The Alpha’s Substitute Mate

Isabella

I couldn’t even imagine Arden’s reaction if he finds out he’s too irresponsible, too fickle.

Would he want the child? Or reject it?

I couldn’t even imagine him as a father. What if he kills the baby knowing that he hates me so much? What if the child grows up and starts behaving like his dad?

The air suddenly grew heavy with pain and something intense, something I could not quite name.

My hand clutched my chest as I tried to breathe, the air was too stifling, and despite being medically sound, I suddenly felt claustrophobic. I felt like I was on fire, that my insides were being twisted and thrown into a grinder.

The monitor to my right began to beep as my heart rate skyrocketed.

” Easy Luna, take it easy, please you need to take a deep breath, and you would be fine,” the doctor held my hand and tried to reassure me. I nodded even though inside me my heart was breaking apart.

I groaned internally in pain, I felt sore all over, and there was a murderous ache in my head that kept pounding mercilessly and tirelessly in my skull. It felt like I was in flames.

Immediately the doctor called in a nurse and gave her orders and she went scurrying out. Not too long later she came back with a trolley filled with medicines, a cup of ginger tea, and chilled bottled water.

” I. I can’t breathe…” I said with tears streaming down my cheeks. It felt as if the oxygen was steadily growing less and I was choking. I needed air, I needed to breathe. But I was struggling in vain, trying hard to catch my breath. I had to put my hands on my chest in an attempt to stop my heart from beating rapidly.

” Try and relax Luna, concentrate on your breathing. It’s just a bit of anxiety but trust me you would be fine and safe okay,” he opened up the IV port and injected more medications into it.

And the nurse handed me the cup of ginger tea and I took a sip and leaned my head back on the pillow and took a deep breath, and I felt the air flow through my nose and lungs. Slowly my heart rate began to drop down and I suspected that the doctor might have added something to my medication to calm me down, as I was feeling a bit spacey.

Could it be the pain reliever?

I sipped my ginger tea and loved the way it helps soothe the pain. It was quite refreshing and it calmed my aching nerves. I tried relaxing, and I didn’t want to think about anything anymore. I stared at the cup in my hand and finished the last few dregs and dropped the cup in the trash bin.

The doctor and nurse finished their routine check and left the room. My eyelids began to feel heavy and I slowly let them flutter shut and just then there was a knock on the door. I wasn’t expecting anyone but just maybe Lance has returned, to my surprise, Malcolm poked his head into the room ” Can I come in Luna,” I nodded

I thought I was tired and sleepy and I didn’t want visitors but immediately Malcolm walked in wearing a blue button-down shirt and black pants holding a pink fluffy teddy bear and a bouquet of white lotus. I didn’t really know how to explain it but it seemed as if seeing him healed whatever discomfort or pain I felt. It was as if he was the antidote I desperately craved for.

He dropped the flowers on the table and the teddy bear he laid on the bed and he stuffed his hands inside his pockets and stood awkwardly in front of me, with his head low

” Hi.”

” Hi,” I replied

He stared at me and his amber-brown eyes were too stern and a frown spread across his face. His eyes seemed to take in everything and I felt exposed. I resisted the urge to pull the blanket over my head.

He coughed and started ” Luna, I. I’m very sorry.”

” You didn’t do this to me, so why are you sorry?” I asked

“I should have been there,” he said and clenched his fists. ” I should have protected you and made sure no harm comes to you,”

” I understand what you’re trying to say, but it’s not your duty to protect me,” I said quietly

” You’re my….” he took a deep breath and looked away as if he was in pain.

” You are the Luna, it is everyone’s duty to protect you. This shouldn’t have happened if…

I should have been there to protect you from getting hurt.

I don’t want to see you in pain.”

” Come’on dear, it’s not that serious, just minor bruises. I’m perfect so no need to worry.” I smiled but his attention was on my neck.

He was staring at my neck, his lips pressed together, and deep lines of pain spread across his face. I felt a sudden coldness rush down my spine and I covered my neck with my hand.

He reached out, and gently took my hand away from my neck and he was very careful not to pull out the IV line on my hand. His breath fanned my face and I felt some kind of emotion flicker in those amber-brown eyes but it was gone before I could figure out what it was.

I was surprised at the fact that he had touched and held my hand, and the warm tingle sensation that traveled up my wrist and into my arm was even more alarming.

I stared at our hands and I didn’t dare to gaze into his face. What I felt wasn’t the explosion of sparks I felt with Arden, it was subtle and calm. But I was certain I felt something.

I tried to shake it out of my head, it couldn’t possibly be what I’m thinking. I felt unusually shy as I reluctantly looked up into his face and it was there.

I could make all the excuses I wanted but the look I saw in his eyes was so obvious that he felt it too. His eyes were filled with unspoken emotions and desire.

Malcolm’s eyes welled with unshed tears and a flicker of hurt as he reached out and tenderly touched my bruised cheek with his other hand. Then he sighed and pulled his hands away and bolstered up

” Get well Luna, I would be expecting you back in the training once you’re fit,” he turned and left the room.

I stared at the empty doorway for a moment and I felt a churn within me. It felt like all the air in the room left with him and I felt lonely and broken in his absence. It seemed like Malcolm was the very air I needed to survive.