ARIA’s POV…“It’s fine. You’ll be fine. Our baby will be fine.” Were the only words I could process in my head from Raymond.How we’d gotten to the hospital from the garden, how I was suddenly getting wheeled into the delivery room— these I didn’t know.What I knew however, was that Raymond was here. He was by my side.“Alpha Raymond, you’re going to have to remain outside.” The doctor said when he realized Raymond wasn’t letting go of my hand.“I can’t. I have to be with her. I won’t bother you with your work. I just want to see her and be sure she’s fine. Please.”I’d never seen Raymond plead with anyone else. His voice was vulnerable, his concern, fear, and care, evident to even the blind.“Fine.” The doctor gave in when he realized Raymond wouldn’t let go of my hand.I was in pain, a lot of pain, but with Raymond’s hand gently caressing mine, I felt a little better.HOURS LATER..“Push!” The doctor urged, Raymond’s hand squeezing even tighter on mine.“You can do this, love. I know
ARIA’s POV….“Raymond! Slower please…” I tried to get his name out to be as audible as possible as we hit climax, my vision as foggy as possible as he took his head out of my neck, our gasps filling the room as we both crashed by each other, our hearts— or maybe just mine— beating extremely fast.I gulped as I gently put my hand to my neck, caressing his mark. The mark signified our bond. As I closed my eyes, relishing in the warmth from our moment just now, unable to believe I’d just been marked by my Alpha, his icy voice shot through.“Our nominal mate contract ends in three months.” When he spoke, so coldly, without an ounce of emotion, it felt like my breath had been caught in my throat.I fiddled with the sheets, waiting for him to say something, anything other than what he’d already said, but no other words left his lips. “Ra—“ I tried to get the words out, but they failed me, leaving me with no other option but to cling on to denial.He looked so calm that you wouldn’t have gu
ARIA’s POV…..I’d change everything. Perhaps, if I tried harder, I’d make him fall for me and then I’d tell him about our child.These thoughts crossed through my mind as I set the ingredients aside. As I set up the dishes, the revving sound from outside caused me to turn as Raymond’s black SUV came into view.Reflexively, a smile came up my face as I cleaned my hands on the apron I was on, rushing outside to go greet him. It didn’t matter what he’d said yesterday, or that his words still rang fresh in my head.I pushed those thoughts to the back of my mind— where they belonged— as I stood outside the door, all smiles. How this man managed to make me so happy with just his presence; I couldn’t tell. All I knew was that I was in love with him. Too deep to come out of it at all and hopefully, by the goddess’ grace, in these coming months, I wouldn’t have to because he’d be too deep in love with me, too.“Ray—“ My excited call out to him got caught in my throat the moment the blonde got
ARIA’s POV….If I had been holding on to little fragments of hope for our relationship that was already failing all this time, now, I was holding on to dust.As Raymond stared at me, his expression went back to being unreadable as he let out a sigh. “No one important.” My heart clenched as my eyes became glassy. “She’s just a maid, there’s no need for an introduction. Your kind has nothing to do with hers.”Ashley raised her brows as she took a step closer to me, wiping off an invisible dust on my shoulder as she let out a mocking scoff disguised as a pitiful one.“You poor thing.” She kissed the back of her teeth. “It must suck trying to act all high and mighty when in reality, you’re nothing more than this, doesn’t it?”I turned to Raymond who just stood there like I wasn’t being mocked and downgraded in his presence and it hurt to see that even though he could defend me and spare me all this pain, he didn’t.“As a princess, I can understand the pain your kind goes through every sing
ARIA’s POV….“Alpha Raymond.” How much it stung to address the man I was in love with, the only man who’d taken me to heaven and back, by his title.He furrowed his brows as he stared at me, like he could tell something was wrong, but I knew better than to have extremely high hopes when it came to him. “I asked something. What are you doing here?” His tone was still cold.“Stomach flu.” I lied as I held on tighter to the drugs Eric had handed me. “It’s not a big deal. I’ll be fine.” Another lie. How could I be fine being having a baby I couldn’t give up and at the same time, couldn’t afford the father knowing of—yet?He was silent, staring at me, as if trying to confirm whether my words were true or not. Such little trust. “Hmm.” He finally made a sound as he nodded in a rather suspicious way. “I hope you’re not lying to me or doing something stupid.”“I’m not.” Yet another lie. What was going on with me? How could I tell these lies without so much as even blinking? My eyes traveled be
ARIA’s POV….“I—I—“ I turned around slowly, my heart beating faster than a ticking time bomb as I swallowed.Having him stand just a few inches away from me, even if we weren’t making physical contact, was causing me to feel weak in the limbs and making my wolf to jump so much within me and I hated my body and wolf for betraying me in times like these.“You were what?” He sounded impatient, like he couldn’t wait to be done talking to me even though he’d been the one who came all the way into my bathroom.“I was taking medicine. That was just trash.” It sounded like the perfect thing to say especially as I’d just returned from the hospital.He stared at me, a hint of doubt evident in his eyes, but he blinked it away in a second, returning to his usual cold and expressionless face.He looked behind me, to the containers on the sink as he let out a soft exhale. It’d been soft but it’d felt like I was in front of a heater as I grabbed on to the sides of my dress, doing my best to remain ro
