The day, and night, finally started to take their toll as sleep began to drag her under. The last thing she remembered was Aldric tucking her safely into his side and pulling the down comforter around them.
Chapter Nine
Helena woke wrapped and half buried under the warm, hard body of her mate—a place she would choose to be every morning for the rest of her days. But right now she needed to use the bathroom. The more she tried to wiggle free, the tighter he held her to his body. Her own body ached wonderfully after being awakened multiple times throughout the night and early morning, in the most pleasurable ways. The last time didn’t end until into the early morning hours, and she was surprised she was even coherent.
“Where do you think you’re going, little one?” His voice was scratchy with sleep and his breath teased the tiny hair on the back of her neck.
“Let me up, you big lug, or this bed is about to become a waterbed,” she teased, still trying to wiggle free.
“Oh, in that case.” he began tickling her sides, making her squeal. Eventually, he let her go long enough for her to squirm away and run laughing into the bathroom.
As she took care of her needs, she admired the full-sleeve tattoo that appeared during their ceremony before her gold mating cuff was placed on her left wrist. The tattoo was intricate and glorious. The images of wolves and forests surrounded by colorful flowers reminded her of the new life she would be leading with her mate. She was excited and nervous, but as long as she had Aldric by her side that was all that mattered.
She washed her hands and reached for her bathrobe on the back of the bathroom door. Before she had a chance to tie the front, she caught her reflection in the mirror and stood stunned, staring in disbelief at her reflection before the realization hit her. She turned quickly to race out of the bathroom and accidentally knocked a glass soap dish from the counter, smashing it to pieces on the floor around her.
Afraid to move in her bare feet, she decided to wait for Aldric, which she knew wouldn’t take long. The bathroom door flew open and her naked mate came flying in.
“Are you okay?” Before she could answer, she heard the exterior bedroom doors opening and booted feet stomping quickly her way. Shit. She was thankful she had her bathrobe on, but her gorgeous mate was naked. Even if it was common among shifters, he belonged to her now and her wolf was not pleased. But she had bigger concerns at the moment, one of which was hidden underneath her bathrobe.
“Um…yes and no.” Which was truthful but obviously not the correct answer because he flipped from concerned to kill anything mode.
Radulf and Walter joined Aldric at the door, unconcerned about their alpha’s naked state, both looking for potential threats as still a third warrior could be heard in their bedroom. Helena sighed; it was officially a party now. Not the way to wake up the morning after your mating, but for Helena, she counted this as calm.
“Helena, don’t move. Someone get my boots,” Aldric ordered. “Are you hurt, little one?”
“No, but we’ll need the doc eventually.” Again, Helena answered honestly but didn’t want everyone else in their bedroom to hear her full explanation just yet.
He shoved his bare feet into his black boots and began walking over the glass toward her. “Why do we need Doc Cosmas, if you’re not hurt?” Yep, Aldric looked about ready to blow.
“Trust me for now. Please make everyone leave,” she whispered just before he gently lifted her into the safety of his arms. She could hear the glass crunching beneath his boots, but he took them off once they were out of the bathroom so as not to track broken glass all over the suite.
“Okay, I need everyone out of the bedroom now. Marcus, let me know when the doctor arrives.” Helena hadn’t even noticed Marcus was in her bedroom, but the warriors quickly left. Aldric laid her back onto their bed. “Now, tell me why we need the doctor before I lose what’s left of my sanity.”
She decided on a show and tell instead and opened her bathrobe, revealing a new line of faint vines weaving their way down from her heart across her ribs and waist and ending in a flourish that circled her abdomen. It had one tiny, delicate bud on the tip.
Helena was pregnant.
Aldric leaned over her naked body and reverently traced the vines across her stomach to the tiny bud. “Please tell me this is what I think it is,” he whispered.
She placed her hand over his, which was now protectively covering their growing baby. Beaming with happiness, she answered, “It is, my love. I’m pregnant. We’re having our first pup, Aldric.”
