Born To Rule

Three months later in the kitchen 

Lakota: “Is everything okay, Malik?”

Malik: “No, I'm exhausted. I'm trying to keep up with the cravings of a heavily pregnant hybrid and it's not easy.”

Accalia’s Mindlink: “Is my food ready yet?”

Malik’s Mindlink: “Yes my love, in a minute.”

Accalia’s Mindlink: “Well hurry up.”

Coleton: “Why don't you come out with us?”

Kai: “Yeah, have some guy time.”

Malik: “As tempting as that offer sounds…I can't. Accalia would kill me.”

Kai: “She doesn't have to know.”

Lakota: “We can sneak you out and back in again without Accalia realizing you were gone.”

Accalia: “WHERE’S MY FOOD?!

Malik: “Oh, hey there, honey.”

Accalia: “You have five seconds to bring me my food or else!!”

Kai: “Do you think she saw us?”

Lakota: “I don't think so.”

Accalia: “Think again!! (in the bedroom)”

Malik: “Hey, little wolf.”

Accalia: “Don’t ‘hey, little wolf’ me.”

Malik: “Accalia, what’s wrong? You've been grumpier than usual.”

Malik’s Wolf: “YOU FOOL, YOU’VE KILLED US BOTH!!”

Accalia: “I'll tell you what's wrong. You did this to me.”

Malik: “What did I do?!”

Accalia: “You made me fat. My feet are swollen, my back hurts. Scratch that, everything hurts. I can never get comfortable, I can't sleep. I'm just so tired.”

Malik: “Please don't cry, my love. I can't begin to imagine how you're feeling and I won't insult you by saying that things will get easier. I know it's not been easy but I appreciate you. You're carrying our child. You have given me the most precious gift. I wish all women knew how remarkable they truly were.”

Accalia: “I'm sorry for my behavior. I know I haven't been the easiest to live with lately.”

Malik: “Nonsense. You're my wife, I'll always support you. How about I run you a nice hot bath and then we can go for a walk?”

Accalia: “That sounds perfect. (in the woods walking). Beautiful, isn't it?”

Malik: “Yes, but not as beautiful as you.”

In Accalia’s head: Malik had a way of making me feel like the most important person in the whole world. Even when my darkest days, he would make all the bad fade away. He was the light that I needed to help guide me towards happiness and the purest kind of love. Malik placed the softest kiss on my forehead while holding my bump. The feeling was like no other. He really was the love of my life. Our strong protector.

In Malik’s head: I can sense how difficult Accalia was finding these past few days. I would've done anything to make her smile. To remind her that she wasn't alone and that I would do anything for her and our baby. I wrapped my arms tightly around her and my pup. I had the most precious beings in the palm of my hands. My family and I was never gonna let them go.

Accalia: “Did you feel that?”

Malik: “Was that the baby kicking?!”

Accalia: “It sure was. Our little bean knows who their daddy is.”

In Malik’s head: I could feel my throat starting to swell and my eyes stinging with tears.

Accalia: “Malik, are you okay?!”

Malik: “I've never been better.”

Accalia: “I love you.”

Malik: “I love you more. (later that night)”

Cheyenne: “How are you feeling?!”

Accalia: “Like a house.”

Cheyenne: “I'm not surprised. Werewolf pregnancies are a lot more advanced than humans.”

Ruth: “Meaning?”

Cheyenne: “We usually give birth around the 6th month.”

Accalia: “I can't wait for you to have pups of your own.”

Amara: “I'm afraid that won't be happening, Accalia.”

Accalia: “What?! Why not?”

Amara: “Unlike other packs, we serve you, the royal couple. And the most sacred rule is that only the royal pear will breed.”

Accalia: “How horrific. As queen, that's the first rule to go.”

Cheyenne: “That's sweet of you but it's in our blood to obey sacred laws.”

Accalia: “But I want all of you to be happy.”

Amara: “And we are. Nothing will make us happier than helping to raise your offspring.”

Malik: “Hey little wolf, are you ready for bed?”

In Accalia’s head: My stomach really hurts.

Malik: “Are you okay, angel?”

Accalia: “Sorry if I woke you up. I'm gonna go get a glass of water.”

In Accalia’s head: Is getting worse. Strange…what's that sensation?

Accalia: “MALIK?! (at the doctors)”

Malik: “What's wrong with my wife?!”

