Falcon

Draco and I cleaned up the dead, burning the human bodies in lye, then dropping them into the ocean. No dog tags had been on the bodies of the normal soldiers, but I couldn’t care less if anyone missed them. They were the scourge of the earth as far as I was concerned. They dementedly decided to take their fate in their hands with the promise of a lie. It was their fault and I refused to feel guilty.

We gathered in the dining room eating dinner that all the women made while we cleaned up the front yard. The moon had been full, and I hadn’t even noticed until I heard some howling around.

“What’s that?” Nora asked, clutching my arm fearful of another threat. Gideon stood up and looked around for danger.

“Someone has found their mate,” Hunter answered, smiling knowingly. Their world had been inviting while we were here, and I missed our home that now had been completely cleared of all the rubble. I still hadn’t decided what to do about the property. Or how to handle the cops. I wondered if they were still looking at me for Norton’s death.

She let go of my arm and questioned, “Oh, is that a usual thing?”

Hunter had been a growly beast kind of guy, just like Nora had turned me into and a simmering need to knock him on his ass. “We find our mates on full moons, but most of us find our mates before we reach twenty-five.”

“Wow, Falcon had a billion times longer for me,” she remarked comically.  

“My love, you were worth every miserable century,” I told her, dragging her attention away from Hunter because my ass wasn’t above the jealousy of man. I bit her lips, sucking it softly into my mouth and snaking my hand around to squeeze her round bottom.

“What’s our next move, my King?” Nora asked as we all ate. The battle had drained us. The wolves were too exhausted, but I went to get them all. The women panicked, but I assured them that they were just tired, and it would be easier if I’d come and get them myself.

“I must notify my men. And let the world know that Stavros is dead.”

“Do you want to do it immediately?” Hunter questions, hugging his mate.

“I wish to do it while the sun is set. It’s about to rise again, so I’ll wait until morning here. Then we’ll be out of your hair.”

“That’s not a problem. You and your family will always be welcome,” Hunter said.

“Do you want me to go with you?” Nora asked.

“Yes, my Queen. We’ll take our daughter as well. I want them to all recognize that we will not allow anyone to overstep and challenge us again.”

“Showing strength and fierceness will deter the bad and earn praise for those who suffered from these battles,” Hunter added.

“Thank you. If you’ll excuse us, I wish to depart now.” I held my family in my arms and teleported into our rooms in the castle. We walked out and caught the attention of the guards. “Your Majesties, we are pleased to see you here with us. Do you wish for me to summon Dante?”

“No, I wish to make a statement to all the people. Is he in his room?”

“No, sire. He’s out in the courtyard, training the soldiers.”

“Thank you.” I led Nora to the balcony and called for attention. “Gather around. There is great news that I must share.”

“Most of you are unaware of the events of the past twenty-four hours, but I must tell you that the end is nigh. Draco and I have been battling on the island and in the woods of the United States with the help of wolf shifters and my family. There must be under a thousand soldiers remaining, but a key and most important note I must impart upon you is…Stavros is dead.”

A silence fell over the crowd for three point two seconds. The roars and cheers rang through the air.

Speranza cried, catching my attention, then Nora fainted.

I turned and caught her and my daughter, carrying her into our room. It scared me, but she woke up quickly. “Sorry, Falcon. Is Speranza okay? I didn’t mean to squeeze her so hard.”

“You fainted, Nora. Bloody hell. I need to know what’s wrong with you.”

With her chilled hands on my cheeks, she shook her head and said, “Nothing’s wrong with me, my King. It seems that we must have lost too many vampires. I’m pregnant Falcon.”

“Are you certain, my love?” I hoped that was the case. With Nora fainting, I was about to tell all the vampires they were fucked for getting the cure. She was more important than all of them.

“Yes, my love.” It was sooner than I could have ever imagined but it had, and I couldn’t chase away the smile from my face. I rubbed her slightly rounded belly. With the war encompassing us, I hadn’t noticed the slight change the past few days. A knock at the door came hard and fast. “Uncle, is everything okay?” Dante asked frantically, his voice shaking as he sputtered out his concern.

“Yes,” I said. I nodded to Nora before teleporting outside my door with Dante. “Come, nephew, I have a joyous announcement to make.”

“Oh, congratulations, Uncle.” Dante and I walked back out to reassure the people.

Voices mixed as everyone had been talking with nervous curiosity. Once they saw me on the terrace they all stopped and focused on my revelation. “The queen is well and needs rest. It seems that we are on the verge of having another babe. My lovely queen is with child.” The jubilant ruckus resounded loudly. I raised my hand for silence. “Thank you all. It would seem this may be the season of babes. Both sides of the war lost our vampire kind. Good luck and mate on!” That elated the crowd and they erupted into laughs and more cheering. I left Dante to the masses to attend my wife. She and my little angel deserved my attention more.