Second Assault — Bond And Treason —

Chapter 39 - Parents?

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

XANDER

—What?!

Oh. My. God.

Did I hear right?

Pregnant?

Me?

Xander King?

It can't be. Mrs. Ewa must be delirious, the poor woman's age is already affecting her. I should tell

Magnus it's time to put her in a nursing home. Although, I'll have to wait until she gets over the shock

she's in now.

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

—But... — I try hard to pronounce the words, but my brain is blank, unable to process what I just heard.

I take a glance at Magnus out of the corner of my eye, and I honestly can't figure out what to say to

him. I can't have babies, there's no way I'm pregnant. That possibility was ruled out before I could

escape from the boarding school. No. It's not possible... Is it?

—What about you? — addressing Magnus, who slowly walks towards us, with a neutral expression on

the face —. Didn't you feel the change in his scent? You must have been the first to notice — with the

tone the old woman uses, it's like she's scolding him.

Magnus doesn't respond, he just keeps getting closer and closer. By the time he's finally by my side,

just watches me, making me even more nervous and anxious than before. I look back at him, trying to

catch some emotion that tells me how he's feeling right now. If what Mrs. Ewa says is true, I have no

idea what he will think about it. Will he refuse? Will he be angry?

I have no clue, we never talked about having children in the first place. Though I guess he never

brought it up because he knew it was a sensitive subject for me.

But now, I'm scared... Very scared. His stare freezes my bones and sitting here, appears to be bigger

than he already is. Yet, I refuse to move from my place. Also for fear of feeling bad again.

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

long seconds, he is moving.

Slowly leans over me, bringing the face closer to mine. I thought he was going to kiss me, so I stood as

still as I could and closed the eyes, waiting for the contact of his lips... But it didn't happen. Instead, I

hear his nose brushing against the skin of my neck and sniffing me. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

I immediately get goosebumps and small tremors spread through my body, but I try to stay still,

regulating my breathing as much as possible. He takes deep inhalations in different parts: above my

pulse, through my Adam's apple, and finally in my clavicles. At this point, I'm super anxious, and the

silence in the kitchen is suddenly deadly. Not even the twins are moving, watching the scene closely.

—I can feel it — mumbles, concluding in a short gasp, and his breath tickles my skin —. Xander... —

his voice is low and I can feel my heart breaking into a thousand pieces. Then it's true. I am pregnant.

And Magnus... He doesn't want it? —. Kitty — I feel a drop fall in my throat and, if I was immobile, now

I'm frozen —. How did I not notice before? — his voice fading away and... Was that a sob?

—Magnus? — I manage to ask through the thick knot that has formed in my throat, unable to articulate

anything else. Suddenly, his strong arms surround my waist, lifting me off the stool, my feet floating

several inches off the ground. Okay, now I'm confused.

—It's true, kitty — when he finally lifts the face, I completely forget how to breathe —. You are

expecting my child — long, thick tears slide down his blushing cheeks, a huge smile that lights up the

white teeth, while his chest is shaking from the crying.

But it's his gaze. His eyes look at me in such a way, that I feel like the most priceless and perfect being

in the universe. They are crystal clear and red from crying, but he can convey to me the love and

emotion that seems incapable of uttering with words. The breath I was suddenly holding back, is finally

released from my lungs, the relief and happiness I sense at this moment is like none I have ever felt.

It is beautiful, everything I once dreamed of, I can at last have within reach. The memory of what my

grandmother told me that time comes back and makes me even more excited and extremely happy.

Slowly, very slowly, he leaves me on my feet.

His beautiful glance without detaching from mine, still shocked and the smile that has not yet

disappeared. My feet touch the ground, but I still think I am floating.

Instinctively, my hands go to my belly and I cannot help but be moved by the knowledge that there is a

little life growing inside of me. It is the result of the immense love we feel for each other and which we

have fought for. He places the hands on top of mine, covering them completely with their largest size

and leaves a soft kiss on my forehead. And it is here, at this very moment, inside this perfect and

precious bubble, that warm tears flow from my eyes without being able to avoid it anymore.

