CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

B rayden opened the door to his quarters, with the king following close behind.

“Whoa, where’s the fire, Willow?” He caught her around the waist and pulled her up against his chest as he spun.

She smacked a kiss on his lips.

“You know where.” She winked. “Now let me down, Mister Alpha. I’m heading to Bri’s. We’re videoconferencing with Sage in a few minutes.”

He planted his mouth on hers and stole a few more kisses.

“Get a room.” Vincent pushed past them.

“What are you, ten?” Willow asked the king, as Brayden dropped her back onto her feet.

“I’m the king,” Vincent replied, shrugging.

“King of—”

“Stop.” Brayden grabbed her lips with his fingers and then burst out laughing as her eyes bulged. She slapped his hands away. “Go. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

Willow patted him on the chest. “Love you.”

Brayden watched as she danced off. He’d never seen his mate so happy. Nothing seemed to faze her right now—well, except for Vincent—and it wouldn’t take long for the others to notice.

The door shut and he turned around.

“Anyway, what I was going to say is Ari called and they have tracked BioZen’s scientist to a new facility. The team is moving in tonight, so we’ll see what they find.”

Vincent lowered himself into the large armchair and nodded. “They’re producing something there. Why else would they create an entirely new location?”

Brayden shrugged and poured himself a whiskey.

He handed a tumbler to Vincent.

“Or a new lab to continue experiments now we’ve destroyed a few,” Brayden said.

“There’re not that many vamps in California,” Vincent said.

“They can transport them from anywhere.”

“Fuckers,” Vincent said, shaking his head and taking a long swig of the golden liquid. “I’m tempted to just blow up the fucking place.”

Brayden lifted a shoulder. “Let’s do it. Put some real brakes on their plans.”

Vincent nodded. “Information is more valuable right now. Let the team go in and see what they get.”

The king was right.

Unfortunately.

Right now, Brayden was keen to eliminate every single risk to his family and race. He was feeling excessively protective, and it was only going to get worse.

“So you want to tell me what’s going on with the princess?” Vincent asked. “Because she’s dancing around like a fucking rainbow’s pouring out her ass and that’s not normal.”

Brayden burst out laughing. “She’s still riding your ass. That’s normal.”

“Spill.”

Brayden placed his glass on the coffee table. Willow wasn’t the only one on cloud nine, but until they were sure they’d kept it to themselves.

“We’re pregnant,” he said, knowing he had a stupid grin on his face.

Vincent stared at him. “Already?”

Brayden nodded.

“How the fuck?”

“I don’t know. But we did a test. Three. And yeah, Willow is pregnant.”

Usually it took fifty, sixty years before mates reproduced. Brayden understood his brother’s shock because it had taken him and the queen over one hundred years to conceive baby Lucas.

Vincent threw back his whiskey and shook his head.

“Congratulations Brayden. I’m surprised, but happy for you. And Willow. Holy hell, our family is growing.”

Brayden smiled, nodding. “That it is, brother.”

Vincent stood and walked to the glass doors overlooking the castle gardens. Brayden left him to his thoughts, knowing his brother well.

“If Sage and Ari reproduce this fast, it will change everything,” Vincent said, then turned. “I hope for all our sakes that doesn’t happen.”

God, Brayden hated all the politics.

He understood Ari’s position and the anguish he must have felt his entire life. Yet, it was Vincent’s job and life purpose to protect the Moretti throne.

As it was his.

Throw in the fact humans were on the precipice of learning about their existence and life was a little challenging these days.

“We need time to strengthen our bonds,” Brayden said. “Let’s follow through on the invite to have Ari and Sage visit. This doesn’t need to be a threat to our lineage. You aren’t King Francis or King Gio.”

Vincent plunged his hands into his pants pockets. “We shall see. Eventually.”

Brayden knew he was right. Perhaps he knew his brother better than he knew himself. Vincent wasn’t a warmonger. He said stupid shit at times, but he had a solid heart and mind.

“I know you love our uncle, Brayden, but there must have been a reason our father and grandfather were so distrusting of him. I’ve been digging through the archives looking for something, but it’s a painstaking task.”

He had?

Brayden shook his head.

This wasn’t at all going in the direction he was hoping. Was history going to repeat itself once more?

He fucking hoped not.

WILLOW SAT CROSS-LEGGED on the bed beside Brianna. Sage’s face was streaming in from Seattle on the screen in front of them.

“So you kept just getting stronger?” Sage asked.

“Maybe I’m wrong, but it felt like it,” Willow said. “Bri?”

Brianna shrugged. “For me it was as if I could control my strength and abilities more than becoming extra- powerful.”

“Yeah, that could have been it. My best advice is to text us or call us if you have questions. Telling your mate will only make him more protective, and it can be smothering,” Willow added.

Brianna giggled.

Willow rolled her eyes and nudged her friend. “She loves it. Craig all but carried her around for the first month.”

“Nothing wrong with being strapped against that gorgeous chest. I encouraged it.” Brianna laughed.

“She’s not joking.”

“Thanks you guys, this has been so helpful,” Sage said. “Oh, one more question. Periods?”

Willow groaned and nodded.

“I’m afraid so,” Brianna said. “Of all the damn things we have to put up with after becoming a vampire, we still get our damn periods.”

“Unbelievable,” Sage said, laughing. “So glad I asked because I wasn’t sure. But then again, vampires can procreate, so it makes sense. Though, not all animals menstruate. Anyway, sorry I’m being a scientist.”

Willow twisted her fingers together and saw Brianna give her an odd look. They signed off and promised to connect again with Sage soon, then Brianna turned to her.

“Spill.”

“I can’t. Not yet.”

Brianna pinched her leg. “Spill. What is it?”

She had to tell her. She’d been dying for weeks to tell someone. Poor Brayden had been listening patiently to all her questions and pondering, but she really wanted to talk to her best friend and Kate, who had recently given birth to the new prince.

“I’m pregnant!”

Brianna’s mouth gaped open.

“You serious? So quickly? Holy shit balls.” Brianna launched herself at Willow and they tumbled over the bed. “Oh, my God, my bestie is having a baby!”

Willow giggled, and they both began to cry happy, ugly tears.

“Does Kate know?”

Willow shook her head.

“No one knows. I mean Bray knows, and I guess he’ll tell Vincent, so we’ll tell the queen next.”

“I thought it took forever?”

“I don’t know what to say other than I prayed nearly every damn day for this baby. Or perhaps I was already pregnant. We don’t know how far along I am.”

Brayden was going to speed up the plans to have a medical facility at the castle after Vincent had ordered it recently. This was the second royal baby and who knew how many more there would be?

Brianna glanced down at her flat stomach, and Willow wondered if her friend wanted one.

“God, I hope there’s nothing in there,” Bri said.

Obviously not.

“I thought you wanted children?” Willow asked.

“Sure, but I think we all know Craig is borderline crazy possessive with just me newly in his life. None of us want little Craig-a-kins popping out into the world for him to lose his mind over.”

Willow snorted.

“Good point.”