"Tell me why I''m here?" I sighed in the mind link as I entered the council chambers.


    "Because, even if you are the feared ruler of Xatis, the men before you have the power to make your existence quite troublesome if they so choose or are unhappy." Rakon dly pointed out what I knew and loathed. "And right now your queen being with child is what makes them happy and in their twisted way of thinking, they think they have every right to do the heir of Xatis right. Well, since they haven''t see their king jumping around like a maiden at the news."


    "Do not over do it." I red at my best friend who seemed to be enjoying my difort.


    "Oh but your highness, you know that is the only way to stomach their haughty attitudes." As annoying as Rakon was being at the moment, I had to agree with his sentiments. The heads of the five most powerful noble houses in Xatis after the royal family could be a nuisance if they so wished and if there was anything I had learned from my father, it was that appeasing this lot in anyway I could would go a long way in making my reign bearable. It was not what I wished to be doing at the moment as I had a certain beautiful maiden I wished to appease, if only she''d let me. I tucked away my wishes forter and chose to focus on the men who''d requested for my presence.


    Lord Hadwyn from the first noble house whose lumber business had earned them a great share of the shipbuilding industry and consequently controlled the transportation industry sat with an indicipherable expression. I could bet his temper was still simmering under all that calm that he exuded after my honourable refusal to court and wed his maiden daughter.


    Lord Nevan, from the second most powerful noble house was calm as always. I always thought that was a perfect quality for a man whose family was well vested in the wellness of the people of Xatis. Their knowledge of medicine dated back to generations and they happened to be one family with the most research on how our wolf healing actually worked. It was only fitting that they ran the medicine industry and they did so with outstanding results. For years now, no gues had troubled the kingdom because of their efforts and daily discoveries in medicine.


    Then there was Lord Quent, an enigma of a man from the fourth noble house. Even with no indicipherable expression on, one would never be confident about reading what was hidden behind each and every expression he wore. Rakon always joked that the man was ever turning new patterns and designs in his head that were meant to be the current trend for his family''s textile industry. Having provided linen and dressed Xatis for generations, the fourth house stood proudly for that achievement.


    Lord Rhanes, the man who''d give me an earful whenever all that farm producey rotting in the barns seemed easy going on the outside, but he could be a beast when he wished to and that was one beast I dly appeased each time. Just because I knew that if Xatis went hungry, not even my pce doors would keep those hungry stomachs out. And thus the fifth noble house was one house important house in my books.


    Lord Rhanes, the man who''d give me an earful whenever all that farm producey rotting in the barns seemed easy going on the outside, but he could be a beast when he wished to and that was one beast I dly appeased each time. Just because I knew that if Xatis went hungry, not even my pce doors would keep those hungry stomachs out. And thus the fifth noble house was one house important house in my books.


    Lord Evarius, the thorn in my side that was also heir apparent for the third most powerful noble house wore one of those cryptic smiles I hated. His was not the presence that should have represented his house, but a trajedy in that family hadnded him the position of heir apparent that he had made sure to unt at every given moment. Despite his regrettable attitude, however, the third noble house was just as important. Their manufacturing business had opened Xatis to a lot of foreign trade with neighbouring kingdoms and it was one family that could boast of having shares in all the five industries as the business depended on raw materials produced in Xatis.


    "My lords, how may I be of service to you?" I all but snapped out my request. I knew what they wished for and I also knew they were in for a major disappointment.


    "It is more what we can do for you, your majesty." Excitement coated each one of lord Rhanes''s words. "In the wake of the queen''s very wonderful news, your humble noble houses have a proposition or perhaps you could consider it an early gift if you wish." "Go on." I mumbled even though what I really wished to do was scoff at the idea of being gifted a banquet for my own child.


    "We have decided to throw the banquet in honour of your heir to keep with our traditions."


    "You have decided?" I arched a brow at Evarius. "Is your king that incapable his lords feel the need to hold his hand when throwing a banquet for his own unborn child?"


    "What Lord Evarius means is that, we would dly offer our resources to make the event sessful. And I''m sure you would agree that that would cover up for the embarassing way this news got to our ears in the first ce." Lord Quent borated and I nodded, even though I would not be epting their gift.


    "Perhaps we should wait for the midwive''s findings before you my lords decide to empty your coffers for my sake."


    "You seem rather calm for a man who should be eager to recieve such news. Is there something we should know, your majesty?" I marvelled at their ignorance. It was as if they had forgotten about their own abilities to tell when their mate was with child. Or were they just too quick to believe everything out of my queen''s mouth. And if they were, what would be the reason?


    "Your Majesty, we have news from the midwives." Everyone''s gaze shifted to the entrance of the council chamber where an elderly she-wolf stood.


    "You may approach and shower us with the good news." I beckoned for the messenger to approach.


    "It is not exactly good news, your majesty."


    "How so?" I waited to hear of what I knew already.


    "Well. her majesty the queen is perfectly alright." "However?"


    "She is not with child, your majesty. Every one of our inspections have confirmed it."


    "Thank you. You may leave." I waved the messenger away before turning to the noble lords. "So you see my lords, I was actually right in asking you to keep your coffers locked up. But that is not to say, the gesture is not appreciated." "But celebrations are still in order are they not, your majesty?" Lord Hadwyn suddenly decided to make his presence known and I knew it was nothing good. "Whatever do you mean, lord Hadwyn?"


    "The reason you were not so eager about the midwive''s findings. You are not bothered because either way you still get an heir." I froze, not at the usation, but at the realization that I hadn''t been that discreet and may have made it known that Sh was not only my mate, but that she was carrying my heir too.


    It was not my intention, if anything, the opposite is what I whished for. I had been as a thief in my own pce and around my mate. Knowing she was still cross with me, the night had been mypanion, choosing to slip into her chambers and caressing her while she slept. But perhaps it was indeed time to celebrate.