Chapter 75 - Unspoken Affections

By late afternoon, I couldn’t stand the confinement of the house any longer. The moment I pushed open the towering doors leading to the back entrance and stepped outside, Malios, the hybrid, was instantly beside me.

"Where do you think you’re going?" His voice was soft, but there was an undeniable authority in it, as if he was giving orders without the need to raise his tone. It was clear he was used to taking charge.

"I just need some fresh air," I responded, trying not to focus on his eyes, which were the murky green of a swamp. "I’ll be back in half an hour, tops."

"I’m afraid I can’t let you do that," he said, his tone polite but firm.

I stared at him, momentarily stunned by the absurdity of the situation. Then I laughed bitterly. "I can’t take a walk outside my own home? On my own land?"

"Technically, it’s Alpha Damon’s property," he corrected, his expression deadly serious. "And he gave explicit orders that you’re not to go outside alone until he returns."

I scowled at him, disbelief tightening my chest. "This is ridiculous. Damon could be gone for days—weeks, even! I refuse to be a prisoner in my own house!" My frustration boiled over, and I could feel the heat of my pregnancy adding fuel to my temper. My skin, my blood, even my bones seemed to simmer, and I was certain my face was flushed with anger and humiliation.

"I’ll make you a deal," Malios suggested, his eyes softening slightly, as if he genuinely cared. "I’ll come with you on the walk. I know how it is when you're pregnant. My mother needed fresh air constantly when she was carrying my little brother."

"I want to be alone," I snapped, annoyed by his persistence. "Having you there defeats the entire purpose. I need space."

"Okay," he said after a beat. "How about this: I’ll walk a few meters behind you. You won’t even know I’m there."

I gave him a look that screamed, *Are you kidding me?*

"Go ahead," he continued, undeterred by my skepticism. "I’ll give you a head start. I’ll even count to sixty." His smile widened, revealing the cutest dimples, which only frustrated me more.

Defeated, I rolled my eyes and muttered, "Maybe make it 160," before turning and walking away.

True to his word, Malios kept his distance, staying a few meters behind me. Though I craved solitude, the night air and the gentle breeze at least offered some comfort. The moonlight bathed the path, and I found a small measure of peace in the quiet, even though I could sense him trailing behind me. As I walked, a dull ache settled at the base of my skull, slowly intensifying into a migraine, but I refused to let it spoil my moment of reprieve.

My thoughts inevitably drifted back to Damon. What was he doing right now? And more troubling—what was Valia up to? Could she really be trying to steal my place by playing the victim? The thought gnawed at me. I feared that if I voiced these concerns to Damon, he’d brush them off as hormonal jealousy. Maybe I should confront Valia myself, find out her true intentions.

Or was she really just a lost human girl, pulled from a coma and desperate to survive in this unfamiliar world? Part of me wanted to believe that, but experience had made me wary. I wasn’t the same kind-hearted, forgiving person I once was.

I tried not to think too much about Tessa. How was she still alive? Human blood had been toxic to vampires for months now, ever since the blood banks had distributed the altered supply across every town and village. For the last three months, not a single vampire had been seen or heard from, and most believed them extinct.

But if someone was posing as Tessa to frighten me, I couldn’t think of anyone who’d want to target me. The real Tessa hated me for what I’d done to her family, for sending her mother back to Akbur Hills. And she had always wanted to be Damon’s doll, not me.

These days, it felt like I had more competition than ever for Damon’s affection. Despite his constant reassurances, my insecurities continued to surface, feeding my fears.

Even though I was carrying Damon’s child, I couldn’t shake thoughts of Kim, his father’s doll. Nightmares of being in her place haunted me. I often woke up drenched in sweat, sick to my stomach from the vivid dreams of being locked in the cell where Damon had once kept me. I’d never told him those memories still haunted me. He would never forgive himself if he knew.

In the back of my mind, a small voice whispered, *Have you forgiven him?*

I wasn’t sure. Sometimes, it felt like there was an unspoken distance between us, a gap left by everything we hadn’t dealt with. I often wondered if it would be better to talk about it or simply move on.

Mostly, I found myself waiting for the baby to arrive. I hoped the birth would be a fresh start for us, a chance to reset everything, to begin anew.

Suddenly, I was stopped in my tracks by a sharp pain that exploded in the back of my head. I clutched the area and groaned as the migraine intensified. My vision blurred, and I swayed slightly, trying to steady myself. The pain felt like a hammer pounding against my skull.

I could vaguely hear Malios calling out to me.

“I’m fine,” I muttered, gripping a nearby tree for support.

"You don’t look fine," his voice sounded closer, filled with concern.

My knees buckled, and I collapsed backward, right into his waiting arms. He held me steady, speaking softly, but his words didn’t register through the haze of pain.

"I think I overdid it," I mumbled as my vision slowly cleared. "The doctor warned me to take it easy."

Malios, still holding me, looked down with a gentle smile. "Good thing I was here, huh?"

A light laugh escaped my lips despite myself. "Yeah... alright."

"I’m not going to say 'I told you so,'" he teased, his smile warm and infectious. I hadn’t realized how deep his dimples were until now.

"You just did," I giggled, surprised by how comfortable I suddenly felt in his presence. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d laughed like that.

As I looked up at him, I realized how light I felt with him near. It was strange, almost disarming.

"You’re staring at me," he remarked, his tone playful.

"Oh!" I snapped out of my thoughts, awkwardly sitting up in his arms but still too unsteady to stand. "You just remind me of someone, that’s all."

Evan. He looked so much like Evan. The thought caused my heart to ache, and I had to fight back the tears threatening to spill.

"Oh," Malios said with a grin, "here I was thinking you were admiring me, just like I’ve been admiring you."

I froze, caught off guard by his words. Did I hear him right?

"What?" I breathed out, stunned.

"I’ve guarded many dolls, especially since the vampires went extinct," he continued as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "But none of them compare to you. You’re... magnificent."

His words hung in the air, and I couldn’t fathom how he was so at ease saying such things.

"I... I should go," I stammered, finally finding my balance and standing on shaky legs. He seemed taken aback by my abrupt reaction.

"I could walk you back—"

"No, it’s fine," I insisted, putting distance between us. "I’ll manage on my own."

"Are you sure?" He took a step forward, concern evident in his face, but I raised a hand to stop him.

"Yes, I’m sure. Please... I’ll be fine."

Malios hesitated but respected my decision. He waited until I was a few meters ahead before silently following me back toward the house, keeping his distance just as he’d promised.