The day pressed forward with meetings and reports, her focus slipping back and forth between her father's confession and the endless demands of ruling.
Coral shoved food in front of her more than once, scolding until she took a bite. Ann ate enough to keep Coral from summoning the healers, then she returned to her work.
By evening, she was more than ready to just collapse into a warm bath and soak for as long as she could keep her eyes open.
As soon as she sank into bed though, her door opened and Adam stepped inside.
She covered her mouth with her hands and couldn't help the gasp that came out.
His jacket was ripped, his arm wrapped in a strip of linen, with bruises darkening along his jaw and blood streaking his knuckles.
Ann threw the covers back and shot to her feet.
"Adam! You're hurt!"
He tried for a smirk, but It twisted into a grimace of pain.
"You should see the other guys," He quipped before sighing heavily, "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."
She caught his arm before he reached the washbasin and held his gaze as panic flared in her chest.
"Don't lie to me, what happened?"
"It's a border," he answered patiently, though not unkindly. "The borders are burning and we're trying our best to hold them."
"But you look like you fought Ely's whole coven alone!"
Adam's eyes snapped to her and she could see that underneath that fire, he was exhausted.
"If I had to fight every single one of them alone, I would. I would rather be torn apart out there than you even setting one foot near it." he said as he slammed his hands against the table, "My job is to protect you, to protect the pups and I need you alive so while I'm away please stop grinding yourself into the ground before the war even begins."
Ann blinked at him for a moment before she registered what he was saying and scowled.
"If you're expecting me to sit prettily and deal with just the politics while you and my people are out there fighting for their lives, you can think again. Those records that I spend hours poring over are the reason we know exactly what we're facing! Do you really expect me to sit idly while you bleed? You think I'll just wait and do nothing?"
"That's not what I'm saying," Adam sighed, running his hand down his face, "I need to know that you're looking after yourself. That you're resting, that you're eating properly. It shouldn't take Coral and the healers and midwives to have to chase after you to make sure you eat, Ann. You're pregnant for Goddess' sake!"
Ann stepped closer, chin lifting until she was nose to nose with him.
"Pregnancy, is not a fucking disability," Ann hissed, "I am not the first pregnant woman to exist in aa leadership post you know, others have been through the same and been absolutely fine. Do you think you're the only one who fights for this pack? Do you think I'll stand aside while the King slaughters our people? Because it's not happening. I'm doing what I can from inside the palace so that I can at least feel like I'm contributing in some way."
Adam's chest heaved as his wolf flashed in his eyes, and under all the grime and blood and anger that was etched onto his face, she saw his wolfs protective instinct, desperate to keep her safe and feeling as though he couldn't be everywhere that he needed to be.
"You're carrying my pups and working yourself to collapse." HE tried again, his voice cracking, "If Lexi were here she…"
"Well she's not is she?" Ann snapped harsher than she meant to, "I wish she was here too because at least then the nobles and elders would think twice about opening their mouths, and Brad too! But what do you expect me to do in the meantime Adam? Sit on a throne and wait for the knock on the door that says you're dead because we didn't have enough information?" Ann snapped. "I won't just be a figurehead. I won't live like that."
"You're going to break at some point," Adam growled.
"Yeah well you're wrong if you think brute strength alone is enough to beat this bastard," Ann shot back. "You need me doing what you don't have time for here. I already have Coral and Eva taking a lot of the load for me, and yes, if Allen and Lexi were here, Greyson too, things might be a lot easier but until then, we have to carry the burden together. Not point out what each of us thinks the other should be doing."
Silence fell over them as Adam's lips settled into a thin line.
"As much as I agree with him, I also agree with you, " Maeve said thoughtfully, "I know he wants the best for us and the pups but…Alpha's can be so pigheaded sometimes ...you should eat more though…just saying."
Adam's fists stayed on the table and Ann refused to back down.
At last Adam exhaled, dragging a hand through his hair.
"Dammit Ann, you'll drive me insane."
Ann's lips curved slightly at the edges as she smirked at him.
"Isn't it better to be insane with me than sane without me? I thought we had already agreed that."
"Hmmm no angry make up sex but…it'll do. Nine out of ten for heat Queenie, good job. Tell him to go get a bath. He stinks…" Maeve smirked.
Adam stepped closer and closed his hand around hers, rough and still filthy, but she didn't pull away. She could feel the heat of their bond through their skin and it grounded them both.
Ann steadied her breathing, but kept her voice firm as she held his gaze seriously.
"We can't keep fighting each other while Ely pushes harder."
Adam's grip tightened on hers as a pleading note crept into his voice again.
"Then please stop making it so easy for me to lose my mind."
"I could say the same to you." She smiled softly, "Oh, and I have a message from Maeve."
"Oh?" Adam said as he raised an eyebrow and his wolf appeared excitedly in his eyes.
Ann bit her lip to stop herself from laughing as she looked at him innocently.
"Sheh says take a bath…because you both stink."
Adams face settled into a playful scowl as he grabbed hold of Ann and picked her up as she squealed helplessly.
"I guess you had both better come and help me get clean then, hadn't you?" Adam smirked as he carried her effortlessly through into the shower with him.