Haulcon's Revenge (23 page)

“
Thanks, but no. With the full moon tonight, I think I’d like to take Adair for a brief walk before I have to go out on surveillance.” Haulcon held his hand out to her.

Slipping her fingers through his, she turned and faced his mother. “Marema, you are a wonderful historian and I truly have enjoyed my time with you as always.”

“
You’re welcome anytime. Besides, I love seeing how you continue to blossom with my son’s heir.” She smiled at her.

Rubbing her stomach, Adair allowed Haulcon to assist her to her feet. “Pretty soon I will not be able to fit through the door.”

The other three laughed. Adair groaned.

Once they left his parents’ suite, Haulcon asked, “Do you feel up to a short stroll around the grounds with me?”

“
Absolutely. I always miss you so much the hours you are gone on patrol. So, I will take every moment I can with you.”

“
I feel the same.” He nuzzled her neck, but didn’t lick or bite her. “Come, mate.”

The size of a nine-month pregnant woman in three months, she didn’t move as fast as she used to. “I will be so glad when our child is born so I can get my body back, just so I’m not lumbering around like an elephant.”

“
You still look sexy to me.”

“
Males.” She shook her head.

At the first level they were met by young Daprin who held a large basket out to Haulcon. “Here you are, Alpha.”

“
Thank you, Daprin. I appreciate you getting cook to put this together so quickly.”

Adair watched the boy’s smile light up his entire face at the approval from his Alpha.

“
A basket? What have you planned, Haulcon?” Adair went up the stairs before him and through the door that would take them outside.

“
Just a simple meal and some alone time with my mate.”

The woodland courtyard was filled with people out enjoying the first shadows of the evening. Haulcon led her to a small glen of trees closer to the back gate. He sat down first, leaning his back against a sturdy tree. After he set the basket to the side he held her firmly by the waist until she was seated between his wide spread legs.

She sighed as she relaxed back against his chest.

“
Are you comfortable?” He stroked her arms providing her his warmth.

“
Perfect.” She glanced up into his green eyes. “I smell something really good coming from that basket. Do you plan to feed me and your child or what?”

He chuckled. “Feed you. Otherwise you will be grumpy the entire time we are out here.” Opening the lid, he removed a large bowl with roasted rabbit stew that had large chunks of sliced apples and kale in it.

“
Hmm,” she inhaled the warm fragrant food. “If I would have known that valfs eat so well, I would have come to visit a long time ago.”

“
Well, we have the rest of our lives to make up for all the lost time.”

“
I look forward to it.” She allowed him to feed her four heaping spoonfuls. “Aren’t you going to eat any?”

“
I’ll finish whatever you don’t.” He winked at her.

“
Well, then I hope you eat while you’re out on patrol,” she teased as she took the spoon from him and fed herself more.

“
Don’t worry about me. I’m sure I will find some nourishment from somewhere before I go.” He nipped her earlobe.

Adair couldn’t hold back the shiver of pleasure. She enjoyed his feeding from her as much as he did. It wasn’t only the sexual feelings it produced but always the connection between them.

Ten minutes later she polished off the stew and was curled back against his strong chest with his thick arms around her as he feasted on her neck.

“
The full moon is absolutely beautiful.” Two months had come and gone so quickly, Adair couldn’t believe it.

The night air around them was crisp, but refreshing. She didn’t miss the city noise and multicolored lights at all. The only thing she missed was the use of her camera. It was still at the bottom of her backpack in the back of her wardrobe.

“
Haulcon.”

He retracted his fangs then slid his tongue slowly along the side of her neck before responding. “Yes.”

“
Do you think it would be alright if I used my camera sometimes?”

He tensed for a moment. “What do you plan on filming?”

“
Shooting. Not filming.” Turning she faced him, still in the circle of his arms. She noticed his expression was blank and she understood that to mean he was blocking her from his thoughts. “I want to take pictures of any and everything outside of the mansion. Maybe if there is a small room available I can use it as a dark room and you can see what I take pictures of.” She held her breath waiting. Wondering if he still thought she was in cahoots with Princess Smith.

He cupped her cheek. “I trust you, Adair. I know you will not exploit my people.” He placed a hand on her rotund belly. “Our people.”

“
Thank you.” She kissed him. “Maybe the ones you like we can put on the walls of the mansion. They are a little empty compared to the rest of the opulence.

“
A good idea.” He sighed. “I must get ready to go. I’m sure the patrol team is already gathered by now.” He got up first then lifted her until she was upright and steady on her feet.

“
Thanks again for bringing me out and for the little picnic.”

“
We will do more of it,” he promised as he swept the basket up from the ground. “I love winter nights.”

When they were back inside Haulcon saw the six-member patrol team standing on the upper landing waiting.

“
Sorry to make you late,” she whispered to him.

“
All is well.” He turned her into his arms. “Stay safe while I am gone.”

