kris had no idea just how bad things might turn out, yet she still shivered. But she took comfort in knowing that Korrin was out in the camp right now, probably working his hardest to stop these other Shifters before they became too much of a threat.

Taking another deep breath, Kris lifted herself out of bed. It was getting harder and harder to walk. Any day now. Any day and I’ll be a mother, and Korrin will be a father, my parents will be grandparents, and my new life will begin. Kris couldn’t help but smile at the thought of that.

She took her time getting ready. She started a small fire, just enough to heat up some water for tea and a few eggs. Then she started changing into the clothes she would be wearing for the day. If it were up to her, she would probably just stay in her comfy sleeping clothes all day, but if she was going out into the camp she should probably look the part.

Dressed, she went back and got her food and the hot water and brewed the tea. Sitting down heavily at one of the chairs around the table, Kris took her time eating. She pulled a book over to her, reading through it slowly. It was little more than an outdated science textbook, but at least it was something to read.

Finally, Kris finished her small breakfast and got out of the chair. She left the dishes for later. After all, she wasn’t in the mood to go outside and wash them off. Leaving the small cabin, Kris made her way through the camp.

She’d seen the camp in various states before but nothing quite like this. The Shifters were muted, keeping their heads down. She heard quiet mutters as she passed, not about her, she could tell that much. She suspected that word had traveled quickly through the camp about what was happening. Kris tried to smile and ignore the sullen mood, but it wasn’t easy.

She was just about to the Council building, hoping to see Korrin inside and ready to watch the rest of the Council, looking for anything out of the ordinary, when a loud horn sounded from the north. Kris had only heard the horn sound once before, when intruders were seen on the far edge of Kingdom land.

They’re here, she thought, her blood instantly running cold. How could they be here so fast? We haven’t had any time to prepare—no army, no weapons, not a thing. Kris considered turning and running to her parent’s house, grabbing them, and telling them it was time to go. She didn’t want to run, but she wanted to survive, and that’s what Korrin wanted.

I won’t abandon him. Resolve flooding through her, Kris headed toward the building. Just before she reached it, the door flung open, and Korrin strode out, Stochelo and Tawni behind him. Kris had enough time to return Tawni’s glare before Korrin’s hands were grabbing her by the shoulders and moving her out of the way.

“Kris! Get to your parents and—”

“No! I’m coming with you!”

“Kris!”

“You don’t even know what it is!” she exclaimed. That much was true, but what else could it be?

Korrin hesitated, but said, “Fine. But the instant we find out, you do exactly as I say.”  Kris didn’t answer, so Korrin continued, “It’s either that or I have one of my guards take you out of this camp right now.”

“Fine,” Kris conceded. Then Korrin’s hand was grabbing hers and pulling her through the camp. Already, Shifters were moving aimlessly, some running this way and that, moving around without a purpose. They have no idea what to do. The idea was simultaneously relieving and terrifying. Most of these Shifters aren’t bloodthirsty creatures like some people would have you believe, but they also won’t be able to defend the Kingdom.

They made their way toward the north edge of the camp. The sun glistened off the massive lake to their right. Kris expected to see a horde of hundreds of Shifters, maybe even thousands, but all she saw was a couple of Shifters being led into the camp by a few guards.

“It’s not an army,” Stochelo breathed out, obviously relieved. “We may still have a chance after all.”

Korrin’s guards led the other Shifters, three total, up to Korrin himself. Some of the Council guards moved to position themselves between their King and the intruders, ready to leap forward and protect him if anything went wrong.

“Who are you?” Korrin asked, all pretense gone.

“Please,” the first one began.

“Who,” Korrin repeated, “are you?”

“We’re refugees,” the first one continued. “Please, we’re on the run. We don’t want to die.”

“We’d better build another jail,” Stochelo muttered, and he disappeared into the crowd. Kris tried peering through the ranks of Shifters, trying to get a good look at these newcomers. They resembled the first group of refugees that had shown up: dirty, malnourished, a haunted look in their eyes.

“Take them to the holding cells,” Korrin said, motioning to his guards. “They’re to be fed, clothed, and watched after. I’ll be there later to interrogate them.”

All the Shifters started dissipating. Some of the guards escorted the refugees while some onlookers simply faded back to their dwellings. Tawni hesitated for a few moments, then with a nod from Korrin, she disappeared into the camp. In the end, only Korrin, Kris, and a couple of guards were left where they had been. He dismissed them then took Kris’s hand in his own, this time much more gently, and they started walking through the camp.

“I have a feeling we’ll be seeing more of those in the coming days,” Korrin said. “People finally too scared to stay with those who run this other Clan.”

“Why would they run here? We’re going to be attacked. It’s not safe here.”

Korrin shrugged. “Maybe they think they stand a better chance here. Maybe they just want to be with someone of their own kind, someone who actually thinks like them.”

Kris considered that for a few moments. It did make sense. If she was getting ready to die, she’d want to do it around those who cared about her and not around those who didn’t care if she lived or died.

Then she realized just what she was thinking. She’d already given up. She thought they were going to die.

“Korrin? Are we going to survive this?”

“Yes,” he answered immediately. They were still making their way through the camp, Korrin occasionally nodding at others. Every now and then, a guard would run up and whisper something to Korrin. He would consider what they had said for a few moments then give them an answer. Kris didn’t pry. She didn’t want to know what he was discussing anyway. She wanted to stay as positive as possible.

Kris offered to make lunch back at the house. After letting Stochelo, who had already ordered construction of more cells, know where he was going, Kris and Korrin made their way back to their house. It wasn’t much, but Kris heated up some roasted goat with vegetables that had been stored for the winter in jars. The mood of the camp outside had seeped into the house.

“We’ll get through this, Korrin,” Kris told him. “Some way, we will.”

“I know,” he said, swallowing a bite of his food. Then he rested his hand on Kris’s stomach. He opened his mouth and paused, considering hard for a second. “The most important things to me are you and our child. No matter what happens, I promise that you two will be okay.”

“And what about you?” Kris asked, suddenly tearing up. She had been trying to be strong, trying to keep her chin up, but hearing what Korrin had just said got to her more than she would like to admit. It was less what he said and more what he didn’t say.

