Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder

Chapter 1392 - 147 : Bun in the Oven

*Zara*

“So fun!” Briella exclaimed as Noah brought her inside. There was no more golden light cascading into the area as the two had played together into the night.

I turned and smiled at them, but then my jaw dropped. Briella was absolutely covered in dirt and twigs. “Noah!” I exclaimed, trying my hardest to not let a grin creep across my face. “She’s a mess! What did you do?”

“We wrestled, beautiful,” Noah said with a grin. “She was too strong for me, but I put up a fight. That’s why there’s twigs and dirt everywhere.”

“Did you find a puddle of mud?” I asked with a laugh.

“Yeah! Daddy say we play!”

“Noah!”

Noah roared with laughter, sticking his tongue out at Briella. “You told Mommy our secret, silly girl,” he said. Briella stuck her tongue out right back at Noah and then erupted into giggles.

“Alright, alright,” I said, shaking my head. “Let me get a bath prepared, and you need to wash up too, mister,” I said to my mate.

Noah whined, “Can’t you help me, my darling, beautiful Luna?”

“No, I need to wash off Briella. You will have to wash yourself off,” I said. He dramatically sighed, winked at me, and turned to take the other bathroom while I was left with our daughter.

I scooped up Briella, who let out a whine, saying, “I play out dere! With daddy!”

“Tomorrow, honey, you can keep winning those wrestling matches all you want. How does that sound?”

“Yes! Wanna play!” she cheered.

I beamed and carried her to the bathroom, giving her cheek a raspberry but being careful not to get dirt in my mouth. She squealed and giggled until I got her all set up in the bath and helped her get washed up.

She looked at me with her brilliant eyes and smiled widely. “I be Alpha like Daddy. Can I, Mommy? Can I?”

I chuckled, saying softly, “You do, do you? Maybe if you work hard like Daddy does.”

“Yay!”

I felt my heart sing happily. My body filled with so much warmth at just how much Noah and our daughter loved each other. He was turning into such a wonderful father.

Our family was whole. Despite the problems cropping up, I knew we could get through it. I decided that this time away at the summer home was exactly what we needed.

I set Briella up in her room and met with Noah so we could settle in for the night. Cuddling close to him, I said, “You are such a good father already. You know that?”

Noah leaned over and kissed me on the lips. The kiss was very gentle and tender.

“I do, but I also know you’re a wonderful mother, beautiful. I am so happy we are a family now.”

“I am too, so much. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

We fell to sleep in each other’s arms, the tension leaving my muscles as I let myself finally relax. I was overtaken by joy and felt tears of happiness crawl down my cheeks.

The next morning, I felt a smile slowly creep across my face as I awoke. I was groggy, having totally relaxed with Noah the previous night.

When I did blink awake to notice golden light filtering into the cozy room, I saw that Noah was gone already. I must have slept in. I heard the bustle of preparations for the small wedding.

He must have gotten up early to do that and didn’t want to wake me up. When I had the chance, I would join him and help everyone out too.

At least, that was the plan.

Instead, something peculiar happened.

My stomach lurched, and not in a good way, but in a very familiar way.

Nausea.

Sickness rushed through me as I quickly rushed to the bathroom and emptied the contents of my stomach into the toilet. The feeling was so familiar because it was how I felt before I had Briella.

This was a sign of pregnancy.

I wondered if I could be pregnant again.

I mulled this over in my head, my heart leaping at the idea of our family growing larger. Noah had shown he was a wonderful father already, and another baby on the way could be a wonderful thing.

I held my stomach, letting out a deep breath, when I heard a knock on the door.

“Come in,” I said weakly.

My mother walked into the room and then the bathroom. She frowned when she saw me. “Zara? Are you alright, honey?”

“I’m not sure,” I said softly. I thought over how to explain my suspicions to her but decided to be straightforward. “I’m not feeling well. I may be pregnant again.”

My mother gasped and let out a squeal of delight. She was grinning from ear to ear. She walked over and carefully wrapped her arms around me in a hug.

“Oh, Zara, this is wonderful news. I am so happy you’re back and safe and that another baby may be on the way. We will have to celebrate. Are you very excited?”

“Yes,” I said breathlessly, feeling warmth pool in my belly. “I am. I was so worried for Briella, but this time, things will be different and more stable.”

At least, I hoped they would. I was too shaky to continue and frowned deeply. “With me feeling this sick, I don’t know how I can get ready for the ceremony.”

“Sit down, honey. I can help. Let me draw a bath for you. We’ll work together. How does that sound?”

I smiled at her. “It sounds wonderful.”

From there, she set up a bath and helped me sit down. I sighed, letting myself relax as the warm water caressed my skin. I felt my mother lather soap into my hair and rested to let her pamper me.

“Oh, this is bringing back all sorts of memories from my mating ceremony with your dad,” she hummed, causing me to grin and look toward her.

