Jamal Kunis POV
I was ecstatic when I heard the news of Methis’s pregnancy. I had just left the meeting with the wolf clan elders, where we had discussed our plans to escape from the dragon clan’s tyranny.
But as much as I cared about the fate of my people, I cared more about Methis. She was the only thing that mattered to me, the only thing that made me happy. She was my mate, my queen, my everything.
And weird as it was, I was really starting to feel that way.
I had been busy with wolf clan affairs for the past month, trying desperately to avoid her and I missed her terribly. I wanted to see her, touch her, hold her. But she had asked me for some distance, and I had reluctantly agreed. She said she needed some time to adjust to this world, to this life. She said she was grateful for everything I had done for her, but she was still confused and scared.
I hated that she felt that way. I hated that I couldn’t make her feel safe and loved. I hated that she didn’t love me back.
As a 33-year-old Lycan King, I believed I could control my emotions, but this human girl always seemed to easily provoke them. She made me feel things I had never felt before, things that were both wonderful and painful. She made me feel vulnerable, possessive, protective, jealous, and obsessed.
She made me feel alive.
She also made me feel like something was gradually slipping out of my control, which troubled me greatly. I was used to being in charge, being respected, being feared. But with her, I felt like I was losing my grip on everything.
I didn’t know what to do with her, or with myself.
Returning to my room, I saw her lying on the bed, reading a book. She looked up when she heard me enter, and smiled softly.
She had gained some weight since she became pregnant, and it suited her well. Her cheeks were fuller, her curves were rounder, her skin was glowing. She looked even cuter than before.
I wanted to hug her, pinch her cheeks, and kiss her lips. I wanted to tell her how much I cared about her, how much I wanted her, how much I needed her.
But I didn’t.
I walked over to her and said in a calm voice, “Methis.”
She put down the book and said in a polite voice, “Jamal.”
She got up from the bed and served me as she always did. She brought me some water, some food, some clothes. She acted like a servant, not a mate.
I hated that too.
I took her in my arms and kissed her hard. She kissed me back, but without passion. She moved her lips mechanically, without emotion.
She acted like a tool, not a lover.
I hated that most of all.
I moved my hand over her belly and said in a gentle voice, “So, now you’re pregnant...”
She remained silent for a moment, as though trying to gather herself, then she nodded and said in a quiet voice, “Yes?”
She didn’t seem particularly happy or excited about it. Just seemed resigned and indifferent. I guess I should have expected that, after all she didn’t ask to be here at all, she was here against her will.
She acted like a mother, not a partner.
I hated that more than anything.
I said in a soft voice, “I was thinking, nou’re pregnant with my heir. You don’t need to serve me anymore, some things are going to change.”
She looked at me with surprise and said in a confused voice, “What do you mean?”
I said in a tender voice, “You can stay here and rest. I will take care of you and our child.”
She looked at me with disbelief and said in a skeptical voice, “Why?”
I said in a sincere voice, “Because you have done well, Methis. You have given me what I wanted.”
She looked at me with doubt and said in a wary voice, “What did you want?”
I said in an honest voice, “A way out of all this, an heir, and now I know I have one, you shall be repaid generously.”
She looked at me with shock and said in a stunned voice, “Me?”
I nodded and said in a simple voice, “Yes.”
She shook her head, "I don't understand, why? This wasn't what we agreed on, this isn't in the terms of the contract."
I shrugged, "The contract is still valid, don't get me wrong. What I am saying is that I think you deserve greater compensation for it all, for all I have put you through."
"Jamal-"
I kissed her belly and said in a grateful voice, “Thank you, Methis. Thank you for carrying my child.” Gently wrapping my hands around her waist, I laid my head on the small bump, resting there for a while, a contented smile on my face. She stood there, her hands hanging firmly by her side, an uncomfortable silence spreading between us as she said nothing.
I didn't mind, I was with her, and my child. It was peaceful, and that was enough for me.
She looked at me with sadness and said in a sorrowful voice, “I’m sorry, Jamal. I’m sorry for not loving you back.”
I smiled inwardly, it was cute, the way she had developed some kind of affection towards me. Giving her bump one last kiss, I stood up and kissed her forehead too before separating from her.
She looked flustered from the kiss, her nostrils flaring a little bit as she blushed furiously.
I shook my head and said in a forgiving voice, “It’s okay, Methis. You don’t have to love me. You just have to stay with me.”
She looked at me with pity and said in a regretful voice, “I can’t do that, Jamal. I can’t stay with you forever.”
I frowned and said in a raised voice almost demanding, “Why not?"
"Because that's not what we agreed upon, that's not what the contract says Jamal, and you know it."
"Fine then," I said casually, "You are my surrogate mate aren't you, Methis?"
She nodded, "Yes, that and only that, nothing more."
I glanced at her, "Good, then you belong to me, at least for now”
She looked at me with fear and said in a trembling voice, “ I have a family, Jamal. A family that I miss and love. A family that I want to see again.”
"You mean the family that sold you out?" I asked, leaning towards her, a smile playing on my face. "Basically to slavery, disguised at surrogacy."
"It was only supposed to be for a while." She said, her voice quivering as she looked down at her feet, unable to meet my eyes.
"That's not a sign that they loved you." I scoffed, sticking my hands in my pockets and taking a few steps back to give her some space, she was obviously in quite some distress.
"You don't know anything about them."
"I know I wouldn't have sold you if I loved you so much."
I clenched my jaw and said in a cold voice, “You can’t go back, Methis. You can’t go back to your world. You can’t go back to your family. You’re mine now, Methis. Mine and only mine. For as long as this contract lasts.
She looked at me with anger and said in a defiant voice, “No, Jamal. I’m not yours. I’m not your mate, your queen, your everything. I’m a human, Jamal. A human who wants to be free.”
I stepped forward, pulling her into a hug as she tried to fight back. But I was bigger, way bigger. And much stronger, she fought in vain.
She tried to push me away but I held her tight and said in a furious voice, “You’re not going anywhere, Methis. You’re staying here with me and our child. You’re staying here until you learn to at the very least tolerate me.”
She looked at me with despair and said in a hopeless voice, “I’ll never love you, Jamal. I’ll never love you as long as I live.”
I looked at her with determination and said in a firm voice, “Then you’ll live a long time, Methis. A long time with me and our child. A long time under the red moon.”
She remained still, just staring at me in shock while I turned around and left the room.
Preparations had to be made, she had to be protected at all costs. But first, I had to make a public announcement.
The wait was over, my heir was here.