CHAPTER FOUR: A PUP AND A PROMISE

“Ayla!” Caius’s voice was the last thing she heard before everything went black and she collapsed into his arms.

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Softness, the scent, the atmosphere–coolness and calmness, Those were the first things Ayla registered.

The sheets beneath her felt like clouds, and the room smelled faintly of sandalwood and something warmer—him. She blinked, her lashes fluttering open slowly. The ceiling wasn’t one she recognized. This wasn’t her bunk, nor the servant quarters. The air felt heavier, richer.

Then it hit her.

She was in the Alpha’s chambers.

Her eyes widened as she sat up with effort, wincing slightly as the motion tugged at her sore body. But she froze when she heard voices.

“We must be sure, physician. Are you certain?” That was Caius—his voice low, urgent.

“Yes, Alpha,” the other voice said calmly. A man. “I’ve run the test thrice. The maiden is pregnant.”

Ayla’s heart stilled.

Pregnant?

She clutched her stomach unconsciously. Who’s pregnant? No… no, it can’t be…

“Who is pregnant?” she asked aloud, her voice shaky.

Caius turned swiftly. “You're dismissed,” he told the physician sharply.

The man bowed and left.

Ayla looked between them, panic spreading like wildfire. “I don’t understand…”

Caius stepped toward her carefully, like approaching a frightened doe. “You are pregnant, Ayla”

She froze.

“No,” she whispered. “No… this… this is wrong. Everything is wrong. First I was… raped, then accused, thrown into the dungeon, and now—now there’s a pup growing in me? This is all wrong!”

Her legs gave out, and she crumpled. Caius rushed forward and caught her, lifting her into his arms.

“Hey, hey… You need to sit,” he murmured, guiding her back to the bed.

His voice was softer now. Gentle. Human.

He helped her lean against the headboard, brushing a damp lock of hair from her face.

“Ayla,” he said, voice tight, “was I… was I the first person you’ve ever…?”

Tears rolled down her cheeks. “You ripped me of my virginity,” she whispered brokenly. “You didn’t even ask…”

Her words broke something in him.

Without hesitation, Caius pulled her into a hug, wrapping his arms around her trembling form.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered against her hair. “I was cruel. I let my instincts take over. I didn’t know… but I promise you now, I will protect you. And the pup. You’re my mate, Ayla. That will never change.”

She didn’t move at first. Then, after a long pause, she spoke, her voice muffled against his chest.

“That’s impossible. There’s no way an Alpha will want to be with an Omega.”

“We can’t question the Moon Goddess,” he replied softly. “She chooses. We follow.”

“But… Sylvia,” she whispered. “She’ll kill me.”

“She won’t hurt you,” Caius said, pulling back to look her in the eyes. “I promise.”

Ayla swallowed hard. “So what now?”

“We keep everything a secret,” Caius said firmly. “No one can know you’re my mate. And no one can know about the pup.”

She stared at him, wounded. “No one?”

“It’s for your safety,” he said. “I just became Alpha. The elders are watching. If they find out I’m mated to an Omega–”

“You’d be endangering yourself,” she finished bitterly.

“No,” Caius said. “I’d be endangering you.”

Silence.

Then Ayla stood. “I have to return to work. If I vanish too long, people will suspect something.”

“You’re right,” Caius nodded. “But from now on, you’ll be my personal maid.”

She blinked. “What?”

“That way, you’re always close. I can protect you, and you won’t strain yourself. You’ll move into the personal maid’s chambers–but my door will always be open to you.”

He stepped closer and gently kissed her forehead.

Ayla’s breath caught in her throat.

“I’ll tell the head maid,” he added. “Rest up. I’ll be back soon.”

With that, he turned and left.

The door clicked shut.

Ayla sat in stunned silence. Her hands fell to her stomach, trembling. So fast. Everything happened so fast.

A pup was growing inside her.

She–an Omega–was carrying the Alpha’s child.

“I can’t raise a pup in this cruel world,” she whispered to herself. “Not after everything.”

But Caius had seemed… different. Sincere. His touch hadn’t burned like before. His eyes had softened. And the kiss on her forehead, it made her cheeks flush now just thinking about it.

She lay back on the bed, curling into the warmth. Her fingers grazed the place where his lips had touched. For the first time in a long while, peace wrapped around her like a blanket.

She hadn’t slept properly since before her parents died.

Her eyes fluttered shut.

She was deep in sleep when the commotion outside stirred her.

“What do you mean, Alpha? That you’re going to make that filthy Omega your personal maid?!”

Sylvia’s voice.

Ayla’s eyes snapped open.

Oh no.

The door to the chambers burst open.