The Werewolf King’s Mate
Chapter 70

Cory s POV:

It was cold when I woke up, and no signs of Lucas returning to sleep. The bed was empty, and it was quiet.

Last nights latest news had everyone on the edge of their seats, filled with worry and concern. I wonder where Lucas went after I left the study hall. He could be in the study hall with Elias discussing strategies and training the soldiers or he's in the forest clearing his mind. I was tossing and turning on the bed, thinking about what I should do and how to help, when I heard the doorknob turn.

"Hey, babe. You're awake.

"Yup. I was awake for a couple of minutes. Didn't you return to sleep last night?"

"I was out in the dungeon the rest of the night." I didn't say anything. I opted to allow him to keep going.

"I tried asking Chloe what she knew about Elisha's plan. But nothing. When I thought I wouldn't get anything, Hendrix spoke up. He told me that... he took a deep breath and continued,"

..there will be war. It is coming to us."

He sat in the armchair near the window. This was the first time I saw Lucas look defeated - back hunched, elbows on his knees, and his hand covering his face. I rose from the bed and wrapped my arms around him, offering a warm embrace. A mountain of problems kept piling up - we couldn't replace Elisha, we had no way to defeat her, and if this war was coming, then when? Stress came over me because I felt a kick in my stomach.

"Don't think much about it. Elias and I are still discussing our plan of defense. And we're still waiting for the three to return."

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

He shook his head, "Just be safe. Now, let's go down and have breakfast."

We went down together, and just in time, Silas, Tommy, and Ellie entered the chateau. Its a huge relief knowing that they're back and safe. I quickly took a scan of each of them, and there were no traces of any bruises, cuts, or injuries. However, their faces are covered with worry and fear.

"Your Majesty, we need to talk. This is urgent."

Lucas nodded and said to me, "Go on ahead without me.

This will just be quick."

"Can I not come with you?"

"But..."

"I want to know. No, actually. I need to know. If I were to be queen, I believe I should know what's happening. I can't spend all day in my bed doing nothing."

"You are not doing nothing, Cory. This just might put a strain on your mind and body."

"I'm going to be fine, Lucas. So, please."

"Alright." Then he turned towards everyone and said, "Let's go to the study room. And call the others."

A few minutes later, we were gathered in the study hall.

Everyone looked alert and worried about the information that the three would bring. As soon as everyone settled down, Silas started to speak.

"We met with Elisha."

The atmosphere in the room was so tense that you could hear a pin drop. It was as if everyone was struck speechless by what they had just heard. The witch finally showed herself.

"But she disguised herself as the high priestess."

"How did you know it was Elisha, then?" Iris asked.

"We already sensed that something was wrong. And the high priestess was weird - she kept calling us by our names, which she didn't before, and her usual calm demeanor was gone. Rather, she was like a young lady with a lot of enthusiasm. To make sure that our speculations were right, we tried to bait her - we were right. I faked that we had a previous conversation with the high priestess about gathering the ingredients for her and so on. She went along with it."

"Where would the high priestess be, then?" This time, Elias spoke.

"We don't know."

"She could be dead for all we know," Tommy said, with a pale look on his face.

"We immediately left after she cleansed the amulets. What do we do about them, Your Majesty?"

It dawned on me that Lucas didn't speak up even after Silas and Tommy recounted the incident. Lost in contemplation, his focus only returned when his name was called. I am beginning to worry about Lucas' well-being Ever since last night, he has been out. This has been taking a toll on Lucas - and not just him - but everyone else.

"We can no longer wear them. If Elisha had access to them, it was very likely that she had performed a spell of dark magic on them. It will be dangerous for everyone. We destroy them."

"Understood. There is something else, Your Majesty."

"What is it?"

"We believe that Elisha somehow spilled a part of her plan to us." All eyes were fixed on this moment.

"War. She's planning a war."

"So, Hendrix was not lying after all."

"Your Majesty, what do you mean?" And so, Lucas told them about his conversation with Chloe and Hendrix.

