She gasped. Chiseled features like that from outwardly plane, he caught her breath. Ileus, Daryn's cousin, was the most powerful wizard and the prophecy was that he would rule the world with his mate. Wearing black leather pants, which were modernly fashioned, sticking to his muscular legs and a tailored white shirt that was stitched from a light material that did nothing to hide the muscles that rippled beneath them and highlighted those corded biceps and broad shoulder—he looked like a God. Some of his features resembled Daryn's and Dawn realized how charmingly seductive the brothers must be. No wonder Daryn had a string of females going mad over him. She wondered how many must have been going mad for Ileus. God! He was handsome to the hilt and so young—maybe older than her. She dragged her gaze up to him and she found her voice, she croaked,

"How are you?

" Her face flushed with heat.

Ileus gave a lopsided smile.

"I am well,

" he replied and then sat on the edge of the nearest table.

"Sedora called me for the party,

" he added.

Dawn nodded.

"Pia is over there,

" she said with a tinge of jealousy. Everyone was only congratulating Pia.

Ileus waved his hand in the air and a wine glass appeared in his hand. Dawn was stunned. Wow! How did he manage that magic?

"Congratulations to you too,

" said Ileus, raising his glass to her, breaking her stupor.

She grinned. Finally someone in the family cheered her up.

"Thank you,

" she replied with all honest gratitude.

"Well, you are the Luna of the Silver Clan, so I came to congratulate you first obviously,

" he said matter-of-factly.

By this time Ileus had already generated interest in the Lykae females. They started gathering around him in hordes, and horror of horrors, they gave Dawn envious looks. Ileus was known to be so arrogant that he avoided every woman he didn't like, openly. Sitting beside her, he didn't even pay attention to the lusty females.

Once again Dawn's attention was diverted towards Pia who hand received numerous bouquets from friends and family.

"Everything is not what it looks like on the façade,

" said Ileus.

"You should have discretion about what is presented in front of you.

"

Dawn frowned. Why was he talking in puzzles, but nodded nevertheless. But his next question startled her.

"Why are you so interested in Amazon Jungles?

" asked Ileus casually.

Dawn flitted her gaze to the girls who had gathered around him, scared that they would listen to her intention and… how did he know? Man! His powers were beyond imaginable.

He chuckled.

"Don't worry, they can't listen to us if I don't want to.

"

Her mouth dropped open. He continued to stare at her while sipping his wine.

She collected her thoughts. If he knew that she was interested in knowing about Amazon Jungles, then two things were possible: first, Sedora must have told him about their spat a day back, second, he must have come to know it from Quetz, which was highly unlikely because he didn't even know who Quetz was. So she settled for the first scenario, which meant that Sedora had made this thing public much to her chagrin. Now she would also be known as the nosy daughter-in-law.

As if reading her mind, he said,

"Sedora didn't tell me. I believe you have a dragon who was seen prying the Amazon jungles in his plane.

"

Her eyes bulged. Ileus knew about Quetz.

Shit! Panic rose within her body and her heart thudded so loud as if it would leap out of her chest. 'Quetz,' she called him out. There was no answer. She grew restless. At that point of time she wanted to leave the party and go to the Ensmoire Forest.

"You didn't answer my question,

" he stated. He appeared so blasé that it was to the level of being dangerous.

"And lower that heartbeat rate unless you want Sedora to know about it or gather unusual attention. Even I can hear it from this far.

"

The grip on her glass tightened.

"I just wanted to know about Sedora,

" she replied curtly.

"Is it that important?

" He sipped more wine.

She turned to look at Daryn.

"For him. He is too scared whenever she visits us.

"

"Daryn can manage himself. So don't worry. But you got to take care of yourself because you are expecting his baby. And trust me, in order to protect you he can go to any lengths.

"

Dawn narrowed her eyes.

"Why are you telling me all this? I know my husband and feel equally protective about him.

" Was it a premonition of something bad? Her stomach knotted.

"You should be. After all, you are mates. But not at the cost of getting into danger.

" He looked towards Sedora whose eyes met him at that time. He raised his glass to her and she gave him a scarlet red lips smile.

"And Sedora reeks of danger. Stay away from her.

"

Dawn gulped. A warning from Ileus? She had to pay heed to it without argument. It was something that her sixth sense demanded.

"I will,

" she replied.

"Good girl. And if you need my help, just open your mind to me.

"

She nodded again recognizing his gesture.

"Oh my God!

" Daryn marched to his younger brother. They hugged. Both looked like Gods and their personalities oozed with power.

"What are you talking about with my wife?

" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Basics,

" Ileus answered with a lopsided grin.

"Gosh! That grin. You look like Uncle Dmitri when you do that.

" The two brothers laughed and the girls around them grew all the more wanton.

For some reason, which Dawn couldn't apprehend, Sedora and Pia maintained their distance from him. However, after talking to Daryn for a while, Ileus ambled off to congratulate Pia and Caleb. The horde of females walked with him.

"What was he talking about?

" asked Daryn.

"He is very popular with women,

" said Dawn, ignoring his question. Where was Quetz?

"You bet!

" replied Daryn proudly.

"We brothers boast best looks in the Lore.

"

How arrogant.

"So what were you guys talking about?

"

"Ah! Nothing much. He congratulated me before going to Pia.

"

Daryn's lips curled up.

"How are you feeling now?

" she asked.

"Never better!

"

The party ended at midnight. When all the guests had left, Dawn was also about to go back to her room when Pia almost rushed to her room and came back with an envelope.

"Mother, this contains the first pictures of my baby!

"

Sedora stopped and so did Gayle. There was delight in their eyes. Pia handed the envelope to Sedora and said,

"Open it,

" with enthusiasm in a high-pitched voice.

Giving a mocking look to Dawn, Sedora opened the envelope and took out the pictures. They were the ultrasound images of the baby. Gayle took it from her and became so happy.

"I can't believe that I am going to become a Granddad for so many pups!

" His excitement was unmistakable.

Dawn frowned. After quietly wishing all the best to Pia, she left for the night with Daryn. Only one thought consumed her mind—why didn't her doctor do her ultrasound?

'Quetz?'

For the next one week, the whole house was reeling under one after the other orders from Pia. She constantly badgered the servants.

Dawn was… neglected. But she didn't make an issue out of it because she didn't care. Plus her husband was spoiling her outside home.

But what happened next was something she never anticipated.