Stallion Mage: A Horse Shifter Mpreg Romance (COMPLETE)

An Ominous Gathering

So, we're announcing my condition to the tribe. Alvarr felt some relief at not having to keep secrets any longer, but it was a heavy relief. For even if everyone knew, it still did not change the fact that he would bear a foal in the dead of winter. And he still did not know how the foal would be born.

He glanced sidelong at his mate, pacing beside him on one side, while Elder Pastor walked on his other. Laren truly did not act worried, but Alvarr didn't know if it was because he believed everything would come right, or if it was false confidence. Alvarr knew his mate had a blind spot created from never having to protect himself. He never has to protect himself.

The mage wished that were always the case, but it was a foolish wish. To distract himself, he asked Elder Pastor a question. "Elder, do you believe that what is happening to our tribe is a curse?"

The frail, yet powerful, white stallion tossed his mane. "No, young mage. It is not a punishment. No one has done anything wrong."

"Then... what is it?" Laren asked.

"It is more like tainted water, like a pond where all the life has died. Something is simply out of balance. It must be put right."

Though they were both silent, Alvarr knew the other two believed that he had been born to put things right.

When they returned to the camp, Elder Pastor marvelled at the change. "Alvarr, your presence alone makes things bearable."

The mage remembered that the Elder had left the land when he had gone on his journey. "I have not done anything," he said. Frustration built up in him.

Laren laughed and shifted to man-shape. Pointing toward the edge of the woods, he said, "Just last night, grass mysteriously grew in the woods. I suppose Alvarr had nothing to do with it, that he just happened to be there." Turning to the other two, he said, "Meet me in the center of camp. I will gather the tribe."

With Laren gone, Alvarr's doubts came crashing down on him. He retreated to the Elders' tent, leading Elder Pastor into the safe, dim interior.

Elder Mastok saw the ancient man and shouted. "Sevan, come! Pastor has come back."

Alvarr told the other two Elders what Laren intended. Elder Sevan nodded. "Good," he said. "When a leader keeps secrets from the tribe, it can do no good."

"And, Alvarr, you can hardly go about on four-legs all the time. If you meant to hide it, one slip would be your undoing," Elder Mastok said.

They heard footsteps outside the tent. Laren ducked in. "Come, Alvarr."

"Face your fears, young mage," Elder Pastor said. "We will stand with you."

They left the tent, and Alvarr shifted. They walked to the center of the camp, where the tribe gathered. Mostly on four-legs, the stallions watched their leader with curiosity. They did not yet notice Elder Mastok or Alvarr, who had put themselves on the inner edge of the crowd, rather than next to their leader.

"Tribe-brothers," Laren said in his clear, ringing voice. "This season has been very hard for all of us."

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the tribe.

"But even though we have nearly lost some tribe-brothers to romeya, we all still live." He swept his arm out to include the entire crowd of stallions. "Even the most vulnerable among us have not been taken before their time. And do you know why this is?"

"No, Laren," some of the bolder stallions answered. "Tell us why."

"The answer is not me, not the Elders, but Nature! Nature has provided for us."