"D*mn it! She's planning to take out everyone. And rogues?!"

Rogues. It turns out that she had been collaborating with a group of rogues for quite some time. She was with them from the start - the rogues from when I was kidnapped.

Elisha was the mastermind behind all these, using Hendrix, Laura, and Chloe for her schemes. None of us said a word.

It seemed like we were all trying to absorb the gravity of what would come.

"Then, we should make arrangements." Silas broke the silence.

"I agree. Elias and I started assembling the army and giving them more training. Everyone, including Alfred, the butlers, and the maids here, should also do the training except for you, Cory. Lucas said with all seriousness. Although I comprehend his perspective, I truly desire to partake in some training. I want to be able to protect myself and our pup. I'll need to have a conversation with him about this matter later.

"We also started working on an escape tunnel for the pregnant women, elderly, and children. There will be safety marshalls to guide them to the exit - they will be placed at the different checkpoints around the kingdom. Also, we asked most men to sign up for the training but opened it to women who wanted to join." Elias made sure to let us know about the preliminary plans in case a war broke out.

"We start training as soon as possible. We must prepare immediately, as we are uncertain when this will occur." With the utmost assertiveness, Lucas declared

As soon as the meeting ended, everyone dispersed to attend their businesses. As for me and Lucas, we went to the dining hall and had our brunch. He was quiet. I could sense that Lucas, sitting next to me, seemed to be dealing with a lot of stress - even more than before. He was emitting all the negative energy, and I could feel it.

"Hi," I started the conversation.

"Hey, are you done with your food?"

"Yeah. I am already full."

"Good. Why don't you go and rest for the day?"

"Uhm, that's something I want to talk to you about.

Regarding the training...

"Cory." His tone changed. The way he said my name came with a warning - a warning to drop the conversation, and there was no negotiating.

"But Lucas, I can do it. And I will not join the intensive ones.

It will be good for me to learn a thing or two, right?"

"Cory, my decision is final when it comes to your safety."

"Then, how am I going to protect myself? What if a rogue came to us?" I could hear my voice rising. My tone was different - I was agitated about Lucas keeping me concealed in the four corners of the room.

"You will not go out there in the open. You will be with the other elderly people and children."

"In the tunnel?!" A high-pitched tone escaped my lips.

"Yes. We will make sure that there will be enough supplies for everyone and a safe hideout." "Lucas..."

"Enough, Cory! You will be in that tunnel with the others. Is that understood?"

I couldn't help but feel a little hurt by it when he spoke to me in that tone. Silently, I excused myself from the dining table without uttering a single word. I heard him sigh, and a few seconds later, he called out my name. But I didn't turn back. I went straight to our room and locked myself in. I whimpered silently.

It's OK, dear.

It's not, Hotah! I felt like I had done nothing for this kingdom except to hide behind the shadow of Lucas and the others! I want to train for myself and for the people. I know I will not be the frontline, but at least I know what to do when they come. You are carrying his pup, Cory. His senses are on high alert.

Aside from the people of this kingdom, your safety is at the top of their minds.

I got all of that! It's just that.. ugh! This is so frustrating!

Feeling a bit down, I decided to head to the library instead of sulking in my room. I looked for articles and other information about pregnant wolves fighting in wars or doing simple hand-to-hand combat. I spent the whole day locked up in the library, and the more I looked into these articles, the more I got motivated to do some exercise. The sun was starting to set when I decided to head back to our room. When I opened the door, I was met with those deep-brown worried eyes. We stood in the doorway - both of us saying nothing. With a swift sidestep, I made my way into the room.

"Cory." His voice was softer now. I didn't say anything.

"We'll talk about this when you're ready." Then he left.

As the night progressed, time seemed to slip away into the darkness. I joined the rest of the group for dinner, but Lucas was absent. According to Alfred, Lucas spent the entire day in the study room. As the night grew darker, I decided it was time to call it a day and head back to catch some rest. I was twisting and turning all night, trying to catch that sleep. But I just couldn't. And Lucas didn't return to our room. This is going to be a long night.