He didn’t say us. Just you two. He doesn’t think he’ll make it out of this alive.

“I’ll be fine.”

Kris turned away, standing at the table, trying not to let Korrin see her cry. Never before had she felt so helpless. She heard him get up out of his chair, and then he was holding her close, his big arms wrapped tightly around her. She closed her eyes, feeling his fingers running through her hair, soothing her as best he could.

The moment was ruined when there was a loud knock at the door. Korrin paused for a moment then sighed and let go of Kris. She felt cold without him holding her close.

Korrin opened the door. Kris was unsurprised to find one of the Council guards standing there. “More refugees, my King.”

“I’ll come out to meet them,” he told the man.

He turned back to Kris and she told him, “Go. I’ll be fine.”

But he reached out a hand, took hers again, and led her into the camp. As they made their way to meet the new group of refugees, he explained, “I want you here. I’ll need your advice.”

“You have the entire Council helping you out.”

Korrin’s laugh was mirthless. “But I can’t trust any of them, and you know that.”

These refugees were similar to the first two groups. This time, four Shifters had fled. Korrin escorted them personally to the holding cells hastily constructed for this purpose alone. “Just a precaution,” he assured them. One of the men had yelled and screamed, saying he wouldn’t be thrown in a cage, but Korrin told him he was free to leave and never return. At that, the man quieted down and allowed himself to be locked up.

The rest of the day was a blur for Kris. She spent most of the time in the Council chamber listening to reports from scouts, the other Council members, and what Korrin was saying. It was a lot to take in, but Kris did her best to make heads or tails of everything going on. Gunari was training some volunteers. The smithy was working full time to make swords and pikes. Kris wasn’t sure just how well they would work against fully grown Shifters, but it was better than nothing. She couldn’t pinpoint what was causing the uneasy feeling that was growing in the pit of her stomach, but it was there. She’d felt it many times before, so she knew she had to trust it.

Our lives may depend on it.

Refugees came into the camp three more times, more and more each time. In total, the Kingdom had taken in 26 other Shifters. Scouts had informed Korrin that even more were at the edge of Kingdom land.

Kris was dozing off in the warm building when two more scouts came in just before sundown. They looked worried, much different than the other scouts who had brought the refugees in.

“An attack?” Korrin asked, immediately getting to his feet. Next to him, Gunari and Tem did the same. Kris felt her senses immediately growing sharper. Is this it?

“No, my King. Members of the other Clan. Heavily armed, but there’s only five of them.”

“Scouts?”

“No, my King. We intercepted them, and they’re requesting a meeting with you.”

“A meeting?” Korrin asked, sitting back down in his chair, immediately looking concerned.

A meeting? Kris wondered. I thought they wouldn’t want to talk. They were just supposed to attack. Can we trust anything these other Shifters say?

Kris shuddered. The question was pointless; she already knew the answer. These Shifters were nothing like Korrin or those he ruled. These Shifters were bloodthirsty, horrible people who would stop at nothing to get what they wanted. Of course they would lie.

“Korrin, I don’t think you should agree,” Kris found herself saying.

He looked over at her, grimaced, and then said, “Bring them in.”

*

*

*

“I have to go, Kris.”

The sun had gone down hours ago and they were sitting in their house. Kris hadn’t said anything since the meeting with the other Shifters.

“I have to go for the Kingdom. If there’s any chance I can stop a war from breaking out, even the slightest chance, I have to take it.”

Korrin was sitting at the table again, but gone were the warm food and close embraces. Kris was standing in the kitchen, facing away from him, but Korrin didn’t need to see her face to know that she was furious. It was rolling off her in waves, strong enough that it was almost physical. It almost hurt.

And that’s what I’m doing to her. Hurting her. Abandoning her.

“Don’t you understand?” he asked. “I have to meet with these Shifters. I have to. I’m the King.”

Finally, Kris whirled around, rage on her face. “You don’t have to do anything, Korrin!”

“I’m the King! They want a meeting, and I have to go!”

“Send someone else then. Don’t go!”

“I have to! They said they would only talk to me. I don’t want to go, but I don’t know what else I can do.”

“Just don’t go! We can fight these Shifters off. If they even come. Maybe it’s a bluff.”

“You know it isn’t,” Korrin said, his voice low.

“What if you miss your son’s birth? What then?” she asked.

That had been weighing heavily on Korrin’s mind, but he didn’t have an answer. Kris was due any day now. She could have their child tonight, tomorrow—or maybe after he got back.

If I get back.

Because there was no guarantee he would be coming back from this meeting alive. He’d talked to the other Clan’s scouts that had appeared in their territory. They were similar to the refugees, dressed the same, just as dirty, malnourished. But they were different in one regard. They weren’t afraid. They were the problem. Loyal soldiers to this new Clan. Loyal to their leader, whoever he was. Dangerous. Brutal.

It was a trap, undoubtedly, but Korrin had to go. There was no other choice. If there was even the sliver of hope that he could avoid a war, then he would take it. Is it a fool’s hope? Will I walk away alive? Or will they kill me on the spot?

“I won’t,” he finally said, though by the look on Kris’s face, he knew she didn’t believe it. “I’ll go to the meeting and talk with them. Work out some way we can coexist. I’ll stop this war before it even happens.”

“Why do you believe them? They’re obviously liars,” Kris said, storming across their small house. “They’ll tell you anything you want to hear. Don’t you think they’re jumping at this chance? Do you honestly think they won’t kill you?”

“They can’t kill me.”

“And why’s that?”

“If they kill me, they will start a war. That’s what we talked about earlier. They don’t want to risk an entire war. Like that man said, they work with whispers. From the inside. They’ll avoid a fight if they can. It’s the smartest plan of action. I have to go.”

Korrin could see that Kris didn’t agree with that decision the Council had reached earlier. He couldn’t blame her. Jin and Manfri were still gone, so the vote had been up to Korrin, Stochelo, Tawni, Tem, and Gunari. In a unanimous decision, the Council had decided that Korrin should meet with the leaders of the other Clan.

