407 Where Have You Been?

Just a moment after the Duke and Duchess couple left, a man with a long sword stood on the road they had just passed. He looked far into the distance, into the darkness of the road.

He smiled, thin and soft.

"You're so big already."

***

The Almandine Castle was drowned in anxiety. Tonight was the full moon, and all the Lycans across the land prayed for their Alpha and Luna.

Old Duke was carrying Niamh. She looked calm, and her crystal-like eyes looked bright with no ripples showing.

"Are you not sleepy, my child?" he asked softly.

The baby girl reached up, touched his beard, and played with it for a bit.

Old Duke smiled and chuckled in his deep and warm voice. Then, he asked, "Are you worried about your parents?"

"Don't worry. They'll be fine," he whispered.

It was when he heard someone's footsteps approaching him from the direction of his room. He turned and saw Alameida cross her arms across her chest, shaking her head in disbelief.