“Thank you, my sweet mate,” he rasped as he gathered her into his arms. “You keep filling me such great joy. I can never repay the gifts you’ve given me.”
She wanted her beloved alpha to know what he meant to her. “You are everything to me. My love, my happiness, my strength, and now father to our child. You were meant to be mine. I believe the gods have a plan for our lives and you are my gift as well.”
He held her closer, her robe still open, allowing their naked bodies to rub together as they kissed. He took the kiss deeper, making her moan into his mouth, pushing upward so her sensitive nipples rubbed along his thick chest hair. Before they could get too carried away, someone began knocking at their bedroom door.
Aldric wrapped her back up in her robe, put on a pair of jeans, and answered the door. Dr. Cosmas quickly stepped inside, but not before Helena heard the voices of a sitting room full of people. It always surprised her how quickly word travelled. She could hear her uncle and her new father-in-law both asking Aldric questions before the door shut them out.
“Well, young lady, you certainly know how to wake a whole wing of people early in the morning.” Doc laughed on his way over to her side. “Now tell me what’s got everyone in such an uproar?”
Aldric joined Helena on the bed and helped her move the flap of her robe to reveal her new faint tattoo to her doctor. “They don’t know about this. They must think I’ve been injured by a broken dish in the bathroom, but I’m not hurt.”
“Well, that was fast.” Dr. Cosmas looked about ready to burst with pride. “I was there for your birth, Helena, and now I’ll be there to help birth your pups. Congratulations to both of you. Now let’s just have a look-see, take a bit of blood, and make sure this little one has the best start possible.”
The doctor went about listening all over with his stethoscope and drew a vial of blood before lecturing them on the importance of proper nutrition and rest. Aldric was listening intently to every word, and Helena knew she was in for a whole new world of protectiveness.
“I imagine you’ll want to give everyone the good news, but may I suggest it be soon. I’m not sure how much longer they’ll wait, and you’ve already replaced these doors once,” Dr. Cosmas suggested while packing away his medical supplies and her vial of blood. “Besides, I’m certain to be threatened within an inch of my life if I don’t tell them something the moment I leave this room.”
“Though I would love to lie in here all day with you, my love, Doc’s right. Mother will have that door out of her way in minutes. Let’s get cleaned up and share our blessing with the rest of our family and friends,” Aldric suggested.
“I would agree, but our bathroom is still covered in glass,” she reminded him, looking past Aldric toward the floor.
He scanned the room and then pointed to the locked adjourning door that led to Amalia, Giselle, and Katrina’s rooms. “We’ll temporarily take over the room next door. Hold on, baby.”
He made sure Helena was covered before returning to the bedroom door and calling for Lothar. Before long, they were showered, dressed, and ready to face the family. Aldric had ordered breakfast be brought to their suite so that everyone could eat in the privacy of their large balcony. Helena could smell the heaven that was bacon from the other room and her stomach grumbled.
Aldric tucked her closely to his side and protectively under his arm before leading her from the bedroom and into bedlam.
Not one but two u
nicorns were galloping around the large sitting room, dodging warriors left and right. Matilda had someone’s tablet in her mouth and Cyrus was just happy to follow along in the fun. Cassandra was yelling from atop her father’s shoulders to not hurt her unicorns. Lothar flew over the back of the couch when he tripped over General Jensgar who was trying to corner Cyrus. Hilda, Amalia, Giselle, and Katrina were shouting encouragements from the safety of the small kitchen and behind the impressive wall of men made by Marcus, Radulf, Walter, and Godric. The king and queen were laughing hysterically behind their own wall of royal guards trying to keep the insanity away. A delighted Ceva sat on a wall shelf watching a traumatized Theron beg Matilda to give his tablet back.
“Matilda, give it back to Theron please,” Helena ordered from behind Aldric. How she got back there, she wasn’t entirely certain, but she suspected her mate had something to do with it.
