WATERFALL

Well, isn't this just peachy?

As if my life wasn't complicated enough, now I was apparently starring in my own personal fairytale – only instead of a glass slipper, I got a prince who blows hot and cold faster than the Veridian weather.

The morning air was crisp as I sat beside my mother on the small porch behind her quarters, the scent of damp earth and blooming jasmine filling my lungs. We were carefully plucking mint leaves and chamomile flowers from her small herb garden, preparing her special blend of calming tea. Her hands, calloused but gentle, moved with practiced ease.

"Sleep well, Kael?" she asked, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

"As well as can be," I replied, forcing a smile. How could I tell her I spent half the night replaying Alaric's apology, his touch, the near-kiss… and the other half battling the crushing weight of knowing none of it could truly be?

Just then, a shadow fell across the porch. My heart leaped before I even looked up.

There he was. Alaric. The Alpha Prince of Veridia, standing awkwardly at the edge of my mother's humble dwelling, looking completely out of place and yet, undeniably captivating. He was in simple riding breeches and a tunic, his dark hair slightly mussed, as if he'd run a hand through it repeatedly.

My mother rose instantly, curtsying respectfully. "Your Highness. What brings you to our humble abode?"

Alaric offered her a small, genuine smile. "Please, Elara, no formalities. I came to see if Kael was available. I… I thought we could spend some time together."

He said it with such hesitant sincerity, I almost believed the fairytale. My mother studied his face for a long moment before turning to me, a knowing glint in her eyes.

"Go on, Kael. Enjoy the day."

I nodded, my throat suddenly dry. "Give me a moment, Mother."

I quickly gathered my things, my mind racing. What was Alaric planning?

He led me not toward the stables, but instead, deeper into the palace gardens and then beyond, into the sprawling woods that bordered the estate. The air grew cooler, the sunlight dappled through the dense canopy of leaves. We walked in comfortable silence, the tension that usually crackled between us strangely absent.

Finally, we arrived at a place I knew well – a secluded waterfall cascading into a crystal-clear pool. It was a place my mother had taken me to as a child, a sanctuary where I could escape the harsh realities of my life.

But this… this was different. Spread out on a blanket near the water's edge was a picnic basket laden with food. Alaric had been here before me, setting this up.

He has his own water fall spot, deep in the forest, why did he bring me here? Does he know I use to come here? My God, I can't just stop thinking for a second.

"I… I thought you might like it," he said, his voice a low rumble. "It's… private."

"It's beautiful, Alaric," I breathed, genuinely touched. "Thank you."

He blushed slightly, a rare sight that made my stomach flip. "It's nothing. Come on, let me show you something."

He pulled out the phone he had bought me the previous night. "I want to teach you how to use this thing properly, and then… I'll give you one of my sim cards but if you want, we can go get you your own sim card."

My brow furrowed. "I don't even know anyone to call."

He gave me a playful nudge with his elbow. "You do now. You have my number."

He patiently showed me the basics: how to make calls, send messages, take pictures. It felt absurdly normal, like we were two ordinary people on a date. Then he dialled his number and handed me the phone.

It rang.

"Answer it, you twit," he joked. And I did exactly that "Hello?"

"See, you're a natural" he proudly proclaimed, a beautiful smile on his face.

"Can I hang up now? I don't see the point of this." I replied, trying to supress my own smile.

"Fine, party pooper. Here, let's take some pictures! you can take some really good pictures and show your mother," he sounded genuinely excited.

He insisted on taking pictures of me first. I posed awkwardly, feeling self-conscious, but his encouragement and genuine admiration in his eyes made it easier. Then it was my turn. I struggled to get the angle right, fumbling with the settings.

"Here, let me," he said, stepping closer, his hand gently guiding mine. His warmth radiated through me, sending shivers down my spine. For a moment, we were frozen in place, our eyes locked, the world fading away.

He cleared his throat, stepping back. "There. Now try."

I managed to take a few pictures, some blurry, some too close, but Alaric didn't seem to mind. He laughed, pointing out my mistakes, his voice light and carefree. We took silly “selfies,” making faces and striking ridiculous poses. It was the most fun I'd had in years.

We ate the picnic lunch – cold cuts, crusty bread, and sweet berries. We talked about everything and nothing, about the palace gossip, the upcoming harvest festival, his dreams for Veridia, and my passion for herbs and healing.

After we finished, I laid back on the blanket, my head resting on Alaric's lap. The sun warmed my face, the sound of the waterfall lulling me into a state of peaceful contentment.

"Thank you, Alaric," I murmured, closing my eyes. "For this."

He stroked my hair, his touch surprisingly gentle. "Anything for you, Kael."

For a long time, we remained like that, lost in the quiet beauty of the moment. But as the afternoon wore on, a strange unease began to stir within me. I felt… off. A dull ache settled in my lower abdomen, a heavy, uncomfortable pressure.

"Alaric?" I said, my voice strained.

He looked down at me, his brow furrowed with concern. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"I… I don't feel well." I shifted uncomfortably. "My stomach hurts."

His eyes widened in alarm. "Where does it hurt? What kind of pain is it?" His hand immediately went to my forehead, checking for fever.

"Lower abdomen." The words came out in a whisper.

He was up in an instant, scooping me into his arms. "We need to get you back to the palace. Now."

He carried me through the woods, his pace bordering on frantic. I clung to him, trying to ignore the growing pain, the strange, unfamiliar sensations that were coursing through my body.

When we arrived at the palace, he didn't take me to my mother's quarters. Instead, he bypassed them completely and carried me straight to his own chambers.

He laid me gently on his bed, his face etched with worry. "Stay here. I'll send for the royal physician."

“No, Alaric, did you forget I'm an Omega? If a physician is to examine me, the physician would know I'm an Omega.” I protested, reminding him I can't be touched by a physician especially a royal physician. My mother had always been the one to care for me everytime I've ever fell sick.

“So, how do you treated when you're sick or you never fall sick?” He asked, clearly concerned.

“My mother always took care of me but I don't want to bother her.”

“But you're feeling sick, how do we make you feel better when physician is not an option and you don't wish to bother your mother?”

“I'll feel better in no time.” The moment I said that, it hit me. A horrifying, gut-wrenching realization.

The pain… the pressure… the unfamiliar heat…

Could it be? Was it possible?

There was only one explanation that fit. One terrifying, impossible explanation.

I think I’m going into heat.