The Hideous Secret

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Allahie woke up with a splitting head. She never had liked alcohol. Her mate was not sleeping beside her on the couch any more, nor for that fact on the bed. She sat up in an instant, putting a hand to her head.

"Alek?"

"Your mate is out." Hawlor responded, "He had a strong urge to return the favor and cook for you."

Allahie stumbled to her feet, "But-but-but! He-he-! I mean...this town! He attacked and was prisoner!"

"And grudges are let go of. He actually stopped by the guard with Tetra..." Hawlor died off and gestured to the food: rolls, scones, bagels, apples, and various other fruits were all lined up for her.

Allahie shook her head, biting back a hiss at the throbbing, and stumbled to her feet. "I must find him."

So ignoring her pounding headache she stumbled into the kitchen, down the hallway, out the door and into town. Immediately all she saw was her mate with his arms crossed next to Tetra. There were archers lined up, and he was inspecting them. Despite the soldiers being stuff and the presents of the Dark Lord, Tetra looked pleased for the help and waved Allahie over.

"Alek!" Allahie scolded storming to his side after nods of hello to her once fellow companions.

"I like it here," he mumbled, "I see why you wanted our children to be born here."

"What do you think you are doing!?" Allahie demanded, throughouly checking him over. He used his magic to help conceal his stomach by making a constantly shifting cape to fold around him.

"Allahie...I like it here." He repeated, "I really like this town."

"We have an insane queen to track!"

Alek pursed his lips, "About that...I'm getting ready to deem myself not able to travel."

"What do you mean?"

His golden eyes met hers, and he studied to the soldiers. With a heavy breath through his nose he crossed his arms. "Allahie, I think I need to settle down. Find a home."

"What's wrong?"

"My magic is all but a dwindle. This cape is taking everything out of me."

"Alek, spit it out please." Allahie resisted taking his face in her hands.

"Allahie, I'm going to have the babies soon. Something is wrong."

Her throat constricted on itself, "How soon!?"

Her mated ignored the archers and reached his hand to move the cape aside and rub his stomach. "I don't know...I just...there is a strong urge to settle down. To nest. To hide myself and to prepare."

Allahie pursed her lips, "Then I will continue the search for Analexa. You  need to rest."

"Allahie...."

"End of story. I will talk to you about this later. For now...for now, go home and rest. I will talk to the elders to see how things will progress."

"I will not rest yet." Alek forced her to make eye contact and throw all the unspoken words down the bond. If he was to have the babies here, he was going to make sure he knew everyone. He was going to make sure who he trusted and didn't, and who would help him or not. Same with keeping him safe and who was dangerous.

"Are you sure about this?" Allahie questioned moving closer to put her hands on the sides of his stomach. The swell now brushed her stomach, despite her standing back. She rubbed it soothingly, though surprised. She hadn't noticed how it just suddenly seemed to explode in a matter of days--and he still had yet to grow.

"I am...but not you leaving."

"I have to unless you want Rath after you."

"I'd say I have a month, maybe two at the very most. I...Allahie I can force through this....its just...they started testing their magic as of last night. It was why I was so exhausted...." Her mated searched her face. He would shove himself through hell and their children to complete this quest.

"No. If you brought it up, it's bad. You are not pushing through. I want you to see a medic with me when I am done with the elders." He pushed his lips foreward and pouted before nodding.

"Alright, Allahie...." He looked to Tetra and the archers who were engaged in close quarters training with daggers.

Allahie nodded seeing his gaze. "Alright, but if Tetra says stop you listen. I will not have you hurt Alek. It's your body's first time, and it is carrying precious cargo." She leaned up to kiss him on the lips, his cheek, and then his neck.

Her mate pulled her into a tight hug, his swollen stomach awkwardly getting crushed in the way. "They've hardly starting kicking, Allahie, and now their magic is being tested. I'm scared, and I want you to get to know them better....to feel them more and love them like when you first found out I was pregnant."

Allahie grinned up at him, "You big baby," she laughed. "You want to be coddled more?"

He nodded against her and kissed her one more time. "Now go on!" He laughed back, sneering with all his teeth exposed, "This isn't goodbye! This is to be a new beginning!"