A Baby for the Alpha King

THE THINGS I DO FOR YOU

CLEO

I woke up feeling empty. Just as they had agreed upon, I was brought to a different house just near the king’s residence. It was a huge place. My room alone was almost half of our old home.

It was a luxury I never asked for.

My life in my old pack wasn’t perfect and definitely not easy, but I yearn for it. I miss my mother dearly. A huge part of me just wanted to escape and go back, but I’d surely be captured even before I could leave this territory. If, by some miracle, I escaped, there were still rogues out there who wouldn’t hesitate to capture and sell me elsewhere. I didn’t even get the chance to check back on the rest of my pack members who were also brought here. I hope Alpha Solan was truthful in his words and that they were taken care of.

My eyes landed on the window. It was lively outside, but I couldn’t share their enthusiasm.

The only difference I had with a prisoner was that I wasn’t behind bars. I was free to move around, but I was still stuck here. I lightly tapped my cheeks, urging myself to think a little more positively. In the end, I chose this. I have to live with it.

My legs felt sore, but I still pushed myself up. I had no assurance of what would happen to me for the next days or months, but I had to think of the present first. I did my morning routine and hurried to the kitchen to cook myself a meal, not expecting that everything would be ready once I arrived.

I slightly panicked. I wasn’t used to being served. Not that I needed it anyway. I recognized the older omega as one of the people who had assisted me last time. If I’m not mistaken, her name is Isabel.

She casually put down the plate on the table before she turned to me.

“Good, you’re already up. Sit down and eat.” Isabel said indifferently.

“I’m sorry for waking up late. I’ll do this next time.” I promptly apologized.

She just looked at me blankly before letting out a small sigh. “I’m assigned to be here and serve you. You don’t have to be sorry.”

“But you really don’t have to do this. I can cook for myself. I am used to waking up early. I was just… exhausted from yesterday, but I’m okay now.”

Isabel motioned me to sit, which I reluctantly did. “Cleo, I know you’re not used to this kind of life, but you have to understand what you put yourself into. This isn’t the small pack you grew up in. In this place, everything has rules we all have to follow. Just let me do my duties so we won’t have any problems and fulfill yours, understand?”

I tensed up. Maybe it hasn’t truly hit me yet, but she was right. “I’m sorry, I won’t do it again.”

“Eat already.”

“Can you at least join me for the meal? This is a lot of food. I don’t think I can finish this. That’s possible, right?”

She sat, agreeing to my request. It made me smile. It might be the first time since I’ve been here. I thanked her, and we proceeded to eat in complete silence.

I hope the others brought here were also eating decently. Maybe I could ask Alpha Solan about it, but I have no idea when we’ll see each other again. That thought made my chest tighten. Never in my wildest dreams would I be mated to someone, especially not to the Alpha King, but this setup, just so I could be by his side, is simply tragic. The worst part of it all is I don’t know if he wanted me to stay because he wanted me as his mate or because I was the convenience he hoped he had.

“Has your heat calmed down already?”

My thoughts were cut short by Isabel’s question. The older omega looked at me, expecting an answer that I didn’t exactly have.

“I-I think so,” I answered reluctantly. I was sure that heats usually lasts for a few days, but it calmed down after Alpha Solan tended to me.

It was also my first time experiencing it, and they said it could be a mess at first, so I wasn’t really sure.

She put down her utensils and raised a brow at me, “You think what? Give me a clear answer so I know what to report to the doctors. The alpha asked us to keep a close check on you. This is important, Cleo. Our pack’s future is dependent on this.”

I suddenly felt embarrassed when she scolded me. I would have answered properly if I knew, but I really don’t.

“I’m-I’m sorry,” I fumbled over my words.

“Look, this is sudden for you, and I understand that, but you can’t make everyone’s job harder than it was. You’re already an adult. You should know how to handle your heat.”

With that, I gathered my courage and answered. “I promise I didn’t mean to be a bother, and I would have answered you properly if I knew, but that was the very first time I’ve experienced undergoing heat, and I don’t really know if I’m okay or having a delayed reaction,” I answered truthfully, hoping that she’d understand.

