Bye, My Ruthless Alpha-Chapter 18: Again...

I could try again... She said it could still happen...

“How many more times...?” I knew my voice could barely be heard, but I still asked.

I regretted my question immediately. How could she possibly answer that question?

The memories of his touch flooded my mind, and the idea he would touch me again made my heart race.

Ava hesitated for a moment. “Well... it depends. But as many as it takes.”

The past few minutes had been like riding on a roller coaster. I was heartbroken and scared one moment and filled with hope the next.

Then... the thought of him bedding me again...

I had tried not to think about that night but found myself more than once late at night wanting to touch myself to the memories he and I had created. I felt torn between the emptiness of not being pregnant and the desire to be with him again.

“May I go back to my room?” I had a lot to think about, and one thing for sure was that I couldn’t give up. I had to remain hopeful that I could fulfill this for him—and for myself.

Both Ava and Jace were quiet for a moment before Ava nodded. “Of course.”

Sliding from the table, I steadied myself as I waited for Jace. He held the door open and led me out of the room, back toward the pack house. He didn’t say a word, but I knew this wasn’t the greatest news for him.

“Sorry...” I said, keeping my eyes lowered to the floor, unable to look at him. “I’m sorry that you have to deliver the bad news to the Alpha. I didn’t mean to be such a burden...”

He stopped in front of me, and his voice was calm. “Miss Tori, this wasn’t your fault.”

He paused for a moment, then added, “Just follow Ava’s order and do your best. Please excuse me now, I need to return to the training field.”

I looked at him with appreciation in my eyes, nodding my head.

As he closed the door of my room, I seemed to hear a very light sigh from him, one that I couldn’t quite understand. It was a sigh of relief.

***

Jace’s POV

I stood in front of Tori’s closed door and took a deep breath. A sigh left my lips as I looked up to the ceiling trying to clear my head.

Now I had to go see Cayden, and I had to deliver bad news.

I made my way down the stairs toward the main floor of the packhouse where his office was. I knew Cayden had had meetings all morning because I had been within them as well.

I knocked on the door and waited for him to answer.

“Come in.”

His firm voice sounded preoccupied, but as I entered he looked up at me. His expression turned from irritated to inquisitive. “Jace, you have news?”

“Yes, Alpha, I do.” Hesitating, I stepped forward and handed him the paper I had gotten from Ava.

He looked over it for a second before his brows narrowed. “She isn’t pregnant?”

“No, she isn’t,” I replied reluctantly.

He stared at me.

One second, two seconds...

“I paid for a BREEDER and she isn’t PREGNANT.” Cayden looked displeased. “Is there something wrong?”

“You know that it doesn’t always succeed the first time... Getting pregnant requires the joint efforts of both parents.”

His eyes darted toward me.

“Excuse me, Beta?” he growled.

I swallowed hard, realizing my error. “Sorry, Alpha.”

I took my time to pour him a glass of whiskey before making my explanation.

“You didn’t do the act during the best time to conceive. They had to wait till after the first time to get a sense of when she would be ready. That was her first-ever heat, and it wasn’t one she naturally went through. They medicated her to put her into heat—don’t look at me, I’m just telling you what the doctor said.”

I watched as he slowly paced back and forth behind his desk as if he was thinking. A long sigh left him as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

“So I need to keep trying?” he asked.

“Yes. Ava said that Tori is fertile and able to conceive. You will just have to keep trying till she is pregnant.”

Hearing what I said perked him up slightly, but I could still see irritation.

“This was the last thing I needed to worry about on top of everything else, Jace.”

“I know, but the good thing is that at least now we have a better timeframe,” I replied, trying to make him less angry about the situation.

There was a moment of silence between us as Cayden took a seat in his chair and stared out the window.

“How did she take the news?” he asked.

“Uh?” Did I hear what I heard? Was he asking how Tori handled it?

I cleared my throat and tried to make myself not look surprised. “I think she was disappointed by the news. She went back to her room, but I’m sure she is upset.”

