CHAPTER 4.
Agony of motherhood.
Despite a week of unprotected sex, Madeline has yet to exhibit any symptoms of pregnancy. Her inability to get pregnant is becoming a major worry for Alpha Diego. He never bargained for this delay.
"What the fuck is happening? What's my offense? We've been having unprotected sex for weeks, and she's yet to get pregnant. Is the moon goddess fighting against my freedom? But she suggested that I go find some teenage girl to break the curse. Gosh! I don't wanna end up like my father and great-grandfather. I need to put a stop to this. I can't continue in this pain and darkness. I need an explanation for this madness," Diego muttered succinctly and called his maidens to summon Jayson to his room immediately.
"You look tensed. What's troubling you? You summoned my presence whatever troubles you equally affects me." Jayson showed up, placing both hands behind him.
"How long have we known each other?" Alpha Diego asked sarcastically, narrowing his gaze on Jayson.
"I've known you all my life. Even before you emerged as the Alpha. Why the questions?"
"Why did you choose to betray what we had? Do you wish death upon me? It doesn't cost me anything to have you locked up for treason. It doesn't matter if I have known you all my life," Diego yelled at Jayson as his utterances conveyed wisdom that was beyond Jayson's comprehension.
"I'll be a fool to harbor such imagination in my head. I can't even hurt a fly. What makes you think I'd be capable of such? You've known me all your life. We even grew up together. Have I for once exhibited some awkward behavior before?" Jayson defended himself, still eager to fathom why Diego said that.
"Quit the pretense, you swine. I know you're trying to deny it. Come up, open up to me. It's just you and me here. Of course, you know what I'm talking about. You were aware of my predicament, yet you made a travesty of my situation and brought me a logwood. You brought someone that wouldn't solve my problem. I need answers, Jayson. Start talking now. That's a slap on my face. I should have you dealt with!"
"I'm still confused, my Alpha.
What has she done?"
"She's not pregnant yet, that's what I meant. Did you have anything to do with this? Did you plan this with that bastard Antonio to extort money from me? How's that even possible? I lost count of how many times we've had unprotected sex." He finally let it out with a scream.
"Patience, my Alpha. We need to give her time. She'll come around. Trust me. She's just a kid. Let's not lose all hope on this." he assured Alpha Diego to allay his fear.
"Patience you say? How long will I continue waiting for her to get pregnant? I want results. I've lost all patience in me. I'm curious. I can't wait to see her get pregnant. Why does it take so long? I thought it was supposed to be easy. I'm tired of waiting for eternity. Did you plan this? Alpha Diego lost his cool and sparked outrage at his BETA.
Astounded by the Alpha's wrath, Jayson was mute and unmoved. For a prolonged silence, he was calm and carefully selected his words to avert the wrath of the Alpha.
"I've got an idea. Trust me, it'll work out. Should we seek the moon guardian's assistance? She might find an answer to our situation," suggested Jayson after a prolonged silence.
"Take her name out of your fucking mouth. She's got absolutely nothing to do with this. Just when I thought you had a better suggestion. Here you go again displaying your stupidity. Don't you have shame? You know what? I want you to go call me Madeline. I have a couple of questions to ask her. She must provide me with some answers." he commanded. He doesn't believe his predicament requires the intervention of the moon guardian. Somehow, he suspected Madeline might be responsible for her inability to conceive. He paced around his room for minutes, trying to wrap his head around the situation. "Could she be barren? That's not even possible. She dares not. She must conceive. She was bleeding when I had sex with her. That makes her a virgin right?" Diego ponders over the situation.
"Here she is. You requested to see her," Jayson returned with Madeline a few minutes later. Despite having sexual intercourse with the Alpha, she still considered him formidable, fearless, and quite possessive. Alpha Diego's gaze flickered at her eyes as he leaned forward to pull her hair, "Hey, stranger. I don't know what stunt you pulling on me. But trust me, if you don't get pregnant soon, I'll feed your remains to the vultures. I am a man of few words. I don't entertain suspense either." He shoved her to the ground and stiffed yet another sigh of frustration at his situation. Still, on the ground, she dropped a tear from her sore eyes. So many questions plagued her mind. Firstly, her wicked Uncle tricked and sold her to the cruelest Alpha. And now the Alpha is frantic about her inability to conceive.
"My inability to conceive isn't any fault of mine. Last I checked, you met me as a virgin. Would a virgin be barren? I guess you know the answer to that question. Or is there something you not telling me?" Madeline clapped back, which resulted in a thunderstorm slap on her face from the Alpha.
"Just shut up already. What impetus? Don't you dare speak to your Alpha in such a manner? I demand you show some respect. The only reason I'm being modest is that your mission isn't accomplished yet. Once this is over, you'd be chased out of this palace and never return. Don't play games with me."
"Hahaha! Amazing! What a performance. Is that all you've got? Bring it on! Show me the stuff you made of. I thought you were ruthless. I can only see a coward in front of me. You aren't worth it. Go get a life, you coward." Her nostrils flared again, staring madly at the Alpha. Her gloaming gap lit for a moment with a profound red light, making her suddenly appear like the moon goddess herself. The situation was beginning to piss her off. Nothing ever matters to her anymore.
"Jayson, get this godforsaken leper away from my sight. Ensure she starves for the next few days. That's her punishment for disrespecting me," Diego commanded with a growl. Her presence was beginning to irritate him, and he might do something stupid if she didn't leave immediately.
"Your wish is my command," Jayson responded with a bow and forcefully pulled Madeline by the arm. Suddenly, she got away from him and rushed out to throw up. Jayson attempted to run after her but was halted by the Alpha, "Let her be. She can't possibly escape under the watchful eyes of the guards. She will come back."
After throwing up, Madeline returned, looking so pale and staggering. With a move too fast, Diego gestured to Madeline and examined her body. "Your temperature is high. How long has this been happening?"
"What do you care for? I thought you couldn't wait to get rid of me. Please let me be. I owe you no explanation,"
"Don't talk back at me. I'm not your lover or mate. Just answer the damn question!"
"For some days, I guess. I've been down with some sort of illness. I have been quite dizzy lately. Why the questions? The last time I checked, my presence disgusted you. Why the sudden change of mind?" Madeline confessed and peeked, rather confused.
"You're pregnant! It's obvious. I can see it in your eyes," Diego exclaimed In excitement.
"Pregnant? How? When did you suddenly become a doctor to detect a pregnant woman? I can't be pregnant. That's not even possible. And I had no idea about it." Bewildered, Madeline asked.
"This shouldn't be a shock to you. Of course, you know why you're here. You have just one assignment. Get pregnant for me. And you did. Well, I understand your surprise. It's your first pregnancy. It's okay not to know. Finally, the moon goddess answered my prayer. Finally! I'm going to be a father soon." Diego jumped for joy and embraced Madeline, knowing he was one step from breaking the curse.