Robbin's POV
For five long seconds, he didn't move. Not even his eyes twitched at the news. Xander was I shock, but was it the happy I can't believe it kind or the are you joking kind.
"Xander," I whispered, feeling my heart drop to my stomach from his silence, "please say something. I know the timing is terrible, but it's real."
"You're not pregnant," he said flatly, "I would be able to tell if you were."
Right, he wasn't aware of the masking I unknowingly was doing. I pulled out the ultrasound photo again and handed it to him.
He looked at it closely, studying the first picture of our child. "Did my aunt give you a check-up?"
"Yes, this morning. Xander, please tell me how you feel about this."
I couldn't take his monotone attitude. Behind that face held a frenzy of emotions, I was sure of it.
"How I feel? How do you think?" I could've died right there from his words if he didn't finish talking.
"Upset," I muttered matter of factly. "With the upcoming war, this is the last thing any of us want."
I went to pull the photo from his hands but his grip held onto it tightly.
"You're right, the last thing I want is for you to be pregnant right now, but that doesn't mean I don't want you to be."
"You look indifferent to the news."
"I'm confused, Robbin. I'm an Alpha. I should be able to tell if my mate is carrying my son."
"Tallulah said my dragon blood is masking the scent."
Xander let out a deep sigh. "I want to speak to her. Let's go."
"About what."
"I just...I need to know more."
"But I'm right here. Ask me."
"Robbin, no. I want to know from her."
What did that even mean?
"Do you think I'm lying," I questioned.
"What? Robbin, no." His tone was annoyed and rushed, leaving me more confused. "Just please come with me."
Xander took me back to his aunt and questioned her thoroughly. He wanted to know how and why I was pregnant, though I'm pretty sure he knew why. Maybe he was confused about why he couldn't sense it. It wasn't that big of a deal.
The doctor told us the same thing she told me but I don't think Xander was satisfied. She left us alone to speak but I was at a loss for words.
Xander didn't want a baby.
"I know what you're thinking," he said in the silence, resting his hands on the windowsill.
"I doubt it."
"You're my mate, Robbin. I know you quite well, actually." He left his spot by the window and walked over to the bed I sat on. "You like a lot of space on the bed when you sleep. You don't eat cauliflower. You can't decide if you love me or Vision more. And, you think I'm angry that you're pregnant."
"It's okay if you are," I mumbled. This is the worst time to be carrying."
"Yes, it is." He walked closer to me but didn't meet my eyes. They were on my stomach. "But it's more reason to fight; for you, our kingdom, and now our child."
"So, you're not upset?" I placed a hand over my stomach and rubbed it gently.
"I could never be angry at you or our child. I'm angry that people want to kill you, and if they found out-"
"Stakes would be raised."
I grabbed Xander's hand and put it where mine was, letting him feel our son for the first time. A sad smile stretched on his face.
"If I lost you, I'd have no reason to fight," he said softly in his deep voice, "If I lost the both of you, it would break me."
"You're not losing either of us," I reminded him, "Why do you think I wanted to stay here during the battle? We're safest away from it."
"I want to send you further away."
"No, Xander."
"This will be one of the first places they'll come."
"Our people need someone here with them. They need their queen. And your army, Xander they need their king."
Xander look conflicted with this decision. If I left, the people of the Northerner kingdom would have no one to lead them. Cities and packs would be left with nothing, no one to support them after their volunteers leave to join the fight.
"You'll be heavily guarded the entire time."
"Okay."
"You'll stay inside at all times."
"Alright, Xander."
"And no matter what, you won't fight. No leaping into a battle. None of that."
"I promise." Xander wrapped his free hand around my waist and pulled me into a long, warming hug. His heat traveled to my abdomen where our child rested. "Oh, and it's too early to tell, but I think we're having a boy."
Xander pulled away. "A boy? Are you sure?"
"Yes, it's a dragon thing."
"A boy," he grinned.
"A boy," I repeated.
Xander brushes my cheek with the back of his hand and I leaned myself into him. The journey we've been on was complicated from the start but I think we've grown while knowing each other.
There wasn't any distaste for one another or misery. I wasn't angry anymore; at him for keeping me here even when I assumed leaving was the best choice, or being forced into his monarchy.
The only thing that saddened me was the war. I lost my mother in the Great War and Xander lost both of his parents in the Northerner Civil War. Right now, my greatest fear is losing someone again.
Deep down I kept praying that we could come to some agreement with Ryker, but we were well past words. Action was the only thing that was going to end this.
We were only in that comforting moment for a few minutes before the door opened quickly. My eyes flicked from Xander's to Alec who appeared in the door frame.
"You two need to come with me," he said urgently.
Xander, who kept his gaze on my stomach, finally turned to see the troubled look on Alec's face.
"Another riot," I asked, my voice filled with worry and fear.
"No. It's Ryker. He's marching with his army towards us."
My eyes widened and I felt Xander's body grow tense. Marching? From where?
~*~
"The bastard was in the kingdom the whole fucking time?" Xander paced the war room with a disgruntled expression on his face.
I sat in my chair, covering my belly with both hands while I watched him.
"It seems so. They're north of us right now. Alpha Tristan of the Caden pack says none of them have shifted into their wolf form. No attacks. No nothing."
"How many of them?"
Alec looked hesitant.
"Dammit, Alec, just tell me!"
"They haven't calculated an exact amount, but the number's over 100,000."
Xander fell silent for a moment. "...We have more numbers," he said hesitantly.
It was true. In the castle, there were about one hundred and fifty thousand soldiers, combined with the extra twenty thousand my father was willing to provide, ready to fight.
"It won't matter," I stated, "Ryker has a dragon. It can take out our men."
"We have three here."
I rose from my seat, staring angrily at Xander. "If you think even for a moment I'd let Vision go without me, you're mad." I walked the short distance to him. "I just got him back. There's no way in hell he's fighting. Phoebion either."
"Robbin, think about what you're saying."
"Their family to me, Xander." My voice weakened at the thought of losing Vision again. "If I lost Vision for good..."
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have suggested-"
"No, you shouldn't have." I let out a small sigh. "So, what happens now? Ryker is being held off in the Caden pack. If he's not attacking, what does he want?"
Alec rustled through his papers again. "I'm guessing he wants to talk."
"I doubt it's a surrender. He brought all of his men," I reminded them.
"Then we'll do the same," Xander announced, "Alec, gather the troops. We have a new meeting to attend."