The Crown's Entrapment

Gilas was more than happy that day as he stepped off of the carriage and promptly entered the Keen Manor. After all, he had Ham back by his side in his head, with Clara walking side by side with him in his very fruitful life. Truly, he didn't know what the Almighty saw in him to bless him with such an amazing life, but he would make sure to pray to Him in thanks regardless.

[You better, seeing as you're clearly clueless without me,] Ham teased.

[I didn't go completely insane, Ham,] Gilas rolled his eyes at his wolf. [How many times do I have to live it down with that?]

Truly, even during what he could consider one of the lowest points of his life, he was still blessed to have Clara pull him out of the brink of despair. From there, life seemed to only get better as a solution was given to him by one of his friends, a treatment that somehow gave him back his inner wolf from certain death.

[For as long as it takes for you to learn that you're not alone,] Ham scoffed. [That, and it's fun to make fun of such a time.]

Gilas mentally shook his head at his wolf's words. In truth, he knew that Ham was simply doing his best to erase that dark time from his memory. By replacing the despair associated with such an event with embarrassment, it would make remembering the event much easier and bearable. He didn't know why, but he could only assume that it could be used as a reference point for his potential descendants or possibly even other werewolves that might experience the same thing.

[And already, you're thinking about future pups,] Ham chuckled.

[It's hard not to when your mate is clearly asking for it.]

And truly, what better way to end such an amazing day than to have one's mate in their embrace in the comfort and privacy of their own bedchamber? Clara's admittance to him earlier sent his mind racing for what their future could hold. Knowing of his King and Queen's coming children, he couldn't help but want to have offspring of his own, and he was sure that Clara wouldn't be opposed to it.

'Maybe that's what she's planning today,' he inwardly thought.

Contrary to what Clara might believe, Gilas wasn't truly convinced that his mate wasn't hiding anything from him. Oh, he was sure that a celebration was being planned for him that day, but he just didn't know what kind of special thing she was planning for him other than-

"Congratulations!"

Gilas blinked as he paused in his steps. He was so deep in thought that he hadn't noticed that Clara had already pulled him into the dining room where his Mother was waiting for them with a table full of food.

"W-What is this?" he couldn't help but ask.

"A celebration for your inner wolf's return," his mother warmly smiled, Clara now standing beside her as she beckoned him to join them. "I'm sure such an event warrants it, right?"

"You really didn't have to," Gilas awkwardly chuckled while rubbing the back of his head. "It's not that big of a deal."

"It absolutely is," Clara insisted with a scoff. "Did you know how worried we were about you? It almost felt like you were slipping away from us with each day that passed. We were that scared of losing you."

Gilas's cheeks burned at his mate's confession. Likewise, he almost felt like avoiding the two women's collective gaze as he tried to find the right words to say to them.

"I-I don't know what to say," he admitted, his embarrassment and shame making it hard for him to look them directly in the eye. "I'm sorry for worrying you two… I know I shouldn't feel that I wasn't alone, but it's just… I was just afraid…"

"Son, we understand," Shila reassured him as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "There's nothing to be ashamed of for being afraid."

"Besides, even if you are, we'll be with you every step of the way," Clara added. "We're family, and family sticks together no matter how bad things get."

Gilas could only nod in agreement, a few unshed tears prickling against his eyes. "Thank you for being with us, Clara."

"H-Hey now, don't get too sappy," Clara scoffed. "This is a celebration. We should be having fun."

"I agree," Shila chuckled. "It wouldn't do for us to have tears on such a joyous occasion."

"T-This is tears of happiness," Gilas quickly defended as a faint tear began running down his cheek. "They're different."

"Of course, they are," Clara chuckled. "Now come. Let's eat."

The next hour or so went by like a blur as the three of them simply enjoyed each other's company. From there, Gilas learned that Clara and Shila began planning such a celebration when they knew that a successful treatment for him was available. One thing led to another, and his mother began cooking that day as soon as they left the manor.

"I helped as well," Clara proudly pointed out, her mouth still half full with a morsel she was eating. "I prepared much of the ingredients before we even left."

"Is that why you weren't beside me when I woke up earlier?" Gilas asked.

Clara nodded. "It was the only way I could contribute to the feast. That, and I was kind of banking on the fact that our Bond hasn't completely stabilized enough for us to mentally check on each other again."

"Clever," Gilas chuckled. "That will change come tomorrow though."

"Oh, I know," she scoffed. "Among other things, but we'll get to that later."

Gilas hummed in excitement. He already had an idea as to what exactly his mate had in store for their night later, and he could only imagine what wonders they'd be doing come to the end of this feast.

Surely, this would be a night that he would never forget, and he would make sure that she could say the same by the time they were done.