Accalia: “Malik…”

Doctor: “The babies heart rate is slowly dropping. We must deliver now or risk the chance of losing both the mother and the baby.”

Malik: “What the hell is that supposed to mean?!”

Akna: “Malik, honey. Maybe you should wait outside with us.”

Malik: “I’M NOT GOING ANYWHERE!!”

Doctor: “Please, everyone calm down. All of the shouting is not good for Accalia right now.”

Malik: “I'm sorry.”

Yura: “We’ll wait outside.”

Doctor: “Accalia, we must operate immediately, however, the medicine you received has yet to fully take effect. You will feel everything.”

Accalia: “Don't worry about me, just get my pup out.”

Malik: “I'm right here, little wolf and I promise you that once you see our pup, you'll feel a love like no other.”

In Accalia’s head: A love like no other.

Doctor: “Let's begin. (in the waiting room)”

Amara: “How are they doing?”

Kirima: “Not good, I'm afraid.”

Lakota: “Surely there's something you can do?”

Yura: “What can we do? Besides, the world has never experienced a hybrid birth.”

In Lakota’s head: You can do it, Accalia. (delivery room)

Malik: “Hang in there, little wolf. Our pup will be here soon.”

Doctor: “Accalia, you're doing great. Not much longer now.”

Accalia: “It hurts so bad. (baby crying)”

Doctor: “Congratulations Malik and Accalia. You have a beautiful baby boy.”

Malik: “Little wolf, did you hear that?! We have a boy.”

Doctor: “Malik, would you like to hold your son?”

Malik: “Hello, son. Mama and papa have been waiting a long time to meet you.”

Accalia: “Malik…”

Malik: “Accalia, would you like to meet our son? He's perfect.”

Accalia: “I-I feel…numb.”

Malik: “Accalia?!”

Doctor: “She's not breathing!!”

Yura: “Malik, take your son home now!!”

Malik: “I can't leave her.”

Yura: “I know, sweetheart but you need to think about your pup right now. Take him home.”

In Yura’s head: Come on, Accalia. You have to fight. Your son needs you. (a few hours later)

Amara: “Any news yet?”

Malik: “Not yet. I shouldn't have just left her like that. I'm the worst husband.”

Lakota: “Far from it. Look, you've been my best friend since we were kids. After your father died, you changed. You became cold, bitter and distanced yourself farther and further away from all of us. But Accalia brought you back. You've always been there for her since day one and now it's time to be there for your son. She'll be fine.”

Malik: “Thanks, man.”

Kirima: “Malik…”

Malik: “Kirima, thank goodness. Where’s Accalia?”

Kirima: “There were some…complications.”

Malik: “What kind of complications?!”

Kirima: “Accalia suffered from a uterine rupture. She lost so much blood. We had no choice but to place her into an induced coma until her wolves can fully heal themselves.”

Malik: “WHAT DO YOU MEAN?! We just had a baby!! Things weren't supposed to be like this.

Kirima: “Accalia will remain in our care until she has woken up. I'm sorry. (two weeks later)”

Cheyenne: “Malik, please calm down.”

Lakota: “Did Accalia definitely confirm with you that she was coming back today?”

Malik: “Yes, Lakota?! Of course she would come straight home after waking up.”

Cheyenne: “But she woke up from her coma a week ago.”

Malik: “She'll be here!! She wouldn't abandon us.”

In Malik’s head: I knew she would come back.

Kai: “HEY, IT’S ACCALIA!!”

Ruth: “Nice to have you back, Luna.”

Lakota: “Hey little sis, it's good to see you.”

Cheyenne: “Queen, Accalia.”

Accalia: “Hey guys.”

Malik: “Accalia, I finally want to introduce you to our beautiful baby boy. He's been patiently waiting for his mommy. He still doesn't have a name but I think I've come up with a few good ones. Is everything okay? You don't seem…happy.”

Accalia: “Here…take him.”

Malik’s head: “Mate just ran away from our pup.”

In Malik’s head: There must be a mistake, Noctis. Accalia would never reject our pup.

Malik: “I know your mommy loves you. (in the shower)”

Sesi: “What was that about?”

In Accalia’s head: I don't know what you're talking about.

Sesi: “Don't play dumb with me. You completely ignored our pup.”

In Accalia’s head: I don't wanna talk about it.