“Tell me about your favorite one.”

“Your dad could be romantic when he wanted to be. He brought out a radio and had us dance together in a field of flowers.”

I gasped. “That sounds beautiful.”

“It was,” my mother gushed. “We saved some flowers from that night. They didn’t last long, but that didn’t matter. He also wrestled me into the lake soon after and got us both all dirty.”

I laughed. “I bet Noah would do the same thing with me and Briella.”

“I bet he would. He is already turning out to be such a loyal father.”

“He is,” I sighed with a very happy tone.

My mother kept washing my tresses until they shone, helping me out and breaking out the hair dryer so they could be blown back and dried properly.

“The robe you chose is so beautiful. It’s not too flashy or extravagant. It’s elegant, just like you,” she praised.

“Thank you,” I said softly. “Oh, it’s hidden in the other room. I didn’t want Noah to see it until the big day. Well, I guess today.”

“Good point. I’ll go get it. You rest right here.”

From there, she brought in a beautiful, soft lace robe with many floral designs on it. The robe was a bright green, something that matched my emerald eyes.

My mother gazed at me, reaching up to wipe a tear from her eyes. “My little girl is all grown up,” she said in a choked voice, leaning forward to take me into a hug.

I smiled and returned it. She directed me to sit down, citing that I needed rest. “Now, we have a couple of guests arriving right now. Are you well enough to come out with me to see them?”

“I am.”

She led me out into a lounge area where Luna Estella and my soon-to-be sister-in-law, Angelica, were sitting. They had just arrived.

Angelica took one look at me and squealed. “You look so pretty!” she exclaimed, causing me to blush a bit. Luna Estella nodded, beaming at me.

“She’s right. You do. That’s a perfect choice,” she said.

Angelica’s eyes glinted with determination. She giggled, “You look tired. Good. You’ll sit still for our plans for your hair.”

I blinked curiously as she and Estella got right to it, helped by my mother. They decided to braid it into an elaborate updo with fragrant wildflowers arranged artfully throughout it.

It was something that took my breath away. I felt my heart glow with just how perfect it was. They were all giggling and gushing as they did so.

“There’s so much to do,” Angelica said. “The servants are cooking up some delicious food. I can’t wait to dive into it and take pictures.”

“We’ll have to take the best of pictures. Those are important,” I said with a smile.

“Thankfully, Noah is well-versed in that, though he won’t be allowed to man the camera for long,” Estella said softly, causing me to snicker.

My mother brought out another part to the gown, a fitted white eyelet she had selected. I twirled slowly in front of the mirror, with the help of my mother, of course.

Estella chuckled softly and asked, “How long will it be until we get future grandchildren? Or are you one and done?”

“Briella would be so cute playing with a little sibling,” Angelica said. “Another niece or nephew would be so perfect. I promise to babysit. I bet my mom would too.” She looked over to Estella, who nodded.

My mother gave a wink and gently nudged Estella, which grabbed Angelica’s attention. “Actually... she may already have a bun in the oven.”

Blush sprang up on my cheeks fiercely as all shocked eyes fell upon me. I cleared my throat and whispered, “Don’t tell a soul yet, but yes, I do suspect I’m newly pregnant. That’s why I’m so slow.”

Angelica squealed, and Estella gasped. They both giggled with joy that their speculations and fun had merit. They came around me when I was done talking and took me into a gentle group hug.

“I am so excited,” Angelica said.

“Our family is growing bigger. What a wonderful surprise,” Estella said. Both of them and my mother were clearly over the moon at this new, happy secret.

And this time, it likely wouldn’t be spoiled. Not that it would be the end of the world if it was, but I wanted it to be a surprise.

As the ceremony drew closer, I felt a familiar pang of panic and anxiety rise through me. I stared at the ground. There were so many external threats. There was so much going on.

I was going to officially marry Noah and stand there by his side as his Luna. I wondered whether I would be good enough to be both his wife and his Luna. I bit my lip, rubbing at my arm.

I felt my mother staring at me and looked up to meet her gaze. She drew her weathered hands up and cradled my face, giving me a soft smile.

“I know that look. You’re brooding over this. Just focus on the immense joy of marrying your soulmate, my daughter.”

I took a deep breath, nodding. “I am nervous, but you’re right.”

“I know I am. He is an uncommonly kindhearted and valiant leader who’s proven he’d be willing to move mountains to keep the daily safe against gathering storms. You know that.”

“I do. You’re right.”

I took a deep, bolstering breath as I allowed a renewed smile to stretch across my lips. Walking out into the den, I felt confident as I took my father’s proudly offered arm.

He whispered, “I am so proud of you.” It made my heart leap a thousand times over. I knew he was.

He guided me out of the cabin doors toward the flower-adorned lakeside altar.

My beloved mate awaited me, ready to make the sacred vows that would unite our fates for eternity.

Now, I felt ready.

This was our future.