Harri sighed sadly as she paced worriedly along the garden paths. How were Sesshoumaru, Draco, and Salazar? Were they wounded? Tired? Hungry? Smoothing her hands over her belly she began to take deep breaths to calm herself. Her worrying over this could only cause her put harm if she let it get bad enough.

Harri had found out that she was pregnant the day after her mate and her best friend and his mate had left to deal with a particularly nasty skirmish had broken out along the eastern border. That had been two weeks ago now. So here she sat waiting eagerly for news to be delivered to her by a carrier.

Sighing again she headed back to the castle disappointed with the continued lack of knowledge.

(O)(o)(O)

Sesshoumaru watched his mate as she paced back and forth over the cobbled pathway occasionally smoothing her hands over her slightly rounded belly. His mate carried his heir he had realized the day he had received the summons to deal with the skirmish. He had also realized that he may never be going home to his mate and pup if he never managed to escape from the female Selena and her father.

Descending to the ground he landed lightly on the pathway and was immediately surrounded by the members of his guards with weapons pointed at his neck. "Give us proof that you are our lord!" A male demanded from somewhere behind him.

Sesshoumaru bit back the urge to growl at them and withdrew the Tensaiga and swiped at the guards in front of him only for it to pass through them harmlessly. "Is that enough proof?" he growled out.

The swords at his throat lowered and then where sheathed. "Welcome home milord. Are the Lords Slytherin and Draco back as well?"

"Indeed. Let me go greet my mate." The guards nodded and began to disperse until there was only one left. "Why do you remain?"

"Milady's orders."

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow but said, "Very well."