Sargon and Marie stood outside of Catelyn's bedroom quietly, while Dr. Brinks was assessing her.
Sargon had been pacing back and forth since Dr. Brinks closed the door. Worry consumed him. Nothing could happen to Catelyn. She needed to be well.
When she fainted, Sargon took her to her room quickly so Vianna wouldn't see her mother in such a condition. The child was already having a difficult time. This was just too much.
"Sargon." Marie called him, dragging him out of his spiraling thoughts.
"Yes, Marie." He replied.
"Stop pacing. You have been pacing this entire time. It will be alright." Marie said.
"I pace when I am worried or confused. I will try not to." He said, realizing he was probably making her more nervous.
"Something has occurred to me, Sargon. I am not completely familiar with your world, but i have learned a lot over the years. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't it true that when two wolves' mate, they complete a bonding?" She asked, trying to arrange her thoughts.
"Yes, the mating bond is completed between two wolves to connect them to each other. They become stronger and can feel what the other is feeling. Some can even read each other's thoughts. Also, If one wolf dies…" Sargon said pausing as worry tighten his chest.
"They both die." Marie and Sargon said in unison.
Sargon lost all the color in his face at the realization that Catelyn and Harold were in more danger than he could imagine.
"The mate bond is weakened since Harold's wolf is in a dormant state. Catelyn is starting to lose the connection. What will happen to her if the mate bond is broken?" Marie asked.
Sargon became thoughtful.
"I am not sure. I have never seen it happen before." Sargon said.
Marie remained silent for a moment as Sargon inadvertently resumed pacing.
"Were you not mated to anyone before? You have a son and I have not heard of you having a mate." Marie asked, stopping Sargon intantly.
Sargon remained quiet for a moment. This woman has done her research. He thought as he tried to hold back a smirk.
He was intrigued by her interest in his love life.
"I have never had to complete the mating bond. I was given my choice of wolves to mate with and I chose the strongest, most intelligent female in the pack to give birth to my son, the heir to my throne. Mating with someone you are not in love with is a challenge." He said.
"Do you not learn to love each other after bonding?" Marie asked.
"Yes, after the bonding you will develop feelings for each other. You may even develop love for each other. However, I only ever wanted to mate with someone who I feel connected with before the mating ritual." He said, looking deep into Marie's eyes as though he was trying to read her thoughts.
Marie gazed at Sargon pensively as her heartbeat increased with his words and his stare.
She could not be affected by the Alpha. She was a witch, and he was the most powerful beast in the kingdom.
However, she realized that the more she learned about the Alpha, the more interested she became. Her thoughts were conflicted.
"Was your son's mother ok with not being mated and simply having your child?" Marie asked, not completely understanding how you could have a child with someone you didn't love.
"His mother was producing an heir. She was also well taken care of, so she agreed with no pressure. She was very willing." Sargon said, simply.
"Is his mother still around?" Marie asked.
"No, she was killed by rogues not long after Alaric's birth. They wanted to get to me and my son, so they killed her thinking we had completed the mating bond. I am not sure what they planned to accomplish by eliminating the king and the heir to the throne, but I do know that someone sent them. Someone wants to destroy or take over the kingdom. I believe that is why Harold was attacked. I need to figure out who is going so far to eliminate us." Sargon said as sadness washed over his face.
"I am sorry about everything. We will figure it out. I am here for whatever you need." Marie said, placing her hand on Sargon's shoulder.
Sargon looked down at her small hands that were covered by her dark gloves. He took her hand in his and carefully began to remove one of her gloves. Marie pulled back at first then allowed Sargon to continue.
Her hands were delicate and soft to the touch. Sargon wove his fingers through Marie's fingers and held her hand as Marie blushed with a smile.
Her stomach clenched at the touch of his warm hand. He looked at her endearingly with his hazel eyes.
"Thank you for all you are doing, Marie." Sargon said.
"You're welcome." She replied trying to regain her focus.
"Have you thought about finding your mate?" Marie asked, still holding Sargon's hand.
"Perhaps." He said. I have not been interested in anyone or drawn to anyone before. I was beginning to feel as though I had no mate. As the Aphla, having a strong queen makes your rule even more powerful. Maybe one day, before I give the throne up to my son, I will rule with my mate, my queen." He said, sounding hopeful.
"Suddenly, Dr. Brinks barged through the door hastily. "Both of you, get in here now!" Dr. Brinks commanded.
Marie gasped as they both became startled at the doctor's sudden action. They followed his instructions as they walked into Catelyn's room.
"Her pressure is low. I am pretty sure she has not been taking care of herself. Do you know if she has been eating?" Dr. Brinks directed his question to Sargon.
"Well, the maids prepare food for her and Vianna daily, three times a day. I will have to consult with them to see if Catelyn has been eating or leaving food behind. She has been trying to be strong for Vianna but she may have forgotten to treat herself well." Sargon said.
"Please check as soon as possible, Sargon. Now, come here and listen to this." He said.
Dr. Brinks took his stethoscope and placed it over Sargon's ears. He placed the other end on Catelyn's stomach, moving it around and holding it in certain areas longer than others.
A faint heartbeat thumped into the device as Sargon's eyes widened.
"She is pregnant!" Sargon said in shock.