The group of seven clambered into the carriage, with Ethan securing the door behind them before taking his place at the reins. As the horse trotted onward, the rhythmic motion soon turned the journey into a peaceful affair. Three hours later, the castle's grand silhouette came into view.

Once the carriage halted, each of them disembarked, exchanging goodnights before heading to their respective quarters.

As Scott prepared to alight, he noticed Inuyasha, lulled to sleep by the carriage's gentle sway. With care and tenderness, he lifted Inuyasha in a bridal carry and made his way to their chamber. Arriving at their door, he skillfully used his tail to unlatch it. Stepping inside, he gently nudged it shut with his foot.

Upon reaching their bed, Scott laid Inuyasha down, gently undressing him before doing the same for himself. Slipping under the covers, he drew Inuyasha close, cocooning him protectively before succumbing to sleep himself.

Morning light heralded a new day, but the peaceful ambiance was abruptly shattered as both Scott and Inuyasha were jolted awake. The culprits, Adrian and Liam, were gleefully bouncing on the bed, making sure to avoid Inuyasha.

"Wake up, you lazy bums!" Adrian and Liam chirped in unison. "Everyone's already in the dining hall having breakfast!"

Reacting playfully, Scott morphed into his wolf form and began a mock chase, pursuing the boys around the room. Inuyasha, thoroughly entertained, laughed heartily at the spectacle. As he watched Scott's playful antics, he couldn't help but wonder if their soon-to-arrive pups would be the beneficiaries of the same playful spirit.

Pushing the thought to the back of his mind, Inuyasha whistled sharply, instantly drawing the attention of the boisterous boys.

"Thank you for the lively wake-up call," Inuyasha began with a hint of humor, "but could you perhaps be a tad gentler next time, especially given my current state?" His voice held a light but clear reprimanding tone.

Both Liam and Adrian looked abashed, lowering their heads in acknowledgment.

Scott, shifting back to his humanoid form, approached Inuyasha, seemingly unbothered by his unclothed state. Given that the entire household was of werewolf descent, modesty took a backseat.

Embracing Inuyasha, he pressed a soft kiss to his forehead. "Boys, it's almost Christmas. Let's not dwell on this. However," Scott added, emphasizing his point, "Inuyasha is right. You need to exercise caution around him these days. Why don't you both head downstairs and let everyone know we'll be joining shortly?"

Taking their cue, the boys nodded and promptly exited the room.

"We should probably make a move before they send a search party," Inuyasha quipped with a twinkle in his eye.

The jest elicited a genuine laugh from both of them. Just as Inuyasha began to rise from the bed, Scott swiftly scooped him up, making his way to the adjoining bathroom.

"Hey! I'm still capable of walking, you know!" Inuyasha protested.

"Yes, but this is more efficient," Scott countered playfully, "especially given your newfound leisurely pace. Besides, it's best if you limit your time on your feet."

Rolling his eyes with feigned exasperation, Inuyasha retorted, "Very well, to the tub then, your highness."

"As you command, my beloved mate."

Upon entering the bathroom, Scott flicked the lights on with a swift movement of his tail, his eyes immediately drawn to the new additions in the room. A sleek hot tub and jacuzzi now adorned the spacious bathroom.

"Look, babe," Scott exclaimed, genuine surprise in his voice, "we have our very own hot tub and jacuzzi now!"

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Great, just what I needed. Another way to sweat and drive you wild with my so-called 'musky scent'."

Scott blushed at that comment, looking Inuyasha up and down. "Your scent is so arousing, babe. I could bathe every inch of you with my tongue, right now," Scott says teasingly.

After Scott's playful gesture, Inuyasha swatted him away, grinning despite his blush. "Stop that! You know, sometimes I think you're more of a pup than the actual pups."

Scott gave him a mischievous wink. "What can I say? You bring out the playful side in me."

The tension between the two was always palpable, filled with a mix of teasing and genuine affection. They had been through a lot together, and their bond was undeniable.