Immediately, all commotion ceased. Matilda walked right over top of a still downed Lothar who was laughing harder than Helena had ever seen and placed the stolen tablet back into Theron’s outstretched hand.
Yells of “niece,” “daughter,” and “princess” now greeted Helena as soon as she stepped from behind her protective alpha. As a group, they all advanced on her.
Respectfully, everyone quieted when Aldric raised his hand and King Leonidas spoke first. “Dr. Cosmas told us you would be fine but wouldn’t explain further. Is everything okay? Are you hurt at all?”
“No, Uncle, I’m fine. Actually, better than fine. I’m perfect.” Helena gushed her happiness freely, swamping the room with joy.
“Daughter, what is it?” Hilda asked.
Helena looked up at a proud Aldric and nodded. She wanted him to make the announcement. “Helena has given me something I never thought I would have, a pup. Helena’s pregnant.”
Cheers rang up around the room as hugging ensued. Helena had never imagined she would feel this happy and complete after her parents were killed. She had her family around her—some by blood and others simply by luck.
Helena, Aunt Alex, and Hilda were tearfully hugging. Men were joking, offering congratulations and backslaps, thankfully the latter only to Aldric. Amalia and Giselle were talking happily while they bustled around Helena like hummingbirds, only stopping for a moment before moving on to something else that required their attention. Cassandra was jumping around singing that she was going to be an auntie and hugging Matilda and Cyrus before the two were taken back out to the stables by one of her warriors.
Katrina and Marcus approached. Katrina had been slowly getting used to her new extended family and Helena liked and respected the woman.
“Congratulations, Princess. Looks as if there will be two of us waddling around and keeping these guys on their toes.” Katrina laughed, her hand brushing lovingly against her slightly rounded stomach.
“Yes we will, my friend. So have you decided to join us when we leave for our new pack?” Helena asked. She’d prefer to have Katrina make her own choices. Her uncle had guaranteed Katrina’s care if she remained here, and Helena knew Marcus would stay with Katrina, but she desperately wanted to keep everyone together.
“Yes, I’ve decided to come along. I think a new start for us would be good.”
“I couldn’t agree more. We’ll be making that new start together,” Helena responded.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and my pup, Princess. Honestly, I’m not sure what we would’ve done,” Katrina spoke softly. Marcus, a secure presence at her back, placed his hand on Katrina’s shoulder. Helena immediately gathered the fragile younger woman into her arms and hugged her close.
“This will be a marvelous adventure for us all. We have a new home, a new pack, and the chance to raise our pups in a loving, safe environment. You’ll see—everything will work out.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Aldric commented before wrapping his arms around Helena from behind. “Now let’s get these women fed. Doc’s given me this nutritional food guide that you should read, Marcus. In the meantime, I’ll make sure the house is stocked.”
And so the protective alpha went into overdrive, causing many in the family to shake their heads and simply smile. From various comments and what Helena could gather, Aldric had never expected to be mated and definitely never dreamed of having pups. So perhaps Helena and everyone else should cut him a bit of slack, but after her plate was filled yet again by her mate, Helena was reconsidering. She may be a werewolf, but she couldn’t eat like Aldric.
“Honey, that’s enough food.” She laughed as she dodged another helping of eggs. “I can’t possibly eat that much.”
“Just a bit more, little one.” Aldric’s need to provide for her was endearing, but she could see her need to be self-sufficient would cause more than one disagreement.
“I’m not going to be that little much longer.” A change in topic might distract him.
“True,” he said, again dripping with pride.
An hour later, everyone was lounging and talking when a knock came from the front door of their suite. Her uncle was called to join the warriors in the front room. Helena couldn’t see or hear what was being said from two rooms away. When King Leonidas returned with a dark, deadly look on his face, Helena was happy she had rarely seen it.
