Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder-Chapter 1545 - 144 : Unexpected News

*Saoirse*

The air in the council chamber was heavy, weighed down by the scent of burned timber and smoke still lingering from the battle against Pyroth and his army. Charts and maps were strewn across the grand table, marked off with figurines representing potential moves and tentative plans. Rhys stood at my side, his presence both a comfort and a reminder of the threats lurking beyond our borders. He ran a hand through his hair before resting it on my lower back. I couldn’t help but lean into him at the contact.

"Something doesn’t feel right," I murmured. My voice was quiet as I worked through things in my mind. I felt off. It was like my brain had been surrounded by a dense fog that I could barely see through.

Rhys glanced over, his brows knitting together in concern as he observed me. "You’ve been quiet today, Saoirse, more than usual."

I tried to focus on the advisor droning on about supply lines, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me to grip the edge of the table for support. My knees felt weak, betraying the strength I prided myself on. It wasn’t like me to falter, not with so much at stake.

"Are you alright?" Rhys asked, his voice cutting through the fog in my mind. He was close now, his hand reaching out as if to steady me.

"Fine," I replied too quickly, my pride clawing its way to the forefront. "I just need a minute." I quickly stepped into the hallway for some much-needed air. Another dizzy spell had me grasping the wall for balance, my fingers brushing against the cool stone. Rhys’ face blurred before my eyes, concern etched into every line. He must have followed me out.

"Let me take you to the healers," he suggested, the command in his voice softened by worry.

"No, we have work to do," I insisted, even though I sounded unconvincing to my own ears. Rhys’ gaze didn’t waver, his deep brown eyes holding mine with an intensity that spoke volumes of his unwavering resolve.

"Work can wait, Saoirse. You can’t." His tone brokered no argument. Despite my reluctance, I knew he was right.

"Alright," I conceded, the word coming out more as a sigh. Rhys disappeared back into the room to alert our advisors we would need to break for the afternoon. When he returned, he offered his arm. I accepted it, letting him guide me away from the council chamber with a protectiveness that enveloped me as surely as the shifter strength that ran through his veins.

“This is completely unnecessary. I’m fine,” I insisted, even as my knees weakened and the dizziness spun the world. Rhys tsked at me and continued on without another word.

I stumbled, the world tilting on its axis as another wave of dizziness washed over me. Rhys’ grip tightened around my arm, his other hand swiftly coming up to steady my shoulders.

"Enough, Saoirse," he said firmly. "The healers need to see you now."

I tried to protest, my voice a mere thread of sound. "But the plans, the–"

"Can wait," Rhys cut in with authority that brooked no argument. The king in him shone through, the worry for his kingdom momentarily overshadowed by the concern for his mate, wife, and the mother of his children. He was a pillar of strength, and I found myself leaning on him both literally and figuratively.

With a sigh, I accepted my fate.

"Thank you," I whispered, leaning into him slightly as we made our way through the corridors, each step taking us closer to answers I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.

As we entered the healer’s quarters, the scent of herbs filled the air. They were comforting yet unsettling. I sat down heavily on the edge of a cot. Rhys kneeled before me, his hands clasping mine. His eyes searched my face, looking for signs of the strong-willed woman he knew.

"Talk to me, Saoirse. What’s going through your mind?" he asked softly, his thumb brushing the back of my hand in soothing circles.

"Everything and nothing," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "What if it’s something serious? What if..." A thousand fears raced through my mind, none of them finding a voice. The healer’s arrival interrupted my spiraling thoughts.

"Good afternoon, Your Majesties," the healer greeted, her tone professional yet kind. Rhys rose to his feet, standing beside me like a sentinel as the healer began her examination.

"Please, just find out what’s wrong with her," he urged, his usual composure fraying at the edges.

"Of course, King Rhys," the healer replied, turning her attention back to me. “Can you tell me what’s been going on, Queen Saoirse?”

“I’ve been feeling... off. There’s really no other way for me to explain it. Something just feels off. I’ve been having trouble concentrating, my thoughts seem muddled, and I’ve been getting dizzy spells.”

“And, how long has this been going on?”

“A few days.”

“A few... Saoirse, why didn’t you say anything?” Rhys demanded.

“We’ve been under a lot of stress, Rhys. I assumed it was stress and lack of sleep and would fade. We have bigger things to worry about than a little dizziness.”

“Your health is something to worry about, Saoirse.”

“Well,” the healer interrupted, "why don’t we take a look at what’s going on.”

Her hands moved with practiced ease, checking for signs and symptoms known only to her trained eye. As she worked, silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken fears and whispered hopes. Rhys’ hand found mine again, holding on as if to anchor me to the moment.

