"Why would we do that?" Tania replied. "At least not now!"
Lerna pursed her lips. "Tania, I feel pity for those women out there. They have been suffering for so long and who knows what they are going to bear now. Do you know—"
"Lerna!" Tania snapped. "I understand that you are very concerned about them, but it's not the right time. Can you wait for a few months? You are pregnant. Have your baby peacefully. We can lift the seal after that. If the Nyxers come to know that you are pregnant, they might harm you out of spite."
"She is right, Lerna," Tabit said, placing her hand on her shoulder. "You must deliver your pups peacefully. The Hydra Kingdom is dangerous right now. We have to be very cautious in dealing with it. Let our husband think about it while we have babies."
Lerna sighed. In her mind, she was getting restless about her people. Rigel had asked her to focus on her pregnancy and not worry about Hydra Kingdom, but how could she not worry. She lowered her head and nodded weakly.
Tabit hugged her tight and Tania joined them. Tania lifted her chin up with her fingers and said, "Lerna, once our pups are out, I promise that I will take you there, okay. Don't worry."
Lerna offered her a smile. The girls talked about the upcoming baby shower.
"I would love to have a pink glittery theme," Tabit said excitedly.
"Why not a blue glittery one?" Lerna added.
"Let's have both!" Tania said, before the two girls could argue.
Eltanin walked in with Rigel and Fafnir. "And what are the girls talking about?" he asked as he walked to Tania and wrapped his arms around her waist. He kissed her temple and grinned.
"It's nothing to do with the kings!" Tabit replied.
"Why?" Fafnir intervened as he kissed his wife.
"Because it is better that you men talk about politics and world and economy while we women talk and manage home," Lerna replied for Tabit. Rigel chuckled and pulled her in his lap.
"You are a smart girl," he said, kissing her shoulder.
Lerna chuckled. "We are talking about the baby shower theme for Tania. Since Tabit and I are unable to reach a conclusion, we are going for both pink and blue themes."
"How cliché!" Eltanin murmured.
Tania elbowed him. "That is the theme we will go with!"
---
Morava was extremely depressed after her encounter with Nester. He was worse. He had made it clear that he was going to share her with his right-hand man. This was below her dignity. She wasn't going to satisfy the needs of anyone other than the Alphas. She was a queen after all. Suddenly, she remembered Mizvah and her eyes became moist. She got up from her bed and began pacing the room. If only she could go out of Hydra, she would find Mizvah and then ask him to help her. He was surely going to help her. But how would she get out?
For the next few days, Morava stayed in her room for the fear that Nester would find her and repeat the whole thing. But she wanted to meet the rest of the Alphas and assess the situation. Even if one of them was loyal to her, she would stick to him.
"M'lady, Alpha Jaris is here," said her maid.
"Alpha Jaris?" Morava whipped her head to look at the maid. She tied her hair in a bun as she cleaned her face with a towel. She hadn't even applied makeup. Alpha Jaris was the most handsome of them. "Please call him in!" she said nervously.
As soon as Jaris came in, she squealed, "Jaaaris!" and hugged him tightly. "I missed you!"
Jaris stood like a stone in her embrace. When he pulled back, he gazed into her eyes and in a very serious tone said, "Princess Morava, there is something very urgent I want to talk about."
"Sure!" she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and blushing slightly. She held his hand and tugged him to the couch. As she sat next to him, she caressed his cheek with her thumb. "What is it, Alpha Jaris?"
Jaris tensed under her touch. He stopped her from touching him. Then he lowered his head and said, "I am so sorry to tell you but I am in love with someone else."
"What?" she paled. This couldn't be happening.
Jaris took a deep breath in. "I was in love with her since I was a teenager. However, because of King Felis, I couldn't express my love to her and I was forced to mark you. I do feel for you, but I feel strongly for my love. I think we are mates. And the time has come that I accept my mate."
"You must be joking!" Morava shouted. "I am your mate. You are married to me!"
Jaris looked nervous. "I know, but I can't live without her. Now that King Felis isn't there, I am under no compulsion to remain with someone I was forced to. I will live my life. You have others who can take care of you." He got up from his place and glared at her. "I, Jaris, Alpha of Hydra Kingdom, reject Princess Morava of Pegasii Kingdom as my mate."
"Noooo!" Morava shrieked in pain, doubling over the couch. She couldn't bear more rejections. The pain that ensued was unbearable. And it didn't stop at pain. Depression followed. She felt as if a part of her soul died every time she was rejected.
Jaris watched her as she writhed in pain. He shook his head and walked out of the door. He instructed the maid to get the healer for the princess. While going out, he experienced tremendous heartache. But he clenched his fists and stood against a pillar because he knew that Morava had accepted his rejection.
Two days later, Morava got her first panic attack. She needed to get out of this wretched place before it claimed her life. She had to find Mizvah.
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