Thirty Six

Thirty Six


AALIYAH 

Could Nikki be waiting for me at the opposite end of the room? I see her standing there. Possibly, I suppose. She's trying to make up for those lash outs, but she shouldn't worry; I've always known her to be sweet, so one argument won't change anything—not that I didn't deserve it anyway.

“How long have you been standing there, Nikki?”

“As long as you can envision." She smirks.

I encircle her with my hands and take comfort in how warm she is. "Thank you so much, but you didn't have to—I'm not a baby. I'll be all right."

"But you're having a baby—our baby," She takes my hand and releases me. "Are you already feeling hungry? Do you need anything?”

"Yes, to a degree. The problem is that having a baby is draining me of strength. I massage my flat belly.”

"Reason why you need to eat"

“True, but without the mixture the chef always adds.”

"Ouch! That's a problem now. I never gave it much thought. Been so accustomed to receiving poor care that it seems normal.” After we enter the room, she makes me sit down on her beautifully laid-out bed. "Are your feet in need of a massage?”

“Nikki, you're doing too much; my legs are not even swollen.” I laugh

"It's not necessary to be. Do you feel stressed?” She doesn't hold off till I answer. "That matters."

"Okay, you win. You can rub your shoulders. She takes it without waiting for me to finish. "I've never been this perplexed, in all honesty. I don't even have control over my life, and now I have to worry about a new baby. What could possibly be worse?”

“I am aware of your worry, but there is always a solution.” Assuringly, she continues to rub my shoulders.

"Really?" I stare at her, tone more of an opposition than a question.

"Why don't you inform the father? He is not a stick. Regarding that, how did it go?” She pauses her massage to get the full gist. Gossip of the year.

“Catastrophic. They must all want to be involved in the baby's life, I suppose. They want to claim it, not just partially. Hector is not having it that the baby is not his.”

“Wow! Now that the baby has a father, yay! Please spill.” Her curious eyes were wide.

"Yeah, sort of. I selected Hudson to gauge his response. They are a group of careless bachelors, so why do they desire kids so badly?”

“I don't know much about rumours, but I heard that they are changing course to become the actual alpha. But who would you choose as the father if you had the option?”

I let out a breath as I consider the question. I might as well simply give it some serious thought since I've never thought of this question before. 

I forced a "Hmm" between my clenched teeth. "Hector makes me feel secure. He's spontaneous, you know, and will act on the smallest whim. He basically does anything to establish his worthiness, but I promise it can get terrifying.” I squint my eyes. "Hudson is just a hopeless romantic and a hard lover. Once he enters, his body, soul, and spirit are all present. He does occasionally need a little push.” I laugh.  "And Hunter...I could go on and on, but let's just say that he's the sweetest and sexiest.” I sarcastically use my hand to fan my face, blushing. " But he is the most obstinate and hardest of all.” I pause, trying not to be curious about the look on her face. "You want to say something, right?"

“Then why did you initially choose Alpha Hudson?" she asks.

"I guess on impulse," I sigh.

"So many parallels to Alpha Hector." She mocks me. "I can tell that you have thoroughly researched these brothers. If you had to ask me, I would say Alpha Hector."

“Why would you?” I try to understand her viewpoint.

“Because it is forbidden to become pregnant while a slave. The foremost no-no. You need someone willing to take extraordinary measures to protect you and your unborn child from danger, no matter how terrifying they may be since Lady Sasha is still on your tail and will soon be on your neck.”

I don't reply, instead thinking about what she just said. She's correct, but only because she doesn't know anything about me. "Have you had a chance to speak with your family? How do they feel?”

"Aaliyah! You often rebel. Maybe you ought to take the initiative.”

I chuckle "Common. Don't you think we just need one person out of here to get the other out?"

"Sweetheart, I won't ever try it. I already have too many errands to worry about adding my head to the list. Even if they did discover where I am, the Orlandos is great compared to my pack, so it would be detrimental rather than beneficial. Given that parents tend to act even when it is not essential, let's put their safety first.”

“Bravo! You're accustomed to receiving poor treatment.”

“There is no other choice, as you will eventually realize.”

When Clair enters the room, she gives me a scathing look. It's rare because she usually just stares and walks away, or worse, insults me  and walks away. But she is strange today. She was the person who came in after me to see the physician. Trust elderly women with their tap-like mouths, especially when they have news as abhorrent as mine. I turn away from her because I don't want to start a battle and know that I will already be defeated if I do.

“Hey!” Nikki begins. "You better keep moving,"  She describes with her head. She seems to be acting more ferociously and wildly overall, or perhaps she's just trying to be a sweet aunt and save my child. However, she is bagging punishment and she seems to not give a damn.

"You disgusting little rag!" Clair fires, "And you, wanna be slimy bitch, you're going to hate yourself for this." she says, referring to me now. 

“Disgusting big rag!” Nikki stands up to stage a fight when I shoot for her arm, almost falling off the bed. She grips me, her focus on me. Clair pushes her and walks off as Nikki falls on me, but is stable enough to balance herself to not harm me. 

"Are you hurt?" She asks in a worried voice.

”No. However, were you planning to attack her? Damn! Nikki, you are way too smart to fall for her cunning trap. She is a moron who tries to blame anyone gullible for her misdeeds.”

“When my hand graces her cheeks, maybe she will be  reborn.”

I stifle a laugh as my head throbs and feels like it might explode. "Nikki, more than anyone else, you terrify me. I am not certain that I know you. Every day brings something fresh.” I laugh out too loud, allowing tears to fall into my eyes.

"I could say the same about you. Hey there, little champ. Be gentle with Mommy so she can defend you.” She massages my stomach.

I grin, wishing the baby would simply comply with her instructions and stop sapping my remaining energy.

"You go and make sure the alphas are behind you. You are going to lose your baby if Lady Sasha gets on your case.” She hugs me, her way of telling me she's right here.