ARIA’s POV….“Ahh.” I gasped as I rubbed my forehead gently, shaking my head as I hoped it’d push all the pain to the back of my head.I rubbed my neck gently as Raymond’s words from last night came back to mind.What’s there to miss or remember about an omega like you? I’d slept through it, but recalling it still stung.“Aria?” I heard my name as a knock followed on the door. I looked at the wall clock. Who could be here to see me so early in the morning?“Coming.” I responded as I fixed my hair, rushing to the door as I opened it to see Ashley and Beta Luke—Raymond’s beta— standing at the door, luggages in hand.“Is anything wrong? What are you doing here by this time and I hope everything is fine?” It didn’t really bother me to see Beta Luke, but Ashley, I didn’t even like breathing the same air as she did.She pushed the luggage she had with her in front as she scoffed, flipping her hair behind her as she rolled her eyes. “Aren’t you the maid here?” She eyed my clothes.“Why aren’t
ARIA’s POV…“I’ll wash them.” My voice was faint and even though I’d known better than to expect any more from Raymond, I was still disappointed.My heart sank as I raised my head toward Raymond, feeling suffocated by his favoritism towards Ashley. He didn’t seem to bat an eyelid and I clenched my fists as I forced the sourness rising in my throat back down. This wasn’t the time for nausea or any pregnancy related symptoms.“Expecting a parade? Get going.” Ashley nudged with her head as she rolled her eyes.I let out an exhale as I grabbed the box, pushing it with all my might towards the laundry room. As I did, I heard her scowl, her voice lower than usual.“The maids should know their place, don’t you think?” She grumbled. Her voice held so much contempt and she didn’t even bother to disguise it.I ignored her as I went straight to the laundry room, getting straight to work. As I did my work, I couldn’t help but be reminded of Raymond’s words.Ashley is the future Luna of this pack a
ARIA’s POV…“It’s fine. You’ll be fine. Our baby will be fine.” Were the only words I could process in my head from Raymond.How we’d gotten to the hospital from the garden, how I was suddenly getting wheeled into the delivery room— these I didn’t know.What I knew however, was that Raymond was here. He was by my side.“Alpha Raymond, you’re going to have to remain outside.” The doctor said when he realized Raymond wasn’t letting go of my hand.“I can’t. I have to be with her. I won’t bother you with your work. I just want to see her and be sure she’s fine. Please.”I’d never seen Raymond plead with anyone else. His voice was vulnerable, his concern, fear, and care, evident to even the blind.“Fine.” The doctor gave in when he realized Raymond wouldn’t let go of my hand.I was in pain, a lot of pain, but with Raymond’s hand gently caressing mine, I felt a little better.HOURS LATER..“Push!” The doctor urged, Raymond’s hand squeezing even tighter on mine.“You can do this, love. I know
ARIA’s POV…My world stopped.Everything I thought was finally coming into place had crumbled and I had lost it all. I felt as empty as I did the very day my parents let me know I meant nothing to them.“No one would ever accept someone like you as a child, or a mate. To be related to you is shameful enough. I’d suggest you hop on the first person to make a move on you.”Only they didn’t give me that chance. They’d sold me off.Alpha Raymond had been my life. I’d gotten hope to live after he came into my life and I’d thought everything would be fine. Only it wasn’t. He’d rejected me.Like everyone else.The only difference? Unlike everyone else who’d thrown me out of their lives, he’d come back. And he was genuine. He loved me, and I loved him too. I wanted to live. With him. With our child.I couldn’t die. I couldn’t lose our first fight together.“Aria, no!” I heard his voice from afar.Life was fading. I could feel it, but I couldn’t just die. There had to be something I could do.“
RAYMOND’s POV….“What? How?” I yelled, almost losing control and snapping at the doctor. “What the hell is going on, goddamnit?”“Alpha Raymond, please calm down.” Eric tried to calm me, but I couldn’t be calmed.I was losing it, going crazy. With every second that passed, it felt like I was losing her, and losing her meant I was losing myself. I couldn’t deal with it.“She was stabbed, I got here almost immediately, so what fucking poison could be spreading through her right now?” I still had my hands on the doctor and he tried to get away in a respectful manner.“The knife had poison on it. It was a planned murder attempt. She’s still alive right now because you’d brought her here in time.”I let go of him when I heard she was still alive. I knew she was still alive because I could still feel life in my wolf. He would never survive if he’d lost his mate.“And the poison? How are you going to get it out of her?” My voice had lowered now and I felt like a person with imposter syndrom
