Zara slowly walked over to Thorne's side wrapped her hands around his neck and kissed him, slow, sensual, teasing.. Then going on top toes, she whispered, her lips brushing against his ear. "Lucy must pay for stealing Tristan's heart and taking everything away from me."
Thorne's smile sent shivers down Zara's spine. "My dear, I've already set plans in motion. Lucy will soon realize she's not the only one who can captivate the Lycan king."
As they intertwined their fingers, Zara felt an surge of excitement. Together, they would dismantle Lucy's happiness, piece by piece.
"Mischief is my game," Zara purred, "and Tristan's kingdom will be our playground."
Thorne's eyes gleamed with approval. "Then let the games begin."
Back at the Lycans palace, Lucy woke up to Tristan's gentle touch, her belly swollen with their growing child. Morning sickness had subsided, replaced by insatiable cravings. It's week 20 of the pregnancy, already. Time really does fly, doesn't it?
"Good morning, my love," Tristan whispered, handing her a tray with breakfast.
Lucy's eyes sparkled. "You're spoiling me."
Tristan smiled. "You're carrying our future. I'll spoil you every day."
As they ate, Lucy's thoughts turned to her day ahead.
"Tristan, I have a prenatal appointment with the healer. And I need to review the palace's winter festival plans."
Tristan nodded. "I'll accompany you to the healer. Then, I have a meeting with the council."
After breakfast, they headed to the healer's chambers. The healer, the same wise, elderly woman who'd first delivered the terrifying news of her pregnancy to both she and Tristan, and had made the pregnancy journey as easy for her as possible, examined Lucy.
"Your pregnancy progresses well, Lucy. However, your supernatural abilities are fluctuating. We must monitor them closely."
Lucy's concern was palpable. "Will it affect the baby?"
Elara reassured her. "We'll ensure the baby's safety. But we must adjust your protective charms to accommodate your shifting powers."
Tristan's grip on Lucy's hand tightened. "We'll do whatever necessary to keep our family safe."
The rest of Lucy's day blurred together – festival planning, meetings with the palace staff, and prenatal exercises to maintain her physical health.
As evening fell, Tristan escorted Lucy to the palace gardens, where a warm bath awaited.
"Relax, my love," Tristan whispered, massaging her shoulders. "You're doing wonderfully."
Lucy closed her eyes, feeling their child kick within her. "I'm grateful for you, Tristan."
Tristan's lips brushed against her ear. "I'm grateful for you, Lucy. And our little miracle."
As they soaked in the bath, Lucy realized her pregnancy journey was not just about carrying a child but about growing as a person, a Luna, and a mate.
Thorne's eyes locked onto Lucy as she strolled through the palace gardens, her beauty radiant in the sunlight. He approached her with a charming smile.
"Lucy, my love," Thorne said, his voice dripping with sincerity. "I see you're thriving under Tristan's care. But is it truly what Zara navigated the palace corridors, her whispered promises and flirtations weaving a web of deceit among the Lycan guards.
"Gentlemen," Zara purred, "don't you think our beloved Luna is... fragile? Unfit to bear the weight of our kingdom?"
The guards exchanged uncertain glances, Zara's seeds of doubt taking root.
"Perhaps," one guard ventured, "we should consider the Comet pack's alliance. Thorne Gordon would bring strength to our kingdom."
Zara's smile hinted at victory. "Exactly. And with Thorne by our side, Lucy's... limitations will be overshadowed."
As Zara vanished into the shadows, the guards whispered among themselves, their loyalty
slowly shifting.
you desire?"
Lucy's instincts flared, sensing the malice beneath Thorne's words.
"What are you doing here, Thorne?" Lucy asked, her tone firm.
"I came to see you." he replied sweetly.
"What do you want, Thorne?" Lucy aks with disdain and resentment.
Thorne's gaze intensified. "You know what I want. I want you back, Lucy. You're mine, my destined mate."
Lucy's laughter echoed through the gardens. "You rejected me, Thorne. Your words are nothing but empty manipulation."
Thorne's expression darkened, his voice taking on a menacing tone for a split second, then the smile was back in place. Thorne's thoughts seethed with resentment as he watched Lucy and Tristan together.
Zara pov
Zara navigated the palace corridors, her whispered promises and flirtations weaving a web of deceit among the Lycan guards.
