Chapter 76: A Baby is coming.

The morning after, the air inside the palace was thick with foreboding. Reika stirred to the heaviness inside her body, her wolf restless inside of her. What had happened yesterday was fresh and alive in her brain, yet something far more atavistic gnawed at her. She sat up and immediately felt her head spin, her stomach clenched in an onrushing wave of nausea as she huddled tight, holding her stomach as she inhaled deeply. "Your Majesty?" came Daisy's voice from out in the hallway, trying to sound cautious and worried. "Come in," Reika replied, her voice much firmer than she really felt. Daisy came in carrying a tray with food. Her brow furrowed over her eyes. "You look pale. Did you sleep at all?" Reika shook her head, waving the question away. "There's too much to think about." She reached for the tea Daisy had poured but the smell of it twisted her stomach and she set it abruptly back down again. Daisy's eyes narrowed. "Reika… are you feeling unwell?" "I am fine," Reika said, though conviction was sorely lacking. Daisy stuttered, leaned forward. "Forgive me for saying this, but… have you considered that you might be with child?" Reika froze; her heart skipped a beat. "That is preposterous," she hastened to say. "Is it?" Daisy pressed on, soft, yet insistently. "You have been tired, moody, and now nauseous. The signs are there, Your Majesty. Reika's eyes stared at her maid with the weight of those words pressed within her chest. Could it really be? --- The Plot of the Dawn Family Down below, in the war room, Alpha Ileus and Kael were at each other's throats, a heated battle of opinions flying across the table. "They mobilize a lot faster than we thought," Kael said, his finger tracing across the map on the table. "Vivian's forces are massing near the border. We need to move soon, take them down, or they'll have an open passage onto our lands. Ileus scowled, his arms folded across his chest. "Reika needs to be told. But she's been. distracted of late." Kael nodded grimly. "Her focus is critical now. If the Dawn family succeeds, they won't just take territory-they'll destabilize everything we've built." As they spoke, a messenger burst into the room, his face pale. "My lords," he said, bowing hastily. "There's been a breach in the northern armory. We suspect traitors within the palace." Ileus's eyes darkened, and his wolf rose to the fore. "Double the guard and seal the gates. No one is to leave without my permission." Kael gritted his teeth. "This is just what Vivian wanted-to sow chaos from within. We need to find out who the traitor is before it's too late." --- Reika's Realization But alone in her chambers, Reika sat, the words of Daisy echoing within her mind. She could no longer ignore the signs. It was this pregnancy that would change everything. Her hand instinctively went to her stomach as fear and wonder churned in her stomach. Carrying Ileus's child was a prospect both exhilarating and terrifying. A soft rap came from the other side of the door. "Enter," she called, knowing full well who it would be-Daisy. Instead, Ileus entered, his face a picture of concern and frustration. "We need to talk," he said as he shut the door behind him. Reika rose to her feet. "What is it? "There has been a security breach," Ileus said with an unwavering voice. "The Dawn family infiltrated the palace. Kael and I have it under control, but I need you on high alert. Reika nodded while her mind ran ahead: the audacity of the Dawn family did grow with each passing day. Ileus approached closer and spoke softer. "Are you alright? You sound.preoccupied." Reika hesitated before looking up to meet his eyes. "I'm fine. Just tired." He studied her a moment longer, his wolf instinctively sensing that something was not quite right. "If there's anything you need, tell me. We're in this together, Reika." She nodded, forcing a small smile. "I know. Thank you." --- Unmasking the Traitors That night, Reika joined others-Ileus and Kael-in the war room, having resolved not to make her fixation an obstacle in the way of her duties. Kael had further interrogated the arrested merchants. Their information was incriminating: members of the Dawn family placed spies into key positions all over in the palace, feeding them information for months. Anger made Reika's wolf growl. "Flush them out," she said icily. "I want every suspect interrogated. No quarter asked or given." Kael nodded. "Already begun. But there's something more." He faltered, glancing at Ileus. "What?" Reika demanded. "The spies mentioned Riftan," Kael ventured. "They said that before being taken to prison, he got in contact with the family of Dawn. Reika's heart sank. Riftan's betrayal in her past life still lingered, but this news was a knife to the chest. "That doesn't make sense," Ileus cut in. "Riftan has no loyalty to anyone but himself." "Exactly," Kael said. "Which means they likely tried to use him against us. Whether he accepted or not, we don't know. Reika's mind had been in a whirl, really. If Riftan had something to do with the family of Dawn, then it would explain it all-a lot about their impertinence. --- THE PLOT Thickens Later, Reika retreated to her chambers, her mind in a daze. She could not help but think it all was linked somehow: Riftan, the family of Dawn, even traitors in the palace. Her wolf growled low and stirred, prodding her to action. It told her, Protect your pack. "I will," Reika whispered, resolve hardening within her. Daisy just then entered, a rare smile gracing her lips. "Your Majesty, I have good news," she said. "The medics reviewed my condition again, and it would appear I am finally fully recovered. I'm ready to resume duties." Reika felt a wave of relief. "That's great, Daisy. We've missed you being around here." Daisy beamed. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I promise to serve you even better than before." Reika couldn't help but smile. Amidst the chaos going on around her, Daisy's recovery was a little victory. ---The Cliffhanger As night wore on, Reika sat beside the window. The storm to come filled her mind, and the palace, now, was a fortress under siege-the lurking terrors in each patch of shadow. Her hand strayed back to her stomach, this new life inside her a strange beacon of hope and fear. Suddenly, a howling cry cut through the darkness-a long-drawn, mournful scream. She turned to see Ileus entering the room, his face grim. "What is it?" she asked, her wolf already preparing for bad news. "The northern gates," he said. "They've been breached. The Dawn family is making their move." Reika's heart was racing as her wolf surged forward. There was no time for doubts anymore. 'Prepare the guards," she said, her voice steel. 'We'll meet them head-on." As Ileus nodded and went to muster their forces, Reika rose, her wolf's power surging in her veins. The battle was here, and she would fight for her kingdom-and the life growing inside her.