Page 50 of Exiled Prince

“Soon, there will be no one of pure blood left,” I mutter, and Axe barks out a laugh. I wonder if our child will be able to shift or will be more demon. Speaking of shifting, it’s the full moon tomorrow, and I know Saylor will want to be with her brothers. I want to watch over her, though, and see her in her element. I want to learn all about the wolf side of her, for her and our unborn child.

“Okay, I’m going to go check on my mate,” I say, turning to leave the throne room and heading upstairs. The castle is much more lavish than I remember it, but I suppose times have changed since then as our realm became more advanced. Thedoor to our room is open, and as I’m about to step inside, I hear Astrid’s voice.

“I’m pregnant?” I can hear Saylor’s surprised voice.

“Yes, I wanted to tell you before I told Bane, but I could tell when I healed you.”

Of course, Astrid would be able to tell.

“If that arrow went lower…” she trails off, her head turning when she hears me approach. “Did you hear what Astrid said?”

“I did,” I say, sitting on the gold velvet couch between them, taking her hand in mine. “I figured it out after you got shot with the arrow. You know I can scent bloodlines, and your scent changed.”

“How am I the last to know,” she mutters, and Astrid and I laugh. “And weren’t you taking the herbs?”

“Weren’t you?” I fire back, smirking. Not wanting any secrets between us, I decide to go with the truth. “I stopped taking them when I bonded with you.”

“And I thought I was the impulsive one,” she mutters, her jaw dropping as she shares a look with Astrid, who is frowning. “Lucky I’m taking them because Rave better not try that shit with me.”

“You don’t want a little shadow baby?” Saylor teases, wiggling her eyebrows.

“One day, yes. Now? I don’t know. We already have Vale, and he keeps us pretty busy,” she replies, twisting the end of her long braid.

“Well, thank you for telling me about my pregnancy before my mate. I’m glad we could get over the whole…” Saylor points between Astrid and me, never one to be subtle.

Astrid laughs, her cheeks turning a little red. “And the whole Rave taking your virginity. He took mine, too, so we have that in common.”

A low growl escapes me, not wanting a reminder of that fact.That fucking bastard. That was mine.I don’t want Saylor and Astrid to be able to bond about both sharing Rave’s dick.

“What are we doing to do with you, Astrid?” Saylor smirks, laughing to herself. I kiss her temple, trying to distract myself from the jealousy that’s hitting me. “Hey, don’t look at me like that, Bane. You drank from her. We’re basically a swinger’s couple at this stage.”

I cover her mouth with my hand. “Stop right now before I try and kill Rave again. No one is touching you, and we are not sharing any-fucking-thing.”

“Not even a sense of humor, apparently,” she says, still talking with her mouth covered.

“You know this is the vision I had,” Astrid admits, smiling widely. “This exact moment with Bane wearing his crown.”

“Wow,” Saylor whispers, sharing a little smile with us.

It’s an intimate moment and one I won’t ever forget.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Saylor

My brothers don’t know I’m pregnant yet, but they’re all staying in The Circle for the full moon so we can shift together and run as a pack. They all went looking for Shadow and Laurel, but they’re staying hidden for now. I hope they are both okay. I don’t want to lose Shadow again before I’ve even gotten to see him. I know Shadow will need to shift tonight, too, and if he’s injured, that will help him heal.

Bane absently strokes his thumb across my stomach, standing behind me as I stare out the large window in our bedroom.

“What are you going to do while I’m running?” I ask him, glancing up and staring at his face in the glass reflection.

“I’m going to watch over you,” he rasps, kissing the shell of my ear, sending shivers up my spine. “Make sure you both stay safe.”

I shouldn’t love his protective side so much. I can look after myself, but it almost feels like a weight off my shoulders to know that Bane will always handle things. I don’t need to worry that he’s got us. He is just that male.

“We’ll be running for hours, covering a lot of land,” I remind him, arching my brow.

“You just enjoy yourself. Don’t worry about me,” he replies, kissing my neck.