CHAPTER 101: APPLE JUICE

Koda;

He’s a special kind...

Father’s words keep replaying in my mind as the carriage sways, and I rub my eyes, thinking so much has almost given me a headache.

Father never does anything without reason. If Elian were of no importance, Father wouldn’t do all this for him.

The fact that he’s protecting him... relocating him... so invested in his safety... is a bit worrisome.

I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or not. I know Elián is special to me, but I’m very sure that’s not the kind of "special" Father meant.

He means something else... but what? In what way is Elián special to Father?

Should I start worrying about keeping safe from Father, too?

My Father is a scary man. The kind you never can predict. He has raised me for over twenty years, and I still do not know him fully.

A secretive man, you can’t determine whether to admire or fear.

At first, he didn’t care about Elián. But now? This sudden care... concern...

I’m missing something... and it worries me.

I stare down at Elián, who’s still sleeping with his head on my lap, and gently stroke his hair. He nuzzles closer to me, and a small smile crawls onto my lips.

"I’ll protect you... don’t worry." I whisper as I look out of the carriage’s window at the twinkling night sky.

I remember how scared he looked the night we bought him. He was confused and looked so fragile... like life hadn’t dealt a good hand in so long.

To be honest... it wasn’t just his breeding rate that made me want him.

Before the auctioneer even said a word about him... I was drawn to him. I wanted to know more about him. He wasn’t like the others I’d seen.

I’ve never felt such crushing weight to protect anyone before. It scared me how much he’s gotten under my skin... but it’s the kind of fear you love...

The kind that gives... purpose?

Now, I can look beyond just becoming king of BeastHeaven and fostering unity with more clans.

Now, I can see having an omega who would give me children... as more than just a duty.

With Elián... the thought now appeals to me. It no longer feels like a looming responsibility but rather something I want to do... and enjoy.

I want him pregnant with my babies. I want to walk those nine months with him... I want to raise babies that will have his beauty, wit and innocence.

I want a family with him. That’s how badly he’s gotten under my skin...

That’s how deeply I long to protect him...

The carriage rattles after going over a bump, and he groans in his sleep.

I pull him back onto the chair, and he lets out a satisfied sigh. How is he still asleep?

He’s only woken up twice. To eat and to pee. Even then, he wasn’t fully awake.

It’s almost like he used up all his strength yesterday, and now he needs deep sleep to recuperate.

Should I be worried that he’s sleeping this long?

Do I wake him up? Is it okay to sleep for this long?

A faint growl suddenly comes from his stomach, and I pause. He smacks his lips, and then it dawns on me.

He’s hungry...

Of course, one measly meal eaten while asleep wouldn’t be enough for him. I need to get him to eat something.

His stomach growls again, and this time, he curls into himself and groans.

If I stop the entourage now... we may not get to Gravemaw tonight. But then again... I can’t let him starve.

We’ll stop.

We’ll get there whenever we do. Right now, his health is more important.

This is going to be his second meal today. He needs it.

I stretch my hand out of my window, letting a white piece of cloth dangle and soon enough, I hear Rowan’s voice.

"Everybody halt!"

My carriage slows to a stop, and soon, Rowan appears by my window.

"Is anything the matter, Alpha?" He questions, and I look back down at Elián.

"He’s hungry. Get food from the maids for him. Also, whoever’s hungry can use this opportunity to eat." I order, and he nods.

"You’re not eating?" He questions, looking up at me in concern, and I shake my head in negation.

"I need to stay alert. I’ll eat when I get home. For now, something he can eat, please." I reply, and Rowan nods again.

He walks off, and soon, the whispers and movements of the maids and guards take up the atmosphere.

A few minutes later, he appears by my window again, and I raise a brow as he’s empty-handed.

"Alpha Koda, the maids want to warm some stew, but I don’t think that’s a good idea." He informs, and I process his words.

He’s right. The smoke from the fire would draw attention.

"Fruits will be fine. Especially apples." I reply, and he nods.

As he walks away, Elain groans again and this time I decide to wake him up.

"Elián?" I call softly as I pull him into a sitting position, and he groans but doesn’t open his eyes.

"Elián, you need to wake up. You’ve been sleeping all day." I whisper, and he sluggishly begins to fight against my hold.

"Just... five more minutes..." He mumbles as he wriggles out of my grip and moves closer to me.

He slumps against my chest and nuzzles into the warmth of my skin with his lips, smacking softly like a child.

I stare down at him in amusement and try not to burst out laughing. How is he this... cluelessly adorable??

His stomach grumbles again, and I roll my eyes before gently shaking him again.

"Elián, your stomach is growling. You need to eat." I whisper, and he groans like I’m disturbing a very crucial moment of his life.

"You eat for me, Koda. I’ll catch up tomorrow... I promise..." He replies, and this time, I can not stop my laughter.

It explodes out of me, and it startles him. But even at that, he simply moves back and blinks lazily at me.

I try to stop, but I can’t... He narrows his eyes at me, and I battle to bite back my laughter.

"What’s funny?" He questions, and I reach out to pat his hair.

"You’re really sleepy. Aren’t you?" I question, and he nods groggily.

"Hmm. It’s comfy in your arms." He slurs, and my heart skips a beat.

I watch him rub his eyes, and I remain silent as his words loop in my mind.

It’s... It’s comfy when I hold him?

Does that mean he likes it when I hold him? Does he really feel safe with me? Or is it just his sleep talking...?

"Just... just five more minutes, okay... I’m not... hungry..." He whispers further before lying back down on the cushion and placing his head on my lap.

He reaches for one of my hands, and I hold my breath as he hugs it.

I stay frozen... suddenly feeling heat in my chest as I stare at him.

I thought he was scared of me... but he...

His stomach growls again. This time louder, as if protesting his sleep, and I take a deep breath.

I need to keep it together.

"Elián, you have to eat," I say, but he ignores me.

"Elián," I call firmer this time, and he looks up at me. But with a pout.

I stare at his plump little lips pressed together and pushed forward, and a smile splits my face.

"You’ll fall sick if you don’t eat," I note as I stroke his hair, and he nods as he shuts his eyes.

Goddess... How do I get him to snap out of this?

Wait...

"I have apples." I suddenly say, and his eyes snap open.

I watch excitement flood his beautiful red pupils, and just in time, Rowan appears by my window with a covered tray.

As Elián sits up, I open the door and take the tray from Rowan. He bows, then leaves.

After shutting the door, I open the tray, and on it is an assortment of sliced fruits.

My eyes zero in on the sliced apples that I’m sure Elian would like, so I hold the tray out to him. However, he stares at it, and then back up at me like he doesn’t understand what is going on.

Light! He’s hopeless while like this. He’s drunk on sleep!!

I pick up an apple slice and hold it out to him. However, instead of taking it from me, he scoots closer to me and takes a bite from it.

I blink in amusement as I watch him chew. Sluggishly... but at least he’s eating.

He swallows, and I watch the sleep slowly fall from his eyes as he takes bite after bite till there’s just a small piece left.

I’m about to drop the piece back in the tray to pick another slice, but he suddenly closes his mouth around my fingers.

My eyes widen as he pries the apple from my fingers with his warm tongue, and he pulls away to chew.

He smiles proudly at me, then picks another piece from the tray.

"Don’t waste food..." he says, as he chews, and apple juice spills out the side of his lips.

I watch the transparent liquid travel down his chin to his throat. It’s innocent to him, but my body betrays me as I feel blood rush between my legs.

Fuck!