Aria’s POV
The moment I felt my water break, I froze. The sensation was sudden and overwhelming, and above all foreign.
Alpha Logan, still looming over me with his anger, seemed to sense the change. His eyes widened, and the fury faded, replaced by concern.
“What’s the matter?” he demanded. “What is it? Is my baby okay?”
I took a shaky breath, my hand instinctively going to my belly. “My water just broke,” I whispered. “I…. I don’t know what to do!”
For a moment, Alpha Logan just stared at me. His mind was seemingly processing what I’d just said. Then, in an instant, he jumped into action.
“Someone get Doctor Farkas! Now!” he barked, his voice echoing through the hallway. He turned back to me, his expression serious but no longer angry. “Aria, you need to stay calm. We’re going to get you to the birthing room.”
I nodded, trying to steady my breathing. The pain was already starting, and I knew it was only going to get worse. Alpha Logan’s demeanor had shifted completely; he was focused, determined, and surprisingly gentle as he took my arm to support me.
“Come on,” he said, guiding me carefully. “We need to move quickly.”
The guard who had been blocking my way earlier now rushed ahead to clear a path.
“Prepare the birthing room immediately!” he shouted to the servants. “Make sure everything is ready.”
I leaned on Alpha Logan, my legs feeling weak and unsteady. The contractions were coming fast, each one more intense than the last. The fear that had gripped me earlier was still there, but now it was mingled with the anticipation of finally meeting my child.
By the time we reached the birthing room, Doctor Farkas was already there, his medical bag in hand. He looked up as we entered.
“Lady Aria, it’s going to be alright,” he murmured soothingly, moving to my side. “Let’s get you settled.”
Alpha Logan helped me onto the bed, his movements careful and precise. I could see the worry in his eyes, but he kept his composure, staying close by my side.
Doctor Farkas began his examination, his hands gentle but thorough. “The baby’s coming fast,” he said, looking up at Alpha Logan. “We need to be prepared for anything.”
Alpha Logan nodded. “Do whatever you need to. Just make sure they’re both safe.”
The room buzzed with activity as the servants brought in supplies and prepared for the birth. I focused on my breathing, trying to stay calm despite the pain.
Time seemed to blur as the contractions intensified. Doctor Farkas gave instructions calmly, but even his voice blurred out. Alpha Logan’s grip on my hand was firm, and for a moment, I allowed myself to lean into his strength.
“You’re doing great, Lady Aria,” Doctor Farkas murmured, his tone encouraging. “Just a little longer.”
I nodded, biting back a cry as another contraction hit. The pain was excruciating, but I focused on the end goal: my baby.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Doctor Farkas looked up with a smile. “I can see the head. One more push, Lady Aria. You can do it.”
With a final, desperate effort, I pushed, and then I heard it-the sound of my baby’s first cry. Relief and joy flooded through me, tears streaming down my face.
“It’s a boy,” Doctor Farkas announced, his smile widening as he placed the tiny, crying bundle in my arms.
Alpha Logan’s expression softened as he looked down at our son, his eyes filled with a mix of awe and protectiveness. “He’s perfect,” he whispered.
I held my son close, feeling an overwhelming surge of love and protectiveness. In that moment, all the fear and pain seemed to melt away. I knew that whatever happened next, I would do anything to keep him safe.
Alpha Logan leaned in, gently touching our son’s tiny hand. “Welcome to the world, little one,”
As the room began to quiet down, my eyes met Doctor Farkas’ from across the room. He immediately seemed to understand what I needed. He approached Alpha Logan with a sense of urgency.
“Alpha Logan,” he called out, “Lady Ariaa needs to rest now. The birth was taxing, and she needs peace and quiet.”
Alpha Logan frowned, clearly unwilling to leave. “I should stay with her and the baby. They need me, don’t they?”
Doctor Farkas shook his head. “The best thing for her and the baby right now is rest. Please, Alpha, she needs time to recover.”
Alpha Logan looked conflicted, but after a moment, he relented. “Alright. But I’ll be back soon to check on them. Let me know if there are any…. complications.”
With one last glance at our son and me, Alpha Logan left the room. A feeling of anxiety settled on me as I watched him leave. Anything could happen from this point now. Alpha Logan could decide to take the baby from my hands and throw me out.
It was now or never.
The door closed softly behind him, and the air in the room seemed to grow lighter.
Doctor Farkas turned back to me. The smile on his face faded away to reveal a greedier, more demanding look. He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing.
“Lady Ariaa, I’ve kept your secret for months now. It’s time you paid me for my services.” He growled.
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure. “I don’t have anything right now. Please, give me some time.”
“What do you mean you have nothing? Are you not the Alpha’s woman?” He snorted, his patience clearly wearing thin. “Time is something I’m running out of. You’ve been under my protection, and I’ve risked a lot for you. I need to be compensated.”
I tried to reason with him. “Doctor Farkas, I promise you’ll be paid. Just give me a little more time to figure things out.”
His eyes flashed with anger. “Figure things out? That’s not good enough, Lady Aria. I’ve waited long enough.”
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. “If you don’t give me what I want, I’ll tell Alpha Logan everything. I’ll expose your secret, and you know what will happen then.”
My blood ran cold at his words. I tried to muster the strength to stand up to him. “Please, don’t do this. You’ll get your payment, just not right now.”
Doctor Farkas straightened up, his expression hardening. “You have one week, Lady Aria. One week to get me what I want, or I’ll ruin everything for you.”
With that final threat, he stormed out of the room, leaving me alone with my baby.