Chapter 19

I felt a mix of emotions. Sadness and happiness.

I was happy because my best friend had been delivered of a beautiful baby boy. Yes, a boy. Turned out Melody was right about her child's gender. They named him Dimitri because, according to her, her son reminded her of my brother. Zayne's middle name was Dimitri.

I was sad because I gave in to what Zariya wanted. What I desperately wanted to avoid happened. I had sex with Aspro. In all honesty, I hoped I was barren now. I didn't want to get pregnant and die after giving birth.

"V," Carter poked his head into my room. "Can we talk?"

"Come in."

He came into the room, sat beside me on the bed and intertwined his fingers. "I'm sorry." He began, "I'm sorry I was an ass to you at the hospital because after what happened yesterday, I realized I was foolish. I came to realize you wouldn't put Melody in harm's way. Forgive me for the things I said. It was wrong of me."

I shook my head. "I'm not mad. You said the things you did out of concern."

"Yeah, but I took it too far. You love Melody like she's your blood and I'm sorry I tried to take her away from you. I know she means a lot to you."

"She does."

"Forgive me?"

"I forgave you that same day, Carter." I forced a smile. "I hold nothing against you."

"Thanks." He gave me a side hug. "You don't know what this means to me."

"Come on," I got to my feet. "Let's go see how she's doing. I'd like to see my nephew, you know. I miss him already."

We left my room and headed to his room. Melody and her son were sleeping when we came in. Dimitri slept peacefully in a crib whilst Mel slept while holding a pillow. The two looked so peaceful. It made me happy. Seeing them reminded me of yesterday's event and how the little angel was brought to this world.

After Zariya made sure Aspro had released inside of me, she granted us permission to call a doctor to come check on Melody and her son. That day, I cried a river. I cried when I slipped off my underwear and when I felt Aspro bury himself inside of me. It was something I would never forget.

"They look so beautiful." I said, admiring mother and child.

I just hoped nothing would ruin this joy for them.

"I know, right?" Carter rested a hand on my shoulder. "It's all thanks to you."

I guess.

"V?"

I turned around when Aspro called me. The way he looked at me let me know he was sorry for how things turned out.

"Yeah?" My voice cracked. "What is it?"

"Can we talk?"

"Okay." I went out of Carter's room and closed the door. "What do you want to talk about?"

Aspro drew in a deep breath before beginning. "Firstly, I'd like to apologize for what happened yesterday."

"Why didn't you stop her?" I found myself asking. That question had been on my mind since last night. He was supposed to do something. He was supposed to protect her. "Why did you just stand there?"

"I tried to do something before you came in, but Zariya threatened to kill Melody if I did anything. I did not want to endanger her and her child. At that point, it was the best way I could think of protecting them. I'm sorry."

I dragged a hand down my face. "So, am I pregnant? Am I carrying your child?"

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about." He tucked his hands into his pocket. "Zariya returned to the spirit realm before the deadline set for her."

"Why? Did the gods finally do something?"

"No," he removed his hands from his pocket and held my arms. "She left because you're pregnant."

FML.

Why couldn't I be infertile and incapable of getting pregnant? Just why was I pregnant. I didn't want this child. I did not want it.

"I'm getting rid of this pregnancy." I said, not at all bothered to reconsider my decision. "Today. I'll get rid of it."

"You can't."

"I can and I will."

"You are carrying a god, Valeria. You cannot do it. The only way that child will come out of you is when you deliver it."

"But I'll die if I do."

"I'm sorry it had to come to this."

I shoved his hands off. "How long do I have to carry it?"

"It won't take long because of the fast development. At most three months."

I couldn't stop the colorful words that left my lips after what he said. "So, I have just three months before I die?"

"You don't have to die." He said, "I'll find a way around this. I'll do anything to make sure you don't die."

To be honest, I wasn't convinced. I was already pregnant. Pregnant with a child I did not want. I swear, I would so fuck Zariya up if I died. She'd pay for this. I had so many things I did not want to leave behind. My family, my throne and kingdom. How could I leave them all behind?

"And," I focused on Aspro when he began speaking. "This pregnancy is nothing like what you're used to, so please call me if you feel something strange, okay?"

I nodded. "I will."

After my conversation with Aspro, I returned to my room to rest. My tummy hurt a little, and I needed to lie down for a while. It felt as if something was threatening to rip my stomach apart. I did not know if this was a normal thing during pregnancies. It should be fine when I wake up.

"Valeria,"

Scratch sleeping.

"Mm?" I sat up on the bed when I heard Melody's voice.

"Were you sleeping?" she asked, coming into my room with her bundle of joy in arm. "I thought I heard you talking earlier."

"I was. Just thought I'd rest a little. My tummy hurts."

"Really?" She sat on the bed. "Is it too much to handle?"

"It's not that bad." I held out my hand. "Can I carry him?"

"Duh. You're his godmother."

With a smile, I carried Dimitri. The little angel made my worries disappear when he peered at me through his lashes and smiled. He smiled at me.

"Aww," Melody cooed. "He likes you."

"He does," I said absent-mindedly, drinking in the little boy. He looked so fragile and innocent. It made me want to protect him with everything in me. Maybe getting pregnant with Aspro's child was worth it.

"Damn, I need to pee." Melody hurried out of the room without saying another word to me. The way she ran was funny.

"Finally."

I almost dropped Dimitri when I heard a voice that sounded all too familiar. It sounded like my deceased brother.

