Chapter 80 PREGNANCY SOUP
Adam's POV
“Baby, are you done?”
Kael’s voice came through the bedroom door, low and impatient in that way that meant he’d already asked at least twice.
“I’m coming,” I called back, laughing.
I pulled on a loose shirt and shorts, rubbed a towel through my damp hair, and stepped out of the closet barefoot. Kael was standing by the bed with his arms crossed, brows drawn together like he’d been guarding the door the whole time.
“You’ve been in there forever,” he said.
“I bathed myself like a capable adult,” I replied. “You should be proud.”
His eyes dropped to my bare legs and then slowly dragged back up. “I was worried you slipped.”
I snorted. “In a dry bathroom?”
“You fainted yesterday.”
“That was different.”
“Everything is different now,” he said quietly.
I rolled my eyes and walked closer. “Relax, Alpha Paranoid.”
He sighed and gestured toward the table. “Sit. You don’t want that to get cold.”
I turned and froze.
On the table was… a lot.
A wide bowl filled with steaming soup that looked thick and dark. A huge ass fish laid flat on a plate, drenched in sauce and herbs. And a full glass of water placed right in the center like it was sacred.
I slowly sat down. “Yeah,” I said carefully. “This looks… really hot. And very unusual for breakfast.”
Kael pulled out the chair across from me but didn’t sit. “The soup is really good for you at this early stage of pregnancy. The physician had to make it herself. I couldn’t ask the kitchen.”
“Why not?”
“We can’t let words spread before the official announcement.”
I nodded slowly, picked up the spoon, and dipped it into the soup. The smell hit me first.
I tasted it.
My face twisted immediately. “Jeez. It’s bitter. I can’t eat this.”
Kael didn’t even ask surprised, he knew it tastes bitter. “It’s medicine. You have to eat it.”
“But it’s really bitter,” I whined, pushing the bowl slightly away.
“The fish tastes good,” he said patiently. “You can eat the fish after the soup.”
I groaned. “This is torture.”
“I cooked the fish myself,” he added calmly. “I went fishing alone early this morning. I knew you wouldn’t like the soup. I had to make sure your breakfast included something really tasty.”
I stared at him. “You… went fishing?”
“Yes.”
“Alone?”
“Yes.”
“At dawn?”
“Yes.”
I sighed dramatically. “You sure know how to sweet-talk me.”
He smiled, slow and pleased.
“Fine,” I muttered. “I’ll eat the soup. Or porridge. Or poison. Whatever this is.”
“Good,” he said warmly. “You’re doing so well.”
That praise hit me right in the chest. My ears heated up and I looked down quickly, scooping another spoonful.
I forced myself to eat. Spoon after spoon. I made a face every time. By the time I reached halfway through the bowl, I grabbed the fish like it was a lifeline.
“Oh,” I said after the first bite. “Okay. This is really good.”
“I know,” he said.
I ate more eagerly, then glanced up. “Why aren’t you eating?”
“I’ll eat later,” he replied. “I enjoy watching you eat.”
I squinted at him. “That’s… unsettling.”
“The fish is too big for only me,” I added. “It’ll taste even better if you eat with me.”
He tilted his head. “I was hoping you’d eat the entire fish.”
I laughed. “How can I possibly eat this whole thing? You want me to get fat?”
“Oh,” he said thoughtfully. “They say pregnant omegas eat a lot. I was hoping to see you eat a lot. I want to feed you so much food.”
I narrowed my eyes. “That sounds like a threat. Why do you want to feed me so much food? And I’m not omega.”
“Why would I threaten my mate?” he asked, offended. “I’m just really excited.”
“Eat,” I said, pushing the plate toward him.
He hummed and picked up a fork, but instead of focusing on the food, he kept looking at me. He ate maybe three bites total.
“Stop staring,” I said.
“I can’t,” he replied easily.
After breakfast, he stood up. “I’m stepping out for a moment. I’ll be back soon.”
“I’m coming with you,” I said immediately.
“No,” he replied.
I frowned. “Why not?”
“The physician said not to stress you.”
“I’m pregnant, not disabled.”
He sighed deeply. “Alright,” he said. “Go change.”
“What?”
“Change what you’re wearing.”
I looked down at myself. “What’s wrong with this?”
“It’s too revealing.”
I raised a brow. “Revealing what? My legs? My arms? My head?”
“Yes,” he said seriously. “Your legs and arms and everything. You can’t wear shorts outside this room.”
I burst out laughing. “Wow.”
“Baby, I’m not trying to control what you wear,” he said quickly. “It’s just… your legs are too beautiful for anyone else to see. And your arms. The sun must not kiss your skin longer than I have. And this thing you’re wearing makes you look so small and pretty. Please wear something else.”
I stared at him. “Small and pretty?”
“Yes.”
“Kael,” I said flatly. “I’m 5’11.”
He blinked. “Five eleven?”
“Yes.”
“Is that your age?”
“What?”
“Five hundred and eleven?” he asked seriously.
“My gosh,” I groaned. “You’re impossible. I mean five foot eleven inches. That’s my height.”
“Oh,” he said slowly. “That’s not very much. I’m looking at the middle of your head. You're not up to my chest.”
“That’s because you’re so fucking huge,” I snapped. “Fine. I’ll change so I don’t appear tiny and cute to my monster-height boyfriend.”
He laughed as I stormed into the closet. “Boyfriend? A boy friend— what — I'm your mate. Your Alpha. Not a boy friend.”
“Cool. I've heard you.” I yelled.
I came out in long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. “Are you okay now?”
“Yes,” he said instantly. “Now don’t be too annoyed. You’ll get stressed.”
He ruffled my hair.
I hissed and took a deep breath. He laughed.
The moment we stepped outside the hall, a messenger approached and bowed. “It’s for the Luna. From the seamstress.”
Kael opened it. “It’s an invite. With her address. To come watch the sewing process.”
I snatched it. “Why go through the stress of making a fancy invite like it’s a party? She’s so nice.”
“You’re not leaving the pack house,” Kael said. “She’ll have to come here.”
“She’s already doing us a favor,” I argued. “You can’t make her come here just because I want to watch her work.”
“She won’t mind.”
Another guard approached. “Alpha. Star Moon sent messages yesterday demanding the release of a woman they claim we captured.”
“Captured?” Kael repeated.
“We sent back words stating that we have not captured anyone, especially not a Star Moon woman,” the guard said. “But I think they mean the woman who claims to be your mate’s mother. And Vance has come, requesting to see you, I think for the same reason.”
Kael turned to me. “Baby, you’ll go back inside.”
“Why? I can come with you.”
“No,” he said firmly. “The man I’m meeting is from Star Moon, and I already have bad blood with him before now. I don’t want any evil eyes on you.”
He kissed my forehead. “Come on. I’ll escort you.”
My chest tightened, but I nodded.
As we walked back inside, my thoughts spun. Breakfast. Soup. Fish. Mother. Star Moon. Pregnancy. Protection.
Too many changes. Too fast.
But Kael’s hand never left mine.
And that's the only reason I'm still sane.