Chapter 7 The Pups

Quinn's pov

My eyes left his hands that were on the steering wheel and slowly went up to his face; he had his eyes focused ahead.

I sighed as I rested my head on the window, looking ahead too. My stomach churned-it occurred to me that I hadn't really eaten.

I let out a subtle sigh as my eyes followed the movement outside the window.

So this is it. This is how I leave here. The place I was raised, the place where my life had always felt worthless.

I took a deep breath.

My breath fogged up the glass. I raised my arm and used my sleeve to wipe it, letting out a small wince because of the lingering pain of the chains.

The ride was still very much quiet, save for my wolf whispering that we were safe, as I stared at the wide expanse of land that showcased that we were now outside the pack. But for a brief moment, I felt his gaze on me-finally.

Without turning, I asked, "Why me?"

My voice was barely above a whisper, but I could tell he heard it.

I really wanted to know-why me? Why did the infamous and cursed Lycan King choose me?

There was a long pause, and I had concluded he was not going to respond when I heard his voice croak alive.

His deep voice filled the space between us. "You'll understand soon."

So much for an answer. I scoffed softly as I brought my gaze back to the window.

Safe?

I played my wolf's word again, but this doesn't feel like that... It felt like I might have traded one cage for another.

The rest of the ride was a competition of who would break the utter silence first, and no one won as the car slowed down slowly, crunching over gravel before coming to a full stop-we were here, wherever here was.

Outside the window, a fortress rose from the earth like it had been carved from a mountain itself. It was definitely ancient-and magical.

I didn't expect it to be breathtaking... cold as it was, the sight was amazing.

The clicking sound of the car door opening brought me back. Two guards stood beside it, with their heads bowed.

They didn't speak or look me in the eye. I hesitated, my fingers tightening around the seatbelt before finally unclicking it.

The king was already outside, waiting. He didn't say anything either, just tilted his head slightly-a gesture I couldn't conclude was a command or just an invitation.

Either way, I moved my feet slowly and followed. The wind hit me first-harsh and ruthless and definitely colder than I expected for this time of the year.

My wolf stirred but remained quiet as I wrapped my arm around myself.

Inside the palace walls, the atmosphere was warm-from stone and chill to dark marble floors and walls with golden firelight. It was silent, creepily silent.

I finally saw servants walking in and out of the hallways, their heads dipping as they saw us.

But their heads flickered to me before they quickly looked away, but I still caught it.

Then the whispers... I couldn't hear the words, but I could hear the hushed tones mumbling upon seeing me.

They were whispering about me.

I kept walking alongside the king, my eyes taking in every bit of information they could hold on to.

The hallways wound like a maze and I soon began falling behind because of my observations.

He finally stopped before a tall wooden door in a quieter corridor. There were no guards outside it, no locks or chains visible to me.

I stopped behind him as he pushed it open. It wasn't a prison... it was far from it. Way farther than it could be.

The room felt warm-so warm, I could feel it from where I stood at the entrance. A fireplace cackled quietly in the corner; I heard it before I saw it.

I walked closer and my eyes drifted to the bed. It was neat-too neat. There were clothes folded on a chaise lounge and ointments placed in one corner. A huge tray of food was also laid out.

But I didn't step in, I didn't move too close.

"You'll be staying here..." his voice drifted into my ears. "...you're free to rest-"

"And if I want to leave?" I asked, cutting him off.

There was no response from him... just a low, almost scary chuckle.

"Is this a trap?" I asked myself.

As if hearing my thoughts, I heard his voice break through... "No one will hurt you here!"

I moved my head to look up at him... he was now holding the handle.

"Why are you being so kind?" I asked, folding my arms in front of me.

This is the Lycan King, for crying out loud. The one whose ruthlessness was more popular than his face.

Why in the name of the Moon Goddess would he be kind to me?

"I'm merely doing my duty," he said simply and gestured for me to walk in.

"Duty...?" I asked.

"You're my mate," he said.

"You're really sticking to that..."

"You don't feel it?" he asked, and my throat ran dry.

Of course I feel the bond... but...

"Come!" he grabbed my hand and shattered my thoughts.

He dragged me slowly and I let him. The next thing I knew, I was sitting on the couch and he was bent in front of me, my wrist in his hand.

My eyes followed his movement as he reached for the ointment. I watched him rub it gently on the wound the chain left on my wrists, and I wanted to push him away, to tell him I could do it myself-but I couldn't... for some reason, his touch was comfortable. More comfortable than I'd even like to admit.

And so I sat there, quietly, as he tended to my wounds one after the other.

"You should eat..." he said as he stood up to leave.

"And if I don't want to?" I asked, still trying to be stubborn.

"You will, because I heard your stomach grumble in the car..."

My cheeks heated up in embarrassment. I didn't know he heard that.

"...and again, you need all the strength you can gather for the pup!"

My head shot up, but he was already gone... and his words lingered in my head.

Pup? Pup?

My eyes slowly went to my stomach as they widened in realization.

I am pregnant??!!