Things were getting worse for us with every day that passed. Nothing we wanted went our way as complications continued to pile up. A month after the news, we were expecting more than just twins. A call came from Ryker, in which he reported distortions appearing by the howling forest.
However, the locals weren't eager to help find the cause behind the commotions. The changes to their homes made them more hostile towards our officers, and they probably thought we were the cause.
Most of Cerberus's scouts had to retreat before starting a small civil war in the area. To me, the only answer was that the witches were trying to summon Alijah to our world. However, an entire aerial search of the area found nothing.
We had no choice but to continue to monitor from afar for any more changes. Even though everything was moving rapidly, my time halted when I felt a kick come from my stomach. Fenris noticed me stop in my tracks when we walked down the manor to the dinner table.
I touched my inflated belly in response to the first movement, only to feel another kick. They were so gentle yet so well felt, triggering me to gaze up at my wolf before placing his hand on my belly for him to feel it.
When he felt his first one, his lips formed the most significant and brightest smile. Before I knew it, he hauled me into his arms and called me beautiful. I had never seen him so happy before that moment. It was like a light lit up within him, much like it did for me.
The moment I felt the fruit of our love, my perspective drastically changed. Although Fenris was my world, shifts were happening in my priorities. Before I felt them move, they had been a reason why my feet were starting to ache, nothing more, but suddenly, they were real.
With that, my desire to protect them blossomed into something else. I would do everything to protect their world, especially from someone bent on destroying it. All doubts left me, allowing me to realize what I had to do.
To protect their world, I could end this one if needed. It took me three more months to get my secret plan ready from Fenris. I knew full well he would disapprove, especially in the condition I found myself in when the news that the distortions became more concentrated.
They were becoming so alarming that the residents of Celestelia finally reached out to us for help. With their cooperation, we pinned down where the witches were within the forest. Of course, Fenris would be among the first to enter the battlefield that awaited us.
This was where my fight to keep us together would begin. Though it would be tough since I was almost ready to pop, or at least sure seemed like it. I could barely stay standing for long without my feet feeling it.
Fenris sat beside me in bed when we were alone in the room before.
"Lily, you can't come tomorrow." He gripped my hands as I shook my head.
This would be our last night together if it were any other average couple, but we weren't. I was no longer the girl who waited for him to return to the room.
"If you don't take me. I'll follow you," I warned him, soothing my belly.
It was much bigger than I had ever expected. The dresses I wore were so loose on me to prevent any marks from forming on my skin, and I had been experiencing slight cramps, though I told no one.
Amara had told me to count them, but they were still too far apart to be significant.
"No, you can't follow me. You have to stay here where it's safe." Fenris argued, resting his head against my belly.
A kick soon followed his touch, triggering him to wince. Although he wanted me to stay, he knew I would follow him until the end, which was something he wanted to avoid, especially since I was due in less than a month.
Well, weeks.
"I'll be safe with you. We'll keep each other safe." I assured him, petting his hair gently.
His ears were as soft as always. Every time I touched them, it soothed my soul.
My life… If all my pain led to this moment, I'm grateful I survived it.
"Ah, I can't risk the witches doing anything to you. I just can't, please, Lily." Fenris mumbled.
"They won't touch me," I promised.
A heavy sigh left his lips, shaking his head. This wasn't the answer he wanted. Even though it had been nearly nine months since we began planning and training, he was nowhere near close to what Alijah was capable of.
"Lily..." Fenris breathed.
I shook my head, "I'll follow you, Fenris. To eternity and beyond."
Tugging away from me, he faced me head-on. "Why won't you trust me? I'll come back to you."
I sighed, remembering the nightmare I had all those months ago.
It's as clear as a day to me even now. If the witches don't get you, Alijah surely will.
"I trust you, Fenris, but humor me for a bit if Alijah kills you. What do you think he'll do after that?" I asked, trying not to think much into the words I let out.
This Isn't a time for emotions. My children won't live without a father.
"Lily, he won't kill me." My wolf tried to sway me, but I was unmovable.
There was no stopping me.