The healer’s hands stilled. She looked up at me with a knowing twinkle in her eye. "Your Majesty," she said softly, "I believe congratulations are in order.”

“Congratulations?” Rhys and I both responded.

“Yes. You’re expecting."

"Expecting?" My heart leaped into my throat.

"Another child," she clarified with a gentle smile.

Rhys’ grip on my hand tightened, and his breath hitched in disbelief. "Truly?" he asked, his voice a mixture of hope and astonishment.

"Truly," the healer confirmed.

A laugh bubbled up from deep within me, spilling out in joyful relief. Rhys pulled me into his embrace, holding me as if I were the most precious treasure in the world. Tears of happiness brimmed in his eyes. It was impossible not to be moved by the sight of the strong prince so openly emotional.

"Thank you," he murmured to the healer, who smiled and quietly excused herself, leaving us alone in our little bubble of newfound joy.

"Rhys," I whispered, pulling back slightly to look into his eyes, "we’re going to have another baby."

"Another blessing," he corrected, his voice thick with emotion. "Saoirse, I’m overjoyed." His laughter mixed with mine. In that small healer’s room, we embraced our future. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

We couldn’t keep such news to ourselves. With our hearts nearly bursting, we strode hand in hand to where our children were playing under the watchful eyes of their nursemaids. At the sight of us, they rushed over, their bright eyes full of questions.

"Why are you smiling so much?" Adelaide demanded.

"Because," Rhys announced, scooping him up in his arms, "you are going to be a big sister."

"Really?" gasped our daughter, her small hands clasping together in excitement.

"Really," I confirmed, kneeling to wrap her in a hug. "Our family is growing."

The news spread like wildfire throughout the kingdom. Banners were raised, and the streets filled with the sound of cheering. That evening, as twilight bathed the castle in a golden hue, Rhys and I stood on the balcony overlooking our subjects.

"Today," Rhys began, his voice carrying across the gathered crowd, "we share with you a joyous announcement. The royal family will soon welcome a new member."

Cheers erupted, filling the air with vibrant energy. From the humblest cottages to the grandest halls, our people celebrated the promise of new life, a symbol of hope and continuity.

"Long live the king and queen!" they chanted, their voices echoing off the stone walls.

In the days following our joyous announcement, the kingdom still buzzed with the news of another royal heir soon to be born. But amidst the celebrations, I couldn’t afford to lose focus. Sitting on the edge of the training grounds, I watched the young graduates of Queen Lena’s school as they practiced with the Egoren soldiers.

"Control," I urged, my voice steady and calm as I observed a young shifter amongst our ranks struggling to maintain his wolf form. "Remember, it’s not about the strength you exert but the will you impose."

"Yes, Queen Saoirse," he panted, his body shimmering between man and wolf before finally stabilizing into his human form. Sweat glistened on his brow, but determination flickered in his eyes—a look I knew all too well.

"Good," I praised, offering him a nod of encouragement. I stood, my own balance wavering slightly, reminding me of the life growing inside me. Pushing aside the distraction, I walked among the novices, each of them poised and ready for instruction.

"Pyroth has not been vanquished," I declared, my voice cutting through the morning air. "He is out there, gathering power. We must be vigilant."

"Will he come back?" a young woman asked, her voice laced with both fear and resolve.

"Undoubtedly," I admitted. "But we will stand ready. Our people, our homes, our futures—we protect them with every fiber of our being."

"Like our king protected us in the battle against Pyroth," another spoke up, his tone admiring.

"Like you all did," I corrected gently. "Together."

"Then let us train, so we might be as fierce as our lady," the first graduate declared. The sentiment was echoed by the others.

"Indeed," Rhys interjected, having approached unnoticed. His presence was a comfort, his confidence an anchor. "We shall be a shield against the darkness."

"Let’s continue," I said, addressing the group. "Focus on your shifting. Swift, silent, and precise. Like the shadows at dusk. Focus on strengthening your magic, concentrating it where and when it is needed."

They nodded, turning to their sparring partners, their movements fluid yet focused, growing stronger with each passing day. Rhys joined me at the sidelines, his hand finding mine, intertwining our fingers.

"Are you certain you should be doing this in your condition?" he asked, his brows furrowed with concern.

"Training them? Or standing here?" I teased lightly, although I understood his worry.

"Both, perhaps," he replied, his thumb caressing the back of my hand.

"Rhys, love, our enemy will not pause his schemes for my pregnancy. And neither will I," I stated firmly.

"Then we’ll face whatever comes together," Rhys affirmed, his gaze unwavering.

"Always," I agreed, watching as the graduates worked together seamlessly. Magic swirled in the air as the men’s forms blurred between human and wolf. They were the next generation of defenders and would be ready for Pyroth or any threat that dared challenge our peace.