Page 78 of The Dark War

Charlotte and Wesley led us to a table with a large spread of food. Taliyah, Jasper, Marcus, Raine, Dean, Leia, and Kyler already sat waiting for us. The number of chocolate sponge cakes, honey-drizzled honeysuckles, exotic fruits, and plates upon plates of steaks had my mouth watering.

“Come on, Clara. Let’s forget our worries tonight.” Taliyah stood up and led me to the table, and had me sit beside her. Naomi and Liam walked behind Kane, placing a hand on each shoulder. Feeling my bottom lip tremble, Kane put his large hand over my thigh.

This was my family, not those at this table, but the entire world that fought against the darkness. They all wanted the same thing: to live in peace and harmony, and with this joyous night of celebrating each other, we would all remember what we were fighting for.

Our happiness.

Chapter Forty-two

Clara

Ourtablesatinsilence as our gaze went over the crowd. There were squeals of laughter from two tables over. A wolf trying to drink alcohol from their mate’s naval had everyone cheering. For once, everyone looked relaxed and at peace, daring to have some fun we all longed to have.

The courtyard corner was flooded with wolves, shifters, and fae dancing along to the sway of the music. Drums and fiddles rang victoriously over the yard, and food was plentiful. It eased the built-up tension of walls that had surrounded me for so long. I had Giana reach outward at our table and bring peace to the ones carrying the physical and mental burden we all had.

“This is nice,” Giana purred.

It really was.

We had done our best to keep as many as we could safe. This was our final stronghold, the last line of defense we had. With so many shifter colonies, prides, and packs with their alphas living all in one land area had been difficult but had gone over well, surprisingly.

Having too many alphas could cause fights, wanting to protect their people. However, there was a common goal here: to protect everyone.

Marcus stayed reserved for most of the meal. In fact, he barely touched his steak, and his eyes didn’t wander to the few single she-wolves that had eyed him seductively. Marcus would typically be all over that, and here he was, staring at a half-eaten steak.

I go to open my mouth to speak with him, but he stands up abruptly, putting his napkin on his plate. “Where are you going?” I blurted out, not meaning to startle the table, but it was too late. All eyes were on him.

“What I do best, Luna.” He winked, but it was the most somber wink I had ever seen. He held his shoulders back, and a she-wolf he had spent many nights before wrapped her arm around his, squeezing it longingly.

I wanted to yell at him, but I had no words to say. He was defeated, and the war had gotten to him in ways I didn’t understand.

“Leave him,” Kane muttered in my ear. “It’s been hard for him too. He’s just handling it in a different way.” I hummed, leaning my head on Kane’s shoulder. I still wished that Marcus would stop his ways of trying to get in women’s pants and just wait.

Then again, I guess we all had ways of hiding our feelings.

Our table went to idle chatter, Taliyah smiling at Jasper’s words until I heard a faint thumping. It was so soft I had to really listen and realized it was coming straight from Taliyah. “Kane?”I linked him. He took a drink of the ale Folen had told him to try and raised his brows for me to continue.

“The faint thumping…”I glanced at Taliyah, who was now sitting in Jasper’s lap.

“I think she’s pregnant. I thought I smelled it earlier.”

“And you didn’t think to tell me? This is so wonderful!”Gods, why hadn’t they said anything? Was it because of the miscarriage? I didn’t want them to hold back on my account. It was something to be celebrated. I was too excited to think of any consequences until the next statement blurted out of my mouth.

“Taliyah! Why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant?” I chirped excitedly.

Jasper spat out his drink and began coughing. Taliyah’s eyes widened, and her hands gripped Jasper’s chest, but her vision never left me. Lips parted, her tongue wetting them.

“Oh shit.” Kane rubbed his forehead. “Love, they may not know, we have alpha and royal hearing, remember?”

“Uh-oh.” I slumped in my seat.

“Holy hellwhat?” Jasper regained his composure, slapping his chest repeatedly. Then, turning Taliyah so she was straddling him, he cupped her face. “Are you?” Taliyah’s mouth opened and closed repeatedly until her breath caught.

“Hecate said I wouldn’t be able to use my power much longer. I thought I was going to die!” Jasper growled, pulling her to his chest.

“I said that wouldn’t fucking happen now, didn’t I?” He soothed her with his hand running up and down her back until he pulled her away. “Now, are you pregnant?”

“I-I—” Her pleading look had me nodding frantically.

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