Inuyasha finally shook his head, trying to suppress his laughter. "Come on, let's get cleaned up and head to the dining hall before they send a search party."

Scott smiled, "Agreed. But remember, the offer for a personal bath stands."

As soon as Scott cupped Inuyasha's cheek, a deep blush spread across the latter's face. "I love it when you blush like that. It's adorable," Scott teased, a playful glint in his eyes.

Inuyasha huffed, his crimson cheeks deepening. "You enjoy teasing me way too much."

Scott grinned, wrapping an arm around Inuyasha's waist and pulling him close. "Can't help it when you make it so easy."

Scott helped Inuyasha into the tub, climbing in behind him. Kneeling before his mate, Scott gently lifted one of Inuyasha's feet, carefully washing and massaging it, ensuring not to miss a spot. He did the same for the other foot, then slowly worked his way up, making sure to thoroughly wash and rinse his mate as he went.

Inuyasha sighed, leaning into Scott's touch, appreciating the care with which his mate was handling him. "You know, I can wash myself," he mumbled, even though the blush on his face made it evident that he was enjoying the pampering.

Scott chuckled softly, his fingers tracing delicate patterns on Inuyasha's skin as he washed every inch of him. "I know, but I wanted to do this for you. Let me take care of you."

Inuyasha's face flushed as Scott's hands moved diligently over his body. Even though they had shared countless intimate moments, there was something profoundly tender about this act. The warmth of the water combined with Scott's gentle touch was nothing short of heavenly for Inuyasha.

"I never thought I'd say this," Inuyasha began, his voice a soft whisper, "but having you wash me is kind of... nice." The vulnerability in his voice was clear, though his usual smirk played at the corners of his mouth.

Scott looked up, meeting Inuyasha's gaze with a teasing twinkle in his eyes. "Only 'kind of' nice?" he teased, giving Inuyasha's foot a gentle squeeze.

Inuyasha chuckled, his grip on Scott's shoulders tightening slightly for support. "Okay, okay. Very, very nice."

Scott continued to wash his mate, taking the time to massage his sore and very pregnant body. Paying extra attention to his shoulders and back, running his fingers slowly over Inuyasha's round belly. Grabbing the sprayer, Scott makes sure the water is nice and warm as he rinses his mate.

Inuyasha let out a contented sigh as the warm water cascaded over him. The gentle pressure from the sprayer combined with Scott's attentive touch was soothing, and it was evident in Inuyasha's relaxed posture and the soft look in his eyes.

"Your hands are magic," Inuyasha murmured appreciatively.

"There, all done," Scott said, turning off the faucet. He helped Inuyasha out of the tub, wrapping a fluffy towel around him. "I must say, you look absolutely radiant."

Inuyasha's blush deepened as he playfully swatted at Scott. "Alright, enough with the flattery. Let's hurry up, or we'll be late setting up for Christmas tomorrow."

Scott picked up his mate and carried him to the other room, placing him on the soft bed. Inuyasha chuckled softly, watching as Scott deftly maneuvered around to dry him off. "You're getting pretty good at this," he commented, patting his round belly affectionately.

Scott grinned, brushing a stray strand of hair away from Inuyasha's face. "I've had plenty of practice these past few months," he replied, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Besides, I love taking care of you."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes but didn't hide the soft smile playing on his lips. "I've noticed," he quipped.

Once Scott had dried Inuyasha thoroughly, he headed over to the dresser. From its drawers, he extracted a pair of matching lounging clothes, evidently chosen with comfort in mind for both of them.

He made his way back and neatly laid the clothes out on the bed next to Inuyasha. Without hesitation, Scott slipped into his own boxers and pants. He then turned his attention to assisting Inuyasha, dressing him with care, but finding it a bit more challenging due to Inuyasha's advanced pregnancy.

Just as Scott reached out for the shirt, intending to dress Inuyasha, the silver-haired man swiftly snatched it up, slipping it on before Scott could. This playful act robbed Scott of his chance to fuss over Inuyasha further.

Scott mockingly frowned, crossing his arms with an exaggerated pout, pretending to be affronted by Inuyasha's independent move.

