MAXIMUS
Everything around me stilled; my attention focused on her and her alone as I arose from my throne and slowly walked up to her.
“What did you say?” I asked again to confirm. “What did you just say?”
Looking up at me, her lips curled into a smile. “I am pregnant, Max. We are having a baby.”
“Michael.” I immediately called the pack doctor. “Can you confirm, please?”
The doctor stepped forward and bowed a little. “Indeed, she is pregnant. I confirmed that when I examined her when she was brought into the hospital for poisoning.”
“Take her to her room and make sure she never leaves.” I immediately ordered the guards. I didn’t even have to think twice.
After a very long time of trying for an heir, my wishes were finally coming through. The excitement that filled my chest was immeasurable. An heir, finally!
It was just sad that it had to be from Lauren.
I let out a full-blown laughter, unable to contain my excitement. Finally!
“Congratulations, Alpha. Congratulations. Congratulations. Long love the Alpha King!” Echoed through the air. The room was filled with merriment, the joy exuding from my people seemingly more than mine. They had also been waiting for an heir.
“Thank you all.” I waved at them in acknowledgment before promptly leaving the throne room.
I had a lot of work to do, but I wouldn’t even be able to compose myself enough to work. So, instead of heading back to the office as planned, I went straight to the room.
Upon entering the room, I paused, my eyes narrowing when I noticed what was going on in the room.
“Starlette.” I called. She was scampering around the room, gathering her stuff into a luggage bag. “What is going on?”
“Figured you don’t need me anymore. My only purpose here is to bear you an heir. And since you already have Lauren carrying your child, I guess I can leave now.” She said as she continued stuffing her stuff into the luggage bag.
“No, Starlette. No.” I inched closer to her and grabbed her arm to stop her.
“What? Leave me.” She hissed as she tried to free herself from my grip. “Leave me alone, please!”
“Starlette, look at me.” I urged, but she wouldn’t listen as she kept making futile attempts to free herself from my grip.
“Starlette!” I growled, and she finally froze, fear evident in her eyes.
Oh, my.
“I am sorry.” I quickly freed her arm and swiped my hand across my nape. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
She took a few steps back, her eyes still on me.
“I understand that you are probably angry that I am not punishing Lauren despite what she did.” I took a step forward, and she took a step backwards. “But I want you to understand that she’s carrying my child, and she can’t be executed.”
Her eyes narrowed. “What do you think I am? A monster? Why would I want her to be executed while pregnant?”
“Then why do you seem angry?’ I asked, confused.
“I am not angry.” She denied, wrapping her arms across her chest.
That was a lie. She was clearly angry about something. Or, jealous?
“Or perhaps you think I would abandon you just because Lauren is pregnant for me?” I took a step closer; this time, she stood still.
“Is that wrong?” She shot up a brow. “Isn’t an heir what you have always wanted? That is why I am here in the first place. You don’t need me anymore.”
“I would always need you!” I exclaimed.
I stood in front of her, cupping her face in my palm as I looked directly into her eyes. “I would always need you, Starlette.”
“Why?” She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Because you are my mate. And I love you.”
She blinked repeatedly, my words seeming to shock her. In all honesty, I was also shocked at how seamlessly they rolled off my lips. But, in all honesty, I meant every word.
“I am sorry for everything that happened. For sending you to the dungeon and not defending you. I am really sorry. I hope you could forgive me.” I added.
“You should have just trusted me. That was all I needed from you, my mate, but-”
“I did. I still do. Believe me, I knew you didn’t do it.” I cut her in.
“Then why did you send me to that disgusting place? Do you know how scared I was?” Tears began to trickle down her face, and that broke my heart.
“I know. I know. I am sorry.” I said, wiping the tears off her face with the back of my hand. “I am sorry.”
She swallowed and looked up at me, meeting my gaze. “Be honest. If Lucius hadn’t proved my innocence, what sentence would you have passed?”
“I don’t know.” I answered honestly. “But I would’ve never allowed you to die.”
Executing her was never even an option. I would have gladly gone against every pack rule just to keep her alive and safe. I controlled those rules anyway.
“It didn’t seem so.”
“I care about you more than you can ever imagine.” I said, slightly caressing her cheeks. “You mean a lot to me. I love you, Starlette.”
She suddenly stepped on her tiptoes and crashed her lips on mine, surprising me. I responded, smothering my lips against hers, the slicky feel of her lips bringing me alive. I didn’t know how much I needed this until now. I grabbed her laps and attempted to carry her into my arms, but she suddenly jerked away, breathing heavily.
I drew my brows together, wondering what happened. “Did I do something wrong?” I asked.
She shook her head. “No. I am just tired. I need to rest.”
Turning around, she walked to the bed and laid on it, draping the duvet over her body, completely concealing herself with it.
Why the sudden switch? I wondered. Like I said, that woman had a lot of mystery written all over her. And for some weird reason, I loved it!