"Thank you for catching me," Sophie said, but it didn't ease the worry that flooded her husband's chest.
It was already six weeks after the poisoning and miscarriage and it still seemed to be affecting her. Leland looked at his mate with concern and immediately took Sophie into the castle's main foyer.
The doors immediately opened up by the remaining members of the Blood Pack that stayed back. "Alpha!"
Leland walked past them immediately.
Luciel and Jan both waded after their parents and noticed the tense atmosphere and started to place their paws at Leland's legs as if trying to climb up and reach their mother, but Sophie kept insisting that she was fine.
"Don't worry about me, boys!" Sophie said as she leaned against Leland's chest. She didn't want her children to be afraid for their mother's health. So, she smiled at them and waved. "You two can have fun, okay?"
Leland glanced at the two boys at his feet and then looked at Duncan and Max who were both carrying some of the luggage inside of the castle. He said, "Take charge of the boys while I put Sophia in bed."
"Yes, Alpha!" Duncan immediately added the luggage he was carrying on top of Max's own load.
"Oi!" Max grunted at Duncan to no avail.
Unfortunately, Duncan already crouched down and then grinned at the children. "You boys wanna see the view from the top of the castle? It's breathtaking!"
Luciel was immediately enchanted with that thought and rushed towards the older lycan. Jan on the other hand still looked at Sophie until she ushered him to follow after his brother and their caretaker.
Once the children and their guardian were gone, the Alpha immediately started heading back into his room to bring his mate there. He did it despite the protest that Sophie gave him.
"Leland it's not really that necessary." Sophie poked the man's chest and gave him a pout. "You can let me go down and let me just catch my breath. I am fine."
"If you do not wish to do this for yourself, then do this for me at least." Leland insisted. "I'll be more at ease if you are able to rest. Would you like me to prepare you a cup of tea so you can relax?"
Sophie knew that she couldn't argue with Leland when he put it that way. The man showed his concern for her both through words and actions that she didn't want to reject it even if she thought that she was completely fine.
"Alright you can do that and I'll comply with your request, as long as you stay with me in bed." Sophie smiled. She didn't want to be the only one resting because she was sure that her husband was also probably tired.
The Alpha blinked at his mate's words. "Sophia, I still have to coordinate with Lucas to manage the rest of the pack…"
"Well, I don't want to stay cooped up in my room alone," Sophie said. She felt like staying in bed would just make her feel sick. "Can't I just stand around so I can see how you do your role as an Alpha?"
Leland hesitated.
"I think it's also important for me to participate in leading the pack," Sophie added.
Leland knew that Sophie had a point and he wanted to say yes. The Blood River Pack would feel more cohesive that way, but he didn't want to risk it when Sophie's health was fragile.
There were other chances for his pack to warm up to Sophie.
"On second thought, I'll let Lucas handle it and give the pack some time to rest and recuperate," Leland said and then whispered into Sophie's ear. "I was looking forward to being able to spend time with you alone after all."
Sophie blushed. "You're just saying that so I'll agree."
"It's still true." Leland took his mate into their room. He gently placed her down and then immediately joined her in the bed. He kissed her forehead and asked. "Are you still interested in that cup of tea?"
Sophie shook her head and snuggled up against him. "No. Just stay here with me as you promised. That's all I need."
"Alright." Leland smiled. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her to sleep.
***
The Alpha gently brushed some of Sophie's hair away as he kissed her forehead. It only took about ten minutes before his mate finally fell asleep. Her chest slowly rose up and down as her breathing relaxed.
Sophie's exhaustion in her body made her rest even while she tried to stay awake and chat with him. She attempted to stay awake but having a soft bed and her husband's presence eased the tension in her body.
Leland was glad to see her resting and he hoped that this helped her to recover. Perhaps the strain of the travel didn't allow his mate a chance to fully heal from the miscarriage?
He wished and fervently hoped that was the case. It brought him grief to remember the incident.
It struck past Leland's carefully crafted defenses in his heart and affected him deeply, far more than the Alpha let himself show to his mate and the Blood River Pack.
"Our sons…" Leland breathed deeply and remembered the doctors' words clearly. All of them agreed that Morgan and Emery must have absorbed the poison that Sophie drank which allowed his mate to stay alive.
As Leland stared blankly around their room, he was suddenly interrupted by a firm but quiet knock on the door.
The Alpha rose to his feet and opened it up to see Lucas.
The Beta lowered his head. "Pardon me for the interruption Alpha, but I came here to inform you that the final group of Blood River Pack has arrived at last and I've sent everyone to rest and recuperate before you summon us to a meeting."
"Thank you." Leland nodded his head. He could imagine that there was a lot to discuss, issues that needed to be addressed, and a new plan and goal for their entire pack to make. "Is there anything else?"
"No, Alpha." Lucas shook his head. "That is all, but I'm here to check if you have any new orders."
"No, let everyone rest. I'm also taking care of my mate…" Leland glanced over at Sophie asleep in their bed. However, he suddenly hesitated for a moment and said, "Actually, summon our best blacksmith."
.
.
____________________
From Missrealitybites:
Third chapter today. I just feel like writing more for Leland and Sophie.
PS: I had a change of heart with the babies' names. Initially, they were Morgan and Merle (it's actually from Merlin), but after I thought about it again, I decided to just use Emery (Merlin's childhood name).
If these names ring you a bell, congratulations! ^^
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