"Hey, hey, down here."

It came from the baby in my arms. Dimitri was talking to me, but his lips were not moving. It was like a mindlink.

"Zayne?"

"It's me." Dimitri smiled. "I miss you so much, V."

I was chilled to the bone.

"H-How can you be talking to me?"

"It's a god thing." He said. "Your child is part god and that means you will get certain powers during this pregnancy. One is communicating with the dead even though they are still in the spirit realm."

"So, you can see me and stuff."

"Yes." Dimitri lifted his hand for me to hold. I did. "It's been two years since I spoke to you. I miss you so much."

Although I felt extremely stupid for communicating with a child, I was fascinated and happy. I got to talk to my brother after two entire years.

"I miss you too. Every day."

"Father cannot stop smiling over here because of how far you've come. He is so proud of you."

A tear dropped from my eyes at the mention of my father. He was proud of me. He was happy I became Queen. But now, I'd have to leave everything behind.

"Does he feel the same way now?"

"Of course he does. Nothing will make him change how he sees you."

"I'm going to die."

"Don't think that way, Valeria. Three months is not over yet."

"There's no hope for me."

"I hate how—Damn, Melody is coming. I'll talk to you later."

True to his words, Melody entered my room with relief all over her face. "I thought he'd be crying."

I looked at Dimitri. He was back to his usual self; I guess. All smiles and innocent.

"He kept smiling at me," I lied. "I'm going to spoil him so much."

A shadow of sadness appeared in Melody's eyes. I knew what she was thinking about.

"I'm sorry." She began, avoiding my eyes by touching her son's leg. "If it wasn't for me and Dimitri, you wouldn't have gotten pregnant. It's my fault. You probably resent me."

"I could never hate you for anything." I was sincere. Melody was always there for me when I needed her. She was there for me when I felt like I had lost everything. She became a friend and sister to me. Mel was much more than a gamma to me. I'd sacrifice anything for her. "I don't regret what I did because if I hadn't done it, you and Dimitri would not be here with me today. I'd hate a world without you, Mel."

Her eyes became wet with tears. "They said you were going to die after giving birth."

I swallowed down my sadness. "It doesn't really matter. I got to become Queen, I got to rule this kingdom and make my father proud. Heck, I got to love someone, even though he doesn't feel the same way about me. I even had sex."

I smiled wryly at the thought of Mavros. Would he come now that I was carrying his brother's child?

I continued. "I didn't really lose, you know. I get to know what it feels like to be a mother even if it's for a short time."

"V," Melody touched my arm. "We'll find a way around this. Don't think too much about this."

I only smiled.

"We'll let you rest now." She took Dimitri from me. When she got to the door, she spun. "Call me if things become unbearable."

"I will."

<<<>>>

I was blindfolded with my hands tied behind my back. Where was I?

Next thing I heard was the sound of someone slamming their hand down on something. What was going on? Had I been abducted or something? No, it couldn't be. I had hurt no one. Even if I had, it shouldn't be this easy to take me hostage.

"You shouldn't have brought her here."

Mavros?

"Leave her head now, Selene."

Selene?

What was going on?

"Stay out of this, son. All I want is to speak to her."

My usually bold wolf retreated into the back of my head when Selene came close to me. She must be afraid of the power the goddess held. I shivered when Selene touched my head. Was this a dream or reality?

"Child, how are you?"

"I am f-fine." I wished she'd remove the blindfold. "Where am I?"

"You are asleep and we are in your head. I wanted to talk to you."

"Talk to me?"

"Yes. Concerning your pregnancy."

"Whose pregnancy?" Mavros questioned. In his voice was confusion and annoyance. "Selene, what are you talking about? Who is pregnant?"

"Be quiet, Mavros." Selene ordered. "You could not see it happen because of our ban on you, but Valeria is carrying your brother's child."

"You're joking." He laughed humorlessly. "She can't be pregnant. It can't be."

"She is pregnant. In her womb are two girls." Selene said matter-of-factly. "In three months, she will give birth to the next Alpha Queen. A hybrid."

I was carrying twin girls? Two little girls were growing inside of me. My heart became heavy with emotions. They would be like me. Hybrids. Except they would be stronger hybrids. My baby girls would be stronger than their mother. It made me smile.

"V?"

A sob escaped me when Mavros touched my face. His hand felt so warm against my cheek. I missed him so much.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there." He sounded nothing like the ruthless god I had first known. He sounded soft and apologetic. "I'm sorry I wasn't around to comfort you."

"You have nothing to be sorry for." I said through sobs, leaning in to him.

"Mavros, step away from her." Selene's order made me flinch. "Now."

Before he did, he kissed my forehead like he had done the first day I met him. His lips lingered for a moment. "Be strong. For your daughters."

I nodded.

"I'll come to you soon."

"Mavros," Selene warned.

"I promise." I knew he had disappeared when I no longer felt his presence.

"Valeria Claire Romero," Selene began. "You know what will happen after you give birth, yes?"

"Yes."

Be strong, Valeria.

"I'm sorry it came to this, child."

What?

"I and the council could do nothing for you because Zariya had rights as a spirit. She had fifteen days and in the end, she got what she wanted." The feel of the goddess' hand on my head calmed me. "Which is why I, Selene, will give you my word today. I will save you no matter what, but in exchange for your life, I will take a life. Your children need a mother."

"I don't understand."

"If you want to live, I must take the life of someone dear to you."