Chapter 133: Episode 132: Baby was close.
Time passes again.
The days folded into one another, creating a quiet, gentle rhythm inside the wooden cabin. Rue spent most of her time eating, sleeping, and watching the toddlers, as they came to accompany her.
Her round belly grew larger every single day. The physical strain on her small rabbit frame made moving around very difficult. She preferred to stay propped up on the giant circular bed, surrounded by soft gray pillows.
She ate small meals constantly. She chewed on crisp yellow apples, sweet green grapes, and juicy red berries. Meat still made her stomach turn in disgust, so the men made sure she always had all the fresh fruit she could ever want within arm’s reach.
When she wasn’t eating or taking long naps, Theron and Mochi kept her entertained. The two toddlers climbed onto the mattress every single afternoon. Theron usually stayed in his human form now.
The silver snake boy wore tiny dark pants and sat cross-legged near her head, fiercely guarding her against imaginary threats. Mochi, the little leopard girl, liked to curl up right near Rue’s feet. Her silver curls bounced as her fuzzy gray tail swished against the white sheets.
Rue loved having them near. She ran her fingers through Theron’s hair, earning a bright, toothy smile from the growing boy. Mochi would bring her carved wooden blocks and drop them in her lap like prized treasures from a hunt.
"Thank you, sweet girl," Rue cooed, rubbing Mochi’s soft gray ears.
The little girl purred loudly, leaning into the gentle touch. Rue felt a warm, undeniable glow blooming in her chest. She was soft now. She no longer pushed these maternal feelings away or viewed her changing body as a failure. This was her strange, beautiful family, and she cherished them deeply.
The cabin felt a bit less crowded today because her mates had their own tasks to handle.
Knox had to take a visit to his pack for something urgent. A scout from the Southern swamps arrived before dawn with news of a messy territorial dispute on the borders. The dark panther paced the floor for an hour, hating the idea of leaving her side this close to the birth. He packed a small leather bag, his jaw clenched tight with worry.
"I’ll be back before you even know I left," Knox promised, kissing her forehead softly. "You just rest. Don’t do anything stressful."
"I’ll just sit right here," Rue promised him with a soft smile. "Go fix your borders. We’ll be fine."
She missed his warm chest and his loud, booming laugh the moment he walked out the door, but she knew he had real responsibilities. He was a king, and his people needed him to keep the peace.
Axel spent his time reading and sorting out some pack stuff for Iris. The white wolf sat at the dining table, surrounded by thick scrolls, loose parchment, and open maps. Axel was a wild warrior.
He preferred running through the freezing woods and hunting prey with his bare hands. Sitting still and reading complicated trade agreements drove him crazy. He chewed on the end of a charcoal stick, frowning at the messy ink. He wanted to make sure his sister had strong alliances in the North while he stayed down south to care for Rue.
He traced a line across a map of the mountains, muttering about salted fish and rare pelts. Every so often, Axel looked up from his boring papers. He caught Rue’s pink eyes, gave her a warm wink, and then sighed loudly before going right back to the endless scrolls.
Outside in the dirt yard, Drax had to accompany his sisters so they could discuss the nursery and some more important things. Tanith, Gianna, and Tyara refused to stay indoors and bother Rue. The three women stood under the shade of a tall pine tree, waving their hands around as they argued over the new stone fortress being built nearby.
Tyara jumped up and down, wanting the nursery walls painted bright, cheerful colors. Gianna drew big circles in the dirt with a stick, insisting they needed to hang glowing crystals from the ceiling to soothe the babies at night.
Tanith, acting like the true Swamp Queen, tried to keep them focused on practical things, like strong locks and warm floors. Drax stood with his broad arms crossed, listening to their endless chatter.
He looked very stoic and unbothered, but he kept glancing at the bedroom window. He wanted to make sure Rue was safe inside while he dealt with his chaotic family outside.
Inside the bedroom, Caius helped to take care of the kids when Rue falls asleep and they are awake. The Serpent Alpha took this job very seriously. When Rue’s eyes began to droop in the late afternoon, the deep fatigue pulling her down into sleep, Caius stepped forward.
He scooped Theron up with one pale hand. He grabbed Mochi with his other arm. The toddlers didn’t complain or fuss. They respected the cold, quiet snake.
I feel bad making you watch them alone, Rue thought sleepily, watching him carry the kids to the floor. They have so much energy today.
Caius heard her thought clearly through their invisible bond. He turned his head and met her gaze. His golden eyes glowed with quiet affection. He didn’t say a single word out loud. He just gave a smooth, elegant nod.
He sat on the woven rug and conjured small, floating butterflies made of pure ice. The toddlers gasped and chased the glowing frost around the room, keeping perfectly quiet so they wouldn’t disturb her.
Rue smiled, letting the darkness pull her into a peaceful nap.
When night fell, the loud sisters finally went home. The cabin settled into a comfortable, quiet calm. The kids were fast asleep in their small beds down the hall. The fire in the hearth snapped and popped, casting long orange shadows across the wooden walls.
That night, Rue is sleeping in Drax’s arms, listening to his heartbeat.
The Dragon King washed the outdoor dirt from his skin and climbed into the large bed. He smelled like fresh rain and rich smoke. He slid under the thick gray blankets and pulled her flush against his side.
Rue shifted her round body carefully. She found the perfect spot, resting her cheek right against his bare, warm chest. The pregnancy fever that usually made her skin burn felt manageable tonight. Drax’s natural body heat was high, but it felt grounding instead of suffocating.
She closed her pink eyes. She focused on the steady sound inside his chest. Thump. Thump. Thump. The rhythm was slow and powerful. It was the sound of a creature that survived centuries of war and loneliness, finally at rest.
"Are you comfortable?" Drax murmured softly into the dark room. His deep voice rumbled against her ear.
"Yes," Rue whispered back. "I like listening to your heart."
Drax tightened his arm around her waist. He rested his chin on the top of her silver hair. He brought one large hand down to rest directly on her swollen belly. The baby panther inside her was awake. The cub kicked sharply against Drax’s palm.
Drax didn’t pull away. He just rubbed his thumb in slow circles over the spot.
"He’s very strong," Drax noted quietly. "He fights just like his father."
"He never stops moving," Rue sighed, shifting her legs to relieve the pressure. "I think he just wants to come out and play with the others. He feels so cramped in there."
"Soon," Drax promised. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "You just need to hold on a little longer, my queen. We’re all right here with you."
Rue let out a long breath. The anxiety that usually gripped her throat was gone. She didn’t worry about being an imposter tonight. She didn’t worry about the magical world or the strange system that brought her here. She just felt loved. She felt like a real person, surrounded by men who would tear the world apart to keep her smiling.
I really love this, she thought, letting her mind drift toward sleep. I’m ready to meet my baby.
Just as she relaxed her muscles, a strange sensation rippled through her lower stomach. It wasn’t a sharp kick. It wasn’t a painful cramp. It felt like a sudden, intense drop in pressure, followed by a strange, tingling warmth spreading down her legs.
Rue opened her eyes. The room was dark, but a bright blue light suddenly flashed right in the corner of her vision. The glowing digital screen popped up, illuminating the space right above the blankets.
The system chimes in at that particular moment to tell her to prepare.
[Ding!]
[Gestation at 99%. Prepare for extraction. All birthing materials will be provided in your inventory. Please inform your mates immediately.]