Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate by A E Randell
Chapter 202 Pregnancy
When Lexi finally woke the next morning and ventured downstairs the staff were in chaos as they ran backward and forward chattering excitedly about their Alpha’s fortune and the pack’s now vastly elevated status.
Adam had gone from Alpha, to the Alpha Queen’s Consort and now it seemed certain that he would soon be the father of the heirs to the Kingdom.
Lexi was a little bewildered at the furor that this small snippet of information had caused and as soon as she saw the nonchalant figure of her father sitting and sipping his coffee quietly at the table, she made her way over. He smiled as their eyes met and he quickly folded the paper that he had been reading and set it down in front of him, chuckling at the perturbed expression that Lexi had on her face as she sat opposite him and reached for the cafetiere of coffee that sat unobtrusively in the middle of the table. “What is wrong with these people? My best friend gets a little horny and all of a sudden everyone is convinced that she’s going to be popping out little smut puppies left, right, and center.” Lexi murmured as she allowed the aroma of the dark silky liquid that splashed into her cup to fill her senses. Lord Brarthroroz chuckled as he eyed his daughter and sighed lightly.
“For the wolves, children are a great blessing Lexi. A strong Leader has a large family to ensure that stability remains at the head of a pack for a long time. These little ‘smut puppies’, as you so eloquently put it, will not only one day watch over and lead this pack but now, also the Kingdom.” Lexi hummed quietly, acknowledging her father’s explanation, but in her eyes, it was all a lot of fuss about something that people did every day. “And what about all those kids in the children’s homes, hmm? They just sit around waiting for their chance at a loving family?” she said, a trace of bitterness worming its way into her voice as she sighed and took a long gulp from her mug.
“Lexi… Adam and Ann are not responsible for the circumstances that have led to the number of children in the orphanages. In actuality, the packs at least take care of the children under their care and try their best to provide at least some form of stability in the home with mentors freely available here. Adam has done well…” Lord Brarthroroz reasoned quietly, leaning forward over the table to ensure that their conversation was not overheard and potentially taken the wrong way by the myriad of people that were flitting backward and forward.
Lexi sighed heavily.
“I know, I don’t mean Ann and Adam specifically, just… things should be different. People should be excited about the presence of all children… not just those coming into the world in a privileged position,” she mumbled as she stared morosely into her coffee.
Lord Brarthroroz studied her carefully as she seemed lost in this emotion that she was feeling and his heart broke for her. He had wanted nothing more than to save her from experiencing the life that she had, but things had been so volatile in his realm at that time, that he was certain that she would have become a target had their familial connection been revealed.
He had been proven right when her mother had seemingly vanished into thin air and the scene that was left behind indicated that she had died a most gruesome death.
Even at such a young age, Lexi having discovered the crime scene will undoubtedly have left her with some residual trauma, whether she was aware of it or not, and the experience of growing up in a children’s home as a hybrid was not something that he had ever wanted her to experience.
Attitudes were gradually changing now, but that didn’t erase the pain that she had suffered in her adolescence and he was immensely thankful that Ann and Lexi had found each other, becoming the family for each other that they should have had from the very beginning.
Lexi glanced up from her coffee and saw the pain in her father’s eyes, instantly feeling regretful for her earlier words and snorted bitterly. “I’m being a whiny little b**’h, I know Papa, don’t worry. I’m happy for them, truly I am, I just hope that if she does fall pregnant then it’s what she wants, and if she doesn’t fall pregnant… well, I hope that there isn’t too much disappointment directed toward them ” she grimaced. Lord Brarthroroz smiled softly at his daughter and reached for her hand, patting it gently as she reciprocated his smile. “Ah, here you are!” A familiar voice came from behind her as Lexi turned to see Allen striding towards them, “Did you need to get anything ready before we leave?” he asked as he pulled a chair out next to her and sat heavily with a nod towards Lord Brarthroroz.
“Nah, I don’t need anything more than my fabulous self.” Lexi smirked at him, “What about you Papa?” Lord Brarthroroz had already noticed the distinct change in the demeanor of them both and chuckled inwardly to himself as he looked between them.
“I think I’m good. I’m not exactly sure what they’ll require of me once we get there anyway.” He answered casually. Lexi hadn’t missed the knowing look that her father had sent their way and she cleared her throat awkwardly. “Well, Allen can always come back and get whatever you need if that happens, can’t you?” She blurted out hastily. Allen blinked at her in surprise for a second before nodding in her father’s direction.
“Of course. Just let me know if the need arises, sir.” he offered respectfully as Lord Brarthroroz inclined his head in acknowledgment. He knew something was off with Lexi, but what it was exactly, he couldn’t quite be sure. For now, Allen decided that he would wait until Lexi approached him to talk about anything that might be bothering her. The last thing he wanted to do was to push her too hard, in case he managed to inadvertently push her away.
It was ironic really, all that time spent trying to deny what was his when he should have embraced it all along. With any luck, the news of Ann’s heat and hopefully the pregnancy that would follow would bring them closer together as a group and maybe even have Lexi excited to start a family of her own. His heart leaped into his throat at the mere thought of pups of his own and he suppressed a grin as he ran his eyes over his beautiful mate as unobtrusively as he could.
Perhaps it was a little too soon to be thinking like that, but it wasn’t like Lexi could hear his thought process. No. He would allow Orvar his wistful daydreams and hopefully one day soon, they would become a reality.