Chapter 27

He was late again.

Daphne looked down on the training pitch from the top of the hill as the patrol returned without Arthur. She’d lost count of how many times they had returned without him at this point, and she knew from these past days that she wasn’t going to get any sleep without knowing where he was. She turned from the training pitch and headed into the village toward Mamie’s house. He’d be back at home by the time she arrived and the walk helped work out some of the nervous energy in her.

Didn’t Arthur know how much she worried? Didn’t he care? She got the sense that he was used to living on his strength and having no one to worry about him, so she could understand if he wasn’t used to having someone waiting for him to come home. Still, it didn’t seem that he was trying to get used to it or act accordingly.

Mamie answered the door with a sweet and sympathetic smile.

“Hi, Daphne… Arthur’s not back?”

Daphne shook her head as she entered, “Do you know anything?”

“He went hunting rogues on his own again,” Blade said the same way he usually did. Mamie shook her head and headed to the kitchen to make some tea.

“I’m sure he’ll be back soon. You’re welcome to stay here until he gets back.”

Blade didn’t know what else he could say. He’d promised not to tell her anything, but it was clear that Daphne wasn’t buying the excuse. He’d have to try and convince Arthur to talk to her or at least stop worrying her so much.

She shook her head, “Something is wrong… He’s been like this ever since he came back from that meeting….”

The mark should have calmed him. It had helped for a while, but it wasn’t working any longer. Why? Maybe she wasn’t Arthur’s mate? It would explain why she didn’t seem to be able to help Arthur control himself. While she couldn’t be sure he was out in the forest, losing himself in battle after battle, it was hard to think he was doing anything else given his track record.

She wrung her hands and worried her lip.

“There’s got to be something else wrong.”

Blade shook his head when Mamie gasped. Blade turned to look at her as her teacup shattered on the floor. He jumped to his feet and rounded the doorway to find her clutching her stomach.

“Mamie?”

“I think… I think the baby is coming.”

“Now?” Blade asked a bit faintly.

“Now!” Mamie groaned.

Blade and Daphne both instantly tensed up and looked at each other. Neither of them had any idea on what to do. The infirmary was still treating many poisoned patients and had no spare room. They’d been set up for a home birth for weeks, but Blade wasn’t prepared for it to happen so suddenly. What was he supposed to do? He wanted to stay with Mamie, to comfort her and be with her but, he had to get the doctor, and what about Daphne?

“Blade!” Daphne cried, drawing him out of his thoughts. “The doctor! Quickly!”

Blade rushed out to get the doctor while Daphne helped Mamie get to the bed they’d set up. Daphne pulled the blankets back and tried to get her situated in the most comfortable position.

Mamie groaned as she lay back and Daphne held her hand tightly. She didn’t know if it was any comfort, but it was all she could do.

“You’re going to be alright. Blade’s gone to get the doctor. I’ll stay until he gets back…”

Mamie nodded weakly and squeezed Daphne’s hand back.

She wasn’t sure how long they were alone. Mamie’s hand tightened on her occasionally, just shy of painful. Daphne hoped Blade hurried back before the pain started. She was sure that Mamie’s werewolf strength would crush her hand with ease. Soon, the door burst open with the doctor’s arrival, followed by several patrolmen.

“Is it true?”

“A new pup?”

“Move out of the way!” The doctor yelled, “Are you a doctor?”

The doctor came into the room as Daphne stepped back and retreated to the living room where the rest of the patrolmen were. They all seemed in good spirits and chatting with each other.

“Do you think it’ll be a boy or a girl?”

“What are you all doing here?” Daphne asked them all. “Are you… family?”

One of them grinned, “It’s been a long time since a new cub has been born in the pack.”

“Of course, we had to come to see the leader’s new cub!”

Daphne chuckled. It was oddly sweet that they were all here to welcome the new addition to the pack, but her stomach churned for Mamie’s safety. She could only hope that she would be okay. She didn’t know much about childbirth beyond the fact that she’d lost her mother in childbirth.

She didn’t want Mamie and Blade’s child to grow up without Mamie, and after everything Mamie and Bad had gone through, she didn’t want them to be separated by death. She shuddered at the thought that maybe Blade would turn rogue or commit suicide, leaving their child alone in the world the way Daphne had been.

“Bad luck!” someone said outside. Daphne frowned, listening to the conversation through the open door. “I just ran into Arthur on my way here!”

Arthur was back! Why would that be bad luck?

“What?” Someone else asked.

“Covered in blood, suddenly rushing out and grabbing me, asking what happened, it was scary as hell!” The first voice cried. “I thought a rogue was coming to attack!”

“It’s better to stay away from him,” someone replied. “The weirdo.”

“Hey!” Anthony’s voice cut in before Daphne could think to be offended. “How can you say that! He saved your lives last time!”

“You think that was saving a life? I think he was just trying to kill rogues.”

Daphne couldn’t take it anymore and ran outside to look at the group of men.

“Where is Arthur?”

The werewolf nearest to her jumped with a little yelp and turned around to look at her.

His eyes filled with recognition before he jerked his head back towards the training grounds.

“At the training ground—”

She rushed past him. It wasn’t far as Blade’s house was just barely inside the main part of the village. As she rounded the corner, she saw Arthur’s figure from a distance: golden fur stained with blood and alone. Her heart ached, seeing him looking up at the moon. He looked so lonely.

“Arthur!” He turned his head as she hurried towards him. “Mamie is going into labor and everyone is so concerned about her...”

“I know,” he said solemnly. “I just asked a man and he told me.”

Daphne frowned, “Well, why are you still here? Let's go see Mamie together! Maybe we can even hold the cute baby?”

Arthur shook his head, “I'm covered in blood. I can’t.”

Daphne froze for a moment and let her gaze fall over him.

“O-Oh… well…” She cleared her throat. “I’m sure we could… get you cleaned up pretty quickly…”

Arthur said nothing almost as if he didn’t hear her before he lowered his head.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

She wanted to ask Arthur where he went and why he didn't come back with the rest of the patrol, but seeing Arthur's poor appearance now, she couldn't bear to ask. It was clear he’d been in some sort of fight and, for now, that would have to be enough. The silence stretched awkwardly between them and she took a deep breath, forcing her voice to be cheery to try and get them out of the uncomfortable quiet.

“You didn't see how busy Blade was just now! He looks so reliable, but he's so clumsy with his wife...”

Arthur nodded stiffly.

Daphne gasped, “Did you know that they aren’t mates?”

Arthur looked at her, “Really?”

A bit of relief filled her. At least if he was speaking to her it didn’t feel so awkward.

She nodded, “After Mamie's mate died, Blade took care of her, and then they got together...”

He recoiled, turning his head stiffly. He couldn’t imagine losing Daphne and still living, let alone finding someone else to love.

“That… must have been hard.”

“Yeah, but Blade had always loved Mamie. Since they were kids! They went through a lot to finally be together. It's not what you guys call a mate, but the love between them is touching... I hope they can always be that happy.”

Arthur's expression changed when he heard this. His eyes narrowed a bit. He stared at Daphne for a moment.

“What?”

“Are you… jealous of them?”

Daphne froze. She hadn’t considered that.

“Oh, maybe… I mean, doesn't everyone want to have that kind of devoted love?”

Arthur growled in a low voice, “Why? Don't you love me?”