Her forehead crumpled, and she took a good look at me. “Wait, how old are you, exactly?”

“I just turned twenty-two last month. No one can tell why I never had my heat, but last night was the first one.” I explained, already used to the alienated looks I get whenever I explain my situation.

Her shoulders dropped, even looking a bit guilty for scolding me. “No wonder we couldn’t do anything about it, and no medicines agree with your body. Such a delay must have messed with your body. I’ll tell the doctors.”

I simply nodded and resumed eating. It was a hearty meal, and I would have enjoyed it a lot, but I couldn’t help but remember my mother because of it.

“Cleo,” Isabel called after I helped her tidy up the dishes.

“Yes?”

She cleared her throat, “I’m sorry for scolding you earlier. I didn’t know. You went through something huge, all while being terrified for your life. That was unnecessarily mean of me. I apologize.”

I was surprised when she apologized, but I truly appreciated it.

“Thank you. I promise I’ll tell you if ever I feel something else.”

Isabel made me go back to my room afterward. There wasn’t much to do, which I wasn’t used to at all. Our pack wasn’t huge, and they needed all the help they could get. I’m always busy with something. This might be like a vacation for me, but it doesn’t feel like it at all.

My mind eventually dwell on the last moments I had with my mother. I remember her saying something about why I shouldn’t be caught, but she was cut off when the rogues launched another attack.

There were so many things I wanted to ask her, but I already lost that chance forever. I just wish she were in a better place now. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about me anymore.

--

Hours passed by excruciatingly slowly from then on. Isabel kept me company, but she was a person of few words. I didn’t want to bother her either, so I remained quiet most of the time. She told me she’d bring something I could pass the time with tomorrow and left to report what I said to the doctors. From what I see in her reaction, it seems urgent.

I looked at myself in the mirror, and worry suddenly flooded my mind after my conversation with Isabel. They pushed all of this because I was an omega, and statistically, we conceive more easily than other she-wolves. But what if I were still defective like I was in the past? Would the Alpha King discard me if he realized that I was broken?

My wolf frantically notified me that our mate was near, making me blank out for a moment. I felt immediate relief that he was here, but I was also worried that we’d get caught.

I almost scoffed at the thought. It’s so ironic, given that we’re literally mated and that he was the king who is supposedly above anyone, yet here we are in an unlikely relationship. Despite my worries, I felt myself running outside. He was already in the receiving area when I reached him. Now that I was in my right mind, I couldn’t help but feel amazed at how easily I could track him. My senses were heightened, which felt like a double-edged sword with his scent wafting in my senses.

“Alpha…” I trailed off, not knowing what to say. Everything in me wanted to approach him closer, but I stopped myself.

I can’t ask for more.

“You look surprised to see me,” he said, stepping closer.

I swallowed hard. My body is instinctively reacting to his presence. “I’m sorry, but are you even allowed to be here? I don’t want to ruin the agreement you had with the council.”

His lips twitched, but I couldn’t tell if it was out of amusement or annoyance. “Allowed?” he repeated, tilting his head. “Cleo, I am the king.”

I quickly lowered my gaze after his response. “I didn’t mean to offend you, Alpha Solan. My apologies.”

“I’m not angry at you, Cleo.” He sighed, his tone softening. “But you don’t have to worry. I am not here to break any agreements. I’m simply visiting you. There is nothing wrong with that.”

Solan must have noticed my hesitation. He inched closer and slowly lifted my gaze by gently holding my chin up.

“I respect and listen to my council because that’s what a just leader should do, but I am still the king. They can’t reprimand me.”

My heart skipped a beat, both by the authority in his voice and how close we were.

“Why are you here, then?” I asked, forcing my whole being to stay calm.

Solan cupped my face this time, “Because I wanted to see you.”

His words made me feel at ease. Everything in me wanted to let go of all my worries, but I couldn’t just ignore my problems. I can’t lie to him. He’d know it sooner or later, anyway.

I slowly took a step away from him. He looked confused, but didn’t stop me.

“I have something important to tell you. Something about me that I didn’t get to tell you.”