Chapter 12 Chapter 12
Chapter 12
\- Aria -
I held my stomach and tried to fall asleep but it was difficult.
I could not even feel sorry for myself, but for my baby. I did not know what it took for me to finally find sleep in that condition until I felt a strong but gentle hand over me and jerked up.
"Easy now," I heard a soft voice that almost sounded like a whisper. Though the sound was soft, like silent waves of an ocean, it did not take out the element of masculinity.
Deep and hoarse but still gentle. Jason was sitting on the bed beside me, and even in the dim light of the darkness, his face shone, and his handsomeness could not be hidden, definitely not intimidated by the night. I could say the night was rather intimidated by him because he used it to his advantage.
I struggled to sit up, and he held out his hands, but I was too nervous to take them.
"Alpha..." I called with uncertainty. "Good evening Alpha."
"Good evening, Luna," he replied and my heart skipped a beat. "Why did you not come down for dinner? Have you had anything to eat tonight?"
"I uhm...," I cleared my throat because my voice was embarrassingly almost inaudible. "I am not really hungry."
I know I have been betrayed, one deep enough that it might leave me shattered for life, but even my organs decided to betray me as well.
Immediately I said I was not hungry, my stomach rumbled loudly. So loud that if it could speak, it might be trying to prove its points without leaving any doubts that I was hungry.
I rested my hands over it as if trying to shut it up and looked down in embarrassment.
"Aria, you know you are pregnant." Jason's eyes were steady on me. "Why would you starve yourself and the baby?"
"I am sorry but I was trying to stay away," I said in a quiet voice. "When I came to you this evening..."
"Hey..." He placed one big finger over my small lips and our eyes locked for a moment. "Aria I am terribly sorry. I did not mean to hurt your feelings, but my emotions got the better of me. That is not even an excuse. Can you forgive me?"
I held nothing against him actually. I understood it might be hard for him. Natasha had mentioned and even though it's been five years, he must have loved his mate so much. If only mine loved me half as much, perhaps I wouldn't be here.
"Can you forgive me?" He asked again, pushing for an answer. How could I remain mad at him? I nodded.
"Good," he moved his finger away and my eyes followed his movements. "You don't deserve to feel any less here. I offered this marriage. I marked you. Even though we both have different motives for it, you don't have to suffer. It would make me no better than the previous man you have been with. You can come to me anytime you want and talk to me about anything. You are, after all, my wife now, and Luna of my pack. Come now, you must eat before we starve that baby to death."
I wanted to get down from the bed, but he had stood up before me and, in one single, swift motion, scooped me into his arms.
I did not even have a moment to relish that, he kept his face straight and walked down the hallway to the dining room.
His arms were huge, and I felt tiny in them, though they wrapped around me protectively. He dropped me gently to the ground and my jaw tightened when I met the thunderous look on Natasha's face.
I was not even expecting she'd be here. I had thought this was just a family dinner. I mean, the alpha and Luna or other family members. Then what is she doing here?
I swallowed hard. Natasha might actually hold a very high place in Alpha Jason's life for him to regard her in this manner.
It also means I wouldn't be able to stand any chance around her.
And she is not pleased with me being here.
Alpha Jason spoke in the tension between us, probably oblivious of it.
He held out the chair for me and I sat. He went on to dish the food for me and I could feel the fire from Natasha's eyes.
I felt very uncomfortable and ate carefully. Everyone had returned to their meal but I felt very seen, especially as I was seated opposite Natasha. She was seated at his left while I was at his right.
At some point, she tried to ignore me and have conversations with Jason, but he'd always turn to me more often.
"What are you doing?" Jason called my attention. "Why are you eating like you are trying to lose weight when you should be having a big appetite?"
I gave him a small smile and tried to fetch a bigger portion. He shook his head, not impressed and took the spoon from me. He dug into the plate, getting a generous portion.
I tried to take the spoon from him.
"Thank..." I was saying as I reached for it but he had other intentions. He ignored my hand, leaning closer and directing the spoon to my mouth.
I almost panicked, especially as Natasha dropped her spoon heavily on her plate. I tried to look at her but Jason held my face in place. I opened my mouth slowly and he put the food in.
I started to chew and looked up to meet Natasha's angry gaze. It caught me off guard that I almost choked and Jason hurried to give me water, helping it to my lips like he did with the food.
Natasha stood up abruptly.
"Thank you for the meal. I'll return to my chambers now," she said her voice a contrast of the volumes her eyes spoke.
She walked away without waiting for any response.