Alpha Victoria

Care

Victoria's P.O.V.

I groaned as I turned in bed, my body aching with an unfamiliar intensity. Every muscle felt strained, my breasts tender, and the cramps were almost unbearable. I writhed, seeking any position that might offer relief, but nothing seemed to work. I awoke with a start, my breath coming in ragged gasps. The realization hit me—I was in heat. The sheer agony of it caught me off guard, far beyond anything I had imagined.

The clock read 2:47 a.m. The world outside was still, but inside, I felt like I was being torn apart. I tried to stand, to wash my face and grab a hot bag, but my limbs refused to cooperate. The pain was relentless, an excruciating reminder of nature's cruel design. I felt dizzy and disoriented, my thoughts muddled by the relentless ache.

In my desperation, I remembered Lady Diona and the help she might offer. I reached for the landline, fumbling in the darkness. As I stretched, the alarm clock slipped from the side table, shattering the silence of the night. I flinched, trying to turn on the light just as Alexander burst in.

He flicked on the dim lights, his eyes immediately finding mine. His concern was palpable as he approached, placing the alarm clock back on the table. His gaze softened as he took in my disheveled state.

Another wave of pain had me clutching my abdomen, eyes squeezed shut. I felt his lips press gently against my forehead, his hands caressing my head and lower back. His touch, though comforting, did little to ease the deep-seated agony. He was, in a way, embracing me, trying to offer solace in the midst of my torment.

When the cramps subsided briefly, he asked if I could stand. He wanted to carry me, but I could see he was trying to respect my privacy. I appreciated his effort, despite the circumstances.

"Wait, let me help you a little," he whispered, handing me a glass of lukewarm water. I sipped it slowly, my eyes catching the sight of the grey duvet covering my legs. As I handed him the glass, I pulled the duvet aside, only to gasp at the sight of the blood-stained bed sheet. I looked at him in horror, struggling to comprehend that I was actually bleeding from there.

Alexander's P.O.V.

The sight of her blood, staining her thighs and the bed sheet, was jarring. Victoria was terrified, and I was equally unnerved, though I couldn't afford to show it. She was in so much pain, her face paling with each passing second. I wanted desperately to mark her, to offer her some relief, but I knew I couldn't—not without her consent.

After whispering soothing words to her, I carried her to the bathroom, setting her gently on a stool. I grabbed a wet towel and began cleaning her up, removing her shorts and wiping away the blood. I handed her the towel so she could tend to herself, trying to give her a semblance of dignity in this vulnerable moment.

I ordered some pads and tampons and quickly returned to find her clutching her stomach, dressed in a bathrobe. She was trying to wash the blood-stained towel, her hands trembling. I took over, washing the towel and preparing a hot bag for her.

A beep signaled the arrival of the supplies. I had no experience with such things, but I knew the basics. I handed her the tampons first, thinking they might be more comfortable. She hesitated, her eyes wide with embarrassment and confusion.

"I-um, do I need to... it says here to insert this inside...?" she stammered, clearly mortified.

"Yeah," I replied quietly.

"But I'm not sure if—"

Her hesitation surprised me. Someone like Victoria, with all her strength and the attention she commanded, still retained an innocent quality that stirred something protective in me. I handed her the pads instead and left the bathroom to give her some privacy.

After she settled back in bed, I placed a soft kiss on her forehead and lay beside her, stroking her lower abdomen to help lull her to sleep.

I watched her as she slept, marveling at the contradiction of her fierce exterior and the vulnerability she now displayed. Slowly, I felt something deeper taking root within me, an affection growing stronger with each passing moment.

In this quiet, tender space, I began to realize how much she meant to me.

Anything for you, Victoria.

Anything.