The Tiger Prince's Witch

**One Year After the Battle**

Anna rubbed her large belly as she watched Liana play with her mate Sean. They may only be toddlers, but their connection to each other was undeniable. It was so strong that Jarek and Marcella decided to stay at the tiger palace rather than return to the lycan palace. Jarek was still the lycan king, and Marcella was his queen, but it was in title only. After the battle, he decided to step back and allow Kamryn and Anna to rule all shifters rather than having two separate rulers. Micah and Jaz were staying with Gary and Shila at the wolf pack for the most part. Zack and Sasha also had a strong bond as mates, and no one wanted to keep them apart. Knowing they would have their own fight one day, everyone thought it best to keep the young mates near each other to strengthen their abilities.

Anna and Kamryn were now expecting their second cub. They were having a boy who would be a hybrid tiger and warlock. They decided to name him Xade. He would be making his appearance any day now. Santi and Maxie had their daughter Daphne a couple of months ago.

Melita overcame what Santi had done to her while Astaroth used his body. She understood it wasn't him that hurt her, but when she found her mate Juan from a pride of lions that lived on the other side of the country, she leaped at the chance to leave. They visited every couple of months, but she was ready to start over somewhere fresh.

Elsie also met her second chance mate. His name is Karl, and he's human. They met when he was hiking not far from the palace grounds. He hurt himself, and she happened to be out looking for herbs. It took him a while to wrap his mind around the supernatural world, but now he was one of them. He worked as a doctor in the human world but gave that up to move to the palace with Elsie. She'd become Anna's assistant, and they were now closer than ever. Karl had learned all he could about shifters and how to treat their injuries so he could put his skills to work in the event anyone got hurt.

Randal and Lynn had decided to do some traveling to visit places they'd only dreamed of. They could never stay away from their grandchildren for long, though. Every month they returned to the palace to visit. They were expected back in time for Xade's birth. All those from Spirit Energy returned to the coven, including Anna's parents. They flew down every few weeks, but she missed them when they were away.

The palace had returned basically to normal, with most of the extra guests leaving. Kamryn and Anna had stepped into the roles they had been born for. Shifters from all over came just to spend one night and meet them. They welcomed everyone and treated each person like family. There would always be those who opposed them and wanted to take their place, but they had too much support for anyone to be a real threat. "Mommy," Liana ran over and put her hands on Anna's belly. "Xade coming."

"Not yet, honey. He'll be here soon." She leaned over to kiss her daughter's forehead when she felt a sharp pain run through her abdomen, making her gasp.

"Are you okay?" Marcella asked, coming to her side immediately.

"I think I'm going into labor. Can you help me?" As she stood up, Anna felt another pain. Before she could step toward the door, Kamryn was running into the room. "What's wrong?" Anna smiled, but Liana spoke first.

"Xade coming." She clapped her little hands as Kamryn's eyes widened. He lifted Anna into his arms. He had felt her pain when she had the first contraction, but he didn't think she'd be in labor.

"Marcella, can you get the doctor, and I'll take her upstairs." She nodded as she ran to find Karl. He'd been preparing to deliver Xade, and Anna knew he was excited to do this. Kamryn wasn't too keen on the idea of having him deliver their son, but Anna insisted.

When they arrived at the room set up for the delivery, Kamryn put Anna on the bed and helped pull her panties off. She had only been wearing loose dresses, so her panties were the only barrier to her son making his entrance into the world. Karl and Marcella came running into the room, followed by Elsie with Liana and Sean.

"How long have you been having contractions?" Karl asked as he washed his hands and put on gloves.

"They just started, but they're coming strong," Anna answered as another hit her. As Karl rolled over on a stool. Liana jumped up and down, wanting on the bed.

"Elsie, can you lift her up here, please?" Anna asked, wanting her daughter by her side. When Elsie put her on the bed, she sat at her mother's side, rubbing her hand over her belly. Sean started whimpering, wanting to be up there with Liana. Anna nodded when Elsie looked at her. She put Sean on the other side he also rubbed her belly. Funnily enough, the contractions weren't as bad, with the two of them rubbing her stomach.novelbin

"He's ready to come out. Anna, I need you to push." She took a deep breath. While squeezing Kamryn and Marcella's hands, she began to push. After only a few pushes, Xade came out with a head full of black hair. Karl and Elsie quickly cleaned him up after Kamryn cut the cord. When he was placed in Anna's arms, she kissed his little cheek. Liana and Sean both moved up so they could see him. They may not even be two years old yet, but they both had an old wisdom about them that was beyond their years.

"Love Xade," Liana said as she paced her hand on his cheek. Sean put his hand on the other one. Xade opened his eyes wide, and Anna gasped. His eyes were like the other children's. They were white but had a hint of grey, making them look almost silver.

"Wow, look at his eyes," Marcella spoke quietly next to her. "What does this mean?"

"It means he will be helping them when their battle comes." Anna looked at Liana and Sean stroking the new cub's cheek. She was thrilled to have her son here, but for some reason, it felt like he was a gift to the two of them. "You're all cleaned up. Do you want anyone else to come in?" Karl asked while washing his hands.

"Yes, everyone can come in now." As soon as the door was opened, Jarek, Santi, and Maxie came in with Daphne. They all commented on Xade's eyes as well. As excited as everyone was with their new lives and mates, there was always going to be that knowledge that their children would need to fight something greater than Astaroth. Would they all survive, or would this be the end of the tiger kingdom and Spirit Energy? Only time will tell.