And apologized for something that wasn’t her fault.

I watched Cayden closely after telling him the news. I wasn’t sure why Cayden had wanted to know what Tori’s reaction was, but I had known him for a long time, and something was rolling through his mind that he wasn’t sharing.

Then came the second outburst.

“What the FUCK! I BOUGHT her, she couldn’t conceive, so now I am the bad guy?”

Cayden’s snide and angry remark caught me off guard. I knew I shouldn’t, but for some reason, I almost chuckled.

Did he realize that he was worried about what Tori thought of him?

“No,” I needed to clarify the situation as soon as I could, “I think you’ve misunderstood. She was upset because she wanted to be pregnant... she wanted to be carrying your child, Cayden.”

Cayden’s eyes glanced toward me again, and, this time, I could tell the anger in his eyes had faded quickly. His expression was unreadable, and I didn’t like the fact I wasn’t able to tell what he was thinking about.

There was a reason I was Cayden’s beta. It wasn’t just because I was the strongest of the warriors. I knew my friend better than anyone, and I was able to read his every moment. Which helped in times of war.

But not now.

“Then have Ava send me over the time frames,” he said, “and I will see that it’s done.”

Nodding, I turned to leave but hesitated once more. “May I ask something?”

Turning slightly, Cayden gestured impatiently for me to speak.

“Once she conceives, may she be allowed to at least venture into the gardens? Chaperoned, of course. Ava says she needs the sunlight and fresh air.”

Cayden hesitated, staring at me with a dark intense gaze. Then he said, “Very well.”

I knew better than to stay longer than I needed to. I wasn’t going to allow Cayden the time to rethink his answer and change his mind. Tori needed the fresh air, and needed time that wasn’t enclosed in four walls.

The gardens at the back of the pack house off the sunroom hadn’t been properly tended to in a few months. I remembered how they had looked once upon a time.

Making my way from Cayden’s office, I found myself on a mission.

Tori needed something that was hers. I knew that if Cayden were in a better mind frame, he would have done this himself. Once upon a time, he was a different man, but he had changed... and not for the best reasons.

After that, I called Ava into my office. "Ava, you’re aware of Tori’s situation. The Alpha is disappointed that she hasn’t gotten pregnant yet. I hope we can make efforts to push this task forward and ensure that Tori gets pregnant as soon as possible. I’d like to work out a more comprehensive diet plan for her. You should arrange her daily diet in detail.”

All three meals a day should be nutritionally balanced. The ingredients must be fresh. Each meal should contain an appropriate amount of protein, vegetables, and grains. Fruits are also indispensable, and there should be a wide variety of them to make sure that she can take in enough vitamins and minerals."

Ava nodded seriously and replied, "Okay, I’ll get it done as soon as possible. Are there any other aspects that need attention?"

"Well, apart from diet, mental health is also of vital importance. You should arrange regular mental health check-ups for her, find professional psychiatrists, at least once a week, and closely monitor her emotional changes," I instructed solemnly.

Ava nodded. "Understood. I’ll put this on top of my priority list. I think we can arrange a professional nutritionist for Tori so that her nutritional needs can be met more precisely."

After thinking for a moment, I said, "That’s a good suggestion. Go ahead and get in touch with one. Find a nutritionist with rich experience and a good reputation. By the way, how’s Tori’s condition recently?"

Ava smiled. "Currently, Tori’s in very good condition. She’s been quite cooperative with all the examinations and treatments. I’m confident that she can get pregnant. As long as we continue at this pace, I believe it’s just a matter of time."

The corners of my mouth turned up, and a glimmer of expectation flashed in my eyes. "That’s good. Thank you for your hard work, Ava. Keep me informed of any situation. This matter is very important to us, and we must go all out."

"Don’t worry. I will," Ava replied firmly. Then she turned around and left to carry out the task.

I was confident that with our help, we would fulfill the Alpha’s task.

This chapter is updated by freew(e)bnovel.(c)om