Leonora

“Thank you for letting us stay with you, Catherine,” I told her, taking a seat at her kitchen table. We had a little time to ourselves since the guys wanted to have a powwow of their own.

“You’re welcome. We’re glad to have you. I know it’s hard when danger’s around every corner.”

“But we’re bringing it to you.”

“No, we’ve been dealing with the nonsense even before. Don’t let my husband fool you. We felt the tensions in the air before you all arrived. Charles had been feeling the pressure and worried about it. I hate that it’s been a big part of our lives even though it’s not our fight or even our pack. I don’t know if you remember, but Kane’s the alpha for his pack and Hunter for ours. Normally, we would let them fight their own battles, but our packs are united with Gage and Arabella. I’m scared for my children and my mate every day. Don’t get me wrong, I love all of them, but damn it does suck because I can’t lose my mate.”

“I understand. I walked into a war. Every day I’m frightened that I’ll lose Falcon. Even with the supposed prophecy, I feel like I shouldn’t take anything for granted. What if some factor changes the prophecy? I mean, hell they aren’t all knowing.”

“I’m sorry my love.” I blanched, Falcon heard me. He spun my chair around and knelt between my legs. He reached up and cupped my face. “I’m sorry, my Queen. I know this isn’t the life we should have. I worry every day that the prophecy will fail, but I’m going to fight for us. I can never lose you.” He placed his head on my lap. “I love you, Nora. Please have faith in me.”

I grasped my hands around his scruffy jaw, then lifted his head up to look at me. “I love you, my King. That’s why I fear the unknown.” Falcon stood up and helped me to my feet. Brushing away the tears that I didn’t realize I’d shed, he bent his head and kissed me slowly, sweetly. He pulled back too soon for my liking, leaving me looking up into his eyes with parted lips.

“I must go. We are meeting with Dante. We plan to announce the cure.”

“I wish I could take you, but we will be preparing them for battle before the attack is to happen.” That was news to me, but I didn’t argue or complain. I wondered why he refused to tell me sooner.

“What’s the real reason you don’t want to take me to the castle?”

“Damn it, woman. I don’t want anyone to try and grab you in desperation.”

“Fine. That’s all you had to say. In truth, the thought of that makes me shiver,” I admitted. Thinking that they would attack me sent a paralyzing fear through me.

“I didn’t tell you to scare you, Nora. Damn, I’m going to have to keep apologizing,” he grunted against my ear.

“No, you’re right to tell me the truth. You know that I need the truth.”

“Of course. You’re safe here. You have Gideon, William, and all the wolves doing patrols around the home.” They can smell the vampires coming and since none of those fuckers can teleport, you’ll have time to get away. Remember, I don’t care where I am at. If you need me, call me. I’ll be here in a flash.”

“I will. Be safe. I’ll await your return.”

“Yes, my Queen. I will.” He kissed me once more, then disappeared.

“Wow, the way he was looking at you I thought he was going to throw you over his shoulder and carry you away.”

“Goodness, we’ll save it for when he returns.” I loved when he came back from a battle. The adrenaline pumping through him would be released in the most delicious of ways. I had to calm down because I was getting excited.

“Well, let’s take a walk. I need to stretch out my legs.”

“Are you sure it’s safe?”

“Yes, Hunter has high tech security all around our home. Besides, the kids are still sleeping and what Hunter won’t know won’t hurt him,” she giggled out.

“I could use a walk.” Locking arm in arm, we walked around the perimeter of the house while Charlotte remained in the house. She seemed different this morning. I don’t know what was on her mind, but there was a shit load of concern in her eyes. I missed this area. I hadn’t lived in the Pacific Northwest long, but I came to love the woods and the seclusion it brought. The island for me had become a prison. A fortress without the love of a home. The stress of the past two months had worn me down.

We walked through her garden full of flowers. Taking in the fresh air. “It’s perfect up here.”

“That it is,” she sighed, absorbing the morning sun.

“What the hell are you two doing out here?” Hunter roared, coming down the front steps, seething with anger. I rounded out my lips in an uh-oh expression, that I turned into a smirk.

She crossed her arms in front of him, throwing him a dirty glare before she said, “Hunter, I don’t want to be trapped inside. We’ve walked only around the house and that’s it.”

I waited to see if he was like Falcon and going to get all growly. He didn’t disappoint. “Don’t ‘that’s it’ me. You know damn well that any of these bastards could strike at any moment.” I rolled my eyes which didn’t go unnoticed. “Your Highness, I’d stop that eye rolling because your mate is a phone call away. I’m sure he’d love to know that you went outside five seconds after he left.”

“Fine. Besides, I need to eat.”

“Yes, Erik has brought you fresh deer meat. You’re going to need all the iron you can get.” I stormed off into the house. I wanted to bite him only because I couldn’t kick Falcon in the shins. My mood swings were back in full force. Screaming out at the top of my lungs felt like a good idea, but that would freak everyone out.

“Nora,” Charlotte called out.

“Are you okay?”

“No. No, I’m not okay,” I sobbed. She threw her arms around me and held me to her.

“We’re going to get through this.”

“I know, but Charlotte. I’ve got something on my mind that’s bothering me.”

“What is it?”

“Could I be pregnant again?”

Sirens blared around the large home. And the men came in to surround us.