Chapter 16 #2
“May, that came out wrong. I do not doubt your abilities as Captain of the army. You have done an amazing job over the years, and you have earned your position. What I meant was that you’ve always disliked the political aspect and love training.
Maybe you could talk to Taylor and work out something, so you are less involved in the matters you dislike.
” Dove’s chair was big enough so that she was tucked into Dove’s side and each word resonated in her soul.
Had she really done such a poor job hiding her dislike in politics? Dove’s words had truth to them, but stepping down at such a critical moment in their country’s safety would be the most cowardly thing she could do.
“These are unsteady times, Dovely. I absolutely cannot discuss this with Taylor when there is so much uneasiness in our country. The transition period is more important than my concerns. It is my job to handle the placement of our troops for the wellbeing of others.” The words came out softer than she intended.
Dove was still playing with her hair while her other hand ran up and down her wrist.
“You are the most noble person I’ve met, May.
I understand what you’re saying and I’m not trying to force you to make this decision, but I know you, May, and I know your heart lies with building connections with your army, not doing paperwork.
” She gestured to the mess on her desk. “I understand the job comes with both and I’ve felt how stressed you’ve been.
I know you don’t think this disruption in our villages is going anywhere, but I think your skills are best used on the people, not the politics. I also know Taylor would understand.”
May snuggled her head closer to her Omega’s scent gland. She smelled so good, it was comforting. “Can we discuss something else, please?” May tightened her arm around Dove.
“How about we talk about more names?” May rolled her eyes, causing Dove to laugh.
They had been extremely indecisive when it came to a name and since they didn’t know if it was a boy or girl, they had a multitude.
May was fairly certain that it would be a little girl, but they would have to wait and see.
“You got yourself a deal.”
***
After discussing and a few gentle arguments on pup names, May was summoned to Taylor’s office where they went over more strategy. At this point in the day, May was ready for her evening with Dove.
The talk that May and Taylor were having about the army quickly devolved into a screaming match between the Alphas.
“I understand that you are allocating as best as you can, May. However, this isn’t cutting it.
” Taylor slammed her newest plan on the desk, causing the Alpha in May to growl.
It was low and rumbly, but it was a warning to Taylor.
Taylor was aggravated with May, yet May was equally upset.
In all her years of being friends with Taylor, she had never felt this aggression towards her.
“I have been doing my best, Taylor, but the situation keeps changing daily, and you are not updating me fast enough!”
Taylor placed both palms on her desk and leaned forward, practically snarling. “Then maybe you should do your job and go out in the field.”
May was taken aback at the statement but refused to wince.
“Absolutely not. My job is to oversee the training of recruits and to make sure all the papers line up with what is needed. I am not about to go into an uncertain situation when my Omega is pregnant and about to give birth. I thought you would not want that either, considering Dove is your best friend.” May was the older Alpha, but Taylor held more authority.
Taylor titled her chin upwards, a gulp lining her throat, but she didn’t back down.
“I expect you to do your job as the captain of my army, not be at the beck and call of a single pregnant Omega.” That was the last straw for May.
The last few months had been driving May insane.
She didn’t care about the protection of her kingdom; she only cared about her family!
If Taylor couldn’t settle royal matters without her army, maybe she shouldn’t be Queen.
“What the hell is your problem, Taylor? Dove is ten weeks away from giving birth, and you want to send me to the ruins, which is a multi-day journey where I could be put in danger, or maybe killed? You cannot be that arrogant.” She threw her hands in the air, resisting the urge to let her Alpha take control.
They stood there, staring at each other.
Maybe Dove had been correct in May stepping down.
She was only thirty and her job was killing her.
She had never felt like enough, and this job made her feel even less.
How was she supposed to provide for anyone at all if she couldn’t even protect her country with a few pieces of paper?
