"There has been a ship spotted, and with our calculations, we calculate its arrival on shore before the end of this week, maybe even a few days. However, we cannot tell if the ship is a lone traveller or was sent ahead by King Damien to see the resistance of Wahala. It has no seal or banner, and its build differs from the kingdom of Foth." Alpha Grey informed the king, bowing to him as he stepped back.

"Then how do we know if we are to attack?" Mia asked with her brows furrowed.

"There lies the task ahead of us. Myself and alpha Chado, the alpha of sight, have dedicated ourselves to the finding. We will have the answer before they arrive and make the right call."

Mia turned to Xavier, who sat quietly watching them with his chin resting on his hand, supported by his elbow on the throne seat.

"Do you have anything to say, my king?" Mia asked in curiosity.

He broke out of his thought: "Of the nine kingdoms, King Damien has conquered four, and the ones still standing are the kingdoms of Klean, Jade, Wahala, and Foth. The fifth is Atlas, which remains unconquered on the northern seaside. At this point, we can say Atlas has also been conquered, and if not, they are well aware of the coming war between the two kingdoms. Are we to think they would risk their safety to travel in the enormous sea?"

The throne room became silent.

"I am certain King Damien of Foth has sent ahead this ship to ascertain the level of defence of Wahala." He turned to Alpha Zayn and said, "Send words to the warrior institute; they should have the first squad ready to take them on. Gather our defences; we meet at dusk in four nights to welcome their arrival with a fist."

"Yes, my king," he bowed his head.

After much deliberation, the meeting ended, and everyone returned to carry out their duties.

"Do you think you need to reach out to Edward?" Mia asked Xavier as they retired into their chambers.

She helped him pull off the robe he had on, and they hung it on the wardrobe.

"With the expected numbers, I think we can handle them ourselves." He answered.

The numbers were about 100 at most, from Ace's feedback, so he took other steps. Alpha Koz had gone ahead to Kame a week ago on an assignment, and he would return once that was done. Sir Valerio had also journeyed to Lurds to visit his distant relatives and would return in a few weeks.

The ship's arrival, despite their small number, meant the war had begun and was no longer two months away, as they calculated. They had no time to wait and had to gather their forces around the kingdom. He sent Lord Ace to the region of Shelled to bring the people to an understanding of the times. In the past, it had been a hard thing to do, as the people were as rebellious as ever. Hopefully, Ace's wisdom will aid the king's cause this time, rallying the region to the king's cause.

"You will lead the march against the incoming invaders?" Mia asked.

He nodded without even thinking about it. "I have to. As long as I am the king and able to, I have to be on the front lines of every battle."

She remained silent, and Xavier knew she wanted to say more. "What? You think I shouldn't?"

She pressed her lips together and turned away from him. "It doesn't matter."

He reached for and pulled her against himself; his lips met her hair. She melted against him, and he wrapped his arms around her, pressing himself against her. He wanted her, and it showed.

She turned around to face him, and there were a lot of questions on her face as she took deep breaths. Yes, she had returned to the royal chamber after discovering the truth, but though they slept in the same bed and did everything together as they used to, intimacy wasn't a part of it.

She didn't think about it. He was sick, and the only thing they needed to think about was doing whatever it took to ensure his recovery. Also, a war was coming, and they needed to prepare. She wanted him, and she still did, but some things were more significant than her wants and needs. This just told her she wasn't alone with her desires. He wanted her just like one wants a mate, despite his sickness.

"Xavier," she called, and her throat ran dry when his hand came to stroke her face tenderly.

"Mia, my love," he said.

"We can't, can we?" she asked, glancing up at him.

"I think we can." He said and kissed her lips; he didn't give her the chance to respond before pulling her against himself and deepening the kiss. "I want you."

She pulled away in alarm at what he was hinting at: "Your sickness."

He reached for her again, and this time, he wrapped his hand around her tighter. "I'm sick, yes, but that doesn't mean I lost the desire for my mate. It's been torture living without being able to be with you when that's the only thing I want."

"I want you too."

He stroked her face tenderly. "Then what is it? Do not worry; you won't get the shadow sickness from this."

"I know I won't."

"Then?"

"You are weak," she told him.

He smiled and said, "Not as weak as you think." He pulled her to himself even more, as if they weren't close enough already. His hand moved down and grabbed her butt cheeks through the clothes she had on.

He kissed her, and this time, she wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss.

He broke the kiss to undo her dress and set her free from the obstacle. His hand did a poor job of undoing her dress, but after a while, it came off her skin, and she stood before him naked.

"Oh," he said, his eyes filled with awe as they beheld her. He dragged a shaky breath. "You look as beautiful as always; it's a blessing." He took off the trousers he had on and stepped towards her.

He didn't give her the time to stare at him because he carried her into bed and got on top of her.

He kissed her lips, down her chin, and her neck. She moaned, and her eyes fluttered as his touch tickled and made her yearn for him even more. She wanted him to take her and do what he wanted with her. She felt his warm lips on her left nipple, and his tongue curled around it, sucking delicately at the tender skin thereon. His hand at the same time moved down her stomach, and he found her most intimate parts warm and wet, calling to him. He slipped two fingers into her while applying pleasure to her nipple, and she moaned and caught her bottom lip between her teeth.

She missed this. She missed him. Knowing they could still have this, despite everything, felt surreal.

He moved to the other and applied the same amount of pleasure to it.

She wanted him to take her there and then. It had been so long, and she knew she wouldn't last if he decided to drag the pleasure out. She could tell she was already so close.

He placed a tight kiss on her breast and pulled up to her face with a smile on his face. She kissed his lips, and her hands explored his body while they kissed. His body felt different from the last time she touched him, but it still belonged to the man she loved, which satisfied her.

Her hands wandered over his stomach, going to find his erection. It was as alive as ever, wanting to be touched by her, wanting to be pleasured. It throbbed and stretched at her touch, and she wrapped her hand around him.

He pulled away from the kiss and hissed, "That feels so good." He told her, thrusting himself into her hand, slowly at first and then picking up the pace.

He placed his hand on the bed and pulled out of her grip. "I'm going to cum. I want to cum in you."

He told her and moved between her legs, spreading them apart so he could fit between them. He wasted no time pushing into her, sinking all his lengths into her in one swift thrust. "Fuck!" he cussed, and his head fell against hers. For a moment, he lost all the strength he had.

Alarmed by his weakness, she tried pulling away, but he held her down. "No, no, I'm fine. I promise. Mia. I am fine; I am just overwhelmed. You felt so good; it took the strength I thought I had," He told her and pulled up to kiss her pursed lips.

"I do not want to risk this."

"Well, I do." He said and moved her leg to wrap it around his waist before picking up the pace.

She groaned, and her head fell back onto the bed. A few things might have changed about him, but he still had the same desire, resilience, and determination when it came down to pleasing her, and it showed.

He moaned. "I'm close."

"I am close, too." She replied, and her hips lifted to meet him halfway with his thrust.

One last thrust and they both hit their release; hers came first, and he followed right after.

"I love you." She moaned as he fell beside her, taking deep breaths.

"I love you always, darling."