“Aldric, gather your men. Five omegas are missing,” the king announced, causing gasps and growls to echo across the balcony. Anger and fear pummeled against Helena’s senses.
“Five? How? When?” Helena’s voice wobbled. Aldric’s arms wrapped around her.
“It seems to have been overnight. The omegas were last seen going to their individual rooms last evening in their alphas’ suites. The alphas and staff became suspicious when the omegas didn’t leave their rooms for breakfast. That’s when they were discovered missing,” General Jensgar answered.
Aldric stood, pulling Helena closer to him. “How did they get past the guards? It’s impossible to get anywhere near the omegas without running into a guard or attendant.”
“We don’t know. I need help to search and track them down. I want the ones responsible before anything else happens. Three of the omegas are in courtships and two had just arrived overnight from a conference they were attending. The two were staying together in secure rooms in the omega wing,” King Leonidas explained quickly and returned to issuing orders for the search.
“If two omegas just arrived last night, who would know they were here that quickly and be able to take them both?” Aldric asked, and Helena agreed not everyone would know those two had arrived.
“I don’t know, but we’ll find out. I am loath to say this, but I believe the traitor is even closer than I originally thought. It’s someone with power inside the palace,” King Leonidas confirmed Helena’s own thoughts. Only someone with open access to the palace could have come and gone so easily. But who?
“I’m afraid you’re right. It has to be someone close enough that they would know those two omegas were even here. But how to get inside the rooms?” Ceva mused as she spread her wings, ready to take to the sky yet again.
“We’ll leave five warriors here with the women. No one is to leave until we come back,” Aldric ordered.
“All available warriors and guards are waiting in the ballroom along with several alphas, including those in courtships with the three missing omegas. They are close to sacking the palace in their search for them. Let’s get moving.” King Leonidas commanded.
“No searching, Helena. I know you want to help, but promise me you’ll keep yourself and our pup safe, my love,” Aldric whispered into Helena’s ear as he held her close.
“I’ll keep us safe, my mate,” she promised as she caressed her flat belly, dreaming of the day it would be swollen with their growing pup.
Helena, Cassandra, and the remaining four women watched as most of the men and Ceva left to find and rescue the missing omegas. Marcus, Radulf, and three other warriors remained and stationed themselves at all the inner doors and balcony.
“Who would want to steal them?” Katrina asked.
“Someone wanting to use their power for themselves,” Helena answered. “We’ve been targets since the beginnings of our race. It’s only been in the last six centuries that life has been safer for my kind.”
“Why don’t you go rest for a bit, Princess? I’m sure with the events of the past two days, you haven’t gotten a lot of sleep and need your strength more than ever now,” Amalia suggested while placing a cup of steaming chamomile tea in front of her.
“I won’t be able to sleep until we have news on the omegas, but maybe I’ll just lie down for a little bit,” Helena agreed. She was a little tired.
“I’ll come with you if you don’t mind, Princess. I want to make sure all that glass has been cleaned up properly. I’d never forgive myself if you accidentally cut your foot on anything left behind.” Giselle gathered new bedding before heading toward Helena and Aldric’s room without another word.
Helena helped Giselle strip and remake the bed. After all, it was her bed, and whether she had attendants or not, she should help make it. They had just finished the last tuck of the covers when a cold chill worked its way up Helena’s spine. She looked up from the pillow in her hands to see a look of abject fear on Giselle’s face. Her tattoo began to glow and Helena knew they were screwed even before she turned to see Emmerich, her uncle’s chief advisor, standing not ten feet away with a gun in his hand pointed directly at Giselle’s head. Werewolves could survive a great deal, but a bullet to the head at close range was not one of them.
“Nobody moves. Princess, if you send out any emotion other than happiness, I’ll shoot your attendant in the head,” Emmerich hissed softly, so that no one in the other room could hear his voice.
“What are you doing, Emmerich?” Helena asked. She was having a hard time believing the man she had known all her life was a traitor.
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