The Alpha's Unwanted Bride

Chapter 693: UNCOMFORTABLE

Training nearly broke me that morning.

Not in the way pain usually does.

Being sharp, immediate, obvious.

But in a quieter, more terrifying way.

Like something inside me was being pried at with patience.

The elders had brought me back to the standing stones, the same circle where the wind never stopped singing.

My feet were bare against the cool ground, my palms slick with sweat, my back aching under the weight of my belly.

"Breathe," the eldest murmured again. "Into the spine."

I did.

I always did.

The pull came faster this time.

Stronger.

My wolf surged upward, furious and desperate, clawing against something unseen.

I gasped as the pressure slammed into my ribs, my vision flashing white for a heartbeat.

Then there was a crack.

Not sound.

Sensation.

Like a seam tearing.

I cried out, instinctively clutching my stomach as my knees buckled.

Hands caught me immediately.

"Enough," the elder snapped.

The world steadied slowly, my breath coming in ragged pulls. The baby kicked hard, distressed, as if reacting to my panic.

"What was that?" I demanded hoarsely. "Something changed."

The elder’s face smoothed too quickly.

"Nothing you need concern yourself with," he said. Too calmly.

I stared at him. "You saw something didn’t you? Because I felt something."

A pause.

Brief.

Dangerous.

"We are close," he said instead. "Very close. But not yet."

My chest tightened. "I’m exhausted. My baby could come at any time. The plan is for me to unleash my wolf so that I can go through my birth successfully."

"You will be ready," another elder said gently. "It is only a matter of days."

Days.

They always said days.

They dismissed me shortly after that, insisting I rest. My legs trembled as I walked away, the echo of my wolf still rattling inside me like a beast locked in too small a cage.

Something was wrong.

I could feel it.

❧

The massage chambers smelled of warm oil and crushed herbs.

Normally, that scent calmed me.

Today, it made my skin prickle.

As I slipped out of my training robe and reached for the soft linen dress prepared for me, I sensed movement behind me.

I turned.

She stood there again.

The same midwife from before.

Older. Severe. Her posture too straight, her gaze too intent and her smile too fixated.

She made my skin crawl.

"Good day your majesty." She said evenly in her soft voice that should make me pleased but rather made me uncomfortable. "I’m here for your session,"

My stomach dropped.

Seeing her here, while her body touched me.

I didn’t want it.

"No," I said immediately.

She blinked. "Excuse me?"

"I said no," I repeated, sharper now. "I won’t be having a massage today. Especially not with you."

Her lips pressed together.

"That is what I am assigned to do your majesty." She stated

"And I’m declining," I snapped. "Thank you, but your services are no longer needed."

Something flickered in her eyes.

Annoyance.

Not concern.

"I insist," she said. "You need to have me-

"I decide what I need," I cut in. My voice shook, but I held her gaze. "Please leave."

Silence.

Then she turned abruptly and exited the room.

My hands trembled as I continued dressing, my heart pounding too fast.

Why did she keep appearing?

Why did it feel like she was watching me rather than caring for me?

A knock sounded at the door.

I froze.

"Yes?" I called cautiously.

The head she-wolf entered, her expression apologetic, practiced.

"My apologies," she said. "My staff informed me you were upset."

"I wasn’t upset," I replied. "I was uncomfortable."

"Is there something wrong with the care you’re receiving?"

"I don’t want her," I said simply.

She nodded with a calm smile. "Of course. We can arrange another masseuse."

"Can you arrange Lydia?" I asked.

The hesitation was instant.

Brief..... but real.

"I’m afraid not," she said smoothly. "Lydia resigned."

"Just like that?"

"Yes."

No explanation.

No concern.

No curiosity.

"I’m not interested anymore," I said, my voice flat. I stepped past her and shut the door firmly.

As I left the chambers, I could feel it.

Eyes.

Following me.

The women watching from doorways. The way conversation stilled just a beat too long when I passed.

The head she-wolf caught up to me at the stairs.

"We truly hope you’ll allow us to assist you later," she said carefully. "You’ll need proper care if you want to deliver your baby safely."

That did it.

I stopped and turned on her.

"I don’t need threats dressed as concern," I said coldly. "I am the one who decides what is safe for my child. Not you."

Her expression tightened.

"My apologies," she murmured. "Of course. I never meant any harm."

I turned and saw their eyes on me before they all hastily pretended not to be aware.

It made me further upset, now I looked like the crazy mad woman.

I descended the wide stone steps toward the waiting carriage, my heart racing.

This place was watching me.

Managing me.

And I didn’t know why.

❧

It happened just before I reached the carriage.

A servant rushed past me, arms full of folded towels, head bowed. She collided lightly with my shoulder.

"Oh! Forgive me, my lady," she said quickly, bending to gather the fallen cloth.

"It’s fine," I said automatically.

As our hands brushed, she leaned closer.

Her voice dropped to a whisper so soft it barely stirred the air.

"If you truly want to find Lydia," she said, eyes never lifting, "follow the fireflies at midnight tonight."

My breath caught.

"What?" I whispered.

She was already gone.

The towels gone.

The corridor empty.

If I wasn’t sure if had happened, I would have believed I had been hallucinating due to how quickly it had happened

I stood there frozen, my heart hammering violently against my ribs.

Fireflies.

Midnight.

Lydia hadn’t resigned.

She had disappeared.

And whatever was happening in this place.

Whatever they were preparing me for here

I was no longer sure my father was telling me everything.

I placed both hands over my belly, grounding myself.

"I won’t let them hurt you," I whispered.

But for the first time since arriving here, I wasn’t sure who they were anymore.

And that terrified me.