Chapter 11 #3
“Yes, of course. I love to take care of you. I thought I’d neglected you for some time and wanted to make up for it. I feel better today than I have felt for a long time and missed making love to you,” Ancelin said and kissed him again.
"I'm in a better mood now. Though if we'd been intimate yesterday, I might not have been so hard on the men," Krevan said with a low chuckle.
"I hardly think that's my responsibility," Ancelin replied.
"Fair enough," Krevan conceded with a smile. After dressing, they made their way downstairs.
Outside, the other men were already clearing the vehicles with remarkable efficiency, their Triaxen abilities making quick work of the snow-buried transports.
The military-grade vehicles, built to navigate the harshest terrain, stood ready for departure.
Krevan's parents settled into their vehicle while groups of four soldiers distributed themselves among the remaining transports.
Two guards remained posted at the house.
Though the winds had finally ceased, the deep snow still hampered their progress toward town.
When they arrived, an eerie stillness hung over the settlement. The normally bustling streets held only scattered vehicles, one parked near Krammer's store. After pulling to a stop, Krevan remained motionless behind the wheel, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The convoy halted behind them.
"We should wait and observe for a moment," he said quietly. "No one seems to be moving about."
"Do you sense something wrong?" Ancelin asked.
"Can't say for certain. We should be seeing people moving between buildings, but I haven't spotted a soul since this place came into view." Krevan gestured toward the abandoned vehicles lining the street.
"You think they're hiding somewhere in town?" his father asked, voice tight.
"Possibly. I'll check the clinic with a small team. If anything goes wrong, drive Mother and Ancelin away from here—and don't head home. Wait for me to find you first." Krevan slid out of the driver's seat, surrendering it to his father.
With four soldiers at his back, Krevan approached the clinic and pushed the door open. Behind them, Aiden gunned the engine and sped toward the town limits.
"Aiden, what's happening?" Vida's voice cracked with fear.
"Krevan's team is under fire."
"Where do we go now?" Vida's voice trembled. "I hate abandoning him like this."
"Following his orders is all we can do," Aiden said firmly.
"But how can you be certain they're in danger?" Ancelin leaned forward.
"The gunshots carry." Aiden gripped the wheel tighter. "We'll keep moving until Krevan finds us. His squad can follow our tracks if the weather holds."
For half an hour they crawled through the snow-choked plains of Verrian.
Ancelin pressed her forehead against the cold window, tears blurring her vision.
A dark figure materialized on the road ahead—Krevan, flanked by two soldiers.
Aiden braked hard. Krevan yanked open Ancelin's door and pulled her onto his lap as the other men squeezed into the back, sandwiching Vida between them.
"We arrived too late for Doctor Jared." Krevan's voice was hollow.
"These aren't just mercenaries anymore—they're executing civilians.
Jared was practically family. They were holding the entire town hostage when we arrived.
The Krammers nearly wept when they saw us.
We neutralized all ten before they could harm anyone else.
They clearly planned to use the townspeople as leverage against us. "
I grabbed what we needed from the clinic.
Let’s go home. We need to gather our things and make it to Silos to get aboard our military transport and leave for Triaxe.
I hope it has been well protected. There may be more of them waiting in Silos.
The other two soldiers headed back to the house to keep watch. ”
"The ship is secure," came a voice from behind.
"We stationed ten of our best at the vessel.
Triaxen military doesn't take chances." The soldier leaned forward, silver eyes catching the light.
"Those Earth-born bastards never stood a chance against us.
But that old doctor..." His fangs flashed as he spoke, voice dropping to a growl.
"They slaughtered him. Could've been the whole town if we'd been minutes later. "
Ancelin turned to find Krevan's expression hardened into something primal. The gentle circles his thumb traced on her back contrasted with the cold fury in his eyes.
"They'll regret ever crossing our path," Krevan said, his silver gaze fixed on the horizon. Then, softening slightly, he looked down at her. "Ancelin."
"Yes?"
He pressed a small box into her palm. "At home, I need you to take this test. After that, pack only what's essential. Your other belongings can follow later." His voice grew urgent. "We have less than an hour. They'll strike our home next. More of them are already on Verrian."
The vehicle pulled into the garage where soldiers awaited. As orders flew between them, Krevan guided Ancelin toward the bathroom, the test box clutched in her hand.
