The night passed with Kin and Vixen lying close together, both wide awake, listening to the restless wind scrape against the windows. Every creak of the house felt heavier, and without Shen Seizan's presence anymore, Vixen's protectiveness only grew.
By dawn, Vixen had made up his mind—Kin could no longer be left alone. The thought of leaving his pregnant mate in this haunted, unpredictable village was unacceptable. What if a devil attacked when he wasn't there? Kin wouldn't be able to protect himself in his current condition.
Vixen rose before Kin woke, prepared breakfast, and returned to the bedroom. He gently brushed his fingers across Kin's cheek, leaning down to press a soft kiss to his lips.
"Wake up, love," he murmured.
Kin stirred, blinking drowsily as Vixen helped him sit up. Without a word, Vixen took him to the washroom, freshened him up with his own hands, and guided him to the dining table.
As they ate, Vixen finally spoke in his firm, commanding tone.
"From today, you'll stay with me at the military camp. I need to keep you where I can see you. Here, alone… if something happens, you won't be able to handle it. I won't risk you."
Kin met his eyes, seeing the unshakable determination there, and simply nodded.
After breakfast, Kin dressed and accompanied Vixen to the military camp. It was still early—around 10:30—when a group of village children arrived for their classes. Among them was Kenny.
When class ended, Kenny walked up to Kin, curiosity shining in his eyes.
"Brother Kin… why is your tummy big? Do you have a little baby in there?"
Kin chuckled, lifting the boy onto his lap.
"Yes, there's a little baby here. Will you play with the baby when it comes?"
Kenny's face lit up. "I'll love the baby a lot. I'll take care of them!"
Vixen, who had been watching, stepped forward. "Then, as the older brother, your responsibilities will grow, little Kenny. Can you handle it?"
Kenny nodded eagerly. "Yes! I'll take very good care of the baby and love them so much."
When Vixen asked about Kenny's home, the boy answered without hesitation.
"Aunty is very nice, she takes care of me. Grandpa is nice too… but sometimes, at night, he puts on a black robe and goes into the jungle. I don't know where he goes…"
Vixen crouched to meet his eyes. "If anything happens, you tell me. I'll help you."
Kenny nodded, then hopped down from Kin's lap. "I'll go now. See you tomorrow morning!" He waved and left.
The days that followed settled into a strange normalcy. Kin remained at the military camp, often sitting in Vixen's office while he worked. The staff treated him with gentle respect, keeping a protective eye on him. Weeks passed. Kin's belly grew heavier, his pregnancy now impossible to hide.
One quiet night, after dinner, Vixen and Kin were in bed. Vixen was retrieving Kin's nighttime medicine when Kin's hand suddenly froze mid-air.
"Vixen…" he whispered, pointing toward the bedroom door.
Vixen followed his gaze—and saw nothing. But Kin's eyes widened as if he saw someone standing there. "It's Shen… he's outside."
Vixen's instincts roared. He released a surge of Alpha pheromones, flooding the room in a protective wave. The air thickened, pressing against Kin's skin—and in that instant, the shadow vanished.
But something else happened. Kin's breathing quickened, his body reacting uncontrollably to Vixen's pheromones. His legs shifted restlessly beneath the blanket.
"Vixen…" Kin's voice trembled, but it wasn't from fear. He leaned in, fingers clutching Vixen's shirt, seeking warmth and touch.
Vixen clenched his jaw, forcing himself to stay in control. "Not now. You need to rest." He pressed the pill to Kin's lips, making him swallow, but Kin refused to let go, his eyes half-lidded with need.
Finally, Vixen sighed, slipping a hand behind Kin's hips and sliding his fingers teasingly against the curve of his ass. Kin shivered, gasping softly as Vixen, still in control, moved his hand over Kin's clothed length, rubbing gently in slow sync with his own hardness pressing through the fabric.
When Kin's breaths became uneven, Vixen pulled away just enough to change the bedsheets. He sat Kin on a chair, stripped the blanket, and took him to the bathroom. There, Kin—still flushed—wrapped his arms around Vixen's neck in a silent plea.
Vixen sank to his knees, tracing gentle circles over Kin's entrance with his fingers before helping him wash. They emerged clean, their bodies still humming with unspoken tension, and finally lay down together.
But peace didn't last.
At exactly 3:33 a.m., both stirred at the same moment. A dream had just ended—one unlike any they'd ever had.
A blinding golden light had appeared before them, and from within it came a voice, clear and pure:
"I am coming soon… Mama, Papa."
The echo of those words lingered in the air long after they woke.
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Continue....