Sold to her mate

CHAPTER 3

Rising from the bed, she trudged into the bathroom, with a messy hair, and an even messier sense of perception.

As a toddler, Madeline lost her Mom to an illness that she struggled with even before her conception. From the much she could recall, her mother favoured her. Gifting her an enchanting pair of eyes, long shiny hair, and a build she couldn’t quite get over.

For a woman who was a mother, her mother’s body remained toned and sleek, leaving her with the conviction that her case would not be so different after childbirth.

After being battered ruthlessly by poverty, unable to afford the least healthcare for her ailing mother, she passed when she was barely three years and a few months. Sometimes, she loved to tell herself that she had a faint memory of her laugh. It played in her head like a broken record.

The few fading pictures of her mother she had in her possession left her with an ache in her heart, yet reflecting the beauty she radiated.

“There is a pattern to this,” she always told herself whenever the thoughts of her mother crossed her mind. It reassured her that she was a sophisticated reflection of the woman that birthed her.

Antonio took full responsibility of her as the only child of his only sibling, and was committed to it with his meager resources till this day. They had long dwelled in poverty that sometimes she wished she could do more, the part where he sold her for 20 pieces of silver was still a mystery.

Was he in debt?

The life before her was nothing like she envisaged for herself, but she promised to live, if not for anything, for her soon-to-be unborn baby; that was the least age could do, and sadly, that was all they wanted from her.

After the first night, Alpha Diego waited for a week as instructed by the royal physician to ascertain whether she had conceived.

A week and a couple of days slipped by with no sign of pregnancy them to go in with each other again, until they had no other option that to share a bedroom like man and wife till it was confirmed that she was pregnant.

Madeline went along with whatever arrangements were made for her, safe kept her thoughts and opinions to herself, numbing the pain she felt over the betrayal of her uncle who sold her to the cursed Alpha as a sacrificial lamb.

“Are you sure you don’t need anything?” Alpha Diego asked like he had been asking from the first day, waiting for her to give her usual response.

When Madeline shook her head without uttering a word, he acknowledged her response with a nod and left.

Ever since she became his bride, he could count on his fingers how many times she had spoken to him, including the day of her arrival. He could only hope that she births him a baby so that he would free her.

The royal physician had carried out his tests and done his necessary calculations, providing them with a timetable to which they should strictly follow until they got pregnant. He was hopeful, but lately, impatience was getting a strong hold on him.

Months passed and nothing happened. His nightmares kept him preoccupied, growing worse and leaving him panting and horrified whenever he woke up.

Alpha Diego was getting impatient about the entire process and was starting to consider options that he must have ignored at first. He consulted the royal physician to run a check on him and his maiden, and he confirmed her a couple of weeks gone.

Alpha Diego was gladdened, genuine smiles reaching his eyes along with the information.

“Did you hear that, baby?” he asked Madeline, rushing to hold her. “I’m going to be a father. We’re having a baby.”

Madeline managed a weak smile, returning his show of affection with a soothing running her fingers through his hair, their gaze locked on each other’s.

Alpha Diego ordered for more servants to be sent to Madeline and ensured he checked on her as much as he could.

“Come here,” he said to her, motioning an empty seat.

She turned from the window and walked to the seat.

“Are you comfortable?” he asked.

Madeline smiled, shaking her head in disbelief.

“You don’t have to do any of these, my Alpha,” she said with a tone that indicated age has been long wanting to. “I was choose by the Moon Goddess to have your baby, and I’ll do just that. All these. . .” she looked around, “is really unnecessary.”

Alpha Diego stared at her mute.

“I’m sorry, my Alpha, but if you may, I would love to rest a little.”

She stood, leaving him in the fixed position as she walked over to the bed and lay down.

After several silent minutes, he stood and gave her a quick look before heading out.

“Do not leave this post, in case she needs anything,” Madeline could hear him say to the servants outside. “And if there’s any issue, don’t hesitate to call me.”

Madeline laughed at the thought of how he thought he could make her believe he genuinely cared for her, when he was only excited that he was going to become a father, not that they were going to become parents. He had made it clear from the first day that his intentions only revolved around her carrying his child and nothing more.

His new theatrics of showing affection and unnecessary concern only further proved what she was to him: a heater and an incubator. To keep him warm through the night, and to keep his child alive for the next nine months.

Madeline already was decided and had already had enough of everything. Nothing about birthing a baby age wouldn’t participate in his upbringing excited her.

The next morning, the roles were reversed: Alpha Diego woke up to the other side of the bed empty. He checked the bathroom, and asked the servants, but Madeline was not in the palace.

In his night robe, he rubbed his eyes severally, wishing it was another nightmare, but it wasn’t .

Madeline had absconded.