Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 125 : If This Was the Last Night Pt. 1

“Heather, you're going to be missed!" Piper gave me a tight hug. It was my last day working at the Hill's Clinic.

“I'll miss you too, Piper." I hugged her back. “Thanks for everything, and sorry that I kinda bailed on you and your brother. It's just—"

Piper shook her head. “No, not at all! I totally understand that you want to focus on getting your place ready for the baby. Your due day is less than two months away, and you've got to do what's best for you and your family."

Victor came around the corner, joining us in our goodbyes. “Piper, why don't you close down the clinic? I'll walk Heather out."

“Yes, sir!" Piper playfully saluted her brother and left us.

“Victor, please, there's no need," I argued, shaking my head.

“Actually, there is, Heather. You've helped out so much and with it being so close to your due date, I want to make sure you're safe as long as you're around. It is sort of my responsibility as your doctor."

“Well, in that case, thanks a lot."

He walked me toward my new home. As much as I didn't want to take up any more of his time, as a pregnant woman, I was a lot safer with a former elite warrior walking me home.

It was almost dinner time now, and the sun was getting ready to set. Still, the streets seemed busier than ever with everyone heading home after a long day at work.

“Heather…"

I paused and glanced at Victor. “Yes?"

“Did you resign because of what I said a few weeks ago?" he looked at me with deep concern.

I took a half-step back. “No. Victor, no. That's not the reason at all. It's just time for me to move on."

Victor sighed and nodded. I could see the relief on his face.

“Well, in that case… you know you're always welcome back. Any time. Even after you have the baby. You're family, alright?"

“Thank you, Victor. That means a lot." I nodded to him.

“Hopefully, Heather, our paths will cross again." Victor grinned at me.

“I hope so, too," I said honestly. Piper and Victor had taken good care of me. I wished that life would treat them well. “You know, you don't need to walk me all the way back. This is far enough. My new neighborhood is very nice and safe."

“Are you sure?"

“One hundred percent!" Smiling, I stepped closer and gave him a friendly hug. “May the Goddess Bless you, Victor. You take care, too."

Victor nodded as I released him. I left him on the sidewalk as I headed home.

About a month ago, we moved to a much nicer neighborhood. We even got ourselves a cottage for more space. A small one-bedroom apartment wasn't big enough for Soren's recovery, nor would it be enough for a baby.

When Soren had first woken up, he was barely able to wiggle a finger. The most he could do was turn his head and wink at me. It took him two days before he finally was able to lift his wrist and form a fist.

And then he put himself on a rigorous schedule to re-train his body bit by bit.

According to him, he felt his soul had detached from him at some point, like a driver had left his vehicle. When the driver was back, although the vehicle was in perfect condition, unfortunately, the driver lost all his driving skills and he had to learn how to control his car again.

In addition to that, three months in bed naturally weakened his muscles to a degree regardless of whatever blessing he received from the White Queen or the healing spell I'd been pouring into him. Physical therapy to rebuild his strength and range of motion was still needed.

In the new house, we had a whole exercise room where he could work on his muscles and flexibility.

I remembered watching Soren push himself so hard that he was almost hurting his body. I asked him to slow things down. Seeing how worried I was, he agreed, but I soon found out that he wasn't taking it easy at all. Instead, when I was asleep, he'd ramp up his training.

I should've known that he wasn't the type to give up, and his pride wouldn't allow him to just sit in bed and wait for me to take care of him.

Therefore, I chose to go back to work and give him some space so he didn't have to wait until I was asleep to train. It was better so he could rest at night and recover his strength.

A few weeks had passed, and he had made great progress on his upper body. However, standing was still a challenge, and he hadn't been able to walk, let alone run or shift.

Suddenly, I stopped in my tracks. The back of my neck prickled and I was pulled out from my thoughts about Soren. Someone was watching me…or following me!

However, looking around, nothing seemed threatening in this lovely neighborhood. Warm street lights were already turned on even though the sun hadn't fully set yet. There were a couple of people rushing back home. I also heard kids laughing from a distance.

I shook my head.

What was I thinking? This was the most secure neighborhood in Marno packland. Patrols went by frequently. In fact, I'd just seen a few after Victor left me alone.

There was no reason for a pregnant woman on the edge of her own lawn to worry about anything. I must be overreacting due to my hormones.

Scoffing at my unnecessary panic, I picked up my pace as I turned the corner. A cottage with white picket fences and a well manicured front yard came into view.

The cobblestone walkway led to the front door of the two-story, three bedroom bungalow. The lights in the house were on and the soft yellow glow through the window made it look so warm and welcoming. I also loved that the backyard extended into a small woods, which eventually led to a cliff overlooking the ocean.

The house was so cute. We paid decent money for the rent, but luckily, I'd saved enough to afford it for at least another year.

I loved staring at our new home when I got back from my job, almost as much as I loved seeing Soren after work every day. Absence does make the heart grow fonder!

Hurrying up, I pushed the front door open.

“I'm back," I announced.

Normally, Soren would be greeting me back. But He wasn't there today.

“Soren?" I called, going through the house, but he didn't respond.

My stomach sank and my heart started beating faster.

Clutching my round, melon belly, I hurried faster through the rooms.

Where could he be? Was my fear from earlier justified? He hadn't left the house on his own since waking up! He couldn't get very far with his limited mobility.

Suddenly, I paused.

What if something horrible had happened? The king could have sent men to get him and take him away from me. With Soren in his current state, there was no way he could win a fight against intruders!

Or… he could have left on his own…

No, definitely not. He wouldn't leave me without telling me. Something must have happened!

All manner of horrible thoughts ran through my head. Soren was attacked, abducted, or…killed. My mind was in a mess and tears started to well.

Why would this happen to us now? Why would this happen right as things were finally getting good again?

I hurried to the back of the house and out into the backyard and then stopped dead.

A familiar figure was standing in the garden with his back toward me, staring off into space. The red-orange glow of the setting sun painted the sky and outlined his graceful and upright stance in vibrant gold.

I rubbed my eyes and stared at Soren and all the amazing colors that surrounded him.

“Soren…?"

“Mila, you're back!" He snapped out of whatever daze he was in and immediately turned around to walk toward me.

He glided like a bird, a golden halo of light around him, as he approached. The flaming sky burst around him and made him look like a phoenix reborn from the ashes.

“You…you're walking!"

I rushed toward him as fast as I could, arms out. Just before I reached him, I slowed down. He might have been walking but I doubted he was up to his full strength yet.

Smirking, he closed the distance between us and took me into his arms. “Yes, I am. And I haven't fallen down once!"

His warm embrace....I'd missed it for the entire day that I was away.

He inhaled my scent and buried his nose in my hair, then pulled back and kissed me hard on the lips. I melted into him, sighing and putting my arms around him, responding to him passionately.

When I was almost out of breath, I pulled away.