Lahat ng Kabanata ng Claimed by the Alpha, Desired by His Blood: Kabanata 81 - Kabanata 90

Tiana “Lie back,” Healer Iris instructed gently. I did, settling against the cushioned surface and staring at the ceiling while lying on the raised table in the examination room, as her hands moved over my abdomen. Her touch was professional, but I still tensed. “Relax,” she murmured. “I’m just checking position and development.” I tried to relax, failing woefully at it. Her hands stilled over my lower stomach, pressing gently. Then she smiled. “There,” she said. “Feel that?” “Feel what?” “The slight firmness. That’s your uterus expanding to accommodate the pup.” Her smile widened. “Right on schedule.” “Everything looks good,” Iris continued, moving her hands higher, checking other things I didn’t understand. “No signs of complications. No abnormalities in development.” Relief flooded through me, unexpected in its intensity. I hadn’t realized I had been holding my breath waiting for bad news. “The pup is strong,” Iris added, helping me sit up. “Healthy. Develop

Tiana “I’m afraid I have some news.” Healer Iris’s voice carried a tone that immediately made my stomach tighten with anxiety. I sat up straighter on the examination table, my hands instinctively moving to my stomach. “Is something wrong? With the pup?” “No, no.” She waved a hand, then let out a soft chuckle. “Nothing like that. The pup is fine. This is about me, actually.” The relief was immediate but short-lived as I waited for her to continue. “I’ve been summoned for a sacred pilgrimage,” Iris explained, moving to organize her instruments. “It’s required of all senior healers every decade. We take a journey to the Moon Temple to renew our oaths and receive blessings from the Goddess.” “Oh.” I processed that information slowly. “How long will you be gone?” “Six to eight weeks, depending on travel conditions and how long the ceremonies take.” She glanced at me, and I saw something that might have been an apology in her eyes. “I know the timing isn’t ideal. You’re st

Tiana His thumbs brushed over my nipples again and I couldn’t stop the sound that escaped my throat. Heat flooded through me, pooling low in my belly in a way that had nothing to do with pregnancy and everything to do with the man whose hands were on me. “Zane.” His name came out of me breathless in a way that should have embarrassed me. But I was beyond embarrassment. Or thinking about what this meant or whether we should be doing it. All I could focus on was the feel of his hands on my breasts, the pressure of his thumbs circling my nipples, and the way my entire body had gone tight with want. “If you want me to stop, tell me now.” “Don’t stop,” I replied The growl that came from him was pure male satisfaction. His hands moved with new purpose, palming my breasts fully now, kneading them with a pressure that bordered on rough but felt perfect. My nipples were so sensitive—had been since the pregnancy started—and every touch sent sparks of pleasure racing through m

Tiana It was the second week since I had been left alone with Healer Senna. I still would have preferred being taken care of by Healer Iris, regardless, I was adjusting fine. Like the usual routine, I was sitting on the examination table, answering questions about my symptoms while she made notes and smiled at all the right moments. “Still experiencing morning sickness?” “Less than before. It’s mostly afternoons now.” “That’s normal progression.” She made a note. “Energy levels?” I hesitated. “Lower than I would like.” “Fatigue is very common in the second month,” Senna said, not looking up. “Your body is working hard. Growing a pup takes significant energy.” “I know. But this feels…” I searched for the right word. “Different. More than just being tired.” Senna set down her pen and looked at me with a concerned expression. “Can you describe it?” “Sure,” I nodded. “It feels like I’m moving through water sometimes. Like my body is heavier than it should be.” “Mm.”

Tiana My morning began with me gripping the edge of the basin, willing my body to cooperate long enough to get through another day. But it was not surprising, as it had been my routine for the past three days. The nausea had returned more intensely, feeling like lead, and made everything I tried to eat or drink feel like poison. I splashed water on my face, studying my reflection in the mirror. The shadows under my eyes had darkened to bruises. My skin had taken on a grayish pallor that no amount of powder could hide. And my hands— I held them out in front of me. They trembled constantly now, and no matter how hard I tried, I could not control them. Even with Zane’s presence, even after he told me to stop taking the supplements, I had only gotten worse. I wanted to propose that the supplements were the problem but now, without them, the decline had just accelerated. I forced myself to dress, choosing a gown with long sleeves that would hide the shaking. I braided my h