Chapter 356

[ 955 words ]

Talia’s POV

“Leslie!”

Solon moved before any of us could react. Leslie started to collapse, and suddenly he was carrying her out the door. We rushed after him, following through the halls and across the yard to the hospital.

They took her in right away. A nurse led Solon out of the room, gently but firmly holding his arm. The door shut behind them, and all we could do was wait in the hallway.

Solon wouldn’t sit down. He stood in front of the door with his arms crossed, tense and bracing himself for bad news.

“Stop it, Solon,” I said.

“Stop what?”

“You’re expecting the worst. Leslie is just exhausted,” I said. “She has been running herself into the ground for weeks. It’s no more than that.”

“You don’t know that.”

“No. But honestly, it’s more likely than anything else. Isn’t that right, Nolan?”

“Yes, she’s right. Have faith in the Moon Goddess, Solon. Leslie has simply neglected her body. That’s all there is to it,” Nolan said.

Solon didn’t say anything, but he seemed a bit less tense.

After a short wait, the doctor came out. I saw right away that she looked calm, even a little cheerful, which helped us relax before she said anything.

Before the doctor had a chance to close the door behind her, Solon asked, “What’s wrong with her?”

“There’s no need to worry, my King,” the doctor assured him, her expression warm. “Luna Leslie is awake now. She’s speaking normally and wants to see you. She does need to take it easy and get some real sleep, not just quick breaks here and there. But exhaustion wasn’t the main reason she collapsed.”

“Then, what was it?”

“Congratulations, my King.” The doctor paused with a smile, leaving us all confused. “I’m happy to tell you that she’s about three months pregnant.”

For a moment, none of us moved.

“Three months…” Solon repeated, almost in disbelief.

“That’s right. They’re both doing well. You can go in,” the doctor replied.

I broke into a grin as happiness washed over me. Nolan laughed shakily, and Solon paused just a moment before rushing to the door.

Leslie sat up in the hospital bed, looking pale but awake. As soon as she saw Solon, her face changed with emotion. He went straight to her and hugged her.

“You nearly gave me a heart attack,” he whispered, holding her close.

“I know. I was scared too.”

Nolan and I walked over to her bed. “Congratulations,” I said warmly. “To both of you.”

Leslie’s smile faded, and worry took its place. “This isn’t good timing, and we all know it. Mad rogues will be upon us soon, and I can’t be on the front lines. I can’t even work near the fighting, not now. I’m out of commission just when you’ll need every hand.”

Solon cupped her cheeks gently. “Leslie, you’ve already given more to this pack than almost anyone. No one’s keeping score. You deserve the rest that’s coming. Go down to the tunnels, keep our people calm, watch over our pup, and hold this pack together. That’s not running away. That’s everything we need right now.”

She was quiet for a moment. “You really believe that, or are you trying to pacify me?”

“Both. Mostly the first.”

She let out a shaky little laugh. “Okay. I’ll go with them, I promise.” Suddenly, she grabbed his wrist, her eyes fierce. “But you have to come back. Don’t you dare leave me alone with our pup. You gave me this, so you’d better come back and raise it with me. Swear it.”

“I swear. I promise,” Solon said, with no hesitation at all. “I’m coming back.” Someone knocked, and Derek poked his head in. When he saw Leslie sitting up, his face lit up. “I just heard. Congratulations to both of you. We haven’t had good news like this in a long time.” He turned to Solon, lowering his voice. “Sorry to interrupt, my King, but three of the Alphas are here. Henry’s with them. They want to talk before the others arrive.”

“Go,” Leslie said. “Go, I’m fine. I’m going to sleep for a long time, apparently.”

Solon kissed her once more and stood. I touched Nolan’s arm. “Go with them. I’ll stay with her for a while.”

He nodded and left, so it was just me and Leslie in the room.

“It won’t be like this for much longer,” I said as I sat beside her. “After we handle Morgana and the Rogue King, you’ll be able to bring your pup into a safer world.”

“I keep dreaming about him,” she said.

“Who do you mean? The Rogue King?” I asked, alarmed.

Had he really tried to scare Leslie just to get to Solon?

“No, it’s Solon I keep seeing in my nightmares. He’s always covered in blood, and I can’t tell if it’s his or someone else’s. No matter what I do, I can’t reach him.” Her voice shook. “It doesn’t feel like a normal dream, Talia. It feels like a warning.” Panic started creeping into me. Was Morgana trying to mess with Leslie’s mind? I forced myself to stay calm, and my wolf agreed.

‘Just like Solon said, she wants us to be afraid. Whether this is Morgana’s doing or a warning from the Moon Goddess, we’ll face it. Solon won’t die. No, he can’t,’ my wolf said.

“It’s not a prophecy,” I said softly. “You’re exhausted, stressed, and pregnant. Anyone would have strange dreams with all that going on. That’s what’s causing them, not something supernatural.”

Leslie’s hand found mine and gripped it hard. “Then promise me too. The same thing I made him promise. That he comes back. That you’ll keep him safe out there.”

I knew I shouldn’t promise something like that. No one could. But seeing her three months pregnant and scared in that hospital bed, I would have promised her anything.

“I’ll keep him safe,” I said. “I promise.”

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