Sesi: Well I do. What's going on with you? You can talk to me. I can feel your emotions, you haven't been right since the night you gave birth.”

In Accalia’s head: That night wasn't what I expected. It was a nightmare. I don't even remember half of it and then I woke up alone.

Sesi: “Why didn't you come back?”

In Accalia’s head: I was afraid. And Malik’s words have haunted me ever since.

Sesi: “What words?”

In Accalia’s head: He told me that when I meet our baby, I would experience a love like no other.

Sesi: “And did you?”

In Accalia’s head: No. When I held him, I felt…nothing. (in the nursery)

Sesi: “Accalia, you can do this.”

Accalia: “Is this a bad time?”

Malik: “Not at all. I just changed him.”

Accalia: “Can I hold him?”

Malik: “Of course. See, you're natural.”

Accalia: “Oh, he doesn't like me.”

Malik: “Nonsense. Try rocking him.”

Accalia: “Why is he crying?!”

Malik: “I think he's just tired. Here, I'll take him.”

Accalia: “Now he stops crying.”

Malik: “Accalia, don't take it to heart.”

Accalia: “I'm gonna go to bed.”

Malik: “But it's daylight “

Accalia: “I'm just really tired.”

Malik: “There, there. Daddy’s got you. (a few hours later in the kitchen)”

Amara: “I'm guessing that sign means Accalia's still asleep?”

Ruth: “She's been sleeping for the entire day.”

Malik: “I don't know what to do. I'm can't exactly be mad at her. She's been through a lot these past few weeks.”

Ruth: “I understand but we really need to feed. Since Accalia is recovering, she's the only one who could watch the baby while we are out hunting.”

Malik: “Can't you just go without me?”

Amara: “You are our leader, we need you to help guide us. We’d be lost without your strength.”

Ruth: “She's his mother, she'll be fine.”

Malik: “Little wolf? Little wolf, wake up.”

Accalia: “What time is it?”

Malik: “It's pretty late.”

Accalia: “Oh? Is there something wrong?”

Malik: “The thing is, the pack really needs to hunt and I need to go with him.”

Accalia: “Okay?”

Malik: “Since you're recovering, do you mind watching the baby while I assist the pack?”

Accalia: “All of you are going?”

Malik: “We’ll only be gone for a few hours and he's fast asleep at the moment. what do you say? (outside the house). This formula is in the kitchen and everything else you will need for him is in his room. If you need me, use your mindlink and I'll come straight home.”

Accalia: “Don't worry about me. We'll be fine.”

Malik: “Okay. I love you both so much. (in the bedroom pacing)”

Lyca: “Hey, crazy person, can you please settle down?!”

In Accalia’s head: Sorry, I'm just a little on edge right now.

Lyca: “Yeah, I've noticed.”

Sesi: “Accalia, he's asleep. You don't need to worry yourself so much.”

In Accalia’s head: I guess. (baby crying)

Accalia: “What's wrong, little one? Please, stop. I don't know what you want. Are you still hungry? Is that it? I've changed you, burped you and fed you. I don't know what else to do.

Sesi: “Ask Malik to come back.”

In Accalia’s head: NO, SESI!! I'm his mother, I should be able to look after my own baby. Uh, the sound is coming unbearable.

Accalia: “Please…stop. Just SHUT UP!!”

In Accalia’s head: In that moment, I finally cracked. I didn't care about anyone or anything, not even him. It wasn't supposed to be like this. I laid my baby down by my side and placed both hands over my ears, trying to drown out his blood piercing screams. But that didn't help. His desperate cries for someone to hold him, comfort him, love him went unanswered. I close my eyes and began to scream at the top of my lungs to silence everything around me. I failed as a mother. My world was collapsing around me and not one person noticed. No one to reach out their hand and stop me from sinking further and further into my own skin. As the tears began flowing from my eyes all I could repeat in my head was 'poor baby'. You deserve a mother who holds you day and night. A mother who memorizes every feature of your face. A mother who sacrifices her own sleep to make sure you're still breathing soundly at night. Most importantly, a mother that loves you more than life itself but that person wasn't me. I wanted to be a mother that gave you everything but I no longer had anything left to give. Let's face it, you're someone that I could never be. Honest, pure and good. You have the purest of souls while mine is tainted with darkness and blood-stained hands. So for now, my son. We must part ways. I'm sorry.