My Fated Mate Can Have Her-Chapter 75: Stuffed

Violet

I woke up early that morning, earlier than usual, and my legs dragged me to the feeding hall.

The hall was nearly empty at this hour. Most of the tables were bare, but some had covered serving bowls and plates, likely leftovers of untouched food from last night.

A few wolves were in the hall, less than ten, and they looked up as I entered, their conversations dying mid-sentence. The now familiar weight of their stares pressed against my back as I moved deeper into the hall.

But I had more pressing matters to even care about.

The aroma of cold food wafted to my nose, and my stomach twisted painfully in response. I navigated toward the table with the most covered dishes and sat down.

I needed all the strength I could get, especially if I didn’t want to rely on the energy from the sun or the moon.

I would also be less suspicious if I wanted to pass as an Omega... even as an odd one.

That aside, I was starving.

I ate more than I had ever eaten in one sitting. More than I ever thought I could finish.

Two plates.

Three plates.

Five.

Six.

The morning light started to creep into the hall as I ate, and with it came more wolves.

More eyes. More stares.

I didn’t stop eating.

I did not know how long I ate for, but I dropped the last bowl on the table with a sigh.

I reached for the covered jug on the table, but found only a small amount of water left inside. I drained it, but it wasn’t enough.

I contemplated asking the wolves for water, but doubted if they would even answer me.

’No. It doesn’t matter. Still ask for where you can get more.’

I looked up.

A few more wolves occupied the hall now, and every single one of them was staring at me with wide-eyed shock.

"Please, where can I get some drinking water?"

They didn’t answer. Some of them even frowned.

I softly exhaled and stood up. I paused, wondering if I should have eaten that much.

I made my way out of the hall, and just as I stepped past the arched entrance, I found Ila leaning against the wall right beside the entrance, arms crossed.

I flinched, my heart jumping in shock.

I had heightened my senses shortly after waking up and kept it that way, but to not even have known she was here...

’How long has she even been here?’

Her gaze dropped to my stomach, and her lips immediately pressed together, trembling as she visibly fought against a smile. She then straightened from the wall, one hand rising to cover her mouth as she turned aside to let out what sounded like a cough but was clearly an attempt to disguise actual laughter. Her shoulders shook lightly and when she cleared her throat, her voice came out strained.

My ears burned hot with embarrassment, and I lowered my head to take in the full sight of my stomach.

It was firm, swollen, and pressed uncomfortably against my shirt.

It really was that big.

And I had just walked through the feeding hall like this. In front of all those wolves.

’This has to be a bad dream.’

Without thinking, I wrapped both arms around my stomach, trying to conceal its size. The moment I did that, I was immediately aware of the pose I was making.

Like I was a pregnant woman.

"Good–good morning..." I greeted her, briefly squeezing my eyes shut as fresh mortification washed over me.

Ila still had her back partially turned, and I could hear the way she was struggling to control her breathing.

I should not have eaten so much. I didn’t even realise just how much I was consuming.

Finally, she turned back to face me, one hand sliding away from her chin. A humorous smile still played at the corners of her lips, but she was making a visible effort to compose herself. Her eyes met mine, and I watched her deliberately avoid glancing down at my stomach again.

"Sorry about that," she started, still smiling. "You have quite the appetite."

I looked away, shifting on my feet. "I don’t usually eat this much..."

"It’s fine..." Her smile softened into something more genuine, less teasing. "I have been busy lately. But I have time for you today."

"Let’s get to my room. I’ll have some water there for you. Along with some to be sent to your room." She started walking and her eyes trailed down to my stomach again. "And it would be best to let all that digest before we start."

My cheeks burned but I followed her, still self-consciously clutching my belly. "Yes... thank you."

We walked in silence for a while, moving through empty hallways that slowly woke up as more wolves started to move around, all of them greeting Ila.

We had arrived at our quarters when she spoke up, her voice measured now.

"Meribel told me about your performance when I returned last night."

My mood slightly soured, but I chose not to say anything about it.

She continued, not looking at me, "Kael had told me about your rapid growth, but I really did not expect it to be this quick... even though I recall how you were back then... your progression is exceptional, and I really don’t think that is normal even for your... constitution."

Her eyes strayed to me as she said those last words and my features eased. Anyone listening would think she was referring to me being an Omega, but I knew precisely what she meant.

I think Kael and Tow had mentioned something like that. My progress was rapid, even for Lycans.

Meribel’s words resurfaced. Even with all the other rubbish she had said yesterday, she did have a point. I only saw my failures, not even noticing the other things.

I did look down on myself.

"Thank you?" I answered, glancing at Ila, not sure if she meant that as a compliment or was just stating it.

She smiled at me and then shifted her attention forward. "I will be there, but it won’t be me personally guiding you today."

"What?"