Leland didn't think that he'd find a way to grow closer with Sophie, but he apparently did. The man realized that it was only possible, somehow, by the loss of Sophie's husband. It was obvious that his gain was her loss. His happiness was her pain.
This reality made him feel awful. He was not responsible for Nicholas's death, but Leland knew he was only lucky because the other man, his competition, was gone. He could take the place by Sophie's side by tricking her into thinking he was marrying her for convenience.
He had also mated with her using the excuse that they needed to sleep together to make the marriage legally binding. Sometimes, he actually questioned himself if his reason to establish the mate bond was also just an excuse to be selfish, so he could truly mark her permanently as his.
He was a man with wants and desires and his biggest desire was to have her. So... could he be doing all these because he wanted to act on his desire? Perhaps, that was the truth.
After they mated, Leland realized that almost every night Sophie had nightmares. He didn't know it was this bad. That's why, whenever she came to this terrace to calm her mind, the Alpha would wait for her.
Over the course of time, her nightmares lessened but Sophie still ended up going to the balcony terrace as if it had become some sort of routine for her. Lately, the routine now involved talking to Duke Romanov.
Even though Leland was still disguised, he could still interact with his Sophie. It made him feel incredibly happy.
"How are your nightmares…?" Leland asked as he poured more tea into her cup. "I do hope that this chamomile tea is helping you fall asleep more peacefully. I've requested Dinah to prepare you a cup every night."
"Ah, I've been trying to limit my intake actually," Sophie smiled sheepishly and accepted the cup. She took a slow sip and then said, "My doctor told me to limit my cup of tea to at most, one cup a day. For nightmares, less frequent."
"Oh, I see." The Alpha nodded in understanding. He couldn't believe why pregnancy for humans was always so… difficult? Female lycans didn't have to worry about what to eat and drink at all.
Sophie gingerly took another sip of the tea and then smiled at the duke. "How are your books, Duke Romanov? Is there anything I can help you with? I know that you always end up working late into the night."
"I'm fine, you don't have to worry about the book of accounts while you're pregnant," the duke said. "How can I ask my pregnant wife to lift a finger at this kind of time?"
Sophie couldn't help but smile at how the duke phrased it. She looked at her cup and knew that it must have been silly or awkward to say it when the both of them were fully aware that the child was not the duke's.
After their marriage consummation, there was never another moment or occasion where Duke Romanov touched her. There were times where Sophie thought that he would because she caught him looking at her and his eyes showed some longing.
Or there were moments thick with such a heat that it almost seemed painful not to do anything. Yet Duke Romanov did no such things. Perhaps, he still thought of himself with no confidence and couldn't make a move?
Honestly, in Sophie's head, the duke was starting to preoccupy her thoughts more and more with how mysterious and difficult it was to read his personality. Nicholas was someone who she easily knew that was just like sunshine.
Her husband had been warm, affectionate and his expressions were clear as day. When Nicholas was upset, it was visible… Sophie even saw how his face grew red whenever he became mad or became embarrassed.
On the contrary, Duke Romanov's face was as cool as ice and barely moved save for the occasional smirks and twitch of his lips. This was an expression that Sophie only saw around her because during dining at the great hall, his face was fierce and intimidating.
Duke Romanov also wore a mask that added to the factor of mystery and intrigue.
"I think I must leave and return to bed." Sophie decided at last and pushed the cup back. She stood up and smiled at the Alpha. "I thank you for your tea, your grace, but I need to get back… I am feeling a bit slee—"
However, before Sophie could finish her sentence and return back to her chamber, all of a sudden, her stomach felt like it was churned mercilessly by an invisible hand.
She gasped and hugged her stomach tightly. Her face was filled with the expression of pain. Leland noticed the way her face contorted, and a sudden flash of panic spread across her beautiful face. The Alpha immediately noticed the intense scent in the air. Then, he heard something trickle. His eyes widened.
It seemed, Sophie was going to give birth now.
Sophie's water broke out so fast that she was suddenly seized by the labor pains.
"Aaahh….." She lost her balance because of the intense pain. Before she knew it, Duke Romanov had scooped her up and gently carried her in his arms. He didn't buckle due to her weight and took her to the closest room.
"Argh," Sophie tensed in the bed and watched the midwife come in. It was just another woman from the castle but Sophie was filled with worry and concern and looked up to see Duke Romanov beside her.
The man never batted an eye that she was going to give birth right all of a sudden? Didn't Duke Romanov consider it strange or abnormal?
Why was he just standing there?
"Aaaaah…!" Sophie suddenly felt pain coursing through her body again. This time it was more painful that before. Before she knew it, Duke Romanov's hand was intertwined with hers. She squeezed and gripped his hand so tightly that she knew it must have hurt him.
Her nails even dug into his flesh because she couldn't withstand the pain. However, Duke Romanov didn't wince and only sat down to accompany her throughout the delivery process.
A flash of panic was on Sophie's face and she tried to exert her mind to turn to him and assess his expression. The sudden realization as to why the term only took five months instead of nine months was put in the background as Sophie went into labor.
Loud painful breathing and strangled screams echoed in the room as she finally gave birth. Sophie thought she saw black fur, not hair, come out from her as the midwife gently covered the lycan pup in blankets and then took out another one.
Sophie's heart thundered and she looked up warily at Duke Romanov. Adrenaline was coursing through her body and she was prepared to get up and kick the man, take her children and then attempt to run away.
However, Duke Romanov's face did not contort into disgust or even look appalled at the sight of the lycan pups.
Leland saw them as normal and when he looked down to see Sophie who was looking at him with a worried expression and a questioning gaze… the man only said one sentence to relieve her worries.
"I'm actually a lycan and the alpha of this pack."
.
.
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From Missrealitybites:
Yes! The babies are here. ^^
And I am glad Leland quickly eased her worries about giving birth to lycan pups. Meeting Leland during her pregnancy was truly a blessing for Sophie.
At this point in time, if she was still with Nic, I cannot imagine how Nic could handle the situation since he really hated that side of him and would do anything to get rid of his 'curse'. Perhaps, even if he could accept and love the pups... his family would make Sophie's life a living hell.
This content is taken from free web nov𝒆l.com