A Baby for the Alpha King

CROSSING THE LINE

CLEO

My eyes roamed the king’s place as we walked inside. I didn’t get the chance to appreciate its interior when I was here. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it’s a lot grander than I thought.

Of course, Cleo. It’s literally the Alpha King’s place. What am I even thinking?

I slightly shook my head, feeling silly with my own thoughts. Maybe I’m just nervous about seeing him again. He assured me that even with my condition, he still wanted to be with me and wished for us to give us a chance. That alone should have made me happy… and I am. I just don’t know if I’m strong enough to last living like this.

Theodore took me to what I assume was one of the many receiving areas in the place. I’m not very familiar with the place, but somehow, I could tell that Solan’s room was just near ahead.

I realized how much I missed him now. Even recalling his voice gives me so much comfort.

“I was ordered to bring you here. I guess the king will be here shortly.” Theodore informed me after seeing that there was no one around.

“The Alpha King is not here yet,” I said with certainty I shouldn’t have.

Theodore looked at me blankly. “I mean, I don’t sense him yet, but how did you know?”

There wasn’t any annoyance or malice in his question… just pure confusion. It almost made me chuckle. He looked so baffled.

I smiled, probably for the first time in a long time, “We’re mated, remember? My senses are very weak compared to other wolves but apparently, the mate bond lets me feel if Alpha Solan is near. It’s fascinating, actually, especially from an omega like me. It makes me feel normal when I’m around him.”

I don’t know if I’m allowed to feel this comfortable around Theodore, but he seemed like a good man.

Theodore’s eyes widened. “Right. I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright. I’m used to it. I’ve heard much worse.” I blurted out, simply out of habit.

Just like that, the comfortable air around us quickly dispersed. Clearly, my broken humor reached him the wrong way.

“I’m really sorry, Cleo,” He placed a palm on his forehead, “I’m such an idiot.”

I waved my hands in a slight panic, “No, I’m sorry. I wasn’t serious about what I said. Just think of it as a broken humor. I’m not angry. I promise.”

He scratched his nape and took a deep breath. “Good Goddess, I can’t even hold a proper conversation. I guess I’m just not very aware of how the mate bond works.”

I shrugged, “I think the mate bond is something you’ll only truly understand once you experience it.”

“They say mate bond is the biggest blessing the Goddess could bestow. I wonder if a lowly warrior like me would be given such a chance.” He murmured, truly wondering.

“Are you really wondering that in front of me?” I asked, shaking my head, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

The irony of my life is simply crazy. I don’t blame Isabel for wondering if I’m the luckiest omega or the most unfortunate one.

His eyes widened again, but I immediately clarified that I was just joking. “I don’t mean it. I mean, I do, but not in a bad way. I don’t think the Goddess discriminates, you know. She’s just… a little odd in her ways, I guess. Besides, you seem like a good man. I think the Goddess has someone made just for you. Your own fated mate and your meeting will be beautiful and perfect.”

The worried look became a small, shy smile. “You really think so?”

“Of course. Your mate will be as lucky as you will be.” I answered, reciprocating his smile.

“What a sweet sight. Look at you, flirting while my husband is away.”

Theodore quickly backed away from me and lowered his head after hearing a familiar voice. I did the same, but couldn’t help but defend myself.

“With all due respect, we were only talking, Luna,” I answered. She could call me any names she wanted, but I won’t let her question my loyalty to Alpha Solan, especially for something so outlandish. We were just talking, for goodness' sake. Is having a friendly conversation a sin in here?

She clicked her tongue, and I saw her approaching me. I lifted my head a bit and saw her smiling cunningly.

“Is that so? I must be mistaken, then. A slutty omega who sleeps with a married man is talking to one of his warriors so close, smiling and laughing. It’s a perfect image of betrayal, don’t you think?”

I glanced at Theodore and saw his hands forming into fists, but he couldn’t say anything. It’s our queen. I can’t really blame him.

Luna Vera simply shrugged, “I guess I really must have been mistaken, but I’m not mistaken that you shouldn’t be here. You must be very eager to be kicked out of this pack.”

“Luna, the king called her to-” Theodore tried to reason out, but he was quickly silenced by Vera, who suddenly approached and slapped him.

I flinched at the sound of her palm hitting his face. Theodore barely budged while my mind blanked out, panicking and afraid that Theodore would get in trouble because of me.

“Did I give you permission to speak over me?”

“I apologize, my queen.” He answered almost immediately.

Before I could react, I felt Alpha Solan’s presence quickly approaching. He appeared almost immediately after that. His eyes are glowing in anger. Behind him follows a familiar face. She’s one of the doctors who had attended to me, if I’m not mistaken.

“What do you think you’re doing?” He exclaimed, pulling her away from us, “hurting your people like this? How low would you go?”

Vera withdrew her hand forcefully. “This warrior is disrespecting me. He was lucky a slap was all he got.” She then glanced at me with nothing but spite in her eyes. “And you dare ask me why I’m reacting like this? You’re the one who’s proudly breaking our agreement.”

“I am not. I called for Cleo for her check-up. Something that is well included in her duty.” Solan quickly defended me, but Vera just laughed at him.

“Then it is also her duty to flirt with other men? I caught that b***h of yours and that warrior you’re trying to defend laughing at each other, flirting, and very close to each other. If I hadn’t arrived, you would have caught them kissing by now, maybe even more.”

Solan’s eyes landed on me for a quick moment. I saw the slight surprise in his eyes, followed by the feeling of rage and confusion that I felt through our bond, but it quickly disappeared.

I badly wanted to defend myself. To say that we weren’t doing anything bad and were just talking and nothing else, but not now. I stand with the truth. I shouldn’t be afraid.

Solan suddenly took my hand, slightly pulling me closer to him before turning to Vera. “Stop with your baseless accusations. I'm warning you, Vera. Stop crossing the line and pissing me off. Be thankful, I still respect you and your position. Otherwise, you will be the one thrown out of my pack.”

He walked away and stopped, only to order the doctor who came with him to follow us. She looked a little lost but automatically followed through.

My eyes were stuck on our hands entwined, trying to memorize the feeling of our hands locked together. I knew this was not the right time to feel like this, but even this stolen moment felt precious to him.

Is it wrong? Maybe. But it’s all I have at the moment.