Inuyasha chuckled at the sight, the corners of his eyes crinkling in amusement. "Oh, come on," he teased, adjusting the shirt around his prominent belly. "Did you really think I'd let you have all the fun?"

Scott tried to hold onto his mock disappointment but couldn't resist the playful grin that crept onto his face. "You just took away my favorite part," he lamented with a sigh.

Inuyasha leaned in, planting a soft kiss on Scott's cheek. "There will be plenty more opportunities for that," he whispered with a smirk, "but maybe next time, don't be so slow."

Scott's eyes twinkled mischievously as he wrapped his arms around Inuyasha's waist. "Is that a challenge?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Inuyasha leaned in closer, his breath warm against Scott's ear. "Maybe."

The two shared a light, flirty moment, laughing softly before realizing they should probably get going. They both had a long day ahead, filled with Christmas preparations and family time.

Scott offered his hand to Inuyasha, who accepted it with gratitude. Once upright, Inuyasha drew close, resting his head against Scott's chest, the rhythmic beating of his heart providing comfort.

Scott responded by leaning down, inhaling the unique scent of his mate, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead, and playfully nibbling on his distinctive dog ears.

"Babe, stop," Inuyasha murmured, a hint of frustration in his voice. "With my pregnancy hormones and our limited intimacy lately, you're driving me crazy."

Scott's voice dropped to a sultry whisper, "But you're just so tantalizing–your taste, your scent. It's hard to resist the urge to devour you right now."

Inuyasha sighed, "I've only got 6.5 weeks left in this pregnancy. Just be patient a little longer. I promise, once our sons are here, we'll find as many opportunities as we can to be close."

Holding Inuyasha's chin gently, Scott sought confirmation, "Do you really mean that?"

"Yes!"

"Alright, fine. Let's go have breakfast and set up the Christmas decorations. The others are probably wondering where we've been," Scott said, a hint of urgency in his voice.

Inuyasha simply nodded in agreement.

With that understanding between them, Scott draped an arm around Inuyasha's shoulder, while Inuyasha reciprocated by placing his arm around Scott's waist. Together, they made their way out of the room, strolling down the ornate hallway of the west wing, eventually emerging through the door that led to the grand foyer.

They descended the grand staircase in the foyer and turned right, heading towards the impressive double doors of the dining hall. However, as they entered, Liam and Adrian unexpectedly transformed into their wolf forms, launching themselves at Scott.

With only a split second to react, Scott swiftly disentangled from Inuyasha, stepping aside to brace himself for the impending tackle. Sure enough, Adrian's enthusiastic leap sent Scott tumbling to the floor, marking the third such incident that week.

Quickly morphing into his anthro form, and silently thankful for his choice of stretchy loungewear, Scott began playfully wrestling with the two young wolves. Their antics drew amused chuckles from the other occupants of the dining hall.

The laughter was interrupted when Koga rose from his seat, striding over to the playful trio and letting out a commanding roar.

Instantly, the tussle ceased. Koga, without missing a beat, scooped up his son and returned him to the highchair, making sure to securely fasten him in place. Regaining his poise, Scott got to his feet, walked over to Inuyasha, and gently lifted him, proceeding to carry him to their table.

Upon sitting down, Scott shifted back to his humanoid form and gently settled Inuyasha onto his lap. At that moment, Victoria rose and approached Liam, offering him a set of underwear, a t-shirt, and lounge pants. Grasping them in his tiny maw, Liam darted to the restroom located within the dining hall.

A brief two minutes later, Liam reemerged, now clothed and back in his humanoid guise. He walked, somewhat sheepishly, to the table and took the seat beside his mother.

"Now that we've expended some of that extra energy," Allison began, her voice tinged with irritation, "perhaps we can start our meal."

At her cue, Scott nodded to both Chris and Peter, who promptly opened the kitchen doors. A flurry of activity followed as the servants wheeled out five carts, each brimming with dishes from a different food group.