The best-case scenario was that he would be able to dissuade them from attacking—at any cost. The worst case was that they took Korrin prisoner. Stochelo had been adamant that they wouldn’t kill Korrin. It would cause too much of an uproar. If they took him prisoner, he would be alive, at least, and the Kingdom would look to the rest of the Council to protect them.

Kris had cried when they had decided on that, and then she’d left the Council building and walked home by herself. He didn’t blame her. She was still convinced the Council wasn’t entirely trustworthy, and Korrin trusted her instincts.

I have to do this, he kept telling himself, but seeing Kris crying tore him up. It’s for the good of the Clan, the entire Kingdom. I have to sacrifice myself to save everyone else. But what does that mean for my family?

I’ve been telling myself they’re the most important thing in my life, so why am I doing this? Korrin couldn’t answer the question, but he couldn’t think of any other option. He couldn’t run. If he did that, the Kingdom would be attacked. He couldn’t send someone else in his place because they would more than likely be killed, and then the Kingdom would be attacked anyway.

Every route lead to being attacked—with the exception of a meeting. And Korrin had to admit, chances weren’t great that things would go as he was hoping. But I have to try. That’s what we decided. That’s what I decided…

“You’re going to die, Korrin,” Kris suddenly said. Korrin looked up from the table and into her eyes. The tears were barely held back, on the brink of running down her face again. Her eyes were puffy, and she wiped at her nose. But she was still beautiful. And Korrin believed her. “Our son will never get to meet his father.”

“That’s not going to happen,” he told her, getting up and walking over to her. Korrin tried to wrap his arms tightly around her, but she shrugged out of them and made her way over to the bed. She sat down heavily, her hand on her stomach, and she looked up at him. And then she started crying again.

“I love you, Korrin. I know why you’re doing this, but I don’t agree with it. And I’ll never forgive you,” she whispered. Kris rolled over in the bed and faced the wall.

Korrin stood there for a few moments, the house silent except for Kris’s sobs. I’m doing this for the Kingdom. But more importantly, I’m doing this for her. For my son. For their future.

Korrin blew out the candles and climbed into bed, reaching out to Kris. She scooted away from him. Korrin let his hand fall and tried to get some rest.

*

The next morning was overcast, threatening a downpour. A heavy wind had blown in, ruffling the leaves in the trees. Occasionally, a light splatter of rain would fall onto the ground. Korrin blinked his eyes against a cold spray that suddenly blew in and then, just as fast, disappeared.

“You have everything in control here?” Korrin asked Stochelo. They were standing at the edge of the camp, Korrin getting ready to leave for the other Shifter’s territory.

“Everything we talked about. The army, the weapons. Though it’s not enough, I’ll tell you that much. We’ll slowly integrate the refugees into the Kingdom. Two, three at a time. Just like we discussed.”

“Good,” Korrin said, lashing down some supplies on the wagon they were taking. Korrin would be leading the party along with eight other Shifters, plus the scouts that had delivered the message for a meeting. They were tied up behind the wagon, manacles wrapped tightly around them. They would be going nowhere, even if they tried to shift. “It’s a trap.”

Stochelo nodded and said, “Undoubtedly. But it may be our only chance of avoiding this war. We may be able to work with them instead of against.”

“Just thinking about that makes me feel sick to my stomach,” Korrin muttered. “We shouldn’t be working with these despicable people.”

Stochelo shrugged. “You’re right. But it’s better than the alternative if they’re as strong as we think they are. I’d rather make a deal with the devil than be killed.”

Korrin didn’t know if he really agreed, but he nodded just the same. “I’ll be back in three days, at the maximum. If we don’t show up by then… Well, you know what it means.”

“I won’t let you down, Korrin,” Stochelo said, and Korrin actually believed him for once.

“Have you seen Kris?” Korrin asked. When he had woken up this morning, she had been gone. He’d checked in at her parent’s house, but they were strangely evasive, saying they hadn’t seen her. Korrin had known they were lying, but he didn’t press the matter.

If she can’t bear to see me, then I won’t force her.

“I haven’t, and neither have any of the men I asked to keep an eye out for her. We can track her down, if you want.”

“No, don’t bother. She doesn’t want to see me. And can you blame her? Let her make her own decision.”

“If you insist.”

“Stochelo? If I don’t show back up, then I want you to do something for me. Get Kris and her parents, and get them out of here. Get them back to the city, out of the Kingdom, as far and as fast as you can. I don’t want her here if things go the way I think they might.”

“I can do that, Korrin,” he said. Korrin didn’t trust the man, but he liked him well enough—sometimes. Will Stochelo be the one who finally betrays me? Korrin clasped his hand on Stochelo’s shoulder.

“Thank you, Stochelo. You’ll know what to do.”

With that, Korrin yelled to the others. It was time to go. A couple of Shifters took the reins of the wagon. The rest formed a defensive formation around the wagon and the prisoners.

They’d drawn a crowd of Shifters to see them off. Korrin looked around eagerly, almost desperately, for Kris, but she was nowhere to be seen. He took as many deep breaths as possible, hoping that he would pick up her scent amidst the Shifters, but that didn’t work either.

She’s not here. She hasn’t come to see me off. Realizing that hurt, but he didn’t blame her at all for it. It wasn’t fair to her. He was leaving the Kingdom on an almost certain suicide mission. He knew in his heart that he probably wouldn’t be coming back, at least not by his own free will.

I have to go. With that, he yelled for everyone to start moving. The crowd parted for the wagon and the horses. Korrin shook a few hands and said how confident he was that they would avoid conflict and that he would be back in a few days. He didn’t know if he was saying it more for himself or those under his rule.

The crowd started to close behind them, forming a wall of people watching them go. Stochelo, Tem, Gunari, and Tawni were all there to see him off. He’d considered bringing one of them with him, but the Council was already down two members—Jin and Manfri still hadn’t returned. He couldn’t risk over half the Council being gone at once.

The men he’d selected to come with him were tough soldiers, but even their mood was nervous. Their golden eyes gleamed dully in the cloudy weather when they flashed upward. Most of the time, they just stared at the ground in front of them. Their moods were a stark contrast to the prisoners, who were smiling. Whether it was because they knew they were going home or if they had some other sinister secret, Korrin had no idea. If he had to guess, he imagined it was a little bit of both.