—My love — whispers in the skin of my forehead and my eyes rise to meet his again —. How can I

express to you how happy you have made me? — I want to answer... I truly do.

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

my cheeks, pushing away the warm tears that seem to have no end, with sweetness.

—Don't cry — bends over and kisses me, in a tender and gentle touch. I encircle his body with my

arms, tightly squeezing the fabric of the shirt, and rest my cheek on his chest, taking great delight in

feeling the rapid beating of his heart. Caresses my hair with one hand, the other still surrounds my

waist —. Talk to me, kitty— murmurs in my ear and I shudder —. I want to know how you feel.

—Magnus... — I lift the face, only to discover that he's still smiling and I can't help but be affected by

the gesture —. For a moment, I thought that... — I stop, unable to continue. He frowned, puzzled, but

quickly seemed to decipher the rest of what I was going to say.

—No, Xander. How can you believe that? — his tone has shock and irritation mixed in —. If I thought

he couldn't be happier by your side, I was seriously wrong — his smile comes back and stops stroking

my hair, to do it now with my cheek —. Can't you feel it through our bond?

—I don't...

—Close your eyes, my love — indicates and I slowly obey —. Can you feel it? — I take a deep breath

and concentrate. Though it's a little difficult at first, I manage to disconnect from my surroundings and

then I see it.

The forest, but it's not night anymore, it's not gloomy or grim. The sun illuminates the highest part of the

sky and the air is warm and light. Large extensions of green grass give beauty to the picture and make

it look more like a meadow. The trees are green, lush, and full of life.

The lake is no longer dark like the first time I saw it.

Now its waters are greenish-blue and crystal clear, and I can even see vibrantly colored fish, standing

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

lungs.

It is no longer lights that adorn it, which allowed it to guide me at that time in the midst of darkness.

Now its branches are full of vitality and energy, with red leaves that make it look huge and its reflection

in the water gives more beauty to its surroundings.

The light that brightens it, causes a greater impact on my eyes and the more I observe it, the more

peace and calm floods my soul. Its thick roots stick out a bit over the water and it couldn't look more

imposing and stable. The beauty of the moment, of the place and of its existence is devastating.

Here I feel protected, loved and it offers me the sensation of belonging that I never felt anywhere else.

Only here, next to him. Next to me Alpha, my partner, and the love of my life. When I open the eyes, he

is still waiting for me, but I have no more doubts. I could see him, I could feel him and even almost

touch him. His love for me is beautiful and intense. And so is the love I feel for him.

—Do you see it? — asks me quietly, I calmly nod and sigh, feeling longed for and loved like never

before —. I would never lie to you, Xander. You belong to me as much as I belong to you. And the life

you carry in your belly now is just another sign of the love we have for each other.

—Thank you, Magnus — I mutter back, trying hard not to cry again —. You've given me everything I

ever dreamed of, and so much more.

—I should be the one thanking you, kitty — his smile widens and kisses the tip of my nose —. I'm not

the one who has to carry a baby inside me for nine months — And so, my little bubble crashed.

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

a cute moment?!

—I'm sorry — his words lose the sincerity through the loud laughter that accompanies them —. I

couldn't resist.

—But what a thrill! — the shrieking of Lev brings me out of my trance, reminding me that there were

more people with us —. Babies, old Ewa! — holds her by the arms and shakes her —. Soon, there will

be little kittens or wolves running around The Mansion!

—Let go now! — the old woman hits him again with the wooden spoon, but this time on the arm —.

Better stop shouting and get to work.

—But for the sake of the moon. Are you not excited?! — Lev ignores her, approaches and squeezes

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

with kisses —. I can't wait!

—Will you leave him alone? — Magnus grunts and embraces me, protecting me from Lev's mighty

attack of pamperings —. Don't touch him, he's mine.

