The Royal Wolves

Now?

* * * Queen Erin’s POV * * *

Waking up comes real slow and relaxed, as if the day was kind enough to come softly into focus. Waking up next to him is moving from one dream to a better kind. In his sleep, he appears so young, his face is free from the stress that had appeared to cause a permanent frown. I gently trace his brow and pray to the gods and goddesses that this nightmare ends soon. This man deserves peace, love and happiness. Hell, we all do.

“Baby, it’s time to get up. We have to be at the training centre in an hour,” I say softly as I try to wake him.

“I’m awake,” he grumbles and rolls onto his side. His eyes open slowly and he smiles at me. “How did you sleep?”

“Not great. I think this little one is running out of room,” I sigh, choosing to not worry him with the amount of braxton hicks I’ve been having.

“Why don’t you rest today?”

“And miss watching you guys in action? Not a chance,” I laugh.

“Then we will arrange for a comfortable chair to be taken to the training centre,” he laughs and lifts up onto his elbow to kiss me.

“I hate to sound like a diva, but that would be lovely.”

“Get yourself washed and dressed, I’ll bring breakfast up,” he smiles and forces himself out of bed.

Glancing in the mirror, I decide my hair doesn’t need washing, and freshen up with a wash at the sink. I pull my hair into a high ponytail, apply a little mascara and then dress. By the time I’m done, he’s back with two English breakfasts. I can’t help but laugh at the size of his.

“Hey, we’re going to be burning a lot of calories. We need it,” he laughs with me.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

True to his word, there is a ridiculously comfy looking armchair next to a side table filled with drinks and snacks. “Really?” I chuckle as I raise an eyebrow at him.

“Darran’s doing. He reckons your pregnancy hormones will be more relaxed and less likely to want to kill him when I’m getting hurt,” he explains while laughing at my reaction.

“Fair point. I am grumpy with all these bloody fake contractions, the food will help,” I admit.

“Maybe you should get checked out.”

“I’m fine. It was like this with the twins, only less painful this time. It’s a normal thing, now get gone,” I playfully push him to the group of Alphas, Betas and warriors awaiting him.

Slowly, I walk over to my chair and sit down while eyeing up the delights prepared by Darran. As I sit, I see them deep in conversation as Darran is explaining whatever is in his note pad. As I shuffle, my hand brushes something, I look to find it is a lever and I pull it. It’s not the slow recline I thought it would be, and I can’t control my squeal as I shoot from sitting to almost laying down. I can feel his eyes on me, and I look up to see Stefan watching me.

Drawing his arm back, Darran drives his fist into Stefan’s nose. Head flying as his eyes lock on the sky, Stefan stumbles. His left foot slides on the grass and he braces the heel of his trainer against the ground. His hands rose to cover his nose, eyes squeezing shut. A single tear leaks down his cheek. Head coming forwards, nose throbbing, he glares at Darran over his fingers.

“You bastard,” Stefan snarls. “What the f*cking hell did you do that for?”

“You weren’t listening!”

“But Erin squealed,” Stefan says, lowering his hands to reveal a healed nose. The only signs of any injury is the misplaced blood on his perfect face.

“We need you focussed. No matter what happens in battle, no matter which of us you hear calling out, you must carry on. So focus and let’s see what you can do.” Darran scold him and I know he’s right. Maybe I should have staid at home and not been a distraction.

“You’re right. But she’s my mate.”

“And how can you protect her if you can focus. You need to listen.”

“I know.”

“First drill. Shirts are bears and skins are wolves. You must impact each fight, while continuing on your way to the end post. Got it?”

“Yeah.”

The group spread out as Stefan jogs alongside Darran to the far end of the field for what seems to be a simple warm up exercise. Once Stefan is in position, Darran talks to him briefly before running back to his post to observe and record Stefan’s first drill. He sounds a siren and the group begin fighting. They’re ferocious, even while sparring their own kind.

A second siren sounds and I watch as Noah takes control and begins to charge through the fighting groups, pausing briefly to help those designated as wolfs.

A piercing scream sounds and I notice a shirted warrior holding a large rock above his head, he repeatedly brings it down on a young female warrior. Stefan intervenes, but he doesn’t move on.

“He just doesn’t listen does he. Maybe if the end goal was to save his mate from just a little cut,” Darran speaks louder than usual and I realise he has made his way across to me and is holding a scary looking blade.

“Well, jackass, listen to this!” Stefan appears from nowhere, quickly shifts back and steps forward, his left hind leg pulling back and strikes out. His instep slams into Darran’s shin with a solid crunch, bending the leg at an unnatural angle. Darran yelps, his right leg lifting off the ground, head dropping as he leans forwards. Seizing the back of Darran’s head with his almost human fingers, he forces his skull down and rams his knee joint upwards into his face. “Do not threaten my mate,” Stefan snarls, having taken back control.

“You still don’t listen. You prioritised two women over all the others,” Darran scolds as he grips his nose and with a sickening crunch, realigns it.

“Jackass, look around. I stopped every fight before I got here. We understood the assignment. Me more so than him,” Stefan rages. Noah forces himself forwards and then comes before me and licks my face.

“I still can’t get used to you shifting so quickly,” I laugh and scratch his ear.

“You and me both, and the speed. I’m hoping the cameras caught it,” Darran says in wonder.

“I’d like to see too, help me up,” I request, struggling to fold the leg of the chair down. As the help me up I feel a gush of water between my legs. “Ohhhh… I think the baby is coming,” I gasp.

“Now?” Stefan asks looking between Darran and I.

“Buddy, go welcome your child into the world. Once they are born, you have two hours to be ready to train. Unfortunately we can’t delay,” Darran beams.

“He’ll be back within two hours. I’m having another section. We decided that with the Sisters willing to help heal me again, that it was safest fir the baby,” I smile as I place my hand on Darran’s cheek. “And I expect uncle Darran to visit after the training to meet this little one,” I add.

“Just try to stop me,” he grins.