65. Shhh, be quiet. Listen.

Darius woke up from someone grabbing onto his shoulder and violently shaking his body. The male half-opened his eyes and nearly bolted off of the sofa as he noticed his mate, wrapped in a blanket, her eyes full with tears. The deadly sin was sure that this was the first time in his life when his heart nearly left his body.

"My love," Darius kneeled in front of her body, checking for any visible injury. "What happened? Are you in pain? Is it something about the baby? Wait, I'll look for a healer, he will check you, don't cry- I will make sure that you will be okay. Just don't move," his voice grew frantic; Ally could notice how genuinely worried her mate was.

The male jumped on his feet, about to run off, but the Princess stopped him by placing a hand on his shoulder. Her lips trembled, more tears threatening to fight their way out. "I don't need a healer," she finally managed to push words over her lips. Ally couldn't speak; the look on his face was both terrifying and confusing. She wondered how the male was made into a weapon to get rid of the Royals when he was this worried about one. Ally's eyes traveled down to his hands- her eyes widened as she noticed how violently they shook. She wasn't the only one whose heart wouldn't stop beating like crazy.

"No, I can't risk your health or the health of our baby, kitten. I couldn't forgive myself if anything happened to any of you. I need to make sure that you're healthy, and so is our little one. There must be something wrong, unless you wouldn't wake me up, standing here wrapped in a blanket, barefoot. Shit, you're barefoot," Darius hissed the last words and ran at Ally, picking her on his arms.

The young Princess knew that she had to speak up as soon as possible; otherwise, he would take her to the healer and probably kill the poor shifter if it said nothing was wrong with her or the baby. Ally knew Darius for a short period of time, but she noticed how worked up and worried he could become at times. "Calm down, Darius. I'm not in pain, and the baby is okay; there's nothing you should be worried about. Please, calm down a little," Ally cupped his cheek, smiling at the male. She noticed how worry left his facial features; the deadly sin gave into her touch faster than she expected.

"Alright, if you say so. Let me take you back to the bedroom then; I don't think that wandering around the temple is a good idea for someone in your position. You're carrying a child, love, and now you need to think not only about yourself but that little thing as well. I wouldn't mind your midnight adventures if not the pregnancy." Darius announced and headed towards the stairs. The male kept quiet as he carried Ally to the bedroom. Darius didn't risk speaking up again- their relationship was complicated, and he had no intention to make it even worse than it had gotten. He loved Ally with everything he had, the male would do anything for her and give the Princess anything she desired, but sometimes things don't go as planned. Especially when two complete opposites try to build a healthy relationship, with a small addition on its way. At least Darius could enjoy the moment of closeness between them while he carried Ally. The young woman leaned her head against his chest, inhaling the male's scent.

"Why were you wandering around the halls, kitten?" Darius couldn't keep quiet for a long time- he needed answers. The male tried his best to stay away from Ally, at least until the next morning came, yet she was there before he tried to get close to her.

"I missed you," Ally breathed out, admitting how she felt. The young woman woke up in the massive bed alone. The last thing she could remember was falling asleep in the nearest guest bedroom, yet after opening her eyes- she noticed the familiar place. At first, Ally thought that Darius would be around, yet he wasn't. The young woman spent hours overthinking all possibilities- where was he, if he was with someone else, or perhaps had he left for another hunt. There were a few things Ally couldn't change about him, but the Princess tried to accept them all since he did the same. Darius didn't like a few things she did or how often she put herself down, but instead of freaking out- the male tried to work with it. Who would have known that a deadly sin would show her the best example possible?

"I thought you needed some time away from me, but I do understand why. I decided to sleep on the couch so that you can have the bed, love," Darius pressed his lips against her forehead, holding onto the love of his life a little tighter. The male feared that Ally would tell him that her love was gone within minutes. He wouldn't blame her, especially after finding out about such a secret, yet that didn't mean that he would simply let go of her. He couldn't; even the thought alone hurt him, let alone actually watching her leaving his life for good.

Ally kept quiet as the male opened the bedroom door and carried her inside. As usual, he kicked the door closed behind him, but this time Darius was more careful to avoid being too noisy. He didn't lock the door since Ally would make him leave anyway, at least that was what he thought. He carefully laid her back on the bed, but to his surprise- the young woman quickly snuck her arms around his neck and pulled him in with her. She held him as if her life depended on the closeness between their bodies.

"I know this isn't easy for you too. And I'm sorry, please don't leave me," Ally sobbed in his neck, hiccuping as she spoke. All Darius could do was pull her closer, hugging the woman and holding her tightly. He kissed the top of her head, whispering sweet nothings to calm her down.

Just a couple of hours ago, Darius felt as if his life had ended. The male didn't see a reason behind his existence for centuries, and when he finally found it- it was slipping away from his grasp. He had struggled on his own, responsibilities, and the damn reputation to hold- as a deadly sin, he couldn't be weak, yet he found his weakness. Ally had all the cards, his heart and his life in her hands. Whatever she wanted- Darius would do and give. The male used to wonder if his life ever changed if he met his mate. Of course, for centuries, he gave up, thinking that Selene wouldn't be kind enough to bless him with a mate. And even if he hoped otherwise- never did Darius think of having someone as Ally. The woman was pure and kind, a true angel, while he was one of the Underworld creatures. He kept thinking that his fated mate would be someone of the shadows- shallow and truly evil, yet received the best gift possible, a complete opposite.

