Alpha's Regretful Mate

I walked slowly into the small hospital room where I had spent countless hours over the past three years. It was almost like a second home to me. I was not in the right space of mind, I was tired. The hospital had become a place where I grew hate so much. I couldn’t even recall how many times I had come here, hoping for the same answer, only to leave disappointed. I sat down on the worn wooden stool, my hands held onto the edge tightly. This was supposed to be another routine visit, just like all the others. Every single thing she overheard from the pack elders replayed in her head. After I overhead them talking and it had been on my mind ever since. "She hasn’t given Matthew an heir yet. What’s her use?" "Matthew needs a strong alpha bloodline. She’s failing him." "She is just a useless miscreant who got lucky. Who knows what she must have done with her body that she hasn't been able to reproduce." I bit my lips as I fought back tears, as I remembered the things they said, their judgmental words, it crushed my spirit. Even Matthew, my mate, my supposed love, had grown distant. Matthew, the son of the current alpha had been treating me badly. The love he had for he had vanished from his eyes and, it had been replaced with cold nonchalance. I can’t remember the last time he had truly smiled at me, held me, or even looked at me without some kind of disappointment. Whenever we talked or tried to have conversations, it was always me trying to explain something and him shouting at me or him not paying attention. He needed an heir to take on the role of alpha, and I had failed to give him that. The bond we once shared felt frayed and weak, and with every day that passes that I wasn't pregnant, I felt like I was slipping further from his grasp and love. All we did was to fight, have s*x and wait for some miracle My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the nurse shuffling into the room, she was the old nurse that I had met with in the past three years. The older woman gave me a small, sympathetic smile, though all I could see was the pity behind it. “You’ve been patient for so long.” the nurse said to me, setting down the small plastic cup. “Let’s see what the results have to say this time.” I nodded, trying to be optimistic, but I was a realist. After I was in a life-threatening situation and that particular nurse helped me and made me better, if there was anyone that she would trust, it would be that woman. "Go pee and bring it back." The nurse said. Lily went and she did what she was told, but she didn't feel optimistic in any way. Why should this time be any different? The nurse drew blood from my hand. I had gotten used to the double test by now. "Let's hope that this time will be different." The nurse smiled and left. Now, I wait. --- Hours passed. I sat there in silence, staring at the television and at the people moving around, all the hospital activities but I wasn’t focused on that, thinking about different things. My best friend, Karen, had promised to come with me as she normally did for support and company. But Karen had bailed at the last minute, claiming she was caught up in something important. I didn’t press her on the issue, I didn’t have the energy. Still, I missed my friend’s comforting presence. Karen had always been the one to listen to me, to help me move through the suffocating expectations of the pack. She was my go-to person in every situation. But lately, Karen had been... different. Distant. There were moments when I saw an odd look in Karen’s eyes, especially when Matthew’s name came up or when we were around Matthew. She would try to act more composed and sexy-like. I tried to brush it off, telling myself that I was being paranoid. Karen had been my friend since they were pups. Why would she have any reason to feel jealous? Or want my mate? --- After so long, the nurse finally approached me, I already prepared myself for the usual disappointment. But the woman’s face was different than all the other times that I had done the tests. I didn't want look at her face though, I wanted to prevent herself from crying. "Thank you. I'll be back next week. Same time" “Congratulations.” the nurse said, with so much excitement. “You’re with child.” I blinked, my breath stopped momentarily. For a moment, I couldn’t process the words that came out of her mouth. “I... I’m pregnant?” I whispered, my voice trembled. The nurse nodded. “Yes, my dear. The gods have blessed you. After so long, you can finally have your well deserved happiness.” So many emotions crashed in my head. Relief, joy, disbelief, tears streaming down my face. I was finally pregnant. After three long years of trying, of heartache, of feeling