Speeding Up

  Zion's P.O.V.

  When we woke up this morning, I planned on having a nice breakfast with everyone close to us. Unfortunately, I immediately noticed how much weaker Rain seemed and how much bigger her belly had grown after waking up this morning, even though she said she felt great. Everyone else noticed it as well when we walked out of our bedroom.

  While everyone was busy gawking at her, I sent a link to Doctor Jameson that he might need to check her out. He told me he would be here soon, but Rain told me that Dosha told her we needed to move up the council meeting before he could arrive. I didn't hesitate to get Orian to call the council members to get them here as soon as possible.

  While Orian was handling the calls, Jessica and Lady Ezmerelda helped Rain to the couch so that she could sit as I asked her if Dosha was awake. Her answer made Ryker whine in my mind, but the fact that she was in and out was better than being asleep at all times like she had been lately.

  "Doctor Jameson will arrive soon to check you out," I say as I kneel before her and place my hand on hers while gently touching her cheek with my other hand. "I want to make sure everything is okay."

  "I understand. Thank you for always making sure I'm okay." She tells me, but her smile does not convince me.

  "Mommy? Will my brother and sister be here soon?" Odett asks, making me confused. I can tell by Rain's face that she's confused as well.

  "What makes you think it's a girl and boy?" Rain asks as Odett climbs into her side on the couch.

  "I talk to them when you're asleep. They told me what they were." She says, shocking us all.

  "And what else do they say?" I ask Odett as I sit on the other side of her.

  "They say they're sorry for making you so sick but can't wait to meet us all." She answers with a smile. "They're excited to be here and said that it will be soon."

  "Did they say how soon?" Rain asks her.

  "In a few days. They're ready to come out of your tummy and be held." She answers with a giggle. "They said they're also very grateful to Doctor Jameson and Dosha for helping to take care of Mommy."

  "They understand what's going on around them?" Lady Ezmerelda asks.

  "Yes. They're very observant and are aware of the situation. They said that was the reason they're growing so fast. They said something I didn't understand a few days ago, though." She explains, looking around at each of us.

  "What did they say that you didn't understand?" I ask her.

  "They said they took care of the poison so it wouldn't affect Mommy." She says, looking at Rain with confusion and a little fear. Suddenly, everyone lets out a gasp that echoes through the living room, making Odett jump. "What's wrong? Why's everyone so upset?"

  "That's a long story, sweetie. One day, we'll tell you all about it. I promise." Rain says, trying to hold back her sadness and keep the memories of that horrible day from affecting her once again.

  "Are you okay, mommy? You don't have to tell me if it makes you that sad." Odett tells her, placing her hand on her cheek and wiping away the tears that have slid down her face. Suddenly, Orian walks back into the living room, unknowing of the situation he just entered.

  "They will all be here tomorrow." He says before looking up from his phone and finally noticing the sullen looks on everyone's faces. "What's wrong?"

  "I'll fill you in later," I tell him quickly, and he nods in understanding. "Did they all agree to move up the meeting?"

  "Yes. After filling them in on our new information, they have agreed and will all be here in the morning." He says matter-factly. "Their current leaders will accompany them and bring their warriors." 

  "Good. You and Sam have the omegas prepare their rooms and ensure we have enough space for their warriors." I say.

  "Yes, my King." He says with a bow before kissing Jessica, and he and Sam leave our suite. "I had planned to have a nice breakfast with everyone, but after learning this new information, we must move quickly to prepare everything. I'm sorry, my love, but I must go. Jessica, Evan, and James will stay with you to keep you and Odett company. Lady Ezmerelda, I need you to prepare your coven of the changes. They don't need to know how we know Douglas is coming, but I don't want them blindsided when the different species leaders and their warriours show up."

  "I understand, King Zion. I will take care of everything on my side." She says before saying goodbye to Rain and the others and leaving.

  "I love you, my Queen. I'm sorry I can't stay. I must update our warriours and guards. I'll be back as soon as I can." I tell her.

  "I understand. I love you, too. I'll see you later." She says, giving me a kiss before I leave, making my way out to the training grounds while sending a pack-wide link out to have the warriours and guards that aren't on duty to meet me at the training ground to be debriefed.

  When I arrive at the training ground, a large crowd has started to accumulate in the center of the field where we do our outside sparing in wolf form. I take a deep breath as I approach the platform the growing crowd of warriors and guards have started to surround. I wait a few more minutes as the last of them join the crowd. They all quiet down as they notice I'm ready to speak.

  I go into detail, explaining that we have gotten news of Douglas starting to move in and that the council members, current leaders, and their warriours will be arriving as soon as tomorrow. Only leaving out the detail of Rain and Dosha's survival and that they are the reason we know of Douglas' movements. They all understand the situation we are in and many of them even agreed to offer up empty rooms in their houses to the incoming warriours if we aren't able to find enough room for them. 

  I couldn't be prouder of my Kingdom. They know that we will have many warriours coming in and won't allow anyone coming to join us in the battle to go without. They've all decided to join in and help out where needed, which I'm thankful for now more than ever. I thank them and dismiss everyone, telling them that I will be in contact with everyone willing to house warriours before I head back to my office where Orian and Sam are waiting on me.

  "How did the debriefing with the warriors and guards go?" Orian asks as I walk into my office.

  "It went well. Quite a few of them even volunteered their empty rooms to the incoming warriours if need be." I answer proudly.

  "It's nice to see everyone coming together in times like these," Sam says while Orian nods in agreement.

  "I agree, and I think it's all because of Rain. Even though they think she's dead, they know how she felt about us all coming together for the greater good of all species." I say. "I'm sure she will be happy to hear this news."

  "How is she feeling, by the way?" Orian asks. "Sam filled me in on Odett being able to talk to the twins. I've never heard of anything like that before."

  "I haven't either. I plan to ask Lord Demetrius if that's common for vampires, but I have a feeling it's not." I tell them.

  "So, is that why everyone was upset when I walked in?" Orian asks, confused.

  "Not quite. Apparently, the twins told her that they took care of the poison. She didn't understand what they meant and asked us. We were planning not to tell her, but the twins obviously have other plans." I answer him with a huff.

  "Well, at least now we know where it went and why it didn't affect her, but is it safe for the twins to take in the poison?" He asks, and I have no idea what to tell him. How had I not thought about that until someone else brought it up?

  "That's something else I'll have to ask Doctor Jameson later today when he comes to check out Rain," I tell him.

  "He's still coming every few days to do a blood test?" Sam asks, and I nod.

  "Yes, but according to Odett, the twins will be here in a few days. That means not only do we have to prepare for this council meeting and host the members of the council, the current leaders, and hundreds of warriors, but we also need to prepare the twin's room and their arrival. All while getting ready for the impending war against Douglas." I mumble while scrubbing my face with my hands. I need to get with Rain to see how she wants to decorate the twin's room. Everything on my to-do list has piled up in the past few hours, and all needs to be done in the next few days."

  "I'm not supposed to tell you, but I'll throw you a lifeline since you're stressing. I don't think you'll need to stress over the twin's room," Orian says with a mischievous grin.

  "Why is that?" I ask, raising a brow.

  "The Queen, Jessica, and Lady Ezmerelda have been doing a ton of shopping on Amazon. Everything should be arriving either today or tomorrow." He says, leaving me speechless.