"Don't cry, kitten. I won't leave unless you want me to," he whispered, assuring Ally that even if she fell asleep- Darius would be there. He wouldn't dream of anything more perfect than holding Ally as she slept. Usually, nights were the time when the male felt alive, ready to wander around and kill for fun. Now he focused his attention on making sure that his mate had enough sleep and their baby would be healthy. A gentle smile grew on his lips- the deadly sin didn't expect much from life, but becoming a father was nearly the impossible mission. Who in the world would be crazy enough to give him such a precious gift?

"I overreacted, I know. It's not what I wanted to do or intended in the first place. I should have listened instead of sending you off and leaving myself. Lately, things have changed so fast; I can barely hold my mind onto one thing, and this information blew my mind. It's not your fault- you never asked for such a thing to happen, same as I never asked to be born in a Royals family. We can't choose our fates, it's a game the Moon Goddess is playing, and we have to accept whatever she gives. I'm grateful she blessed me with you; I truly am. Darius, you made my life better; we will get whatever obstacles they throw our way. We can do it." Ally finally managed to stop crying, looking up at her mate. She could notice the dark circles forming under his eyes, the same as her- Darius didn't get much sleep. It was another proof for her to see how important they were for each other, how much they needed to stay around. The young woman sat up, her mate instantly following her.

"You're right; we can do it. And I will do anything in my power to get rid of that shit curse. Since I didn't have the opportunity to tell you everything, you don't know that there might be a way out. Listen, as stupid or shocking this sounds, ignore whatever you doubt and listen, okay?" Darius turned to Ally and took her hands in his, gently stroking the top of her palms with his thumbs.

To avoid way too many questions, Ally nodded. The young woman bit onto her lip, trying to stay quiet. She wanted to ask a couple of things, yet more questions could make the current situation even more difficult. Sometimes it was better to deal with everything- one problem at a time.

"Alright, I already told you the story about Fenrir and his downfall. Right now, I have to be as careful as I can be- as said, you're my only weakness, kitten. That fucker and his friend will attempt to plot something against me, and I'm terrified that they could try to get close to you. That's the main reason why we're still here. I'm a coward, hiding you away while I can. But right now, I will rather be a coward than a brave fool, losing everything I ever cared about. Aside from that shit, good things are coming our way. If I take the throne back, Selene will have no other choice to find another idiot to follow her commands. Whoever will come and stand in my place- I will track them down and kill before they get over with their first day of training. She doesn't want to lose me; everyone knows that- she has one man instead of armies, and it's her advantage. I am her weapon. I believe that she paired us for a reason, perhaps she's testing me and how far I will go to defy her, but I won't let her lead me towards hurting you. Kitten, I understand how hard this is on you, and I would do anything to get the weight off of your shoulders, but you'll have to wait for a little. Trust me, I have had so many chances to hurt you or kill you, yet I never did anything like that. I'm absolutely, insanely, crazy in love with you. Head over heels in a size of a fucking giant. I love you more than the damned language can express it; there are no words that would explain the things I feel for you. Ally, I used to be so feared that people didn't dare as much as pray for Selene to give them something; I'm used to power. But for you I will drop it, for you I will drop on my knees in front of anyone, for as long as it means that you don't leave. I can't lose you. I am fucking selfish as that." Ally knew that Darius wouldn't lie even if he wanted to. She could read him like an open book- all of his emotions end up in her mind. The bond between them formed at an insane speed; the lovers wouldn't be able to lie anymore.

"Darius?" Ally whispered, her eyes widening. The look on her face worried the male- whatever happened; it shocked his mate. He jumped out of bed, eyeing her carefully, ready to bolt for the same healer that he wanted to meet earlier.

"What is it? Are you in pain? Wait, I forced too much information on you- it made you worry, and something is wrong now. For fuck's sake, how could I be such an idiot? Wait, I'll get you to that damned healer. Or perhaps I shouldn't keep carrying you around; that might end up bad as well, right? Should I get that bitch in here? Give me a minute, and he will be here; just say the word!" Ally wanted to laugh at him. The way Darius kept overreacting was getting quite amusing. It didn't matter what Ally felt, how she presented the information or what her reaction was- the deadly sin would rush her to the healer without an actual reason.

"Shhh, be quiet. Listen," Ally whispered, staring at the deadly sin as if she was about to throw something his way.

Darius froze on the spot, listening, unaware of what he was supposed to hear. The smile on Ally's face grew more gentle; that was another kind of a loving smile. She watched Darius, waiting for the male to catch on to whatever she was listening to.

"I don't hear anything aside from heartbeats," Darius whispered, the tone of his voice full of frustration. He nearly grabbed onto his hair and started pulling on it as Ally nodded. The male's eyes widened, and he froze on the spot. "Wait, is that?"

"I think it is, unless you have two heartbeats, because as far as I'm aware- I have one," Ally giggled, her eyes filling with tears. The Princess felt overwhelmed; sharing such a moment with her mate was a magical experience. She couldn't stop smiling- leaving the bedroom to find him was one of the best decisions Ally made. If she didn't- Darius would miss such an important moment.

The male got back in the bed; his movements were as careful as never. He laid down close to Ally, placing his head in her lap, listening to the fast heartbeat. "That right there is our baby, love," Darius grinned and announced with nothing but proudness in his voice.