An Enemy Called Mate

XANDER

I was devastated. After pleading with Ziva, she refused to forgive me and insisted on getting a divorce. However, if that was her final decision, I would accept it.

“Can she be discharged today?” I asked Doctor Aurora and she nodded. Then, I escorted the doctors out of the ward. When I returned, the ward was empty. My heart raced.

Instantly, I dialed her new contact number, but she declined the call.

“Well, that means she is fine and doesn’t want to be with you,” Maz spoke. I ignored him and walked out of the hospital, following her sweet lavender scent.

Then, I found her outside the hospital. She sat on a bench, probably wanting some fresh air.

I approached her and noticed how she touched her belly possessively. Honestly, I had always wished to touch her pup bump to feel our pups kicking, but guilt and shame held me back. I felt guilty. She didn’t even want me around.

Suddenly, she turned to my side, as if she knew I was beside her.

“Don’t look at me that way. I just need some fresh air, and I do not need to answer your call when I know what you will say,” She spoke, and glanced away from me.

Certainly, she was avoiding me, and my mind had not been at rest after what she said earlier.

“Let’s go home and have lunch together. We can also discuss the pup’s preparations,” I said softly.

She was quick to wave her hand, dismissing me, “You don’t have to get involved. I can do that by myself.”

She was hurting me with every word and she knew it. She didn’t seem to care about that, but these are nothing compared to losing her and just co-parenting the pups.

I asked calmly, “Fine, what do you want? What can I do to make you consider me as your mate or even the father of the pups?”

“Draft the divorce papers and sign them,” she said, her voice firm. “That’s what I want. Then we can co-parent the pups peacefully.”

I nodded, feeling a pang of regret. “I’ll do it, okay?” I told her, trying to sound resigned.

Just then, a sleek car pulled up beside us, its arrival timely. I had sent for it earlier, knowing we would need a ride soon. Ziva raised an eyebrow, “Aren’t you busy with pack works? You’ve been with me since morning, and this…” she trailed off, gesturing to the car.

“Lance will take care of that,” I replied, waving my hand dismissively. “It’s just a few hours’ leave anyway.”

“Shall we go?” I asked. She nodded and she swiftly got in while I opened the car door.

The car drove off, leaving our tense conversation behind. We arrived at the mansion quickly and settled in for breakfast together.

It seemed as though she had forgotten about what happened earlier, as she ate slowly and was sitting next to me.

I took my chance, handed a pup’s name pool over to her, and spoke, “There, a list of names that are my favorites. I thought about it properly and I think they are names you will love.”

She glanced at it slowly, and uttered, “Lovely names, but I love Xena and Zyke. Zyke would be our boy’s name, strong, courageous, and handsome, then Xena would be our girl’s name, adorable, sweet, and fierce.”

She smiled, “You know, I can already picture them. Running down the stairs, while I tell them to be careful. You give them this calm glare that will make them stop running. They will hug your legs with their tiny hands and I will kiss their foreheads after saying their bedtime stories. It will be beautiful.”

“What about us? Won’t you consider not getting a divorce?” I said, gulping a mouthful of food.

She spoke sweetly with a wide smile on her face, “No.”

“At that time, we would be divorced. Then, I would have probably found a job and a handsome husband, and would be expecting a little pup.”

I coughed, choking on my meal, as her words caught me off guard and went down the wrong pipe.

“You promised to draft and sign the divorce papers. Fulfill it,” she said.

She stood and left the dining hall. Almost reaching the landing, I rushed towards her and blocked her path.

“Divorce, that’s fine. Your room is on the other side.” I told her quickly.

She turned to the side and glanced back at me, “Why didn’t you just say it, and what’s with the urgent tone? Are you hiding something from me?”

“No,” I said, but she furrowed her brows and walked past me. “Come on, it’s supposed to be a surprise-”

She barged into the room before I could even complete the statement. The room was a nursery room for our pups, beautifully furnished and decorated with a blue and pink crib. I had prepared it during her second trimester, as I intended to surprise her before her delivery.

“Oh my goodness! You did this all by yourself?” She asked as she turned around to face me with surprise evident in her tone.

“Yes, we did It!” Maz said proudly.

“You ruined the surprise,” I replied, disappointment tinged in my voice.

“Oh, I can just turn around and pretend like I didn’t see it.”

“It’s of no use. It doesn’t change anything,” I responded and then walked back to the dining hall.

“Well, it’s very beautiful, and I love the cribs,” I heard her say.

I glanced at my wristwatch. Realizing that I was running late for my meeting with Lance, I took quick steps.

“Where are you going?” Ziva questioned.

“I have an important meeting with Lance, and I’m running late.” I looked up at her, and smiled, “I will be back by nightfall.”

“Ugh, that mischievous smile. Don’t overthink. I am not concerned about you, and I do not even want to stay with you.”

“Sounds like someone is missing me already,” I said in a sing-song tone, teasing her as I moved out of the mansion.

“Keep dreaming,” She said loudly.