Chapter 69 HIS EMBRACE
It was past midnight when Kael finally gave up on the mat on the floor.
He lay down beside the bed instead, close enough that his shoulder brushed the edge of the bed frame, close enough that if Adam moved even a little, Kael would feel it. The room was quiet in the way only late nights could be: no footsteps in the hall, no murmurs from guards, just the low hum of the pack house settling into sleep.
Adam lay on the bed with his back to Kael, eyes closed.
He wasn’t asleep.
His body felt wrong, heavy, empty, hollow, and burning at the same time. His stomach twisted painfully, hunger clawing at him, but the idea of getting up felt impossible. He hadn’t eaten since yesterday. Kael had tried but Adam had sunk so deep into his sadness that time had slipped past him. Somewhere in his head, a cruel thought had taken root: ‘If I don’t eat, maybe I’ll faint and I’ll wake up somewhere else. Somewhere where this wasn’t happening. Somewhere where I'm not pregnant.’
But now the hunger was unbearable. His mouth felt dry. His limbs weak. Still, he couldn’t move. It was like the bed had swallowed him whole.
‘Please,’ he thought silently. ‘Please check on me again.’ he wished Kael would check on him again so he can use the means to help himself get up.
He promised himself, desperately, that if Kael touched him again, if Kael asked again, he would answer. He would grab Kael’s hand and let himself be pulled out of this dark, sticky place.
A moment passed.
Then another…
Before he felt it.
A gentle caress, slow and careful, against his back.
Adam sucked in a shaky breath and slowly turned his head. Kael was already looking at him, blue eyes dark and glassy, filled with emotions so deep it hurt to see. Love, fear, hope… all tangled together.
Adam opened his mouth. He wanted to say something, anything at all, but no sound came out.
Kael spoke first, voice rough and low. “Hey, baby.”
“Hi,” Adam whispered, the word barely audible.
Kael didn’t comment on how small it sounded. He climbed onto the bed instead, pulling Adam carefully into his arms and hugging him tight. Adam melted into it immediately, clutching at Kael’s shirt like it was the only solid thing left in the world.
They stayed like that for a long moment.
When Kael finally loosened his hold, he didn’t pull away completely. His forehead rested against Adam’s hair.
“I can feel your distress,” Kael said quietly. “Are you in pain?”
Adam nodded, tears burning behind his eyes.
“Where?” Kael asked softly.
“Everywhere,” Adam whispered, and wrapped his arms around Kael again, burying his face against his chest.
Kael’s hand moved in slow circles on Adam’s back.
“It's okay my love,” he murmured. “You’ll be fine. Just breathe with me.”
They breathed together until the tight knot in Adam’s chest eased just a little.
After a while, Adam pulled back and looked up at Kael. His eyes were red, his voice small.
“I’m hungry.”
Kael blinked, then smiled; a soft, relieved smile. “I’ll go get food.”
Adam’s hands tightened in Kael’s shirt. “Don’t go.”
Kael stilled. “Baby?”
“I feel better when you’re close,” Adam said, shaking his head. “Please.”
Kael kissed his forehead. “I won’t be long. You need to eat.”
Adam shook his head again.
“How about you come with me?” Kael asked, suggestively.
“No. I don’t want anyone to see me.”
“It’s past midnight,” Kael said gently. “Everyone’s asleep. Just guards. And I know how to get us to the kitchen without being noticed.”
Adam hesitated, then nodded. “Okay.”
Kael stood and lifted Adam easily, Adam’s legs wrapping around his waist, arms looping around his neck. Adam pressed his face into Kael’s shoulder as they moved through the halls.
Kael moved silently, sneaking in the shadows like a spy or rather a thief in the night.
They almost made it…
But the kitchen door creaked loudly as Kael pushed it open.
Adam flinched. A guard turned, eyes widening as he marched towards the noise. The guard then immediately bowed as he saw Kael.
“My Alpha.”
Kael nodded. “Go back to your post.”
The guard left without a word.
Adam let out a surprised laugh, short and breathless. “Oh my goodness, why did that feel like we're about to get in trouble? Jeez.”
Kael froze for a second, then smiled wide, his chest warming instantly. “There it is, my mate laughing. So pleasing.” he murmured.
Adam snorted softly. “I forgot how ridiculous this place is at night.”
The kitchen lights were low, but the space was massive. Adam looked around in awe. “This kitchen is… huge. This could be two bedrooms and a sitting room.”
Kael set him on the counter. “It feeds everyone who lives and works here, in the pack house.”
“You can cook?” Adam asked skeptically.
Kael raised an eyebrow. “Of course.”
“I thought we were stealing leftovers.”
“No leftovers at this hour.”
“Why? It's forbidden? Or everyone somehow eats an exact amount of food to make sure there are no leftovers at the end of the day?”
Kael let out a brief laugh, wondering why Adam would think of possibilities as to why there are no leftovers.
“Leftovers are normally given away at the end of the day.” Kael said, already moving. “I’ll make something quick.”
Adam whined. “You better not poison me.”
Kael laughed softly. “Trust me. I'm a great cook.”
He cooked fast and simple, moving with easy confidence. When the food was ready, he fed Adam right there, bite by bite. Adam ate slowly at first, then faster, like his body had been waiting for permission.
When they finished, Kael helped Adam down from the counter. “I absolutely want to carry you but you ou have to walk. We need the food to digest, and little work back to our chamber will help.”
Adam groaned. “You’re cruel.”
“Just practical.”
They walked back slowly. When they reached the room, Kael guided Adam to the couch instead of the bed.
“Sit, you shouldn't lay down immediately after eating.” Kael said gently.
Adam climbed onto his lap, straddling him, and Kael wrapped his arms around him immediately.
“Feeling better?” Kael asked.
“Yes,” Adam whispered. “Thank you.”
Kael held him tighter. “Thank you, my love.”
He didn’t say anything else. He didn’t need to, because for the first time in days, Adam up and speaking to him and he laughed and ate something and walked in… and let him touch and even hug him. Kael is happy. He hugged Adam tighter; unable to express, in any way, how much this means to him.