A Baby for the Alpha King

HOW IT FEELS TO BE LOVED

CLEO

Alpha Solan had already left by morning, promising me that he’d visit me very soon. I wasn’t exactly clinging to it so much, only because I didn’t want to hope so much, only to get hurt in the end.

Still, I put on a smile till he left the room. I wanted to see him off, but he said I shouldn’t walk around yet, so I could only say goodbye while in bed.

My stream of thoughts was cut when I heard soft knocks from outside. I was already decent, so I quickly let her in, knowing it was Isabel. She entered slowly, checking on me first before coming in carrying a tray of food. My stomach reacted quickly to the smell of the hearty meal.

“Thank you,” I said with gratitude and started eating. I’ve never felt this hungry before. I took a spoonful of rice and ate with gusto.

“Good Goddess, slow down, Cleo. You might upset your stomach.” She warned me, making me halt and blush.

I put down the spoon and chewed slowly this time, suddenly feeling embarrassed, acting like a starved animal. “Sorry, I’m just so hungry,” I said after swallowing down the food with a glass of water.

She heaved a small sigh, “I understand. You just went through a full, proper heat cycle, and you were accompanied by an alpha. Actually, not just an alpha, but the strongest there is. It’s understandable, but eat a little slower.”

I nodded and continued eating, this time much more slowly as she instructed. I smiled, remembering how my mom used to do breakfast in bed whenever I felt ill. I know Isabel is just doing her job, but it still feels nice.

“Thank you, Isabel. For taking care of me. I know it’s your job, but still, thank you.” I repeated, truly grateful.

She smiled, something I rarely see. “This child. Alright, alright. Just eat now, then I’ll have you move to the other room first so I can clean up and air out. The whole room is… You know, reeking of sex.”

I almost thanked her for saying that after I drank water, or I would have choked to my death. Still, I coughed awkwardly.

“Sorry about that,” I said, face already burning up in shame.

Now that the heat has passed and my mind is clear again, all the memories from those hours came rushing back. Every sound I made, every plea I uttered, and every desperate attempt to please Alpha Solan. My cheeks burned with embarrassment just thinking about it.

Goddess, what was I even doing? It was my first time, and I barely knew anything. I doubt I even pleasured him properly…

I buried my face in my hands, mortified at the thought, and because my mind is now supplying me with more memories I couldn’t remember earlier.

I could remember the way I clung to him, the way I begged him not to stop even though I was already writhing, and the way I completely forgot myself in the haze of my heat. I called his name over and over as if it were the only thing that mattered, and I wasn’t even properly addressing him as alpha or king.

Isabel chuckled softly, probably guessing what was going through my head. She reached over and patted my hair gently.

“It’s normal, Cleo,” she said with an amused sigh. “Every omega in heat would do anything to please their mate. It’s not something you should feel ashamed of. It’s instinct, child, especially for one mated to an alpha. Your urges are stronger than most because they react to his. You’re actually stronger than I thought. I’ve heard a lot of omegas who couldn’t handle an alpha, even in their heat.”

I stared down at the food, still nibbling on what was left, and mumbled, “Still, I must’ve looked so desperate and cheap…”

She only smiled, shaking her head. “Don’t think like that, Cleo. You’re young, and this is your first proper heat with a mate. You’ll learn to handle it better next time. Besides, it’s part of your duty. The Alpha King’s heir won’t just appear from thin air. These things are necessary. You are doing an important part of this pack’s future. Remember that.”

My shoulders sank when I was reminded of the ultimate goal of this whole setup. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to. Deep down, I wanted to carry Solan’s child, our child. Not because of duty, or because it would fulfill some expectation of what an omega should do. I wanted it because it was his, and because the child is made out of love we have for each other.

It was a small, foolish part of me that hoped that maybe, if I bore his child, a piece of him would always stay with me.

I smiled at her and pushed the thoughts at the back of my mind, finishing my meal with gratitude. Isabel helped me clean up afterward, though I protested when she started washing me. The older woman insisted, reminding me that my body had been through a lot.

“With or without a partner,” she said as she wrung out a warm towel, “an omega is always drained after their heat. You need rest, not stubbornness.” She softly scolded me.

I gave up and let her help, though I could barely look at her while she wiped my back and arms. My whole face felt like it was on fire from embarrassment… but it also felt nice to be cared for by someone.

Once I was dressed and freshened up, Isabel moved me to the opposite room to rest while she went back to clean the main one. The scent in there must’ve been unbearable for anyone else to walk into.

I lay on the clean bed and stared at the ceiling. I’m still feeling sore, but I couldn’t deny how satisfied I feel. Alpha Solan did his best to be gentle with me, but I remembered that he lost control, too… especially when my heat was flaring up.

I heaved a sigh, still willing myself to think like what Isabel said. It was my first time. It would get better.

My hands unconsciously brushed over my stomach. Was that one heat cycle enough to make me pregnant?

The thought made my chest tighten. I’m worried, terrified, even. Everything would change once it happened, and I didn’t know exactly what kind of life awaited me once I carried the Alpha King’s child. This time, everyone in his pack would know about my existence.

But despite the fear, I felt something else bloom quietly inside me.

Hope.

The idea of carrying his child filled me with happiness I couldn’t explain.

When Isabel finally finished tidying up, she led me to return to my room.

“Get some proper rest now, Cleo. You’ll need your strength,” she said, tucking the sheets gently around me before heading for the door.

I nodded as I let my body sink deeper into the softness of the bed. I could still faintly smell his scent lingering in the room even after everything had been cleaned. I breathed in deeply, letting that faint trace of him comfort me. I know I shouldn’t, Good Goddess, I know it’s bad for me to yearn like this, but I simply couldn’t stop myself. It reminded me of warmth, of being held, and of belonging somewhere safe, even for just a whole day with my mate.

I pulled the sheets closer and curled my body even more. What we shared breaks the fragile line drawn between us, tangled with duty and desire for each other. Alpha Solan was kind, but he was still a king, and I was merely an omega chosen by the Moon Goddess to somehow become his mate.

It’s questionable and wrong, but still, my heart refused to listen to reason. My heart still says it was in the right place, that I’m right exactly where I’m supposed to be. I inhaled deeply again and closed my eyes, pretending the faint trace of his scent meant he was still here beside me.

If this was what it meant to be loved by my mate, even for a moment, I wanted to remember it.