Stallion Mage: A Horse Shifter Mpreg Romance (COMPLETE)

Stallions Won't Change

A pang of regret ran through Alvarr's body as the Elders hurried him away from his mate, who would not stop until he regained control of the tribe. I should be there! He could clearly hear the arguments and confusion behind him. What if Laren needed his help? What if-

As though they he could read the mage's mind, Elder Sevan tightened his grip on Alvarr's arm. "You will not do him any good," he said. "His attention will be divided, with you there."

Alvarr let himself be led to the Elders' tent, where they sat around a small fire that Elder Mastok quickly started.

"So, we are together once again, my brothers," Elder Pastor said, his voice whisper-soft.

They were silent for many moments. Alvarr's mind was dull and numb from seeing his world overturned. All he could think was, What do I do? What do I do now? But through his anxiety, he did his best to reassure his unborn daughter. I will protect you, no matter what happens.

"It's against Nature," Elder Sevan said at last. "The way the tribe tried to turn against the leader."

"No matter how much grass our mage grows, damage from the rift will find its way in," Elder Mastok said.

"What else can we do?" Alvarr asked, not really expecting an answer.

He did not receive one. The Elders are probably as shocked as I am. He and the Elders stayed in a kind of stupor, moving only to put another stick onto the fire.

Laren entered the tent and walked to Alvarr, standing by his shoulder. "Some of them have turned," he said. "It is madness. They look to Nassor instead. I should have..."

Alvarr looked up at the face of his mate. "You couldn't have known. Even if you did, to cast out a tribe-brother is against Nature. You wouldn't have done it, Laren," he said, anxious to reassure his mate. And something else would have happened in its place.

"I... perhaps." Though Laren did not say the words, Alvarr knew he thought the same as they: What do we do now?

"Elder Pastor," Alvarr said. "You believe that the... my foal will be born in a moon?"

"It is difficult to say, but that would be my guess," the Elder said.

The mage looked at the fire. "Would that be enough time to find the mares?"

"Why do you want to find the mares?" Laren demanded, jumping on the question. "What can they do for you that..." he trailed off.

Alvarr wrapped his hair around his wrist and looked down at the large curve of his belly. "Laren. I am with foal. Do you not realize that this is a mare's domain, not a stallion's? What does any stallion know about... birthing?" He put a hand on where his daughter rested, magically sustained by his body.

Laren frowned. "Surely, if Nature had a hand in the creation of this foal, it will have a hand in its birthing."

Anger flashed through the mage. How could the leader be so uncaring? "Do you not want your daughter to survive? Because I do." He scrambled up from the ground awkwardly, not wanting to have this conversation from the ground. "And that means I will do whatever is necessary to protect her, from now, through her birth, and beyond."

"So you want to go to the mares," Laren said flatly.

Alvarr was aware of the three Elders, watching silently. He had nothing to hide from them. "Not just me, Laren," he said. "All of us. The whole tribe. I want to heal the rift."