Page 44 of Rejected and Pregnant by the Alpha (Forbidden Alpha Kings #52)
Julian
Looking down at Hannah sleeping peacefully in my arms, I focus on keeping my breathing even and steady. She is so small in my arms, curled up like a little girl in my lap. I sigh, closing my eyes and leaning my head back against the wall.
“Hannah?” a soft voice calls out, and Jiya steps forward.
“She fell asleep,” I mumble, opening my eyes to find the Indian woman watching me with a weary gaze.
“I’m glad she’s sleeping. She barely gets a wink during her heats in the past.” She leans against the door frame, arms crossed while watching Hannah and me.
I blush, looking away from her searching gaze and instead focusing on the sleeping woman in my arms. “I never knew she went through such a horrible heat,” I say, reaching out and gently brushing a lock of hair from Hannah’s face.
She stirs slightly, her face nuzzling closer to my neck before settling down.
Her hot breath fans my skin, making me shiver.
Goddess, how have I never realized that Hannah was perfect in the past?
“The only blessing she had was that you never slept with another she-wolf after rejecting her,” Jiya says, catching my attention.
Turning my head, I look at the woman who has pushed herself off the door frame and moved toward the toilet, shutting the lid and sitting on top.
“I wouldn’t dare touch another she-wolf.
I only wanted my mate,” I state, keeping my eyes on Hannah’s friend.
“I know that if I slept with another wolf, my mate would have felt every part of it and would have been in agonizing pain.” Returning my gaze to Hannah, I smile gently and pull her closer to me.
Her arms instinctively wrap around my body, her touch sending sparks of pleasure through me.
Add in her intoxicating scent, amplified by her heat, and I am having a hard time focusing.
“I have a feeling Hannah knew that. It’s why she never tried dating. She never wanted to hurt you.”
Jiya’s words surprise me, and I find myself mulling them over.
It’s true that over the last five years, I have never felt the pain of my mate sleeping with another wolf.
I knew she was out there, felt the bond hum, and reached out over and over again, especially during my rut.
I never thought that she would avoid dating anyone to prevent hurting me.
“Hannah knew I would never touch any she-wolf other than my mate. I had made that clear plenty of times growing up.” I chuckle softly, closing my eyes and breathing in Hannah’s scent, the vanilla custard cloyingly sweet.
“I think that is part of your saving grace right now,” Jiya says with a chuckle. “You were loyal to your mate to the end, even if you were misguided by rumors about Hannah that caused you to unknowingly reject her.”
I hum in agreement, feeling Hannah shift in my embrace and my cock stir to life under her. Goddess, this is difficult.
“Now, you are here helping her through her third heat by holding her. Unfortunately, this might not be enough for her. Being mated to you means her body is changing, shifting to become a luna queen.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, snapping my gaze back to Jiya, whose worried eyes focus on the sleeping Hannah.
“What I mean is I have watched her grow these last five years. I felt her power become stronger and watched her become more formidable. Hannah isn’t a normal alpha she-wolf.
She is meant for more, and I can feel it,” she answers, letting out a sigh.
“Not only that, but this heat is just beginning. It is already stronger than last time, as I have had to replace the ice in the bathtub every hour. Last time, it was every three hours.”
Jiya leans forward, arms pressed against her knees as she continues to watch Hannah. But now, I can feel Hannah’s body temperature beginning to rise again, and I frown. I know the heat is starting to rear its ugly head inside her; I can feel her body shift slightly and smell her arousal.
“Right now, your touch is keeping the heat at bay, but the question is for how long?” Her question rings through my head like a bell.
How long? How long will Hannah endure her heat without my help?
How long will she be in pain if I am not there to bring her the relief her body needs?
Will it become as painful as my ruts are, making even breathing unbearable?
“I won’t fuck Hannah unless she lets me,” I state, gritting my teeth when I feel Hannah shift, her firm ass rubbing against my cock through the fabric of my pants.
“Glad to hear that,” Jiya replies, her lips curving into a smile.
She stands from her makeshift seat, crosses the bathroom, and makes her way to the door.
“I will keep an eye on Saben for the next few days. Claira has already gone to the office to finish the tests needed for a product they have been working on. If you need anything, Aileen will be in the cottage. Just call out to her.”
“I will, thanks.” I thank the woman, her gaze turning to me, and for just a moment, I see acceptance in her eyes.
Jiya leaves, most likely going to collect Saben and bring my son to her home. I smile, happy to know that I am slowly winning the trust of those Hannah calls her friends just by being there for my mate.
“Jiya says you’re sticking around.” Looking up, I find Aileen leaning against the door frame, her eyes watching me with predatory intent. I bristle at her appearance, hating how silent this vampire is.
“Yeah,” I answer curtly, watching her lips curve into a smile.
“Good. Hannah needs her mate, whether she wants to admit it or not. Let’s just hope you can keep your dick in your pants until she takes you back.” With that, Aileen zips away, leaving me and a sleeping Hannah alone.