They were just leaving the camp when Korrin took one last deep breath and smelled Kris. Her scent was faint, but he immediately turned around and scanned the crowd for her. He had stopped moving, the wagon moving past, then the prisoners. Finally, one of his men called out, “My King. You must join us!”

Korrin looked around one last time, hoping to catch one last glimpse of Kris. Please, don’t let it be forever. Please, let me see her one more time. But she was nowhere to be found.

Even her scent had disappeared in the blowing wind. Rain started to fall a bit heavier than it had been. If it picked up anymore, they would have a wet day ahead of them. Korrin turned around one last time to look for Kris, but the Kingdom had disappeared into the growing cloudiness.

Korrin had never felt more alone.

*

*

*

Kris faded back into the crowd. She’d never felt worse in her life. She had wanted to be there for Korrin, but she couldn’t bring herself to go up to him and tell him goodbye. She had a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach that if she told him goodbye, it would be the last thing she ever said to him.

Kris wandered through the camp, unsure of what she should do. She could go to her parents, but she’d asked them to lie to Korrin about them seeing her, and after asking them to do that, she couldn’t face them right then. She didn’t want to go home. Being alone there would be almost too much to bear, but she had nowhere else to go.

Slowly, she made her way past the jail but didn’t stop inside. The guard presence had been doubled since the last time she had seen it, and makeshift cells had been constructed next to it. Korrin hadn’t thought these Shifters were dangerous, but he wasn’t willing to take any chances.

Eventually, Kris wound up at home. There was still a guard positioned at the front door, and he nodded at Kris. She gave him her best smile, though it wasn’t much. Standing in the open doorway, Kris didn’t know what to do. She closed the door and just stood there, on the verge of tears.

I should have said something to him, even if it felt permanent. Forever. I should have told him I loved him no matter what. I shouldn’t have treated him the way I did last night. I should have worked harder to help him figure this out, to find out what’s going on… to find out if the Council members are trustworthy. Something, anything but what I did.

Kris was just about to sit down at the table to take a load off—being pregnant was hard work—when she felt hands slide around her mouth and yank her backward. She screamed, but her voice was muffled by the hand covering her mouth.

“Shhh,” a voice whispered. It took Kris a few seconds to recognize the voice, but she could hardly believe who had her. “I’m going to let you go, but don’t scream.”

Kris felt the hands release her, and she whirled around, as fast as she could anyway, and found herself face to face with Tawni. They hadn’t been this close since Tawni had tried to kill her last winter. Kris wanted to reach out, grab something, and attack, but there was nothing within her grasp.

“What do you want?” she hissed instead.

“I’m here to help.”

Kris laughed then. It was bitter and low, and she surprised even herself with how much venom it packed.

“I’m supposed to believe that? You broke into my house to tell me you’re here to help?”

“They’re going to make their move, soon,” Tawni said. “And you’ll be one of their first targets.”

Kris shuddered. Something about what Tawni was saying just made sense. Kris was getting the same feeling in the pit of her stomach that she had got before when she had been looking at the Council. There was something wrong here, but was it Tawni? Or could she actually be telling the truth?

“How do you know?” Kris asked, immediately cutting to the chase. She’d never been one to dance around issues, and now definitely wasn’t the time.

“I know why Korrin had you watch the Council,” Tawni whispered. “It’s because you don’t trust any of us. Because you only worry about Korrin, while he’s too busy worrying about the Kingdom. When he was blind to his own cousin betraying him, you weren’t. The first attack is coming tonight.”

“How do you know?” Kris asked again, her voice harder.

“Because they’ll be coming after me, too,” Tawni answered, turning around from Kris and pacing nervously. “Because they came to me, to help kill you—to help take down the Kingdom from the inside out.”

“Why didn’t you warn Korrin? You could have stopped this before it happened!” Kris exclaimed.

“Nothing can stop this. What did you want me to do? Get myself killed? Force their hand? If they found out I tipped Korrin off to their plans, they would have attacked. Killed everyone. This way, we still have time!”

“Who is it?” Kris asked. Tawni looked at her hard and then suddenly jumped into action. Kris had enough time to take a deep breath, ready to fight, but there was no point. She was too pregnant, and she couldn’t risk the baby’s health.

If she wants to take me, she can. But Tawni’s hand closed around her mouth again, and suddenly Tawni was yanking her back into the bathroom. She pressed her flat up against the wall, reached back, and shut the door quietly. Tawni’s nostrils were flaring.

Kris pushed free and peered through the crack between the wall and door.

He’s here. Whichever member of the Council that’s working with these other Shifters… He’s come to kill me… to take out the Kingdom from the inside.

The door opened slowly. Kris wasn’t sure what happened to the guard, but she realized he was probably dead. A large shape moved inside. There were no candles lit, and there was only the one window in the kitchen, so Kris couldn’t make him out. He stalked around quietly. If Kris hadn’t been looking right at him, she would never have known he was even there.

He walked into the light from the kitchen window, and Gunari was revealed to her. She felt her breath catch in her throat. He started the war, after all. He betrayed Korrin, and he’s come to kill me.

His nostrils flared, sniffing, and then he looked right at the bathroom door. Tawni was moving next to her, and Kris spared enough of a glance at her to recognize that she was smiling.

It all came into sharp focus. Tawni wasn’t here to rescue her. She was here to capture her and wait for Gunari.

Tawni went to reach for the handle, and Kris went to stop her. There was a yell and a loud banging noise in the living room. Tawni had already flung the door open, and she was saying something that sounded an awful lot like, “We need to go. Now!”

But that didn’t make any sense, because where would they go? And then Kris saw the guard from outside stumbling into her house. He was clutching at his throat, blood pouring out of it between his fingers. He stumbled twice and then collapsed into a bloody heap.

“Go!” Gunari yelled. Go? Why?

Tawni’s hands grabbed Kris and she tried to break free, but it was pointless. Tawni was hauling her toward the back door, and Kris realized it was all over. This is it. They’re going to kill me.

