All Chapters of Elowen, The Alpha’s Breeding Mate : Chapter 41 - Chapter 49

Elowen’s POV I stared at Mira, struggling to find the right words. How could I explain something I barely understood myself? “It isn’t that I don’t want a child,” I began quietly. “I just don’t know what having one would mean for me.” Mira listened without interrupting. “You know how important this is to the king. He wants me to give Kade a child so that he’ll have a reason to remain in the North. He believes that if Kade has a family here, he’ll be less likely to return to his own kingdom.” I let out a shaky breath. “And I understand why the king wants that. Kade is a powerful Alpha Prince, and the king thinks a child will give him some control over him. But things have become complicated, Mira. Much more complicated than I ever expected.” “How?” she asked gently. I lowered my gaze. “Because I’m beginning to care about Kade.” The confession left a strange ache in my chest. I had spent so much time telling myself that our arrangement was temporary, that I only had to endure

Kade’s POVThe moment Elowen disappeared through the door, I let out a breath I hadn’t realised I was holding. Then I smiled, a stupid, uncontrollable smile spread across my face, and I had to press my lips together to stop myself from laughing like an inexperienced fool.Elowen was pregnant. She was carrying my child.I dragged a hand over my face, still unable to believe it. I had known there was a possibility, especially after noticing the changes in her body, but hearing her confirm it had done something to me that I couldn’t explain.For a moment, I had wanted to pull her into my arms and kiss her until she stopped looking so frightened. I had wanted to place my hand on her stomach and tell her that everything would be fine.I had wanted to tell her that the thought of having a child with her made me happier than I had any right to be but I hadn’t done any of those things. Instead, I had talked about the agreement and my men.I dropped into a chair and stared at the door through

Elowen’s povKade opened his mouth, then closed it again. For once he had nothing to say.I turned toward the door, desperate to get away before I embarrassed myself any further.“Elowen, wait.”I stopped, but I didn’t turn around.“What?”His footsteps approached, then halted a short distance behind me.I waited for him to say something that might take away some of the pain. An apology. An explanation. Instead, he said, “I have to think about my men.”I closed my eyes.“Okay.”I opened the door just as another voice interrupted us.“What is going on here?”Thorne stood in the doorway, his gaze moving between Kade and me.His expression immediately changed when he noticed my tear-streaked face.“Elowen? Why are you crying?”I quickly wiped my cheeks.“I’m fine.”His eyes narrowed.“Did he do something to you?”“Thorne, please. Not now.”I moved past him before he could ask another question. I didn’t want to explain what had happened because I didn’t want him confronting Kade or making

Kade’s POVThe three warriors charged at me like they had something to prove.I almost felt sorry for them.The largest one came straight at me, swinging his fist toward my face. I stepped aside, caught his arm and used his own momentum to send him stumbling past me. Before he could regain his balance, I struck the back of his knee and he hit the ground with a grunt.The second warrior attacked from my left.I ducked beneath his punch, drove my shoulder into his chest and pushed him backward. He recovered faster than I expected, swinging again before I could move away completely. His fist grazed my jaw.A few warriors watching from outside the training ring shouted in excitement.I touched my jaw and looked at him.“That was almost impressive.”His expression twisted.“Stop talking and fight!”He roared and charged at me again.This time, I didn’t wait for him to reach me. I stepped forward, caught his wrist, twisted his arm behind his back and swept his legs from under him, he landed

Elowen’s povBy the following morning, I discovered that the camp had found something new to discuss.Unfortunately, I was the subject.I was walking through the courtyard when two women standing near the well fell silent as I approached. One of them looked away quickly, but the other continued staring at me.I slowed my steps.“Is there something on my face?”The woman lifted her chin.“Nothing that I can see.”“Then perhaps you should stop staring.”Her companion grabbed her arm, clearly hoping to prevent an argument, but the woman pulled free.“Some people should be careful about the company they keep.”I stared at her.“What does that mean?”She gave me a thin smile.“Surely you know.”“No, I don’t. Why don’t you explain it?”Her eyes narrowed.“Everyone has noticed how quickly the Southern prisoner has risen in the King’s favor. First, he gets comfortable quarters, then he is given the authority to train our warriors. Now the King listens to his every word.”I folded my arms.“An