"When he does, he'll come hunt for me here. So, please... let me be with you until the end." I simpered, kissing leaning to kiss his cheek.
I can't live without your warmth.
Rolling his eyes, he gently pushed me onto the bed.
"There's no convincing you. Is there?" Fenris whispered.
Slowly, he got behind me, allowing me to lay sideways on our bed. It was more comfortable this way. The swollen belly made this a task, but it wasn't one we stopped doing. With a couple of well-placed pillows, I was comfortable enough for anything.
"Nope," I answered.
A soft sigh left him before leaning into me and kissing me. His tongue tangoed with mine, leaving me humming while he undid my gown. There were no more words to be said other than what we felt for each other. He knew I wouldn't stay without him.
Tugging away from my lips, he licks his.
"Well, then... let's have our fill of each other tonight." Fenris purred into my ear before clasping my swollen breast into his hands.
They weren't ready to produce milk but were prepared to start immediately with the birth signal.
"Hm, there's no filling my heart, Fenris. I... can never have enough of you." I simpered, shifting my gaze onto him.
There, I was met with a light kiss.
"Neither can I. I love you, Lily." He murmured.
My hair had grown past my ears and almost reached my neck. Fenris caressed it away from my face before trailing kisses down my cheek and shoulder. His affection was something I would engrave into my mind.
In case of the off chance, I would never see him after our battle ended. His hand traveled from my swollen breast to my belly and into my groin. A mewl escaped my lips while his fingers stroked my vulva.
Pulling me into another lock of our lips, Fenris inserted his fingers into me, sending shivers down my spine. The changes in my body didn't bother him. No, he held me through them all. Sometimes, I wondered if he was blind to them, and he wasn't.
I knew because, with each passing month, he became gentler. He no longer knotted me, fearing it would cause me to go into labor early. It got to the point where he treated me like a flower that might wilt from the slightest touch.
A couple of weeks ago, I asked him about his behavior change, to which he responded, "How else can I hold the mother of my children? Don't get me wrong, I still want to ravish you at times, but that can wait until you've recovered after giving birth."
"But isn't it making me unattractive?" I mumbled, shifting my eyes away from him.
"Where the heck did you hear that?" Fenris huffed, crossing his arms.
Reluctant to answer, I kept avoiding his gaze as he got ready to go with Ben to the studio.
"A site she saw in Melody's phone." Shade answered, triggering me to twitch my eyes at her.
"Ah, Oi, Lily, a real man will love the woman he adores no matter what shape or form she takes, especially after she has his kids. Tell me, will you dislike me if I suddenly grow a belly, too?" He raised his eyebrows at me while I gazed back at him.
"Never! I don't care about your looks. Sometimes, I wish you didn't always look so handsome." I declared, facing him head-on.
"Hah, maybe I shouldn't work out as much." He chuckled.
I would never be unfit for him, no matter what happened to me. Sometimes, I would miss how we used to make love, but I endured it. My condition wasn't the best for the actions we were used to doing, something he knew.
However, I couldn't wait until what came after my pregnancy ended. For that to happen, I would fight with my all. Soft mewls left me as his fingers continued to caress my inner walls.
"More, you're fingers aren't enough!" I whined, wanting much more than I could have.
Pulling my leg up for better access, he gently pressed his tip against my entrance.
"You really know how to drive me crazy." He breathed, slipping into my depths.
A sharp mewl left my lips as his thrust became a steady pace.
"More, Fenris!" I begged, wishing nothing more but to be dominated by him.
My plea prompted the hardy wolf to rub my sensitive bell while squishing my breast with his other hand.
"Relax, Lily, I'll give you everything you want plus more." He breathed, licking the back of my neck as I twitched in pleasure as every ounce in my body succumbed to his desire.
Ah… I want time to stop while we're both here together.
Sadly, time waited for no one. When morning came, my wolf got up before gently arousing me from my dreams. From here on out, it would be the ultimate battle against the faction my Grandmother had created—one I didn't plan on losing.
When I see you again, there'll be no mercy from me, just like you taught me.