RAYMOND’s POV…One minute, I’d been celebrating my wisdom and victory. I’d been so proud of the fact that I’d outsmarted Beta Luke who’d tried to flee the pack.The next, Ashley had made her comment.Somewhere within that minute, someone had stabbed Aria, and within that same minute, I’d run over to her, on my knees, holding her unconscious bleeding body in my arms.“Get the damn doctor! An ambulance! Get help!” I screamed like a crazed lunatic, everything in me paralyzed.The guards had seized the attacker, but I could care less at this moment. Right now, I could only think about one thing, one person— Aria. My mate, the love of my life, the woman whose life was now in danger because of me.“Alpha Raymond!”No one mattered at that moment. All that mattered was Aria and saving her life.“Aria, it’s fine. You’re fine. Please.” I muttered, unsure of who I was.I carried her in my arms, rushing out of the mansion immediately. I didn’t know how the black car got here, but I got into it i
RAYMOND’s POV…I could hear the murmurs that followed my announcement and I wasn’t surprised. They’d witnessed everything. They’d been here when I got ‘married’ to Aria. They’d also been here when I took Ashley in and treated Aria like she meant nothing. Now, I’d brought that same woman back. I couldn’t judge them for their murmurs. If I was in their shoes, I’d do the same.“Ashley, Alpha James, Beta Luke.” I called their names with disgust. “You’ve all been screaming to be let go, but never once have you asked what you did wrong. I assume you already know.”The guards brought Luke forward, throwing him at Ashley and her father’s feet and I smirked in satisfaction at the look of utter shock on his face.“You thought your tracks were clean, didn’t you? You thought you could kill everyone off so nothing would be traced back to you and it would be fine, didn’t you?” I clicked my tongue. “Pathetic.”I honestly felt insulted at how easy it’d been to catch all three of them.“I have—I have
ARIA’s POV…“You still won’t tell me why you asked me to come with you?” This was another attempt at getting him to speak, but he didn’t.“You said it was because you didn’t like the idea of leaving me alone at the house, but we know that’s not true. So, tell me the truth. Why am I actually coming?”He took his hand off the steering wheel, gently placing it on mine and smiling reassuringly.“You know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you though, right? You know that whatever I do, I do with your best interests at heart.”I nodded. I’d been running from it for so long, but it was the truth. Lately, I’d come to see that he’d actually changed and everything he did, he actually did for me.“It’s fine if you don’t want to talk about it.”It wasn’t, but I couldn’t say anymore.It had been so sudden, him asking me to return to his pack with him because he was worried something would happen. In the days that passed, he’d managed to calm me about the whole harasser situation and since there’d been
RAYMOND’s POV…“Thank you, doctor.”“You’re welcome. Honestly, I still think it’s too sudden to leave the hospital, but judging from what’s happened, I know it’s best she goes home; to a place she’s more comfortable.”I nodded in agreement. The harasser’s presence in the hospital had startled her and even though I’d let her believe the harasser was dead so she wouldn’t worry anymore, I knew he wasn’t.That man had killed himself too easily to be the harasser. There was someone else and I would find the bastard and make him pay for every single moment of restlessness Aria had been in.“The hospital will make security more uptight, and scrutinize the employees more.” Regret and guilt coated his voice as he took out a file and handed it to me.“Those are his details. Before he died, he’d been in some debts. I’m guessing those will help.”We spoke for a little bit more before he had to excuse himself.I stretched my hand, letting the man behind me take the file before I returned to the w
ARIA’s POV…“Aria.” Raymond rushed in, straight to my side as he pulled me in for a hug. “What happened?” He was referring to the pieces of glass on the floor.“The harasser. They— they—“ I couldn’t get the words out so I just handed him the most recent note from the attacker. “They sent another. It’s not over, Raymond. They’re not done.” I cried.He took the note, sliding it into his pocket, his hand rubbing my back.“It’s fine. All of this will be over soon. I promise you.” He sounded so calm and collected, like it wasn’t my life and that of my baby’s at stake.What did I expect, though? He was an Alpha. He was used to being calm and collected. A knife could be held to his neck and he still wouldn’t show a single emotion.“I just want to go home.” I admitted, my hands still wrapped around him. “I’m tired of being here, of being somewhere that’s not home. It’s suffocating. I can’t stay here anymore.”“Come with me to my house.” I withdrew from the hug, staring at him, confused. “Not t
ARIA’s POV…‘Keep going, Aria. Keep going.’ A voice in my head urged me and even though my feet, vision, and body weren’t in compliance, I kept going.“Aria!” I heard my name again, but this time, the voice was even more faint.I was losing consciousness. I could barely keep up. I needed to get my baby to safety.I kept running, willing to give it my all, when a car suddenly came out of nowhere with blinding headlights. I screamed, coming to an abrupt stop and turning, I crashed into a firm chest.“Argh!”I’d thought it was over for me and it would be one of the men, but it wasn’t. It was the only man I wanted to be with at that moment.“Raymond.” I muttered weakly as his hands came around me, hugging me tightly while his mouth did the pressing of kisses on my head.“It’s fine. You’re fine.”I felt relief wash over me, but I didn’t get to savor it for long. I’d hit my limit. Raymond’s assuring words were the last thing I heard before darkness enveloped the course of my entire being.**