Alexander’s POV:
I wake up feeling a heavy weight on me. Confused, I open my eyes and look down to see that Sophia has unconsciously turned from her side of the bed to my side. Her body is pressed against mine, and she’s clinging to me as if seeking comfort. I can’t help but notice how close she is, her warmth seeping into my skin.
My gaze travels to her face, and I take in her peaceful expression. Her chest rises and falls with each steady breath, and I can’t help but appreciate her beauty in this vulnerable state. The morning sunlight filters through the curtains, casting a soft glow on her features.
Curiosity overtakes me, and my gaze shifts to her neck. It’s so close, invitingly close. Without thinking, I lean in, inhaling deeply. The scent of her skin fills my nostrils, a delicate mix of flowers and warmth. It’s intoxicating, and I find myself drawn to it, unable to resist.
As I take another breath, my teeth accidentally scrape against her neck. The sudden contact causes her to jolt awake, her eyes wide with surprise. I quickly pull away, my heart pounding in my chest, a mix of guilt and desire swirling within me.
I sit up, my mind racing to find the right words to say. I can see the confusion and apprehension in Sophia’s eyes as she looks at me. The realization hits me that I have crossed a line, and I need to address this situation immediately.
But she speaks up first. “I… I need to go to the bathroom.”
Without waiting for me to respond, she scrambles off the bed and rushes into the bedroom ad I watch her leave.
I nearly palm my face, bewildered by my own actions. I almost marked her right there. As the alpha of Shadow Moon Pack, what kind of woman have I not encountered?
I have always had good self-control but why do I feel it slipping away with every minute I spend around Sophia.
I look in the direction of the closed bathroom door worriedly. Anyway, till she gives birth, I had better treat her well. I could tell it was taking a toll on her as she was a human.
Sophia’s POV
It’s been three months already, and as I walk across the campus, I can’t help but feel a mix of emotions. My belly has grown so much, and I find myself wearing this oversized coat to hide its size. It feels strange to see how my body has changed, and I’m still trying to comprehend just how big my stomach has become.
The weight of the baby within me is a constant reminder of the life growing inside. I gently rest my hand on my abdomen, feeling the subtle movements and kicks that have become a part of my daily routine. It’s a miraculous feeling, knowing that I’m nurturing a tiny being within me, but it’s also overwhelming at times.
As I walk, I notice the curious glances from passersby, their eyes briefly lingering on my belly. Although the large coats cover the bigger part, concealing the pregnancy, it obviously still makes people wonder whether I’m truly pregnant or my stomach is just big.
As I walk through the bustling hallway, I spot Lily, my seatmate whom I haven’t seen in a few weeks.
“Sophia! You’re back.” A smile instantly brightens her face as she exclaims my name and rushes over to greet me. It’s good to see her again, and I’m glad for the distraction from my own thoughts.
“Lily! It’s been a while,” I say, returning her enthusiastic greeting. “I’ve just had some things to take care of, that’s why I haven’t been around much. How have you been?”
Lily nods, understanding my explanation. “Oh, I understand. Life can get pretty busy sometimes. I’ve been doing okay, just keeping up with classes and assignments. It’s good to have you back, though. I missed our seatmate conversations.”
I smile, grateful for her understanding. Lily has always been an easygoing and friendly person, making it comfortable to share moments of camaraderie. It’s reassuring to know that she doesn’t pry into my absence and accepts my explanation without further questions.
“Yeah, I missed our chats too,” I reply, genuinely meaning it. “We should catch up sometime. How about grabbing coffee after class? It would be nice to reconnect.”
Lily’s face lights up with excitement. “Absolutely! That sounds like a great idea. Let’s make it happen. I’ve got a lot of gossip to share with you.”
I laugh. “Okay, I’m up for it. How could I miss gossip from the queen herself?”
She laughed and brushed her hair exaggeratedly. “That’s true. I’ve got up-to-date gossip in this department.” She looks at her wristwatch and suddenly exclaims, “Sophia, I got to go. I need to get something from someone at the gate.”
I immediately nod. “No problem, you should go. I’ll see you later.”
She smiles and turns on her heel. I watch as she leaves before turning around too. As I make my way through the crowd, my phone vibrates in my pocket, indicating an incoming call. I pull it out and see that it’s my mother calling.
A pang of guilt washes over me as I realize how long it’s been since I last visited home. I’ve been avoiding going back, making excuses to keep my pregnancy hidden from my mother. She’s perceptive and observant, and I know she’ll notice the changes in my body. I don’t want her to find out.
Taking a deep breath, I quickly cross over the side of the hallway to a big tree in the garden and rest on it. Then, I press the answer button and bring the phone to my ear. “Hello, Mom,” I say, trying to sound as normal as possible.
“Sophia, sweetheart! It’s been ages since we last saw you. How are you, dear? Is everything alright?” Her concerned tone resonates through the phone.
I put on a smile, hoping it translates through my voice. “I’m doing fine, Mom. Just busy with classes and other commitments. You know how it gets.”
There’s a brief pause on the other end, and I can almost sense her skepticism. My mother has always had a keen intuition when something is amiss. I have to be careful with my choice of words and avoid giving her any reason to suspect the truth.
“Oh, I see. Well, you know we miss you, right? Your father and I were hoping you could visit soon. It’s been so long since we spent time together as a family,” she says, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness.
I feel a twinge of guilt in my chest. I miss my family too, and I long for the comfort of their presence. But the fear of revealing my secret keeps me at a distance.
“I know, Mom. I’ve been meaning to come home, really. It’s just that things have been hectic lately. But I promise I’ll make it sometime soon. We can plan a family gathering or something,” I reply, trying to sound enthusiastic.
Her voice softens, and I can almost envision the gentle smile on her face. “That would be lovely, dear. We’ll be eagerly waiting for you.”
She suddenly pauses, “By the way, I forgot to tell you the last time I called. Your father and I went to the hospital again last week. He is getting better and they say in no time, he will be good as new.”
My face lights up when I hear this and I smile. “Oh, that’s good news. Say hi to him for me. I’ll be home soon.”
She responds, “Take care of yourself and don’t overexert. Remember, family is always here for you.”
“I will, Mom. Thank you for understanding. I love you,” I say, the words carrying genuine affection.
“I love you too, Sophia. Stay well, and we’ll talk again soon,” she says before ending the call.
I stand there for a moment, feeling a mixture of relief and sadness. I hate lying to my mother, but I know she must not find out about what I have gotten myself into. I tuck my phone back into my pocket and move to continue to my class for the lecture I have today.
However, I had barely taken a step when, a sudden wave of pain coursed through my abdomen, jolting me intensely. I double over, clutching my stomach, and a sharp cry escapes my lips. The pain intensifies, causing my muscles to spasm, and my phone immediately falls out of my pocket.