Chapter 177

Chapter 177 Easy they go The moment he stirred, Doris was wide awake. She didn’t want to miss his goodbye, she didn’t want to risk a moment that might haunt her forever. All night she had woken at the smallest movements in fear he would try to leave without kissing her one last time. She wouldn’t allow that.

Doris got up silently when William did. He dressed himself in the dark and kept his back to her as she did the same. It was too early for any sense of goodbye, the sun hadn’t even started to poke out of the sky yet and it felt like only minutes had passed since they shared a heated moment.

When he finally turned to look at her, Doris had to hold in every emotion she had before they came spilling out of her. William crossed the room to meet her halfway. She couldn’t help herself, she reached up to run her fingers through his dark messy hair. A dark sinking feeling pushed down on her chest.

“Perhaps I should go with you—“

“No. It’ll be much safer for you here. I don’t want you anywhere near the palace when this happens.”

William said firmly but gently. He gripped her hands and drew her closer to him.“

This will be over soon. I’ll be back faster than the last time I left.”

“What if something happens to you? I wouldn’t be able to sit by and let you get hurt or captured-“

“I can handle it, Doris. Even if they throw me in the cells. I will handle it. Martin is nothing against me and my wolf and he knows it. When we were younger, he never challenged me like Jack did. He knew I was stronger.”

“I don’t know, something inside me feels wrong. It feels like something bad is about to happen.” Doris wrapped her arms around her stomach. “I don’t know why. it just feels like a sinking feeling in my chest down to my stomach.”

“You’re worried about what is to come of this war. That feeling is dread of the inevitable, it doesn’t mean it will come true.” William brushed her hair behind her ear. “You’re safer here.”

“I’d be safer with you.” Doris frowned. “Our wolves should stay together, we’re stronger this way.”

The corner of William’s mouth lifted slightly as he leaned down to kiss her. “You’re safer here. Far from the palace with a dozen guards to watch you until I get back.”

Doris leaned up to kiss him one more time. She lingered as long as she could before he pulled away from her. He held her face for a long moment and she traced every line of his face with her eyes until it was cemented in her mind. Who was she kidding? She would never forget a single detail about him even if she lived for a hundred years without seeing him again.

Without another word, he released her and left through the tent flap. Doris had to remind herself how to move again before she hurried after him.

Their horses were already packed with any supplies they could possibly need. His guards pulled themselves up on the horses the moment they saw William come towards them. Over a dozen stood off to the side and she could only guess that they were the ones to stay and watch over her while he was gone.

“I want her tent watched at all hours of the day or night. She is to be escorted to and from anywhere around the camp that she may want to go.” William said as he neared the guards with Doris on his heel.

“Is that understood?”

“Yes sir!” The men bowed. Doris felt her cheeks flame. She wanted to tell them not to worry about her but William would probably glare at her until she took it back.

William glanced back at her once more and offered a ghost of a smile before he pulled himself up on his horse. “You’ll hardly notice I’m gone.”

“That seems unlikely, who else will stomp around the camp like a dark cloud?” Enzo asked as he pulled up his horse next to them.

William rolled his eyes to the sky. “She should be thanking me for taking you for from her.” William muttered. •

“Don’t fool yourself, William. She dreams of a day we can be alone without your gloom to follow us.”

Enzo winked at Doris before he kicked off through the trees. William stared at her a breath longer before he did as well. .

Not once did either of them say goodbye. She didn’t know why it bothered her as much as it did.

A few hours later, the sun had finally rose. Doris didn’t sleep a minute, she was already awake when Beth entered with her breakfast balanced on a white tray.

“I don’t think I’ve seen so many guards on alert! Here I thought that they would be sleeping the moment William left.” Beth shook her head and set the tray down on the table. “I didn’t even realize what time they were leaving. I thought they might have still been here this morning but over half of the camp is gone.”

“I’m not sure whether I should feel glad that I stayed or not. I just feel as if something terrible is going to happen.” Doris said as she picked at her food. Beth sat across from her and gripped her hand.

“It’s okay to be worried about him.” Beth said gently. “Just don’t stress yourself more than usual. The doctor said that wasn’t good for you or the baby.”

“I know.” Doris sighed and tried to shake the feeling of doom in her chest. “I just-I don’t know. It’s hard knowing that he’s going to do something so dangerous. Even if he is prepared and has a full army behind him.”

“Unfortunately, war is full of taking risks that are far from safe. I know that you know he will be just fine.

Remind yourself that.” Beth squeezed her hand.

“Have you warmed up to the rogues yet?” Doris asked in effort to change the subject.

Beth scrunched her nose at Doris. “Warmed up to them? You mean befriend them? Oh no. You won’t catch me befriending a rogue out here. I saw one of them pick up a rodent and eat it behind the tents!”

“What?” Doris almost choked on her food. “There is no way you saw that!” “I did! He looked back at me and grinned before I ran away. I don’t care if William is friends with them now, I don’t have to be.”

Doris tried to push the image out of her mind of one of the rogues eating a live rodent before it burned into her brain. “Are you sure it wasn’t a nightmare? I lived with them for weeks and not once did I see something like that!”

Beth’s face made Doris laugh. “I swear it, Doris! I wouldn’t trust them if I were you.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Okay, Beth. You definitely don’t have to be their friend if you don’t want to. I’m just glad you’re mine.” Doris stood and peered out of the tent flap. Three guards hovered near the entrance.

“I wonder if William threatened them. I bet they’re worried he’ll come popping out of the bushes any second.” Beth said as she come up behind her. “Will you stay in here tonight with me?” Doris closed the flap. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep with this feeling in my chest.”

“Of course, Doris. You know I would do anything for you.” Beth smiled a little. “Let’s go for a walk.”

Doris bundled up before they ventured out of the tent together arm in arm. Two guards broke off from the tent entrance and immediately followed them.

“What will you do if he does become king?” Beth asked quietly. “… don’t know. Support him, of course.”

“No, I mean-will you take the title of Queen?”

Doris felt warmth coat her cheeks. “What? Me? No, I don’t think he would have me be his queen. I’m not prepared to take a role like that, he’s trained his whole life to be king.”

“You’re his mate and soon to be mother of his child, I think he would want you as his queen.” Beth nudged her. Doris felt sick just thinking about it.

“I don’t know. I suppose I will have to have that conversation with him when the time comes.” Doris cleared her throat. “What about you? When William is set as king, I’ll have him make you Beth stopped short at her words. “What?“