like I wasn’t enough, I had finally gotten pregnant. I stood up, holding on to my chest. “Thank you.” I said breathlessly, my voice sounded shaky. “Thank you.” I hugged the woman. I didn’t wait to hear another word from the woman, I just rushed out of the hospital. It felt like my feet barely touched the ground as I made my way back to the pack’s grand palace. I couldn’t wait to tell Matthew. This would change everything. The cold distance between Matthew and I would melt away. He would look at me with love again, and the pack elders would finally accept me. --- I burst into the palace, smiling from ear to ear. I ran through the halls, my heart pounded. But as I approached Matthew’s study, I slowed down because I noticed something. The door was slightly opened, and faint voices could be heard coming from inside his study. I paused and squinted my eyes as I tried to focus on the voices. One voice was unmistakably Matthew’s, but the other… I couldn't believe my ears. It was Karen. I was so curious to find out what was happening as I stepped closer, peeping through the gap in the door. "Maybe they were planning a surprise for her." I thought. The sight that I saw made my legs stop moving. Matthew and Karen stood close, too close. Their bodies were pressed together, and their lips were locked in a passionate kiss. Matthew’s hands gripped Karen’s waist, pulling her body against his, while Karen’s fingers tangled in his hair. My breathing slowed down instantly, and the world seemed to start shaking. I stumbled backwards, my hands went to my mouth to stifle a sob. The joy that I had moments ago had disappeared and had been replaced by a cold, hollow pain. “Matthew…” I whispered, but it was loud enough for them to notice me. My legs buckled, and I collapsed to the ground. The edges of my eyes blurred, and the last thing I saw before everything went dark was the image of my mate and my best friend running towards me. --- I woke to the sound of loud voices and the feeling of cool water being dabbed on my forehead. I blinked slowly, her vision cleared not long after and I saw the nurse who I just left a moment ago. “You fainted.” the nurse said. “Matthew brought you back here to rest. I didn’t tell them about your pregnancy and I don't think that you told them, if not he would have waited.” I sat up slowly, my body ached too much. The memory of what I had seen came rushing back, and fresh tears filled my eyes again. “Lily.” the healer said, placing a hand on my shoulder. “What happened?” I shook my head, unable to speak. I held her stomach protectively. The healer didn’t press me with any other questions, only offering a comforting presence. After a long silence, I finally spoke up. “He betrayed me,” I whispered, my voice was still shaky but I wanted to talk. “Matthew… and Karen…” The nurse was ready to listen, but she said nothing. I stood up and wiped the tears from my face. “I need to go to him.” “Are you sure?” the nurse asked cautiously. “Yes.” My voice was firm, though my heart felt like it was breaking. --- I stormed back to the palace, I was angry, very angry and I needed answers. When I reached Matthew’s study, I didn’t even bother knocking. I just pushed the door open. Matthew and Karen stood apart now, I could see the guilt in Matthew’s eyes, but Karen didn't exactly have that. “Lily—” Matthew began, but I cut him off. “Don’t you dare,” I spat, her voice was filled with rage. “Don’t you dare try to explain.” Karen stepped forward and tried to move towards me, she raised her hands. “Lily, please, it’s not what it looks like—” “Not what it looks like?” I laughed bitterly. “I saw you! Kissing and holding each other. How long has this been going on?” Matthew turned away, but he didn’t answer. His silence spoke volumes. I turned to Karen. “You were my best friend. How could you do this to me?” Karen looked down. “I didn’t mean for it to happen,” she murmured. “But it did,” I snapped. “And you knew how much I was struggling with everything, how much I needed his support. You knew! I told you things and you must have mocked me for it” Matthew finally spoke again. “Lily, I’m sorry.” “Sorry?” I repeated, my voice broke in between tears. “I gave you everything, Matthew. I fought for us, for this pack. After all the judgment I got and you treating me badly, I stayed.” "You didn’t fight for anything. I need an offspring and you couldn't do that. Don't blame me for getting it somewhere else. " Matthew said. All the guilt he felt earlier seemed to have suddenly disappeared. "What's that supposed to mean?" I asked. "Lily, I'm pregnant. For Matthew." Karen said and smirked at me. I couldn’t process my words. I looked at Matthew, then Karen, then repeated it severally.