Chapter 75 QUITE JEALOUSY
Adam's POV
I was sitting on the couch with a plate of pastries on my lap and crumbs everywhere, my legs stretched out and my heels resting on Kael’s thighs. The pastries were warm, flaky, and sweet, and I was eating like someone who didn’t know when the next wave of nausea would hit. Which was accurate.
“My feet hurt,” I said, pushing another bite into my mouth. “Like, really hurt. I don’t even understand why. I didn’t do anything today.”
Kael glanced down at my feet and then back up at me, one brow lifting. “You walked from the bed to the couch.”
“Exactly,” I said. “That’s a crime. That distance should not cause pain.”
He gave a quiet laugh and gently lifted one of my feet into his hands. “So the world is cruel to you.”
“Yes,” I said immediately. “Thank you for understanding.”
His thumbs pressed into my arch, slow and careful, and my breath stuttered before I could stop it.
“Oh—”
He smirked. “That bad?”
“That good,” I corrected. “Don’t get confident.”
“I’m already confident,” he said, shifting closer so he could work on my other foot. “I have proof. You mated me.”
“I did not mate you for your massage skills.”
“You absolutely did.”
I snorted. “You’re insufferable.”
“And you love me.”
I opened my mouth to deny it, then sighed and leaned back against the couch instead. “Unfortunately.”
He laughed again, softer this time, and kept massaging like he had all the time in the world. His hands were warm. Steady. He didn’t rush, didn’t press too hard, like he was constantly measuring me, checking for cracks.
Oh,” I breathed before I could stop myself. “Oh. That feels… wow.”
He smiled, that soft, stupid smile he only ever wore with me. “See? Alpha remedies.”
“You’re enjoying this too much,” I muttered.
“I enjoy everything that involves touching you.”
I rolled my eyes but my face felt hot. “You’re being gross.”
“You love it.”
I did. And that made it worse. Better. Both. I leaned back into the couch, watching his fingers move, strong and gentle at the same time. His wolf scent curled around me, calm today, steady. Not overwhelming. Safe.
“You’re spoiling me,” I said after a moment.
“This is not spoiling, I'm trying to make you feel better. And I absolutely love being at your service.” he replied, very proudly.
That shut me up ‘cause I got myself a lovesick Alpha. I reached for another pastry instead, because food was easier than feelings.
There was a knock on the door.
Kael looked up. “Stay put.”
“I wasn’t planning to sprint,” I muttered.
He leaned down and kissed my cheek anyway, lingering just long enough to make my chest ache, then stood and walked across the chamber. The room was wide, open, the bedroom and parlour blending together, so even though I didn’t move, I could hear everything.
“Alpha,” a voice said, pitched too high, too sweet.
I rolled my eyes immediately. Mira.
“Is something wrong?” Kael asked, polite and neutral in that way that meant absolutely nothing emotionally.
“Not at all,” she replied brightly. “I just came to inform you that the seamstress has arrived with sketches for the feast attire.”
“Oh,” Kael said. “Already?”
“Yes. And I thought it best if you came with me to review them. I can help you choose.”
I could picture it too clearly. Her standing too close to Kael. Smiling too much. Tilting her head like she was performing sweetness instead of feeling it.
“And your mate,” she added, and the word sounded wrong in her mouth, “might be more comfortable resting. Given his… health.”
My fingers tightened around my plate.
“He’s right here,” Kael said.
“Yes, but that’s exactly my point,” Mira continued smoothly. “People are already talking. Speculating. It might help if you stopped bringing him out so often. Let the gossip die down. Keeping him in would be kinder. It would loosen the questions about what he is and what’s going on.”
Kinder.
The word felt like a blade.
I know she's a mean girl, but maybe she was right. Maybe every time I walked beside Kael, I made things worse. A human. Sick. Weak. Too visible, in a bad way. Maybe I am affecting Kael's image poorly.
Kael’s voice sharpened. “You will not speak about my mate like that again.”
There was a pause. Long enough that my stomach flipped.
“I was only trying to help,” Mira said lightly.
“You were trying to decide what is best for him,” Kael replied. “That is not your place.”
“I’m thinking of the pack.”
“I am thinking of my mate.”
There was silence. Then Mira laughed lightly, like she hadn’t just crossed a line. “I only meant—”
“You meant to decide what is best for me and my mate,” Kael cut in. “That is not your place.”
“I was trying to help you.”
“You will help by remembering your position,” he said. “I will come out in a moment. With my mate.”
Another pause. I could almost hear Mira swallowing.
“Of course,” she said tightly. “I’ll wait.”
The door closed.
I exhaled, my chest suddenly tight. Relief hit first, warm and overwhelming, and then guilt followed right behind it, sharp and ugly.
Why did I need that? Why did it matter so much that he chose me out loud?
My hand drifted to my stomach without thinking, resting there like it had a mind of its own.
Something fluttered.
Not pain. Not nausea. Just… movement? Pressure? I didn’t know. My thoughts tangled instantly. Was that real? Was that normal? Was I imagining things because I was stressed and insecure and spiraling like always?
“What was that?” I whispered.
Kael crossed the room quickly and dropped to his knees in front of me, his arms sliding around my waist before I could even speak. His mouth pressed to my neck, then my jaw, then my cheek, kissing me everywhere like he was trying to reassure himself I was still here.
“Kael,” I laughed weakly. “Stop.”
He didn’t. “You’re so beautiful.”
“Kael—”
“I love you.”
I tried to push him away and failed completely. “You’re being ridiculous again.”
“I’m being honest again.”
I started giggling despite myself. “You’re impossible.”
He finally pulled back just enough to look up at me, his hands still firm around my waist. “Will you come with me to choose what we’ll wear for the feast?”
In my head, the answer was instant. Absolutely not letting that loud-mouth girl get her way.
Out loud, I said, “Yes.”
His smile softened. “Good. And you will tell me immediately if you feel tired. Or uncomfortable. Or in pain.”
“I will,” I promised.
We stepped into the main hall together.
The seamstress bowed deeply. “Luna.”
The word landed gently, respectfully. For the first time, I liked it. I liked how it sounded, from her.
I smiled at her. She smiled back.
She laid out the sketches, explaining each one carefully. When I said I wanted something loose but elegant, she nodded and quickly drew another design right there.
“Thank you for listening.” I said without thinking. It's the first time anyone, other than Kael, has been nice to me around here.
“It is my duty,” she replied kindly.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“Heather.”
“Ma’am Heather,” I said, a little nervous. “Can I ask for something that might inconvenience you?”
She shook her head immediately. “It is never an inconvenience to serve the Luna. Please ask.”
“Can I see the sewing process?” I asked. “I’m just curious. And suddenly interested.”
Her face lit up. “Of course. It would be a pleasure.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s an honour.”
Kael smiled at me. “It seems my love is about to successfully find a hobby.”
“I think so,” I said.
A guard stepped in and bowed. “Alpha, there’s a woman at the gate requesting to see your mate.”
“What?” Kael said.
“Me?” I added.
“She’s been standing outside the gate for hours,” the guard continued. “She’s refused to leave until we let her see your mate.”
Kael frowned. “Who did she say she is?”
The guard swallowed. “She’s claiming to be your mate’s mother.”
“What?”