Fall of the Forsaken (on hold)

chapter 28

–Azriel–

I nearly froze In a place as I saw the scene before me. The two men who had managed to get into the cavern lay dead on the floor of my den, their blood staining the furs I laid out on the floor so Alita's feet wouldn't get cold so many months ago.

Kora and Kaizen stood in the doorway where the curtain we used for privacy had been torn off, and I could see some of our belongings had been scattered and knocked off the shelves, a clear sign of the fighting that took place within the den.

Kaizen looked roughed up and Kora's hands were covered in human blood as she stood in the doorway with the weapon humans referred to as guns.

They were on edge as I approached and she even mistakenly aimed her gun at me as I got close. I stopped in response, but my gaze went past Kora and locked onto Alita's pale form and the bloodied blankets around her.

The blood on koras hands, the scent in the air– it was hers.

I didn't even wait for Kora to lower the gun before I rushed forward pushing past them to get to Alita's unconscious form.

“Alita– Alita!” I moved to her side and cupped her face gently in my hands with dread and worry taking over me as she did not wake nor respond.

“Fear not, your mate is still breathing, but she has lost a lot of blood. She has been greatly weakened from the birth and needs to rest and recover.” the healer reassured me.

Closing my eyes I leaned my forehead down against Alita's shoulder and released a shaky exhale. She's alive, that's what matters…

After a moment of pause, my ears picked up on the sound of crying, and I slowly lifted my head to look across the room.

Somehow, I hadn't even noticed the wailing of the young kits until now; my attention had been solely focused on Alita.

Kora had moved over to the crib and picked up Kion to shush and quiet him down, which he quickly did, in her arms.

She looked at me and then to the other xandisian female in the room who was holding a bundle of blankets as the distinct cries of a newborn kit filled the room.

Slowly standing I watched as she came over to me and smiled before holding out the bundle of soft blankets for me to take.

I carefully accepted it, cradling it close to my chest as I looked down at the small pale creature wrapped in the furs.

Everyone was quiet as I sucked in a breath of shock at the sight of her. She was beautiful and resembled her mother so much with her white hair and pale skin.

Slowly but surely, her cries died down, and her face softened, no longer angry and red from the crying as her eyes cracked open.

A beautiful mix of silvery-blue eyes gazed up at me as a soft smile pulled at my lips. The little black horn stubs atop her head were faint but clear enough to see, and as I moved the blanket, a small tail curled itself around my fingers, making itself known as well.

She was perfect in every way.

I held her close and gently nuzzled my forehead against hers as I let out another shaky breath of relief, thanking the seven for blessing us with a healthy daughter.

A small whimper escaped her and I quietly reassured her she was safe, that I would never let any harm come to her or her mother.

Nanku and Xeith, who had both been standing off to the side, gingerly approached and did their best to peek over my shoulders to look at the kit in my arms while also being careful not to get too close.