The Devil's Son and His Fated Bride
Chapter 61: A shifter heir

Chapter 61: A shifter heir

"You said his mother is dead. How? That’s heartbreaking. I don’t even know how I can teach him to fly."

Ren carried Ogain in her arms as they neared the iron door once more.

"His mother was from an ancient royal bloodline. She was old, and the pregnancy took a toll on her. You know they are mammals and don’t lay eggs. She died three days after giving birth," Kai explained.

Ren pouted. This baby was just like her.

"I love him so much. I’ll take care of him," she murmured, stroking his head. The fledgling snuggled deeper into her embrace.

Arkilla chuckled. "I doubt this little one will ever feel the loss of his mother with you around."

She then turned to Ren. "By the way, I believe Calisa and the bird clans can help with his flying lessons, assuming, of course, he doesn’t decide to hunt them instead."

Ren’s face paled. She hadn’t thought that far ahead when she made her wish. Ogain was a predator, after all. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Now she had a new concern, making sure he had enough food to grow properly.

"This bloodline prefers lambs, and cattle," Kai reassured her. "And they can distinguish between shifters and prey animals. You have nothing to fear. Just be cautious when he grows large enough to carry you. This kind of griffin is enormous."

Ren nodded. "I will do my best." She didn’t care how large Ogain would become. All that mattered was protecting him from greedy hands. As Agara had warned, human hunters or even noblemen would go to great lengths to possess a creature like him.

As they passed through the iron door, the guard’s gaze fell on the fluffy black creature in Ren’s arms. His brows knitted in confusion.

"Excuse me for asking, but is that a cat?"

Kai shook his head. "No, that’s a fledgling griffin. And I want you to watch this door, it is Luna’s passage to the forest as if your life depends on it." Kai gestured toward the iron door.

The guard struck his chest with a fist. "You have my word, Your Grace."

Once back in their chambers, Kai went on, "I asked Agara to find a suitable place for him. He suggested the abandoned building near the lab. Are you alright with that?"

"Yes, that place is perfect."

"Good. Take him there tomorrow." He turned toward Ren, cupping her face between his warm palms. He leaned in and pressed a kiss against her forehead. "I’ll be back soon. Just focus on yourself and this gift of mine."

"I will, don’t worry. Be safe."

"Oh, you will!" He smirked, his gaze flickering to her lips.

Shadow growled in his mind. ’Kiss her lips. If Luther catches us, we won’t see her again...’

Kai didn’t let his demon finish. He refused to dwell on that bastard. Abruptly, he turned and left the room. ’Bastard!’ Shadow cursed.

Outside, Axe was waiting in the corridor. "The council is assembled in the meeting hall."

"Let’s get this done before I leave."

They strode toward the meeting hall on the first floor of the castle.

A large round-stone table dominated the center of the room. Twelve seats encircled it, all occupied by clan elders. The Alpha King’s chair sat at the head of the table, but Kai remained standing, his sharp gaze fixed on the massive world map spread before him. Many countries were safe from vampires now, but Alvonia and Thegara shared an open border with Ice Land.

"I called you here to listen carefully," Kai began. "I married the niece of King Benkin Dorient because we need allies. Our realm is neutral. None of the seven kingdoms care if we are attacked by demons. Alvonia proposed this union, and I saw no reason to refuse. We are fighting a common enemy."

He picked up a small red flag and placed it on the mountain range near the river separating Thegara from Ice Land.

"Winter is long in our land, and vampires move swiftly under the cover of darkness. These areas are our weak points—our borders."

Next, he picked up a blue flag and set it in the north of Ice Land. "Vampires have been attacking settlements here. Some have escaped and found shelter, but not all. The King of Alvonia has been fighting alongside our forces in the eastern wing of Ice Land. We have three months to prepare and advance west. Otherwise, the vampires will amass a strong enough army, composed of our own people, to break through our borders. Coran and I will head to Ice Land soon. Each clan must contribute forces and supplies."

The weight of the situation settled over the room. But then, Elder Dean, Coran’s grandfather, cleared his throat.

"Your Highness, none of us have opposed your marriage to the Princess of Alvonia," he began.

Kai stilled. Oh they did plainly. And of everything he had just explained, of the looming threat and the war upon them, this was what they wanted to discuss first. By the gods!

"What exactly do you mean, Elder Dean?" Kai asked, his tone sharp.

"It is not just me," the elder said carefully. "Many believe you should take a woman from one of the clans to ensure a shifter heir."

Kai’s jaw tightened. "Do you think my wife is infertile?"

"No, no. I only meant that this is a political marriage. There is no certainty that she can carry a shifter child. And if she does, the process might be dangerous for her. We are concerned for her life."

Kai clenched his fists. It was already troubling enough that they had knowledge of this secret. How? Elaika. That damn woman.

"Is this the opinion of all present?" Kai asked coldly.

The elders of the Deer and Bear clans exchanged looks.

The elders of the Bird clans shook their heads, and Calisa’s father spoke. "She is not an ordinary human, so I cannot judge. But if carrying your child endangers her, would it not strain our alliance if something were to happen to her?"

He was wise, like the eagle shifter beside him. They sought reassurance.

Kai had to lie.

"She will not die," he stated firmly. "And I will not take another wife. This discussion is over. Your focus must be on the war. If the vampires breach our borders, none of us will survive. Worry about something that actually matters."

His warning was final. How sure were they that Luther would let them live?

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