—But I want to kiss him — Lev pouts, crossing the arms —. I want to spoil him. Give him to me, Alex!

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

—. Only I can touch him now.

—Don't be ridiculous — Lev grunts back —. Now, if you don't give him to me, I'm going to...

—That's enough! — I'll end up exploding without being able to tolerate their absurd tantrums any longer

—. No one will touch me if you keep this up. Including you, Magnus!

—But it's not my fault — points at Lev —. He started it!

—Shut up, all of you, at once! — immediately, a silence falls in the big kitchen, and to my surprise,

even Magnus obeys the old woman —. The best thing would be for you to go and rest, little one —

hands me a steaming cup of tea that smells delicious —. Drink this, it will make you feel better, and

take it easy — I hold the piece in my hands and take a sip. It's jasmine tea, one of my favorites.

—But, Mrs. Ewa, there is something I do not understand — signals me to continue, watching me with

interest —. It happened to me years ago... I had an accident — I correct quickly —. When I was

checked, they said I couldn't have a baby, ever — I still remember how much it affected me then, being

alone, with no one to call for help —. How can I be pregnant now? — nods, as if processing what she

just heard, before answering.

—There are several factors that have influenced this case — the three of us are closer to her,

extremely curious about what she is going to say —. First, the mating mark.

—The mark? — Magnus asks, amazed —. Why?

—When an Alpha makes the claim and the mark is already done, his Omega's body prepares to

procreate — points to my belly with a dreamy look on her face —. The mating mark means everything

in this kind of bond, little one. And that life you now carry within you, is a consequence of it.

—Does that mean the doctors made a mistake?

—It's possible, though unlikely — observes me for a long moment before adding —. It also depends a

lot on the power and rank of your Alpha, Xander. If his genes are strong enough, the likelihood of a

successful pregnancy is greater. Although, it may take several attempts.

—But even so, the doctors who evaluated you that time, might not have been very accurate, kitty — I

nod.

That time, the doctors at the boarding school were working with what they had at hand, and very

clumsily at that as well. All under strict silence and caution, for they could not afford to have an act like

that damage their reputation. Besides, they were afraid of Dimitri's family. They made me sign a paper

where I was obliged to remain completely quiet. But I did it voluntarily, as Dimitri constantly threatened

to make me... Things, if I talked.

—It's also possible that you... — the old lady points at Magnus —. Through the bite, have lent him your

ability to heal.

—Wow! And it works even after all these years of Xander being hurt? — Lev asks in amazement, and I

can't deny that I'm also astonished at everything I've learned in this short time frame.

—I told you, cockatoo. The mating mark is a powerful and sacred bond. Its power is immense and

covers much more than you have heard today.

—I suppose it's a relief that you're so stubborn, honey — I laugh at his annoyed expression, until a

mischievous smile shows up on his lips, making me speechless instantly.

—I can prove to you, right here, how stubborn I can be — purrs and the grip I have on the cup could be

deadly.

—If you dare... — I'll start mumbling and half-closing the eyes —. Consider the terrible consequences

— the idiot shrugs casually, with a now mocking smile.

—I can deal with an angry kitty.

—Oh, but I heard that pregnant cats are all fierce — the old lady adds, Magnus seems to be getting

nervous and I smile in triumph —. And the foxes are even worse! — The three of us turned in her

direction rapidly, stunned and dismayed by her revelation, but Magnus... The fury can be spotted from

miles.

—What the fuck are you talking about? — a muscle in his jaw is throbbing and the fluid in my cup is

shaking when I start to tremble, but this time from fear. Fuck... Fred too?

—Oh, God — she seems to wish that a hole would open up under her feet, and the earth would take

her to the other side of the world —. Did you not know?

—Know. What? — Magnus pronounces each word carefully and if he were a cartoon, at this moment,

he would have smoke coming out of the ears and fire circling the eyes.

—Your brother... — seems nervous and shrinks a bit in place —. He's also pregnant.

Well... Fuck.

To be continued...