The Alpha King (Kingdom of Askara #1)(63)

“You’re going to have the baby naturally.”

“From where?” Kit wailed, gripping Luca’s hand tight.

“There’s a hole forming. There’s not much room yet, but giving birth is a long process. Everyone thinks it’s over with quickly, but it can take hours and hours.”

Kit looked at Luca, alarmed. Hours and hours?

“My youngest sister took a day and a night,” Darrin said.

Kit groaned and Taheesha clucked in sympathy. “We’re just saying no one needs to panic. Darrin, I don’t need you yet, but stick close.”

Darrin grinned and left the cart.

“We can’t go anywhere because of the snow. I have everyone warm and protected. You’re safe. You have nothing to worry about,” Luca said determinedly. He took a long, relaxing breath. “Taheesha knows what she’s doing, and Darrin’s going to help.” Kit swallowed and Luca grabbed the water pouch and helped him take a few sips. “Why don’t you roll onto your side and I’ll rub your back?” Luca glanced at Taheesha and she beamed her approval.

“It would be a good idea if everyone gets a little sleep. Think it’s gonna be a busy day tomorrow.” She nudged her brother playfully.

Luca helped Kit roll on his side and padded him with blankets. Taheesha lay at his front and put her hand on his belly. Lassitude suddenly rolled over him.

“You are so good at that,” Kit sighed.

Luca lay flush with Kit’s back, just enough room for Luca’s hand to rub soothing circles on his back. Kit blew a long breath out. He thought he was asleep before he drew the next one in.

****

“Sire?”

“What is it,” Luca asked as Sam poked his head through the cover.

“A word, Sire.”

Luca turned and kissed Kit. “Go back to sleep.” Kit smiled, his eyes drooping as Luca watched him.

Luca stepped out of the cart and jumped down. “What is it?”

“Elliot and Sascha have just returned. I sent them to scout early as the snow has stopped and I want to know how far from the main road we are.” Luca heard the catch in Sam’s voice and he suddenly felt cold. “There’s a huge group of soldiers camped in the way over the next set of hills towards Neira. Sascha said there were wolves amongst them, about two hundred of them, and about three hours away. They’re not making any attempt to hide or be quiet. They will pass right by us and there is no way the wolves won’t scent us.”

Luca made an angry noise in the back of his throat.

“I hate to say this, but I think Christoph has betrayed us, Sire.”

Just at that second, a sharp cry came from inside the cart and Luca turned and leaped for the cart. Kit lay curled on his side, his face a mask of pain.

“What’s happened?” Luca clasped Kit’s hand in alarm.

“Oh fuuuck,” Kit swore and gasped. He never swore. Kit’s bright blue eyes were screwed up and a faint sheen of sweat beaded his flushed face. Taheesha elbowed Luca out of the way, and yanked the covers back. Kit was wearing one of Luca’s shirts and it covered him completely.

“Bend your knees, sweetheart,” Taheesha coaxed, and Luca helped him roll on his back. “Asher?” Taheesha called.

Sam put his head through the entrance. “I’ve left Asher standing guard with Sascha,” he explained. “Elliott is readying the horses. He will saddle them whenever you give the word.”

“Make sure there are scouts posted,” Luca instructed and turned his attention back to Kit.

Taheesha rattled off some orders to Darrin and she put her hands on Kit’s belly, pressing gently in different places. Darrin arrived back with a big pan they had used for boiling water on the fire and three pouches of cool water. Luca took one and the cloth Taheesha passed him while Taheesha quickly poured some of the hot water into a smaller cup and washed her hands with it.

Kit moaned and tried to roll over. Taheesha stopped him. “Just five minutes, sweetheart, then you can.”

Kit whined in protest and Taheesha sent Luca a level look which Luca took to mean he had to distract him. This was his job. He would take care of Kit while Taheesha sorted out what was going on below.

He could do this. “Kit?” Luca tilted Kit’s face gently towards him. Pain and fear were clouding the gorgeous blue he loved so much. There might not be much he could do about one but he sure as hell could help with the other. “You’re going to make a brilliant dad.”

A flush of pleasure lit Kit’s features and Luca was willing to bet Kit had been so hooked up on the actual shock of being pregnant and the mad dash to leave for Neira he hadn’t translated that to actually having a child at the end.

Luca wanted to slap himself. He’d been so wrapped up in everything, he’d never actually given Kit a reason to enjoy being pregnant. He knew the she-wolves had little parties and wrapped small gifts. Kit hadn’t had any of that. Luca should have asked Iris, but then Iris was learning how to run a pack so that wouldn’t have been fair either.

He lovingly wiped the sweat off Kit’s face. What had he done? Kit spent most of his time either with a human bodyguard or a thirteen-year-old girl. He had no friends. The she-wolves didn’t know what to make of him. The servants were awkward now that he wasn’t one of them, and the wolves weren’t much better.