Tem stepped into the house then, a look of bloodlust on his face. He was covered in blood and held a dripping red dagger in one hand. Gunari turned toward him, and Tem lashed out, swinging wildly. Blood exploded across Gunari’s chest, and then he was shifting. His clothes were ripping, his hands and legs growing long and thick. Fur was erupting over his body.

Tem, meanwhile, was doing the same.

“He’ll buy us some time!” Tawni yelled, grabbing Kris and yanking her out the back door. She stumbled over the dead body of the guard who had been watching the back. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a flash of movement. She registered that it was none other than the lead Shifter in the prison. How did he get out? And then Tawni had moved between them, her own knife in her hand, and the man was lying on the ground, lifeless.

And everything finally—finally—made sense. Gunari wasn’t the enemy. Even Tawni wasn’t. It was Tem. She didn’t know why. She couldn’t fathom it. Poor Nack, she thought. It’s a good thing he never saw what his son had become.

Tawni was leading her through the camp, as fast as they could manage. Kris, to her credit, managed to keep up. Other Shifters were moving in, curious to see what was happening, maybe even trying to help, but Kris pushed through them and tried to keep her distance as best she could.

Once again, I don’t know who to trust.

But she had no choice. She had to trust Tawni. Could she trust anyone else?
Tawni led them to one of the many stables at the edge of the camp and grabbed two horses. They had been fitted with bridles but no saddles, yet they had no time for that.

“My parents!” Kris yelled.

“There’s no time!” Tawni yelled back, and then she was helping Kris onto a horse. Tawni mounted her own, and then they kicked out of the stable and almost immediately disappeared into the deep woods. Kris managed a glance backward, but they weren’t being pursued, at least not that Kris could see anyway.

“We have to get to Korrin before he reaches that meeting!” Tawni yelled.

Everything finally made sense to Kris. There wasn’t an attack on the Kingdom—not yet, anyway. The other Shifters had been waiting for Korrin to leave the camp, and then they’d planned to take out their key targets. In one swift move, they planned to remove the leadership of the entire Kingdom.

Had Stochelo lived? Were Manfri and Jin still alive? What had happened to Gunari?

Is Korrin okay? Are my parents okay?

Kris felt her child kick in her stomach, and she gasped. Please, not right now. But the feeling stopped, and they rode on.

We have to get to Korrin in time. We have to. Because if we don’t…

The Kingdom would be leaderless, and the other Clan would stroll in without another drop of blood. If that happened… Kris, her child, and her parents were as good as dead.

*

*

*

Korrin sat alone by the campfire. Logs burned slowly, crackling and occasionally sending up plumes of embers into the dark night sky. His guards were patrolling the perimeter of the camp and watching the prisoners, but he paid them little mind.

His golden eyes were focused on the ring between his fingers. He’d been twirling it, watching the gem in the middle catch the light, observing it for the last hour. He’d had it on him since the morning and had been expecting to give it to Kris before he left.

I was going to propose, promise her that I would be back, no matter what happens. And I didn’t even give it to her. I missed my opportunity. But I’m coming back.

The ring glinted in the firelight. Kris was all he could think about—all he wanted to think about. Right then, he wasn’t worried about what was to come or what was going on with the kingdom, or even what would happen to him. He just wanted to do what he could for Kris and their child.

He took a deep breath, cleared his mind, and slipped the ring back into his pocket. I’ll have the chance to give this to her yet. I have to.

As far as he and his men could tell, they were alone. They’d traveled for most of the day, Korrin pushing them hard the entire journey. It hadn’t been easy, and he knew that his men were worn out, but he was ready to meet with these Shifters and get it over with, whatever it was.

The journey north had been striking, even for him. Korrin hadn’t traveled this far north in a long time. Gone were the sprawling forests and fertile soil. North of the lake was a swampy, dismal land, full of broken trees, dirty water, and little sun. Korrin had never experienced anything like it. Two hours into their journey, the weather had turned even worse, and it had never gotten better, even when the rain had stopped.

A thick mist slunk in from between the ratty, moss covered trees. Somewhere, far away—or close, Korrin couldn’t be sure in the fog—an owl hooted. It echoed eerily through the near-silent night. Even the brightness of the fire couldn’t penetrate the gloom.

Somewhere on the edge of the camp, one of his guards yawned. He heard it float to him once, twice, and finally a third time. Korrin was wet, and the cold was seeping into his bones.

Slowly, Korrin lifted himself off the muddy ground and stretched. He glanced upward, hoping to see a sliver of the moon to tell what time it was, but all he saw were low clouds. Looking upward, he felt a cold blast of rain strike his face.

He considered going in to get some rest, and he knew he needed it, but he didn’t feel right leaving half of his men watching camp while he slept.

One of his men coughed and rolled over in his sleeping bag on the other side of the fire. One of the prisoners mumbled in his sleep, a smile on his face, his manacles clanking. Korrin had been watching the prisoners closely. Ever since entering the swamp, the prisoners had seemed to take on another personality. Gone were the somber attitudes. Instead, they were replaced by glee.

They’re home.

Slowly, Korrin made his way to the edge of the camp. He stood next to one of his men, who nodded and kept patrolling the perimeter. Korrin waited a few moments for stepping beyond the edge of the camp. Instantly, he disappeared into the fog. If his men wanted to find him, it would be simple enough. But he wanted a few moments alone, a few minutes to clear his head and focus on what needed to be done.

But Korrin was wrong. Only a few minutes had passed since he’d stepped into the fog, and he’d already lost the scent of the others. It was there, somewhere far away, somewhere he couldn’t quite make out. Luckily, he remembered exactly how to get back to their camp.

Korrin suddenly realized just how vulnerable they were. If he couldn’t smell the camp, then that meant they wouldn’t be able to detect intruders. That also meant they wouldn’t be able to detect Korrin and his men either, so he breathed a sigh of relief. Unless they know where to look.

Korrin’s nerves suddenly went on edge, though he couldn’t explain why. His eyes scanned the foggy darkness, but it revealed nothing. Korrin stopped walking, straining to hear whatever was out there. He was convinced that he wasn’t alone.

