Baby after One Night with the Prince

Tanya's POV.

Marco suddenly plants his feet in a stop. I watch him trifle with his emotions as his mouth opens and closes awkwardly. For once. I have caught the Lycan Prince by surprise.

Course not for long, his slip up is quickly corrected, and I frown as he hardens his expression again, and he talks with immense stiffness. "I made you sign it because of Claire. She needs a father, as well as a mother. So, I want us to play the role of the perfect loving couple so that she grows up in a happy home. It's for her."

I sigh. I still don't believe him. Something in my gut feels like he is just telling me this to avoid embarrassment. However, I can't prod any further because he then says in somewhat of a retort. "Even if I maybe concealed the truth a little. You also lied to me. You kissed me the other night and the next morning you acted like it was nothing! You completely denied it when I asked you."

I look at Marco with immense surprise and almost slight discomfort, a blush creeping up on my face in shyness. "I- I must've been sleepwalking. I honestly didn't mean to deny it," I say sincerely. "I really don't remember what happened that night."

"I sometimes sleepwalked. Actually it hadn't attacked for some time, but since I met you again, I began to sleepwalk at midnight again from time to time."

"Sleepwalking..." I find Marco lost in thought at my words, and our conversation on the topic comes to end as we approach our residence. Although, something still pokes at me to ask. "You also don't look too well. Has something happened?"

His tone turns cold. "When my mother died, she also had the same flower pattern on the back of her neck like Peyton did."

***

Third POV.

Peyton is now in the presence of Russel, her fated mate, who is evidently angry and distraught after learning what she had done. Despite trying to maintain his gentlemanly appearance, his anguish is slipping through, and Peyton can't bear to see how much pain she's caused him.

"I'm so sorry Russel. I truly am, I didn't mean for things to happen the way they did. I was torn, and heart-broken over everything. I felt so much guilt. I couldn't bear it. I was a coward, trying to run away from all my problems."

Russel stares at her for a moment, trying to bottle up his feelings, but he can't help the seething tone that elevates his voice. "You shouldn't just be apologizing to me Peyton. Isabella also deserves an apology. Your sister was devastated not only by your father's passing, but then by your getting ill. She fought so hard for your life, getting the best doctors from all over to try and cure you. And little did she know you were just throwing it all away."

Peyton's eyes obviously start to dispel tears, slowly beginning to recognize the consequences of her actions that she had chosen never to face. But Russel isn't done speaking. "You had every right to mourn your father, that's a type of pain I will never blame you for. But you still had a responsibility for the kingdom's affairs. As the princess, your sister needed you there, and instead you chose to be a coward and run."

He huffs. "The past year Isabella has been handling the kingdom's affairs and has been working so hard to keep it all together whilst still looking after you. Isabella could've decided to run too. But she didn't. And I hope you've learned a valuable lesson Peyton, you can't run from all your problems, nor be naïve to whatever short-term happiness that comes your way. Life is hard. And Isabella deserves your help now, you have obligation to the Fauna Kingdom." Peyton nods her head solemnly, averting her gaze in embarrassment and shame, making Russel sigh. "And I hope you'll return to being the girl I once knew. The girl who was free-spirited and full of life, always confident, lively, and always finding a reason to smile."

Feeling like he has said his peace, Russel turns to leave, but Peyton snags the collar of his sleeve, pulling him back to face her. "Please don't go... please- please stay with me. I want to go back to the way things were, to have you at my side. I'll take the responsibilities of being a princess seriously. I really will. I just- I don't know where to start... could you teach me? Could you ever forgive me?"

Her pleading eyes lead Russel to release a slow calm breath before taking her hand gently. "Of course, I will teach you. But my forgiveness can only come with time. Prove to me, fight to live again Peyton."

***

Tanya's POV.

All feel right in the world again. For helping solve Peyton's mystery illness, Isabella rewards us with buyers and funding for the Blue Moon pack, which means the Blue Moon Tree is saved! I'm overjoyed with the news, as are Marco and Caspian.

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Finally, we are fixing to leave the Fauna Kingdom when Isabella comes to see us off. "It was so lovely to have you all. And thank you again for all your help," she says warmly.

Marco and I both smile back at her, expressing our gratitude to Isabella and how much we loved staying at the Fauna kingdom. Although she does acknowledge our praise, as I expect, she's more interested in Caspian, turning to him with a cheeky smile. "So, have you considered staying in the Fauna Kingdom hmm? Why don't you just stay and marry me? Be my prince charming or 'princess' Caspian."

I watch as her flirtatious prodding causes Caspian to tense us immediately, stiffening at the proposal and replying way too formally. "I'm the Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack, how can I marry into the Fauna kingdom? I will not leave my pack." Despite the sternness of his words, Isabella doesn't seem the least bit flustered, and only giggles in response to Caspian's anxious appearance. "I've got matters to attend to here, but trust me, I will come to settle our relationship another time," winking, she playfully adds. "You're my fated mate after all. Don't think you can escape me."

Marco and I can't help but give each other knowing looks as we watch the comical dispute, but remain silent till we're all in the car. Finally, I can't hold in my curiosity any longer. "So...." I can hear a gruff from Caspian as he's clearly aware of what I'm about to ask. "What's the status of you and Isabella?"

He rolls his eyes. "Well, it's impossible for me to marry into the Fauna kingdom."

"So, then you don't have feelings for Isabella at all?"

Immediately Caspian fumbles over his words, stuttering and mumbling as a blush sprouts onto his expression. This in turn causes Marco to snort in slight jest. "Oh, just give it up Caspian. You'll have to surrender to Isabella's advances one way or another."

I can tell this prod at Caspian's masculinity, and he retorts with a similar amount of wit. "Oh, don't you start. You only want me to marry Isabella so you can have Tanya all yourself!"

Now it's Marco's turn to go red. I bend over in laughter whilst Caspian continues his playful brigade. "But as you know, Tanya is a part of the Blue Moon Pack. She's family to me. And you know damn well if you do anything to hurt her, I'll come after you."

"Ooh Caspian, you truly are terrifying," the flat tone yet immense sarcasm in Marco's voice has me buckle over further in giggles. "You wouldn't hurt a fly," says Marco. "Not true!"

And so, the rest of the trip is filled with these playful jabs and continuous laughter as we mock our silly and yet complicated lives.

***

In the end however, we do part ways. Caspian heads back to the Blue Moon Pack whilst Marco and I return to the capital. Marco is about to head to consult with Eric about the Blue Moon Tree, but momentarily turns to me to say. "Hey, so there's going to be a party this evening, and I'm wondering if you'd like to join me? Philip and Thomas would be there, and I'm sure they'd really like to see you."

It takes me a moment to reply. Whilst I really do want to see the two men, and it has been quite a while since I've seen anyone from the capital. Yet, someone else needs me more. "I'm sorry, I would, but I haven't seen Claire in ages, and I'm sure she's missing me. I'll visit Thomas and Philip later, but I would like to spend tonight with Claire."

Marco understands and respects my wishes. He heads off to see Eric whilst I go to see Claire.

Later that evening, I'm reading Claire a bedtime story, the both of us intending to fall asleep after it. However, just as I'm about to finish, my phone rings. I reach for it, but just before I can pick up the call, a lively voice rings out loudly from within my mind.

"Hello, Tanya! We finally meet!"