“
I will. I’m going to go to our suite and rest.” Burying her hands in his long straight ebony strands she pulled him down for their parting kiss.

It lasted longer than necessary but she wanted him to know how much she missed him when he was gone. “Hurry back.”

“
Definitely.” He handed the basket to an attendant who was on her way from the ballroom with a tray.

Adair headed toward the stairs as Haulcon gathered the males and females going out with him and went toward the outside door.

She was exhausted. The baby seemed to be sucking up every bit of energy she had. She considered locating Dresa and asking her to have a bath prepared. Over the past couple months she’d gotten used to the cold water and even enjoyed them more times than not.

Finally making it to her room, she figured that it was best for her to just get in bed. Even though the mansion was full of activities she could join in on, she just wanted to close her eyes. Getting out of her clothes, she climbed into bed nude and pulled the sheet over her body.

~YH~

Adair tried to ignore the knocking on her door. She could have sworn she just closed her eyes. Whoever it was didn’t seem like they were going away until she answered. Groaning, she got herself up from the bed and pulled her dress back over her head. Padding barefoot to the door, she pulled it open when she got to it.

“
Hello, Adair.”

“
Sylista. Hi. Haulcon’s not here if you need him.”

There was a kind, sweet smile on the female valf’s mouth. “Actually, I’m here for you. Hessel asked me to come and get you. Something about the bloodwork for your last test.”

Her heart leapt. “Is it serious? Something wrong?” Adair gripped the wood panel of the door hard.

“
I honestly don’t know.” She shrugged. “Just passing along his message.”

“
Okay. Thanks.” Adair closed the door and slipped her flats back on. Pausing before heading out of the room, she placed a hand on her stomach and sent up a quick prayer that everything was alright—that she wouldn’t birth one of the frail ones.

Leaving the room, Adair was shocked to see Sylista still standing there. “Oh, I thought you had gone.”

“
Not at all. With our Alpha out, I just wanted to make sure you got there safe.”

“
I appreciate it.” Adair went up the stairs with Sylista. They chatted about Sylista’s job over the garden and Adair’s love of photography.

Why did tonight have to be the night Haulcon was on patrol?

At the clinic, Sylista said, “I’m sure everything is fine with the offspring. Don’t worry.”

“
Thanks.” Giving her the most courageous smile she could muster, Adair shoved through the door.

~YH~

Haulcon knew Adair wasn’t in their suite the moment he stepped inside. The room was too quiet. No soft snoring coming from the bed. The sheets were unkempt, letting him know she had gotten some rest while he was away.
But where was she now?

Sweet mate, where are you?

He left out of the room and journeyed back up the winding staircase. His first stop was Friedol and Chrysen’s suite. Adair and Chrysen had become fast friends and spent a lot of time together, especially since Chrysen was now breeding as well.

“
No, Alpha,” Chrysen began, “I have not seen her since earlier when I joined her and your mother for tea and sweets.”

“
What’s going on?” Friedol came up from behind him.

“
I was checking to see if Adair was with your mate.” Haulcon informed him. He didn’t want to say he was getting worried but the fact that he continued to call her with his mind and she wasn’t answering bothered him.

“
You need help locating her?” Friedol asked.

“
No. I’m sure she is most likely with my mother and father.” Haulcon thanked him and jogged to the steps leading up. He took them two and three at a time. Once he arrived there and his father informed him that his mother had gone out on a run with a few other females, he knew Adair was not with her.

“
Is everything alright, Haulcon?” his father asked.

Haulcon knew his father most likely could sense his concern. As parents, links weren’t as strong as a mate link, but it was still there.

“
I’m not sure. I know Adair had lain down as she told me she was going to do, but now I can’t connect with her or locate where she has been since I’ve been gone.”

“
Well, I will help search. Your human is a curious one about all things valf, so I’m sure she is bending someone’s ear and questioning them about the specifics of their job within the community.”

“
You’re probably right.” Haulcon exhaled and attempted to release the tension that had a hold on his heart.

Over the next hour, he and his father checked every area of the mansion with no sign of her and no one they spoke with having seen her.

Friedol had joined them at the end of the search. Pulling Haulcon aside, he asked, “What do you want to do?”

“
I want an assembly called righ—”

“
Pardon me, Alpha.”

Haulcon heard the small voice and looked down at Daprin who seemed to be hiding in a low dark area under the stairs. His first thought was to tell the server-in-training that he didn’t have time to talk with him at the moment, but the shadows of fear obscuring the boy’s features gave him pause.

Squatting down to the boy, he questioned him. “What is it, Daprin?”

He glanced around then said, “I know where your mate went last?”

~YH~

Adair felt groggy and sick to her stomach. She was curled up on her side on a hard surface. All she wanted to do was stay asleep, but she knew she wasn’t in her and Haulcon’s bed and whatever she was on made her body ache.

Did I fall?

“
Haulc—” her voice sounded weak to her own ears and her mouth was dry. She was so thirsty.