Page 77 of Sold to Three Alpha Kings

Wayne is worse than I am, if that’s even possible. He’s had the kitchens preparing a rotating list of things she mentioned craving even once, in passing, weeks ago.

Sinth reads to her every evening now, insisting rest matters more than anything else, fussing over pillows and blankets until she swats him away, laughing.

“The three of you are unbearable,” she says, though there’s no real complaint in it.

“Get used to it, cutie,” Wayne says. “This is the rest of your life now.”

We tell Elder Corvin the news ourselves, expecting relief, maybe even celebration given how hard the council has pushed for exactly this outcome.

We don’t get either.

Corvin’s face goes carefully blank the moment we finish speaking.

“You’re certain?” Elder Edgar asks, also present in the hall.

“The healer confirmed it,” Sinth says. “We’d like to arrange an announcement. Something proper, for the council and the packs both.”

“I would advise against that.” Corvin folds his hands deliberately. “Her wolf remains dormant. Unstable, by the healer’s own account. A pregnancy under those conditions carries real risk—to her, and to the child.”

“We’re aware of the risk,” I say. “We intend to manage it carefully.”

“Managing it isn’t the concern.” Edgar’s tone sharpens. “The concern is what kind of heir a wolf that weak produces. If her instability passes to the child, we could be looking at a pup as fragile as she is. Shiftless, perhaps. Unfit to lead anything, let alone three territories.”

The words land like ice water.

I feel the old version of myself stir at that. The one who once stood in a throne room and called her not worth the trouble. The one who would have nodded along with exactly this reasoning moons ago without a second thought.

I’m not that man anymore. The realization settles into me, certain and immovable.

“Careful,” I say, low. “You’re speaking about our child. And our mate.”

“I’m speaking practically, my King. Someone must,” he insists.

“You’re speaking about a woman who has done nothing but survive everything this world has thrown at her, and a child who hasn’t even drawn breath yet.” Sinth’s voice is sharper than usual.

Edgar opens his mouth to respond.

Wayne steps forward and hurls a punch in his face.

It happens fast. One moment the elder is drawing breath to argue further. The next he’s on the floor, jaw already swelling.

Wayne stands over him with his fist still clenched and no trace of regret on his face.

“Nobody speaks about our mate or our unborn child in that manner—do you understand?!” He growls, flashing his canes with claws out. His Alpha eyes are glowing as veins line his forehead.

He’s pissed. Apparently more pissed than Sinth and I. On a good day, I would’ve cautioned him—scolded him for striking an elder. But honestly, if he hadn’t done so, I most definitely would’ve hit him too.

“My lord,” Corvin steps between Wayne and the elder on the floor. “That’s enough.”

Edgar stares up at Wayne, stunned, blood at the corner of his mouth. Guards move toward Wayne immediately, and for one tense second I think this is about to become something far worse than a single punch.

“Stand down,” I say, before anyone else can act. “All of you.”

“My King, he struck an elder—”

“He struck a man who insulted his mate and unborn child.” I keep my voice level, though something in me feels entirely unfamiliar—defending Wayne’s temper instead of condemning it.

Sinth steps forward too, steady, backing me without a moment’s hesitation. “He’s not wrong to be angry. None of us are wrong to be angry.”