They expertly set the dishes upon the expansive dining table before bowing and retreating to attend to the kitchen cleanup. With the spread laid out, everyone began to partake in the feast.

"How did the outing go yesterday, boys?" Victoria inquired.

"It was quite the experience," Shippou began, "This town is so different from our own. It's more expansive and offers a lot more to explore."

Adrian chimed in, "It was refreshing to step out of the castle. The sights I saw were truly remarkable."

The twins cheekily added, "We'd be game for another adventure," sending a playful wink in Shippou's direction. Shippou's cheeks reddened, eliciting chuckles around the table.

Turning her attention to the head of the table, Kate asked, "And what about you, my kings?"

Scott leaned forward, "As Shippou mentioned, it was enlightening to experience the town, much like I did before our curse took hold. Discovering more about Inuyasha's past was equally intriguing. The opportunity to engage with the world in new ways was certainly refreshing."

Kate and Victoria exchanged curious glances, "Like what?" they both probed.

"Well," Scott began, "for one, enjoying food not made by our devoted staff here. And also, the freedom to be myself without the constraints or the constant scrutiny from others."

Kate then shifted her gaze, "What about you, Ethan?"

Ethan sighed, "I couldn't partake in the outing as I was acting as valet for the boys. I'm still finding my footing, adapting to my role as matriarch, and searching for a suitable mate."

Victoria offered understandingly, "It's wise to pace yourself. It's easy to become overwhelmed if one takes on too much at once."

As the room buzzed with the retelling of the previous day's escapades, Inuyasha's expression turned pensive. Both Scott and Koga caught onto his change in demeanor.

Scott leaned in, his voice laced with concern, "Is everything alright, hun?"

Yes pup you don't look so good.

"You don't look so well, pup. Are you alright?" Koga voiced his concern.

"Yes, I'm fine," Inuyasha assured, trying to downplay his discomfort. "It's just some spasms and pains. He's been kicking a lot more lately."

Sesshomaru teased, "He's just eager to meet his papas soon."

Inuyasha took a deep breath, "Alright, the pain has subsided. I'm fine now."

"Just be sure to inform us immediately if it happens again," Kate said protectively. "We wouldn't want you going into early labor."

Inuyasha gave a nod of understanding.

After another half-hour, everyone had finished their meals and began to disperse. Inuyasha attempted to rise from his seat, but Scott gently cradled him in his arms.

"I can walk, you know," Inuyasha protested lightly.

Scott's expression was tender but firm. "You gave me a scare earlier. I'm not taking any chances. You'll have to tolerate my overprotectiveness at least until our pups are born."

Inuyasha blushed a deep shade of crimson. "Fine."

With a chuckle, Scott snuggled closer to Inuyasha, holding him even more securely. They left the dining hall and made their way upstairs, intending for Inuyasha to rest.

As they approached their room, they both noted the ajar door. Upon entering, they found Sesshomaru and Koga awaiting them.

Scott raised an eyebrow, "What brings about this unexpected visit?"

Sesshomaru looked pointedly at his brother, "I noticed at breakfast that Inuyasha didn't have his sword with him. You remember what I told you about it, don't you?"

Scott nodded, "I thought that since he's mated now, he wouldn't need it with him constantly."

Sesshomaru's tone was grave, "While that is partly true, there remains a risk of him going feral, even being mated. Given that he's entering the final stages of his pregnancy, his hormones might become even more unpredictable in the coming months.

Please ensure he keeps the sword close. If not for your peace of mind, then for his well-being and that of the unborn pups."

Scott nodded in understanding. "And Koga, what's your reason for being here?" he inquired.

Koga responded with a thoughtful look, "Given that Inuyasha is approaching the final stretch of his pregnancy, I wondered if he might want to spend the day with the pack. He hasn't been around much at our new den, and Adrian has been eager to spend more time with his godfather."

Scott sighed, "I admit I've been somewhat neglectful of my kingly duties recently. My concern and protectiveness over Inuyasha have taken precedence."

Sesshomaru confidently announced, "Then it's settled." He handed the Tetsaiga to Koga.