Somewhere, he heard a twig snap. Instinctively, Korrin dropped to his knees. He wasn’t sure if the noise had come from near or far, or who or what had caused it, but it had been unmistakable.

There’s something out here.

Korrin hardly breathed for the next few minutes. He heard nothing after that. Still, he didn’t completely relax. Korrin had just decided to go back to the camp when something that sounded strangely like a whisper reached his ears. Korrin immediately turned to his right, convinced that was where the sound came from.

Almost without thought, Korrin ran forward. He cleared a small stream that would have given his position away and pushed himself into the back of a fallen tree. He crouched, making his way along its length, fog so thick he could barely see his hand running alongside it.

Then, unmistakably, he heard the sound of footsteps. They were light, but Korrin thought he could make out two pairs. He took a deep breath, identifying the slightest smell, and he knew that there was a Shifter approaching him. His hackles instantly stood up.

The Shifters were moving closer. Just as he was getting ready to strike, he heard a name—his name—drift through the fog.

They know me? 

And then he smelled a human—a human woman—and nothing made sense. He was smelling Kris, but that couldn’t be possible.

Korrin jumped over the fallen tree, coming right up in front of those coming after him, and both women screamed. He rushed forward, arms open, ready for an attack, and instead he wrapped his arms tightly around Kris.

He didn’t know why she was here, or even how, but at that one moment, it didn’t matter at all. The important thing was that she was here. He held her tight, felt her belly pressing against his body, her warmth enveloping him. He smelled her, kissed the nape of her neck, and then nuzzled her for a few moments.

He noticed Tawni standing behind them looking awkward, but Korrin ignored her for just a while longer. He pressed his lips against Kris’s, felt her tongue pushing hungrily against his lips, almost as if she needed him.

Korrin reluctantly pulled away and looked at Kris. She was covered head to toe in mud, looked completely worn out, and even her smile was tired. She still looked beautiful, but Korrin couldn’t focus on that now.

“What are you doing here?” he growled. “It’s not safe for you to be out here. Especially with you like that!”

Kris raised an eyebrow at Korrin as he pointed toward her stomach.

“It was an emergency.”

“Kris, you need to head back. I can handle things out here,” Korrin said, trying to be hard but failing. “Tawni, why did you bring her out here? You both should have known better.”

“Korrin…” Kris said.

But Korrin cut her off and said, “Something could have happened. The other Shifters could have found you, or you could have gone into labor, or…”

“We were attacked,” Kris finally cut in, and Korrin felt his heart jump in his chest. Instantly, he went from being worried—and a little angry—that Kris was here, and instead now he was Scared.

“What happened?” he asked. He took her hands in his own, as if just holding her could somehow make things better, though he knew they couldn’t. Kris’s eyes darted around nervously, and he realized she was even blinder than he was in the fog. “Let’s get back to camp.”

Korrin led Kris and Tawni back to the camp. One of the men ran up to Korrin, apologizing for not finding him, but Korrin just waved him off.

“We need blankets, hot food, and hot drinks,” he ordered, going to the wagon and opening it. He grabbed blankets from a pile in the corner, then immediately sat Kris down and covered her in them, uncaring that they would be almost ruined by the mud. He could see that she was shivering.

Korrin found himself grabbing a rag, dipping it into the water that had been put over the fire—it was still cold, he realized—and began rubbing some of the mud off Kris’s face. He was gentle. As he did so, he realized it wasn’t all mud. There was some blood too, from small scratches on her face.

“What happened?” he breathed. “Are you okay?”

“We were attacked, Korrin. It was Tem,” she told him, looking down, as if it was somehow her fault. “I should have known. I thought there was something going on with the Council. I knew it, but I never thought it would be him.”

“Tem? No, he wouldn’t…”

“It was him,” Tawni growled from behind them. Korrin gave her a glare.

“He came to our house to kill me,” Kris breathed, and Korrin realized that she was shaking. “Gunari was there. He came first. I thought it was him, thought he was the one that was after me, but Tem came in and attacked him.”

“Is he dead?”

“I don’t know… Tawni helped me escape. We had horses, but we were followed, and we just barely made it away. They could still be following us. I don’t know.”

“Tawni?” Korrin asked. “Did you lose them, or not?”

“I think so.”

Korrin growled, a low rumble deep in his chest. He wanted Tawni to be surer than I think so, but if she didn’t know, there was nothing he could do.

Already, the other guards were up, ready to do whatever needed doing. Korrin realized he would probably be getting very little sleep tonight.

“What about the others? Manfri? Jin? Stochelo?”

“I don’t know,” Tawni said. “Manfri and Jin hadn’t returned yet, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t yet. They meant to strike while you were gone, Korrin. Weaken the Kingdom from the top down. Take out the entire Council, then bring their own people in.”

“Some of the refugees, they have to be working from the inside,” Korrin said, suddenly realizing what he’d done. “I’d ordered them to be let free, under watch.”

“You couldn’t have known, Korrin,” Kris was saying, and he felt her reach out and run her small hand against his face. He cupped it in one of his own hands, holding him close, closing his eyes and letting everything sink in.

What have I done? Have I just destroyed the entire Kingdom?

“We have to go back,” he growled, getting up. “If we move fast, we can get there by first light.”

“It would be better to wait until first light to move,” Tawni said. Korrin looked at her questionably, and she continued, “We don’t want to walk into a trap. Especially if they’re out here looking for Kris and me. They’ll be in smaller numbers, and we’ll never see them coming. There’s no way we can sneak back to the camp without being seen.”

“Okay,” Korrin grimaced. He didn’t want to have to wait. Every minute that passed was another minute where the Kingdom was in danger.

He extended a hand out, then slowly lifted Kris to her feet.

“Let’s go lay down,” he said, grabbing some food and a hot drink. Now that Kris was here, he was going to do everything he could possibly do to take care of her.

“I’m okay,” she said, trying to wave him away, but she let him push her into the wagon just the same.

“Wake me immediately for any reason,” he ordered, shooting his men, and especially Tawni, a hard look. Then he climbed into his wagon behind Kris, ready to do the one thing he had meant to do this morning.

