Chapter 94 SUDDENLY BETTER
Adam woke up before the light fully settled into the room.
He lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, listening to his own breathing. His body felt… light. Not buzzing, not cold, no crawling sensation along his arms, no prickling on his neck. He slowly lifted his hand from under the blanket and pressed his fingers against his forearm.
Smooth, calm, and normal. The goosebumps were gone.
He pushed himself up, half-expecting the familiar wave of dizziness. It didn’t come. Instead, warmth spread through his chest, steady and pleasant. His head felt clear. His limbs didn’t ache. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood.
Still fine.
“Okay,” he muttered to himself. “That’s new.”
Kael stirred beside him, eyes opening immediately, alert even before he was fully awake. “You’re up early.”
Adam turned with a grin that surprised even him. “I feel good.”
Kael sat up. Relief crossed his face so fast Adam almost missed it, but it didn’t settle. It hovered, fragile. “Good… how?”
“Like,” Adam stretched his arms over his head, “actually good. No chills. No weird skin thing. I slept through the night.”
Kael was out of bed in seconds, hands already on Adam’s arms, his shoulders, his back. “Any pain?”
“No.”
“Dizziness?”
“No.”
Kael studied his face, searching. “Too tired?”
Adam laughed softly. “You’re annoying.”
Kael exhaled, pulling him into a brief embrace anyway. “You scared me.”
Adam rested his forehead against Kael’s chest for a moment. He could feel the steady beat of Kael’s heart. Strong. Certain. “I’m fine,” he said, and this time, it didn’t feel like a lie.
They ate together later, sunlight spilling across the table. Adam actually finished most of his food, which earned him a quiet, suspicious look from Kael.
“Don’t stare,” Adam said, chewing. “You’ll jinx it.”
“I’m just… relieved,” Kael replied.
Adam tilted his head. “You don’t sound relieved.”
“I am,” Kael said. Then, after a pause, “I’m also uneasy.”
Adam waved a hand. “You’re always uneasy. I guess it comes with the Alpha package.”
Kael snorted, just as a knock sounded at the door.
“I’ll get it,” Kael said, already rising.
Adam leaned back against his chair, watching through the sheer curtain that divided the bedroom from the sitting area. He saw Mira the moment Kael opened the door. She stood there with a neat smile and an entire heap of parchment tucked under her arm.
“I brought documents you need to review,” she said, voice sweet.
Kael reached for them. “You could’ve left them with my Beta.”
She smiled wider and stepped inside anyway. “It’s quite a lot. I thought I’d help.”
Adam watched her cross the room like she's so familiar with the space, watched her drop the papers onto the table and lean in closer to Kael than necessary. Kael said something low, firm. Mira laughed softly, brushing a curl behind her ear.
Adam felt his appetite vanish.
After a few moments, Mira straightened, pouting just slightly. “Very well. I’ll leave you to it.”
When she was gone, Adam pushed the curtain aside and walked out. “She’s always so extra.”
Kael turned immediately. “Are you done eating?”
Adam shrugged. “I lost my appetite.”
Kael frowned. “Do you want me to bring something else? Something that might—”
“No,” Adam cut in gently. “Let me help you review the papers.”
Kael hesitated, then nodded. “Okay.”
He gathered the parchments and moved them to the couch, sitting back so Adam could lean comfortably against him. Adam picked up one sheet, squinting at the writing.
“Why do you guys use parchment paper?” he asked. “Are you still in the stone age?”
Kael chuckled. “I don’t think the stone age used parchment.”
“Yeah, well,” Adam sighed, “I just wanted to say something ‘cause I barely understand anything here.”
Kael leaned closer, voice warm. “It’s alright. Just read and ask questions. I love listening to your voice.”
Adam’s ears warmed. He flipped through the stack, pretending not to notice the way Kael’s arm rested protectively around him. One envelope stood out— sealed, neat, and fancy.
He picked it up. “This one’s from Vance.”
Kael took it from him. “It’s a confirmation of his arrival.”
Adam nodded. “Yeah. I almost forgot tomorrow is the feast.”
They kept reading. Adam asked questions. Kael explained patiently. Somewhere between land disputes and guest lists, Adam found himself talking about Sara.
“I want to go out with her after the feast,” he said casually. “Y'know, like shopping or even sight seeing.”
Kael hummed in response.
“I also want to tell her,” Adam added.
Kael stiffened. “Tell her what?”
“That I’m pregnant.”
“No,” Kael said immediately.
Adam looked up at him. “She’s my mother. If anyone should know, it’s her.”
“Not now,” Kael replied. “She can know later.”
Adam sighed. “I get how you feel about her, but she’s really nice to me. And I can feel it. She’s my mother. I didn't have anyone else here besides you. It’s really nice to have her by my side.”
Kael was quiet for a long moment. Then he nodded. “It’s okay. I understand. But please… wait a little longer before telling her about our pup.”
Adam hesitated, then nodded. “Okay.”
Kael kissed his forehead softly. “I love you.”
He pushed the papers aside and leaned back, pulling Adam to his chest. Adam settled there easily, listening to Kael’s breathing, feeling safe.
Too safe.
Because somewhere deep inside, a small voice whispered that feeling this good right before something important was never a coincidence.