With a gentle motion, Scott passed Inuyasha into Koga's care. Koga accepted him with ease, taking both Inuyasha and the sword, and headed towards the den. Upon reaching the den, Koga found Adrian soundly sleeping in his intricately carved crib.

He gently placed Inuyasha down on the nest, then transformed into his wolf form, curling up beside him.

Sometime later, both Scott and Sesshomaru arrived at the council chamber. Inside, they found Ethan engrossed in textbooks, with the twins playfully engaged nearby. Ethan's head snapped up upon noticing Scott.

"My King, I apologize for intruding. I've been researching matriarchal duties as my ceremony is in a few weeks," he explained.

Scott waved away his concerns, "There's no need to apologize. This castle is as much your home as anyone's. Feel free to use any resources you need. However, my advisor and I need this room. Could you and the twins give us a bit of space so I can catch up on the paperwork on the shelf behind you?"

Ethan nodded, understandingly. "Of course. Ginta, Hakkaku," he directed at the twins, "why not find Shippou and maybe take him out for some fun?" The twins, with a hint of mischief in their eyes, scurried out. Ethan offered a respectful bow and departed.

Scott took a seat, diving into the paperwork detailing requests and concerns from the town of Beacon Hills and its neighboring city.

Meanwhile, in the den, Koga, Adrian, and Inuyasha were deeply asleep. However, Inuyasha soon stirred with a soft groan, causing Koga to wake.

Sitting up and licking Inuyasha's face affectionately, Koga reverted to his humanoid form, unconcerned by his lack of clothing. With a gentle voice, he asked, "Afternoon, pup. Did you have a good nap?"

"Hey, pack father, that nap was really refreshing," Inuyasha greeted.

Koga's eyes crinkled in a smile. "Glad to hear it. Are you feeling hungry?"

Inuyasha's stomach growled in response, "Very."

Koga chuckled, remembering past events. "I recall Aiden constantly being famished during this stage of his pregnancy."

Koga stretched and got to his feet, pulling on his clothes. Extending his arms, he helped Inuyasha up, cradling him gently as they made their way to the castle's kitchen.

After about fifteen minutes, they entered the kitchen and spotted Peter and Chris, who seemed lost in their own romantic world, feeding each other lovingly.

Inuyasha called out to Chris, "Hey Chris, feeling better?"

Chris looked up with a grateful smile, "Much improved, thanks. What can I do for you?"

"Could you get some chicken broth, bread, and a salad for Inuyasha?" Koga requested.

Chris raised an eyebrow, "And for you?"

"Five raw ribeyes, please. Three for me and two for Inuyasha. He could use the protein," Koga added.

Chris nodded, pushing his chair back. In a matter of ten minutes, he returned, handing Koga a tray laden with their food. With a respectful bow to them both, Chris rejoined Peter to continue their meal.

Koga settled Inuyasha down and started their own feast, "So, pup, how does it feel, knowing you're going to be a father in the coming months?"

Inuyasha looked thoughtful, "I'm excited, a tad nervous, but mostly thrilled. I've always dreamt of having a family when the time was right."

Koga nodded with understanding, "I felt the same at your age. I longed for children, but Aiden wasn't ready. It took ages and a lot of convincing on my part. After years of trying with no success, we almost lost hope.

But Aiden persuaded me for one last attempt. It was a miracle when we found out he was pregnant. The day I heard our child's heartbeat for the first time was indescribable."

Inuyasha's eyes were misty, "That's an inspiring story, pack father. Despite all the trials, you both held onto hope. It's really admirable."

Koga's gaze turned distant, "Thank you, pup. While Aiden is no longer with us, his love and the heir he gave me remain. For every alpha werewolf, having a successor is a cherished dream. What about you and Scott? Any hopes for your pups?"

Inuyasha smiled, "Regardless of their status, we'll love them unconditionally."

Koga clapped Inuyasha on the back, pride evident in his eyes, "That's the spirit, pup. I'm genuinely proud of you."

Inuyasha beamed, "Thanks, pack father."