*

*

*

Kris immediately lowered herself to the floor of the wagon, covered from head to toe in the thick blankets Korrin had wrapped around her. It wasn’t much, but she was no longer shivering and No longer afraid of dying out in the woods.

The day had been long and dangerous. They’d barely escaped from the camp, and had had an even closer call with their pursuers. She was glad to be alive and glad to be here with Korrin. Despite everything going on, she was going to have one more night with him.

And she’d saved him, in a way. Of course, Tawni had played a huge part in it. But if they hadn’t shown up to warn Korrin about the trap he was undoubtedly walking into, she didn’t think that she would have ever seen Korrin again.

Behind her, she heard Korrin close the door. They were alone. All Kris wanted to do, however, was curl up underneath the blankets with Korrin and slip off into a sleep in his arms. If that’s even possible, she thought. After everything that’s happened today, how can I even begin to get to sleep? But as she rolled over and tried to make a bed out of the blankets as best she could, she yawned.

“Kris?” she heard Korrin ask from the other side of the wagon. She glanced up at him, expecting to see his looming form taking up the majority of the wagon, but he was on his knee in front of her.

“Korrin? Are you okay?” she asked, panic suddenly surging through her. Has something happened to him? Has he been injured? 

But he was smiling, if looking rather nervous while he did so. What is going on? Korrin?

Just then she noticed that he was extending a hand, holding something out to her. There wasn’t much light in the cabin, but there was enough from a flickering candle to catch on whatever it was he was holding. She saw a glint of metal, then the flash of some kind of gem, and she instantly realized what it was.

Before he could even ask, Kris felt tears forming.

“Kris Wentworth, will you marry me?” Korrin asked. Then he saw her face, saw that she was crying, and immediately blanched. “Oh, my God, I’m sorry,” he muttered. “I shouldn’t have…”

“No… No, it’s okay, Korrin! It’s okay! Yes, yes, I’ll marry you!”

“Why are you crying?”

“Because I’m so happy!” she blubbered, knowing that she appeared out of control, but she didn’t care. She shrugged out of the blankets and threw herself on Korrin. He obviously wasn’t expecting the hug, as he collapsed backward against the door of the wagon with a loud thunk. But he wrapped his arms around her just the same and held her tight as she buried herself into him.

Slowly, after a few moments of pure happiness, Kris managed to wipe her face and pull herself away from Korrin just enough for him to give her the ring. Kris extended her left hand, watching eagerly as Korrin slid the ring over her finger.

“Do you like it?” Korrin asked.

“It’s beautiful,” she answered, looking at it. It fit perfectly and was exactly everything she’d ever wanted in a wedding ring, though truth be told, she hadn’t put a lot of thought into it. She hadn’t been rushing to get married, especially out here living with Korrin in the Kingdom, but now that he had proposed, Kris had found it was exactly what she wanted. “Oh, Korrin, it’s amazing. Thank you.”

Korrin was usually in control of any situation, but for once, he looked unsure of himself. Kris couldn’t help but laugh, which made his face screw up in a sign of confusion.

“What? Did I do something wrong?”

“Korrin, leader of the Kingdom, gets nervous about having to propose to the girlfriend that he knocked up almost nine months ago? What’s gotten into you?”

Korrin looked sheepish, and Kris found herself grinning even more. She grabbed him, wrapping her arms around him, her very pregnant belly pressing against his body. She ran her hand along his face, feeling his facial hair, then moved her fingers through his thick hair. Korrin finally smiled, their faces inches apart, and Korrin kissed her.

It was a passionate kiss, hungry in its need, as if Korrin thought he would never get to kiss Kris again. She suddenly realized she had thought the same, and she decided that she didn’t care how dirty she was from the day’s journey, she wanted Korrin right now. Obviously, he was thinking the same thing.

His lips were fast against hers, yet still soft, and she felt his tongue slid between his lips and press against her own. She took it in her mouth and pushed her tongue against it, and then Korrin was breaking the kiss to move his lips down her neck. Kris shuddered as goosebumps exploded across her body, starting from the place his lips met to all the way down to her toes. Korrin’s fingers were dancing through her hair, and then one was on the back of her neck, pulling softly and causing Kris to tilt her head backward. Korrin moved his lips downward, just above her chest, leaving little wet marks everywhere his lips landed.

Korrin’s hands were pulling at her shirt, dirty and disheveled from the day. Kris was happy when he ripped it off her body and tossed it away. Kris had initially been uncomfortable with her body and how big her belly had become, but Korrin made her feel loved and beautiful—even looking like she did.

His fingers deftly unclasped her bra and she was topless. Korrin slowed down then, letting his eyes wash over her body and take her in. Kris didn’t feel self-conscious though. She knew Korrin loved her just the same.

His lips went back to her neck, then her left shoulder, across her collarbone, and then reached her right shoulder. But he wasn’t finished there. His lips moved downward, his tongue sliding against her skin, kiss after kiss after kiss, and then one of his kisses found her nipple. She let out a quiet moan as his lips wrapped around it, sucking it into his mouth, tongue dancing quickly across the areola. She felt it harden, wet and stiff, and then he was doing the same to the other one. After he had sufficiently kissed her breasts, he moved down to her stomach and kissed every inch of it.

Korrin was obviously content with kissing her entire body, but Kris wanted more. As Korrin’s lips pulled away, Kris pushed him backward with both hands. Korrin went back easily, lying down in the wagon, and Kris pounced on him—as much as she could pounce anyway.

She tore his shirt off with a zeal that surprised even herself. She reached down, pulling off Korrin’s muddy boots, his socks, and then she was unbuttoning his pants. When they were undone, she started pulling downward, and he helped by lifting his body until they were off his legs.

Kris looked down at him, seeing his massiveness throbbing underneath the fabric of his underwear. She reached out, sure of what she was doing, and pulled them off quickly. Korrin was speechless, but he had a grin on his face, as if he was ready for what was happening.

Next, she took off her own clothes—shoes, socks, pants, and finally her panties that were soaked through with her juices.