Ancelin crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm not doing this with you watching me, and it can wait."
"What's the problem?" Krevan's silver eyes flashed. "We're mated. I need to know if you're sick."
"Out." She shoved him through the doorway and slammed the door. "Mated or not, some things are private."
Minutes later, she emerged and thrust the test stick at him. "Pregnant."
"Wash after touching that," she called over her shoulder, already heading for their bedroom. "Don't forget the power crystal when we evacuate."
At the top of the stairs, Krevan materialized in front of the bedroom door. Ancelin flinched. "Stop doing that. It's creepy." She sighed. "This doesn't change anything. We suspected I might be pregnant."
"It changes everything," Krevan growled. "As my mate, I'd protect you with my life. But carrying my child..." His fangs glinted. "I'll destroy anything that threatens you."
Ancelin brushed past him with a dismissive wave.
"You'd do that anyway. You're just looking for reasons to be dramatic.
" She blinked rapidly. "Let me pack quickly and go.
We'll get the rest later." Her voice wavered.
"And don't give me a hard time or I'll start crying. I suddenly feel like I might."
Krevan's expression softened. "Don't cry, sweet mate. I'm just relieved you're not ill."
"Krevan," Aiden called from the hallway. "Help with her bags so we can leave. Pregnant females cry at everything."
"Relax, Ancelin. The power crystal is secured," Aiden said, a glint of humor in his eyes.
"We may be agitated males, but our brains still function.
" He winked at her before descending the stairs.
"Vida's already in the garage, eager to get back to Triaxe.
We need to move now. If we delay..." His eyes flashed silver.
"I won't be responsible for what happens to anyone who threatens what's mine. "
"Understood," Krevan said, scooping Ancelin into his arms in one fluid motion and carrying her toward the exit.
"Wait—my other bags," she protested.
"Unnecessary." Krevan's tone left no room for argument. Moments later, he returned with a small satchel. "Your identification and funds. Everything else can be replaced."
After Krevan briefed the remaining soldiers, their convoy departed for the military transport in Silos.
Aiden took the wheel with Krevan beside him, while Vida, Ancelin, and Tray occupied the back seat.
Armed vehicles flanked them on all sides.
Despite difficult road conditions, they reached the spaceport in nine hours.
Ancelin stirred from her lengthy slumber, finding her head resting on Vida's lap.
"We've arrived," Vida whispered, her breath warm against Ancelin's ear. "The soldiers will transfer our belongings to the military transport soon. Everything's secure—the ship remained untouched under heavy guard. We'll depart for Triaxe momentarily."
Ancelin stretched and stifled a yawn. "I didn't mean to sleep the whole way."
"Your condition demands rest," Vida said, smoothing Ancelin's hair.
"That's precisely why Krevan was so insistent on confirming your pregnancy.
You need proper nourishment and ample sleep, and he must remain especially vigilant now.
His venom is essential for your body during this time.
A mate's primary duty is to his pregnant partner and their developing child.
We're simply relieved you aren't suffering from illness. "
"Duty?" Ancelin murmured.
"Indeed. Separation during pregnancy would be unthinkable."
"I never realized his venom played such a vital role for me and the baby," Ancelin said, placing her hand on her abdomen. "How far is Triaxe from here?"
"Seven and a half Earth days at top speed," Vida replied.
"This vessel is military-grade—cutting edge technology.
The governments are desperate to secure that power crystal your father developed.
With it, these ships could quadruple their range and speed while using clean, sustainable energy.
That's why we have such heavy protection for our journey home.
" Vida squeezed Ancelin's hand reassuringly.
The vehicle door slid open with a hydraulic hiss. Before Ancelin could react, Krevan had scooped her up and carried her through a series of corridors. The sudden motion sent her stomach lurching.
"Krevan—stop—" Ancelin barely managed to warn him before she vomited down the front of his uniform. "I'm so sorry," she groaned, mortified. "You should have warned me before whisking me away like that."
"Let's get you cleaned up," Krevan said, grimacing at the mess. "Captain, is everyone accounted for?"
The captain nodded briskly. "Yes, Doctor. Your quarters are just ahead, first left. Departure sequence initiates in five minutes."