Chapter 214- The Call That Shook the King
CJ
By the fourth day, Adrian’s old pack finally started to feel like something more than a war zone. The air no longer stank of rebellion and smoke. Laughter—tentative, uncertain—had returned to the courtyard where only the sounds of battle had echoed some time ago. Wolves were rebuilding walls instead of tearing each other apart. Children played again, their eyes no longer haunted.
I should have felt relief.
And yet, every time I looked toward the eastern ridge, where the sun rose over the horizon, my chest tightened. Home was that way. Lexy was that way.
I’d been telling myself for days that she was fine, that our unborn triplets were still safe, that I’d be back before her due date. But even as I gave orders and restored order, a gnawing urgency clawed at the back of my mind.
The faster I finished here; the sooner I could get back to her.
“King CJ,” came Darius’s voice as he approached from behind me. He carried a stack of reports and a face smeared with dirt from the morning’s patrols. “The eastern patrols have been established. The rebels that surrendered two days ago are settling near the northern cliffs under supervision. No new threats so far.”
“Good,” I said, scanning the courtyard from where I stood atop the stairs of the manor.
“And the civilians?”
“Returning to the markets. We reopened the trade routes with the neighboring packs this morning. Supplies are moving again.”
That was the best news I’d heard all week. For the first time, the tension in my shoulders eased slightly. “You’ve done well, Darius. Keep the new patrols tight for another day or two. If nothing changes by then, a decision can be made on who rules this land.”
He blinked. “You’re leaving soon?”
“Yes,” I said simply, though it wasn’t the whole truth. I wasn’t just leaving soon. I was leaving the second I could justify it.
He nodded, understanding. Our people here knew how close Lexy was to her due date. My mind wasn’t subtle about it.
“Understood, Your Majesty,” he said quietly.
I watched as he walked off to deliver orders, my gaze drifting toward the horizon again. The wind carried the scent of pine and rain—home’s scent.
I turned my attention back to the courtyard, where the pack’s new leaders had gathered. A council of three—wolves who had once served Adrian but had proven themselves loyal to peace since his fall. They stood nervously as I approached.
“Report,” I ordered.
One of them, a woman named Mara, spoke first. “The reconstruction of the main hall is nearly complete, Your Majesty. We’ve cleared out all remaining caches of Adrian’s weapons. His banners have been burned, and his symbol removed from every wall.”
“Good,” I said. “Make sure the younger wolves witness the burning. Let them see that era end.”
The second, a broad-shouldered wolf named Keir, added, “The families of the fallen have been given proper rites. We’re… grateful for the supplies your alliance sent.”
“It’s what we promised,” I replied. “A new beginning.”
They exchanged glances, unsure whether to thank me or stay silent. I didn’t need gratitude—I needed stability. I needed to know I could leave without this place falling apart again.
The meeting lasted another hour. Logistics, supply distribution, new ranks, peace patrols—it all blurred together. My mind kept drifting to Lexy. Every heartbeat of the day carried her name.
I could feel her faintly through our bond—a soft, pulsing warmth that reassured me she was safe. But there were moments when the bond flickered, like light struggling against distance. Each time it did, my chest tightened.
She’s okay, I told myself. She has Tarria. The triplets are watching her. She’s safe.
By afternoon, I walked the perimeter of the restored wall, observing the guards as they changed shifts. Some still avoided my eyes, but most bowed respectfully now. The fear that had once filled their gazes was gone. Replaced by something far rarer—trust.
“King CJ,” one of them called as I passed. “Thank you.”
I stopped, surprised. “For what?”
“For staying,” he said. “For fighting for us when we didn’t deserve it.”
I didn’t know how to answer. So, I just nodded once. “Make it worth it.”
When I reached the watchtower overlooking the valley, I paused to take it all in. Four days ago, this place had been chaos—wolves killing each other in the name of a dead alpha. Now, there was order. Life. Hope.
I rested my hands on the railing and allowed myself, for the first time in what felt like ages, to exhale.
One more day, I thought. Just one more, and I can go home.
The wind shifted suddenly, colder now. My wolf stirred inside me, uneasy. Something in the air changed—an instinctive pull that made my skin prickle.
Then my phone rang.
I frowned, pulling it from my pocket. The caller ID froze my breath.
Dr. Bennett.
My heart skipped a beat. I answered immediately. “Doc?”
There was a pause—a heavy one. I could hear the background noise of the infirmary, muffled voices, footsteps, and the faint, steady beep of medical equipment.
“CJ…” Dr. Bennett’s voice came through low, steady, but lined with urgency. “I need you to listen carefully.”
My pulse spiked. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s Lexy,” she said, and my world stopped. “She’s gone into labor.”
Relief and terror collided in my chest. “That’s— that’s early. A week early, but—okay. Okay, I’ll be there as soon as—”
“CJ,” she interrupted, voice soft but firm. “It’s not looking good.”
The words hit harder than any blow I’d ever taken. My vision tunneled.
“What do you mean it’s not looking good?” I demanded, already striding down the tower stairs, barking for Darius to prep the transport.
“There are complications,” Dr. Bennett said. “Her contractions started strong, but her energy—her power—is fluctuating. The babies’ vitals are unstable. She’s trying to control it, but her auras in overdrive. We’re doing everything we can, but…”
Her voice faltered, and that silence said more than anything else.
“But what?” I growled. “Say it!”
She sighed heavily, and I could hear the exhaustion, the fear, the helplessness she was trying to mask. “If we can’t stabilize her energy soon… we could lose her, CJ. Her, or the babies. Possibly both.”
The world went cold. Every instinct in me screamed, Move.
“Keep her alive,” I said, my voice sharp as steel. “Do you hear me? Keep her alive until I get there.”
“CJ—”
“Do whatever you have to! If she loses control, sedate her, suppress her aura, I don’t care what it takes!” I was already halfway to the convoy, every soldier on my path moving aside the second they saw my face.
Darius appeared beside the vehicle. “What happened?”
“Lexy,” I said tightly. “She’s in labor. It’s bad.”
He didn’t ask another question. “Get in.”
The engine roared to life, and we sped toward the border road. My hands gripped the door handle hard enough that the metal groaned.
Every second felt like an eternity. The bond between me and Lexy pulsed erratically now—too weak, too unstable. I could feel her pain, her fear, her strength fighting against something bigger than both of us.
I pressed my hand against my chest; against the crystal pendant she’d given me. It was warm—too warm.
“Hold on, Lex,” I whispered, staring out at the darkening horizon. “Just hold on. I’m coming.”
The sun dipped low behind us, casting long shadows across the road as we raced through the valley. The pack we left behind faded into the distance, but I couldn’t think about them anymore.
My world had narrowed to one point—home.
To her.
Dr. Bennett’s last words echoed in my mind, relentless.
If we can’t stabilize her energy soon, we could lose her…
I closed my eyes briefly, forcing the panic down. There was no losing her. There never had been. Not after everything we’d survived.
She was my queen. My heart. My reason for every breath.
And if the world wanted to take her from me now… it would have to go through the King himself.
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