Book 2: Getting It All Straight

Rafe

Ainslee is still sleeping when I roll off the intricately carved loveseat. While it may look pretty, it did not make for a good night’s rest.

I stand over Ainslee’s sleeping form for several minutes, contemplating this new chapter I wasn’t expecting in our life. I’m not going to wake her up, I decide. The minute I open my mouth, I know I’ll say something stupid, or at least something she’ll take the wrong way, and we’ll be fighting again. No, I need to sort myself out before talking to her about the baby again.

Unfortunately, I also need to tackle a war in my kingdom, and that has to take priority. I lean down and kiss Ainslee’s forehead, then tuck the covers more securely around her before heading out of the crimson room to find Alpha King Striker.

Karl, I remind myself. I need to start thinking of him as Karl. I’m marrying his cousin, after all.

The king is at breakfast, a helpful servant tells me, and even takes me to the long h