"Gentlemen," Zara purred, "don't you think our beloved Luna is... fragile? Unfit to bear the weight of our kingdom?"
The guards exchanged uncertain glances, Zara's seeds of doubt taking root.
"Perhaps," one guard ventured, "we should consider the Comet pack's alliance. Thorne Gordon would bring strength to our kingdom."
Zara's smile hinted at victory. "Exactly. And with Thorne by our side, Lucy's... limitations will be overshadowed."
As Zara vanished into the shadows, the guards whispered among themselves, their loyalty slowly shifting.
Thorne's Pov.
Thorne's thoughts seethed with resentment as he watched Lucy and Tristan together. Why did she refuse me? Doesn't she see I'm the superior Alpha? Thorne's ambition burned brighter with every passing moment.
I'll take Tristan's throne, his power... and his mate.
Zara's whispers reached the palace court, spreading dissent among the nobles.
"Lady Victoria, have you noticed Lucy's... frailty?" Zara asked, her voice laced with concern. "Can she truly support Tristan's rule?"
Lady Victoria's brow furrowed. "I hadn't considered it, Zara. But perhaps you're right."
Zara's smile hinted at triumph. "I've seen it myself. Lucy's inexperience will be our downfall."
As Zara navigated the court, her poisonous words infected the nobles:
"Lord Thomas, what if Lucy's pregnancy weakens Tristan's judgment?"
"Countess Sophia, doesn't Lucy's past with Thorne Gordon taint her loyalty?"
The nobles began to question Lucy's fitness as Luna, their doubts spreading like wildfire. _Meeting of the Palace Council_
Tristan convened the palace council, addressing the growing unease.
"My lords and ladies, we face external threats. Let us not be divided by internal doubts."
Lord Thomas cleared his throat. "Your Majesty, some of us worry about Lucy's... suitability."
Tristan's eyes narrowed. "Lucy is my chosen mate, my queen. Her loyalty and strength are beyond question."
Countess Sophia spoke up, her voice tinged with skepticism. "But, Your Majesty, what of her past with Thorne Gordon?"
Tristan's jaw clenched. "That is none of your concern. Lucy has proven herself."
As the council meeting concluded, Zara watched from the shadows, her satisfaction palpable Lucy sensed the court's cooling attitude, her isolation deepening. "Tristan, I feel like I'm losing their trust," Lucy confided.
Tristan's arms enveloped her. "You have my trust, my love. Ignore the whispers."
But Lucy's unease lingered, Zara's poison taking root.
Tristan and Lucy both decided that it would be a good idea for Lucy to stay away from the Wolfpack politics for awhile, at least for the sake of her health and safety, and the baby's.
Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months and soon it was time for her delivery.
Lucy's contractions intensified, her hands clenched around Tristan's.
"It's time," Tristan whispered, his eyes locked on Lucy's.
In the palace birthing chamber, Elara the palace healer, guided Lucy through the final pushes.
"One more, Lucy," Elara encouraged.
With a final cry, Lucy gave birth to a healthy, squirming baby boy.
Tristan beamed, cradling their child.
"Our son," Tristan whispered, tears of joy streaming down his face.
Lucy smiled, exhausted but radiant.
"He's perfect," Lucy whispered.
Tristan carried their swaddled baby to the palace infirmary for a postnatal checkup.
As they settled into the cozy room, Lucy drifted off to sleep, exhausted.
Tristan stepped out to inform the palace staff about the newborn prince.
In that fleeting moment, Thorne slipped into the room.
Zara stood guard outside, ensuring no interruptions.
Thorne's eyes locked onto the sleeping baby.
"Mine," Thorne whispered, scooping up the child.
Lucy stirred, sensing her baby's absence.
"Tristan!" Lucy cried, panic rising.
But Thorne vanished into the shadows.
The room fell silent.
Lucy's screams echoed through the palace.
Tristan rushed into the room as soon as he heard her screams, coming to her side.
What's wrong? He asked.
"My baby.. our son.., he's gone. Thorne took him". She cried out.
Tristan immediately rushed out, and a long with every palace guard on duty he searched every nook and cranny of the palace, and even the kingdom but all to no avail. Thorne was gone, disappeared into the wind, along with his newborn son.