Without waiting any longer, Kris slid up to Korrin and straddled him. She reached between her legs, sliding his tip against her wetness, and then she gripped his shaft with her wet hand. Korrin let out a loud moan, running his hand over his eyes as she slid her hand up and down his length. Convinced they were both ready, Kris grabbed him, lifted her body up, and angled him into her.

Their moans were loud—probably loud enough to drown out the wind outside—as Kris lowered herself onto Korrin’s shaft. She felt him stretching her wide, his girth so large that she was unsure, as always, if he would fit into her. But inch by inch, Kris’s body lowered onto Korrin’s until he was completely engulfed in her warmth.

Kris didn’t move for a few moments, instead letting out a long breath she hadn’t even known she’d been holding. Korrin’s hands were on her hips, holding her gently. After a few moments of waiting, Kris began to slowly ride Korrin. It was slow, gentle, loving. One of Korrin’s hand found a breast and squeezed softly.

Moving a bit faster, Kris rocked her hips back and forth on Korrin. His hands went back to her hips, helping keep rhythm, and then he was pushing against her at the exact right times.

Kris had no idea how long they continued this. She was completely lost in the thought of being with Korrin—her fiancé, her soon-to-be husband, the father of their child… the man she loved more than she loved anything else in her life. Everything else fell away.

Kris could feel a warmth blossoming between her legs. With every stroke, she could feel his shaft brushing against her clit, and it was growing stronger and stronger. She knew that she would be powerless to resist Korrin’s body much longer, so she didn’t even try to fight it off.

Her orgasm came quickly, almost as quickly as their lovemaking, and then it was rising up until it was too much to bear and finally exploded out from her. Kris let out a scream of pleasure, grinding against Korrin even harder than before, and then he was moaning. Deep within her, Kris felt his cock jump, and then there was a warm spray of his seed going deep inside of her.

She kept moving against him, finally succumbing to the waves of pleasure that were wracking her body. She lowered her body onto his, feeling her breasts against his warm chest. Korrin’s arms wrapped around her body, holding her close to him, and they stayed like that for a good while, just enjoying each other’s company.

“I love you, Kris,” Korrin whispered. “And I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

But how long will that be, Korrin?

“I love you, too,” she said instead, content not to ruin the moment that they were sharing. She didn’t know if they would get many more like this, and she didn’t want to tarnish the thought of it in case things went bad. Don’t think like that. But I can’t help it. Just enjoy what you have right now. Enjoy these little moments.

Kris rolled over onto her back right next to Korrin. They were both flushed and breathing hard. Korrin lifted himself up on one elbow, then leaned across and kiss Kris lightly on the lips.

She was ready to doze off next to Korrin, ready to get whatever sleep she could, ready to just enjoy one last night with Korrin—it might be all we have—when there was a loud knock at the door and a yell from outside. Kris couldn’t make out what it was, but Korrin was up instantly.

Kris was pulling the blankets over her naked body at the same time Korrin was opening the door. One of his guards stood there, panicked.

“What is it?” Korrin yelled.

“My King—”

“What is it?” Korrin repeated, half talking and half growling.

“Intruders, sir,” the man said, looking nervously over his shoulder. “At the edge of the camp. Just out of sight.”

“How many?”

“I don’t know, exactly. A lot. Close to thirty.”

Thirty. They’ve found us.

*

*

*

Kris felt her heart pounding in her chest. Thirty Shifters. And Korrin had brought how many? Seven? Eight? Plus Korrin himself, and Tawni, and herself, but Kris knew she would be useless in a fight. The other Shifters outnumbered them at least three to one.

Korrin pulled on a pair of pants and climbed out of the wagon, forgoing a shirt or shoes. Kris wasn’t like that. She quickly pulled on all of her clothes once the door had shut behind Korrin. She was just lacing up her boots when she heard yelling from outside.

Korrin.

Kris tied her shoes haphazardly then got to her feet and pushed open the wagon door. She took the step down as fast as she could manage. She glanced to her left, seeing her hand with its glistening ring on the door—how long am I going to be married for?—and then she saw the other Shifters ringed around their camp.

The guard had been right. There were more Shifters than she could quickly count. Kris took a quick headcount of their own, which was much easier, and counted nine Shifters, including Korrin and Tawni. Tawni was smaller than the others, though still large by human standards, but she didn’t look scared.

“Korrin, My King,” a voice said from the crowd. A Shifter materialized through the fog, pushing her way through the line of Shifters, and if possible, Kris felt her heart beat even faster.

“Olovina,” Korrin growled. “What are you doing here?”

They had heard nothing of Olovina, the old head of the Council, since Korrin had exiled her so many months ago. They’d hoped she’d disappeared into the wilds and kept to herself, or better yet, had died. Obviously, they weren’t so lucky.

Behind Olovina was the largest Shifter Kris had ever seen. He reminded her off Durriken, one of the most dangerous Shifters Kris had ever met. But this Shifter put Durriken to shame. Where Durriken had been large, this Shifter was massive.

He’s nearly eight feet tall. And those claws…  Gone were the tips of his fingers or any semblance of them. Nearly half of his fingers were long claws, almost as if he’d grown his nails out and filed them down to sharp points. Kris didn’t think he would be able to ever pick anything up – but she knew exactly what they were for. Whereas all Shifters had golden eyes, his were a more yellowish hue, sickly and rheumy looking. A jet-black beard speckled with gray fell nearly to his waist, and Kris could see a wild mane of hair behind him.

And when he saw her, he smiled, revealing yellowed teeth filed down to points.

If this man had once been a Shifter, he was no longer one except for in name. All of the good things Kris had seen from Shifters—and even a lot of the bad—were absent in this man. He was little more than a wild animal.

He’s going to kill us all.

“It’s finally over, Korrin,” Olovina said. She usually spat venom when she talked, but now, her voice was melodious and carefree. Kris had never heard her talk like this, and she suddenly realized why she was.

She thinks she’s won. And she has. Finally.

“Still with that pitiful, disgusting human bitch?” Olovina said, casting her a glance. Her eyes trailed down to Kris’s belly and then went wide. “Any day now for that miserable half breed to be born? Well, don’t worry. You won’t have to worry about that much longer.”

“I’m going to kill you,” Korrin growled.