Baby after One Night with the Prince

Tanya's POV.

I'm completely stunned and drift into silence as I find Marco smiling back at me. I've never seen Marco smile so brightly, even his eyes glistening with a radiant glow.

But I don't get a chance to say anything. Suddenly, Marco moves to stand, I watch as his body takes on a new form. The muscles on his back flex and shift as golden and black fur rush to cover skin. A growl rumbles over the noise of cracking bones as he rises to stand at his full height, the wooden floor creaking beneath his weight.

As the three others stand watching in silence and shock, and before they have time to react, Marco starts stalking towards them dangerously. He outstretches one of his arms and drags his claw across the wall, embedding deep claw marks into the cement as an uncomfortable scratching noise emits from this motion.

But he doesn't give them a chance to make the first move, Marco launches himself at Dorian, and the hybrid has to shift forms mid attack. There's a confidence in Marco's movements that I realize is from him understanding the best way to fight Dorian. Dorian relies heavily on black magic. But up close, he is physically weaker than Marco, and couldn't keep up with Marco's strength and raw power. Dark red blood taints Dorian's pure white fur as Marco litters his body in claw marks, before battering him into the ground.

By now the other two have transformed. Lily gallops towards Marco, attempting to attack him from behind. But upon sensing her nearing presence, Marco swivels round, and his arm in a forkful swing connects with her body while she's in mid-air. Her weak omega form is no match for Marco's force. And what is equivalent to a slap from him, sends her flying into one of the walls. I wince upon hearing the undeniable breakage of a couple of bones, and her body drops to the ground with a thud.

Probably well aware of the odds, Eric is the last to engage in combat with my husband. But his pride is what indivertibly overrides any logical thought. The two Lycans battle it out in a violent clash of claws, teeth and snarls. Blood splatters the walls and ceilings, and torn fur falls to the floor.

Despite knowing Marco's capabilities, part of me is still afraid for his safety. Yet I trust his strength, and he proves me right. Marco swipes at Eric's face, the prince stumbles back, before Marco barrels into him, pinning him to the floor whilst snapping down on his arms and near his neck, whilst continuing to slash at his chest.

Finally, satisfied that Eric is no longer going to fight back, Marco sits back on his haunches, before shifting back into his human form. Blood that isn't his now tainting his skin and clothes. But he approaches me, lifting me into his arms bridal style and silently carrying me towards the door.

Just before we reach the door, both of us sense movement to our right. Marco and I tense and he turns us to see Dorian shifting back. The hybrid's breathing is ragged and uncontrolled as he repeatedly coughs up blood, before speaking to us in a weakened voice. "You really think you can escape us?" even when weakened and defeated, his pride and terrible ambitions don't remain silent. He still believes he somehow has a chance at containing us.

Dorian eerily grins at us with bloody teeth. "Even if you've defeated us, you still can't leave. I have an entire pack of rogues that are ready to demolish you. You're outnumbered by the hundreds. All I have to do is say the word and they'll attack you. They'll rip you to shreds!" he says in a desperate attempt to threaten us.

Despite me being concerned with this threat, Marco heeds it no mind, and swings open the door. And as promised, on the other side stands a group of savage looking fighters, some in their wolf forms, some not. But all stare hungrily at my husband and me.

To my surprise and confusion. Marco only snorts in laughter. "Really?" even Dorian appears confused.

Just then, multiple wolf howls sound off in the distance, clearly a pack showing size and strength as they erupt into a deafening chorus. Marco smiles. "Did you really think I'd come alone? Let us go, or I'll have my soldiers attack and wipe out your entire pack. It'll be like you never existed," Dorian seems torn, but Marco only hammers home his point. "You're brutally injured, do you really think rogues will stand and fight for you when you're a lost cause? They have a better chance running than facing the capital's soldiers and finest warriors."

For the first time ever I watch Dorian's face grow pale with surrender. And with no other choice, he lets us leave.

I'm still in utter shock as Marco walks us out of the makeshift camp grounds of Dorian's pack. We walk through the woods towards the position of Marco's soldiers. As we're finally alone for a moment, I look to Marco curiously. "But if you were okay, why did you faint?"

Marco smiles at me. "I was only pretending to faint. I wanted Eric, Lily and Dorian to lower their guard. I wanted to also have the time to identify their weaknesses when they weren't paying attention, so I knew where to strike," he then pauses for a moment before adding playfully. "And if I hadn't fainted, how could I have heard the truth about what happened five years ago. If I didn't do what I did, I may have never gotten to hear your sincere confession. I'm so glad I pretended to faint."

I don't know whether to cry or laugh. But nevertheless, I smile back at him with tears in my eyes. Still in his arms, I wrap my hands round his neck and pull him close to me. "Oh Marco! How could you pretend to faint at such a scary time just to get my confession! I was so worried!"

Marco laughs and pats my back to soothe me, till he suddenly releases a muffled grunt. With surprise and concern, I force Marco to put me down, as he finally admits, through bared teeth. "Okay... maybe I got hurt just a little." Whilst muttering apologizes I lower him to the ground to try and help ease the pain. Just then Oliver and a couple of soldiers show up. But they aren't the entire army the way Marco depicted to Dorian. I look at him in confusion. And he cheekily smiles back at me. "I was in hurry to find you; it was quicker to take a smaller group. But it was a good enough lie to scare our opponents, don't you think?"

I roll my eyes laughing, before I and Oliver help take Marco home.

Upon returning to the palace, many days pass where I continue to take care of Marco. Every day I would clean and redress his wounds to ensure they were healing. And although they were healing, the process appeared slow, too slow. And I had to look after Marco every day.

I would also make him food. And Marco would explain that his back was hurting and ask me to feed him. Which I had no problems with, and I happily make sure he was well fed. However, today I'm feeding Marco and my hand accidentally slips hold of the bowl of soup. But before the bowl touches the ground, Marco, who is apparently lying weakly in bed, swiftly catches hold of the fallen bowl.

I blink in surprise and look at Marco with astonishment. Suspicion arises in my gut as I look at him curiously. "Are you pretending to be sick?" Marco jolts in surprise and inevitably drops the bowl, spilling its contents on the ground. Blinking feebly and veering away, daring not to look into my eyes.

"Marco..." I press.

Although slightly annoyed, I playfully poke his shoulder and arm, comically teasing him as I say. "Marco.... Tell me the truth. Are you really sick? Or are you just pretending so you can have me take care of you and be with you every day? Are you that childish?" I say in laughter.

At first Marco pouts at me with his big round eyes, before suddenly pulling me into his arms. I squeal in laughter as he rolls me onto the bed and pins me beneath him. "And who's the one who confessed her undying love for me, in front of everyone."

I look away in embarrassment, shyness reddening my cheeks as Maroc nears his face to mine. "I don't know what you're talking about," I say jokingly.

And in response, he playfully growls and kisses my lips, making the world around me fall away completely.