Allissa


    I didn''t care why or how... he was here, in my arms. I buried my head in his broad chest, feeling the rhythmic rise and fall as he breathed, and held on tight as if he might vanish at any moment. My mind screamed at me that my mate was by my side again, a thrilling chorus that drowned out all other thoughts. His presence was undeniable, a solid warmth that dispelled any doubt of him being an illusion. My senses were overwhelmed, a cacophony of emotions that swept away any concern for maintainingposure... even in the midst of an interrogation. Crap! I was in the middle of an interrogation.


    I looked up, eager to see his face, to confirm with my eyes what my heart already knew, but as soon as our eyes met, his lips descended upon mine, hungrily iming them as if he had been starved for eternity. His kiss was urgent, a passionate collision that left me breathless and dizzy, lost in a whirlwind of sensation.


    Slowly, I broke the kiss, my chest heaving with ragged breaths as I fought to regain control of myself. This moment would have to


    wait.


    Darren, I have Baron Quadern here. He has been using the moon lens to spy on us, but he wasn''t the only one. 1.2 had his daughter, Dara, in charge of taking romantic photographs of both you and me. Dara was bound by brainwashing toply,


    but she was able to get around it. She sent pictures to Milo as well as you. She sent them to Milo hoping to tip us off, and it worked. Because of her, we were able to figure this out quicker. But the brainwashing... is a mess. We have arrested six nobles who have been behind extensive brainwashing, and we are in the process of moving all the Waiting Ladies to an istion house. We''re going to need magical help with this one. I didn''t want you to have to deal with it. I''ve been working hard to solve it... wait, why are you back?


    I received those pictures.


    Darren, those-


    As if I would believe them. I knew someone was taking pictures in restricted areas and came back. I couldn''t risk you being in danger.


    I loved how much he believed in me and felt ashamed I had doubted him. Darren,


    at first I was a bit shaken with the photos I received. I had to convince myself-


    Photos you received. Of me? With who?


    He lookedpletely confused. I told him about the images and described the woman which made him chuckle.


    A nurse who was inspecting my wounds. I don''t even know her name. He smiled, cupping my cheeks with his hands. Never, Ally... never. You''ve been through a lot, but you still managed to find your belief in me. I couldn''t ask for more. We can continue thister. I''d like a word with the baron. You''ve done


    well, my queen.


    The instant Darren turned his dark gaze on Quadern, the man copsed to his knees. His body began trembling as he sobbed, his fear of Darren taking over.


    "It was all for the sake of the kingdom-"


    "And the broken record is ying again." Lyle sighed, shaking his head, and I understood the discouraged look in his eyes, because these were the words that kept getting repeated by those who had been brainwashed. Which meant there was still a mastermind out there who even brainwashed these nobles. Shit... we were missing something big.


    I ced my hand on Darren''s arm, stopping him from confronting the baron. There''s a lot to fill you in on. Unfortunately, we''re still missing the mastermind, and most likely Quadern has also been brainwashed. The brainwashed are brainwashing. The mastermind behind it all used them to cover their tracks. I''ve been working hard, but I''m still missing a big piece. I''m sorry I haven''t figured it out yet.


    His eyes softened as he wrapped his arm around my waist. "What are your ns for Quadern?" He was asking me... trying to show that he trusted me to handle it.


    he was


    no


    "Heath, please escort Quadern back to his holding cell." It would be much easier to speak once the brainwashed noble longer in the room. As soon as Heath shut the door to the room, Lyle let out a frustrated growl.


    "Damn, I thought he was the one." Lyle shoved his hand through his hair in frustration before looking up at Darren. "Why are you here? Did something happen?!"


    "I got the pictures of you and my mate-


    "Ren, I can exin every one of those pictures! I would never betray you like that!" Lyle vomited the words so fast, causing Darren to smile.


    "I know. I trust the both of you, but I was worried due to the location and nature of these pictures. I had toe back personally... I couldn''t call because we have a traitor among us. Dayanara is thinking it''s a mimic, but we haven''t figured out who it is yet." He sighed and turned to look at me fully. "Look at you. Look at this adorable belly, swollen with my pup. It''s really


    grown."


    "And is zapping the energy from me," I said with a sigh as Lyle pushed a chair to


    me.


    "You need to rest before you get dizzy."


    "Dizzy?" Darren sat in the chair, pulling me to hisp. It looked like he was determined to not let go of me. Which was perfect, because while I had him, I wanted to absorb him as much as I could.


    a sad


    "It started getting worse this week." I noticed there w look in his eyes. I ced my hands around his neck. "What is it?"


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    "I''m sorry. I''m not by your side when you need me. I should be


    "You''re doing what you have to do. I''m fine, just some pregnancy symptoms. Lyle is taking good care of me. Forcing me to rest. He even stays with me until I fall asleep."


    "Thank you, Lyle... for taking care of her while I can''t." His eyes never left mine. There was so much emotion in his eyes. This moment was surreal. I couldn''t believe he was here with me


    right now.


    "No thanks is necessary. Issy is family." Lyle moved to the door. "I''ll handle the rest here. I''m sure you two would like to have some time together." Darren stood up, holding me against his chest.


    "Thank you, Lyle." Darren''s voice sounded a bit strange... almost as if he were sad. He carried me out the door and I didn''t protest once about being in his arms. I wish I could hold him forever.


    "When do you have to leave?" Did he have to leave tonight, or could he stay a few days?


    "First thing in the morning." The solemn tone in his voice wasn''t missed. I nced up at him, tracing his jawline with my fingertips.


    "At least we have tonight." I purred, noticing his eyes flicker in darkness. "I have


    so much to talk to you about. I feel like I don''t have enough time... but we''ll make the most of what we have."


    "Ally-" His voice was a quiet breath. "Tonight, I''ll give you a memory to hold on to. Something for the both of us that willst until I see you again."


    "Oh?" I tilted my chin up at him while he walked up the stairs. "Then why are you still walking?"


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