“What did you say?” Taylor moved around her desk to stand in front of May, who had a few inches on her Queen. She wasn’t playing games, letting out a threatening sound. May was too tired to deal with this. Avoiding Taylor’s gaze, she stared at the greenery outside the Queen’s window.
“I apologize, Your Highness. I can send Caleb and a few of my trusted advisors to assess up close and come back with a proper report.” Tucking her hands behind her back, May straightened. Both their jaws were tightened as they stood tensely on edge.
“And if I ordered you to go to the ruins yourself?” A royal eyebrow raised at her best friend. Was she seriously asking her to choose between her duty as her Captain and her loyalty to Dove? There was nothing in this world that could draw her away from Dove’s side while she was pregnant.
“Then I guess you will have to decide whether or not you are going to charge me with treason as the love of my life grows our child.” The staring contest between the two lasted for an uncomfortable amount of time.
The two Alphas were trying to dominate the other and the room reeked of unpleasant pheromones.
She could see that Taylor was considering it and that her Alpha had taken over every part of Taylor’s mind.
“You’re dismissed, Captain.” The words had never held so much venom as Taylor spewed it at her. May had to resist launching a verbal attack at her closest friend. She had no idea what her problem was, but her line of questioning was uncalled for.
She left the office, deciding it was time to retire to her home for the day.
She could not believe that Taylor would force her to choose between her country and her Dove.
It may be wrong as she was sworn in as an official of Taylor’s royal court, but Dove was the one person in her life she would die for, and soon her pup would be the other.
She was furious by the time she reached her quarters, practically slamming the wooden door shut as she entered the living space. Before May could catch her breath, an overwhelming smell of concern filled her senses. Her eyes snapped over to Dove who lay on the bed.
“Whatever is wrong, my Dove?” May crossed the rest of the room in two steps.
Hurrying towards her Omega, she had to resist throwing her over her shoulder and going to the medical wing, again.
Instead, she sat near Dove’s legs, brushing her thumb along Dove’s ankle and feeling some of Dove’s anxiety disappear.
Dove was laying on her back, her hands splayed on her stomach with wide eyes. The sound of her name must have jolted Dove back to her senses.
“I think something is wrong with the pup.” The hand that lay guarding her belly started moving back and forth. “I could not feel her moving after our lunch. She has been very active every day and I’m…” She trailed off, meeting May’s eyes. “I’m scared, May.”
May shifted on the edge of the bed before she placed both her knees on it.
The air was alive with its own emotion. May knew she had to keep her own growls and scent in check while she comforted her Omega, but her Alpha needed to make sure her pup was okay.
She tried to keep the warring parts of herself together when she realized they both wanted the same thing.
Her Alpha always needed to provide for her Omega, to protect her, give her everything she needed, and dominate her, sometimes.
May wanted those things too, but she needed to reassure Dove.
The part of Dove that was pregnant, was fearful for her pup and seemed to have been driven from a place of worry.
Up until now, her entire pregnancy had been smooth according to the doctor.
They had no reason to worry. May kept that thought at the forefront of her mind, along with Dove’s worries.
Whether irrational or not, they were real, and May would address Dove’s every thought.
She completely forgot about Taylor now that she was with her family.
Crawling up over Dove’s swollen belly, she pressed a chaste kiss on her Omega’s lips.
She continued to press a few more down her jaw, and Dove let out a soft sigh.
Her hands shot up to May’s hair, her body immediately softening when May nuzzled the scent gland on Dove’s neck.
May inhaled her scent. It was still just as sweet as usual—like honey.
She peppered a few kisses on it. May pressed her forehead against Dove’s, before finally pulling away, but her calming pheromones curled around Dove.
She continued her journey down Dove’s body, stopping at her peak to press a few kisses in the same spot she always had, right above Dove’s belly button where the lifeline to her pup lay.
Their pup would be joining the world soon, the harsh world that May would protect him or her from.
She thought of Taylor’s worry about the potential uprising.
Pushing all worries out of her mind, she focused on the moment.