Page 35

Sara's POV

I was having a pleasant afternoon tea with Pappy. I feel guilty for not being able to see him more often. The past events has weighed him. My only comfort is that Beta Adar and my grandfather has become close friends.

"The little one is getting bigger and bigger." Pappy commented on my bulging belly.

I rubbed my belly and replied, "indeed and quite the kicker too!" I smiled. "Soon, you'll be on watch duties. Are you up for it, old man?" I kid around.

Pappy gave a hearty laugh, "who's an old man? I am so ready to watch over my great grandchild. Beta Adar and I will teach him chess right away. The first thing he'll learn to chew on is a wooden rook!"

"Oh no!" I laughed with him.

At my peripheral vision, I saw two warriors in haste. I immediately felt alarmed. What now, again? I excused myself from Pappy and followed the warriors.

It took me some time to catch up but saw them entered the king's office. The door was not totally shut and so I tried to listen in.

"....her fever was high. Isolde sent her to the pack hospital." One warrior said.

"And the boy?" Bowen asked.

"He kept crying, my king. He has no fever but he does not look healthy." The other warrior reported.

"I'll go see the children myself. Go back to your post." He commanded.

The warriors exited and were surprised to find me eves dropping by the door but only gave a curt nod.

I stormed Bowen's office to get to the bottom of all this!

"What children? Who is sick?" I asked forcefully.

"My love, calm down. Remember, you have to take it easy." He replied gently as opposed to my demanding tone. He was looking at my belly with worry. I took a deep breath. He is right. I cannot risk my Soren. I walked to the nearest arm chair and sat down. "Enlighten me, then."

"The same night we held a funeral for our pup, our scouts and warriors have captured Morvath's grandchildren. Katrin is 3. Petur is 5." He said nonchalantly.

"What? Bowen, what were you thinking?" I was shaking my head in disbelief. He knelt in front of me.

"I was taught at an early age about leverage, Sara. The children are my leverage. Morvath has no choice but to come out and come to me if he wants to get his grandchildren back! This is how we force him to show up." Bowen said bitterly.

"Bowen, you promised! You said you have learnt from your past mistakes with Abby. My king, here you are again involving innocent children in a battle they have nothing to do with! Stop it, please." I urged him.

"You and Soren will always be in danger as long as Morvath lives.

I have already lost a pup and never again!

I was not able to do anything to protect Axel, but this time no one is touching Soren!

As a king and as a father, I will not sleep in peace until his head rolls on the ground!

I am out for justice, Sara, not revenge.

He has killed so many loved ones of mine! " He was seething now.

"I fully understand where you are coming from. But you are playing a dangerous game." I expressed.

I realized something he has said and probed.

"Four days. You have the kids for four days now.

Where were you keeping them? Who watches over them?

" I somehow felt panicked. Please, do not tell me you placed them in a dark cell at the dungeon.

The poor babies. "And I heard one being sent to the hospital? " I continued.

Bowen stood. "Sara, do not think of me as a monster who could intentionally hurt children.

The children were never harmed. They may be scared but no one lifted a finger against them.

They were feed and sheltered. They were kept in one of our safe houses and an omega looks after them.

For all we know, we did the children a great good because the warriors who took them from the witch coven reported that the children were found unkempt and doing hard labor.

Isolde visits them often, if that comforts you. "

"I want to see how they are. Please." I pleaded.

Bowen gave me a long stare. I could tell he is conflicted. "Alright." Was all he replied.

I do not want to go against my mate. I didn't want him to feel alone in this battle, so I moved towards him and wrapped my arms around his back. He crossed his arms over mine and looked back at me.

"I cannot lose you and Soren." He sadly uttered.

"I know. I do not want to lose you and Soren, too. I will trust your judgment and decisions but please do not let the children be scarred for life by this." I requested.

Bowen faced me and took me in his arms. "You have my word. They will not be put at harm's way. Let's see them, now."

When we arrived at the royal pack hospital, Bowen led me to a private floor. He opened the door to one of the rooms and I saw Isolde stroking the hair of a little girl.Beside the hospital bed, on the cold floor, sat a thin boy, crying as he hugged his knees to his chest on the floor.

My heart broke at the sight of the boy.

"Isolde. What happened?" I asked.

Isolde looked our way and replied. "My king, my queen, Katrin had a high fever last night but she is getting better now.

She needs rest and meds." She turned to her left to look at the boy.

"Petur, here, is scared for his sister. No one can console him.

The nurse said let him be for the moment until he believes that we are doing everything to make his sister well. "

Bowen and I got closer to the bed.

"Oh, my heart! What a beautiful child!" I could not help but comment because the small girl looked so cute even in her sleep.

Bowen touched my elbow and excused himself to see the doctor and get updates on the health of the kids.

I approached the boy quietly not wanting to scare him more. I wish I could sit beside him, but it is hard with my bulging belly.

"Hi." I started. He did not react.

"Can you help me with something?" I asked.

He looked up. His eyes are puffy but he is a gorgeous child like his sister. He had a curious look on his face now.

I continued, "I was wondering if you could help me find the pantry? I am a bit hungry, you see." I rubbed my belly.

"I do not know where it is, Miss." He finally spoke.

"Would you help me find it, please?" I crossed my fingers.

Petur nodded and started to stand. He wiped his face with the hem of his shirt. "Okay, Miss."

I extended my hand for Petur to take. He was apprehensive at first but with a smile from me, he took it. His hands were thin but warm. I nodded at Isolde as Petur and I exited. I knew where the pantry is but did not make it obvious.

When we reached the pantry, the staff and the ones eating there bowed and greeted. Petur heard them as his mouth dropped! "You're a queen?" He found it unbelievable.

I smiled, "yes, I am. My name is Queen Sara. You have been a big help, Petur, Thank you. Now, please eat with me. It's kind of lonely to eat alone." I invited.

We were served with hot and delicious food. The staff offered Petur two slices of cake and this made him excited.

"My sister and I love cake! We can only have food when we finished scrubbing the toilets." He said.

Oh my! Bowen was right. I could not help but asked. "Petur, were they hard on you at the coven? Do you have other family members?"

He placed his fork down. "No, Queen Sara. Katrin and I don't like it there. The witches there are scary and mean. They punish us always. Our papa and mama died. We have no one. That's why the witches took us from our house."

How thick is that Morvath! My blood boils. He let mean witches take care of his grandchildren. Is there no love in his heart?

I could not help it. I gathered Petur in my arms and gave him a hug as a tear slip down.

I released him and held his face. "In our kingdom, no one will hurt you. You will be taken cared of. You and your sister can play and go to school. Petur, how would you like that?" I prayed he'll agree.

He hugged me this time and cried. "Promise," he confirmed.

"Promise." I replied as I dry his tears with a napkin.

His face scrunched. "Everyone tells us the werewolves are bad and we must hate them. Werewolves are our enemy, the witches at the coven says. But, you are a werewolf, right? But you are nice. I like you, Queen Sara. I do not understand. Are werewolves bad?" He asked.

"There will always be good ones and bad ones. Bad and good witches. Bad and good werewolves, vampires, faes, and even humans. But I promise you, Petur, no werewolf will be bad to you and your sister. Not if I can help it! Okay?" I assured him.

He beamed and went back to his cake.

As I watch Petur demolish his cake, hahaha, I imagine Petur and Katrin healthy and happy. I imagined a normal life for them.

Morvath will never touch or use these children for his evil doings.

We will find a loving family for them and we will not hold them back for what they are.

Witches.