Chapter Nineteen

Rowan

"What else can we do?" I asked Amir right after he delivered the bad news and the even worse treatment plan.

"Do what I prescribed, Rowan. Please. I know this sounds like not a big deal. Some swelling. Some blood pressure issues. But trust me when I say this could be detrimental to you and your baby. This has to be taken seriously."

I sighed.

Not only had I been put on bed rest, but Talon would make me stick to the rules like a tyrant. Because he cared, of course, but tyrant.

"I understand."

Our ride home was silent. Talon's warm hand rested on my thigh, but he ground his jaw and his eyes were firm on the road. I knew my alpha. His eyes might've been trained on the drive but his thoughts weren't.

When we arrived home, we made our way to the bedroom and stood there. Saying nothing. Softly breathing.

"I can't take the silence," I whispered.

His gaze snapped to meet mine. "I'm sorry. I'm so worried. And so upset at myself. If I had taken better care of you…"

"Stop that, Talon. There isn't a layer of blame that will solve this issue. It is no one's fault, and you always take the best care of me. We will get through this. Our baby is so healthy and strong already. You heard the healer. Even if something happened today and the babe had to be delivered, it would survive and be well. It's only a month."

He frowned. "I'm supposed to be consoling you."

"Then, get over here and console me."

Talon stalked over and took off my shoes and socks. He stripped me down to my boxers and helped me into bed. Then he tucked pillows under my legs so they were higher than my heart as the healer had advised.

He sat next to me and called our house manager Vivian and told her to find a personal chef that specialized in cooking for pregnancy. I didn't know there were personal chefs who did that, but Vivian didn't miss a beat.

"We're going to get you the best food. No more sodium. Magnesium and lots of rest."

"Sounds like a thrilling time."

He didn't laugh with me. "Rowan Marwood, stop joking about this."

"Marwood? We aren't married, Talon."

He kissed my lips with great passion. "We are mated and bonded and marked. That means more than a marriage certificate or saying some vows in front of a human priest. Perhaps I haven't called you by that name before but you are Rowan Marwood."

I hadn't really thought about it before.

"I'm taking this seriously, mate. I am. I don't want anything to happen to either one of us, okay?"

Talon squeezed my hand. "I would not make it if…"

"Don't," I whispered. "Don't even entertain that thought. We will be fine."

He nodded and kissed me on the forehead, telling me he had some work to do and would be back. Despite rebelling against the idea, I gradually felt myself falling asleep.

"Rowan." The mattress sank next to me. "I have to go to the club. There are some things I need to sign and a short meeting with the other owners."

My eyes flew open and panic gripped my chest. "Without me?"

"You can't come with me and be on bed rest."

I turned my head to try and hide the tears I knew full well I couldn't. "You're going to the club without me." I wrapped my arms around my tender chest muscles.

"Mate, I don't like the accusation I hear in your voice. I am part owner at Cuffed. I have meetings to attend. I have responsibilities in order to provide for us."

"I don't mean to accuse, Talon. I…I am feeling like a spare part right now. A person of use and yet, useless. My emotions were already all over the place, and now I'm stuck here."

"You are not useless, and I never want to hear that again. You are in bed because your body is overtaxed with growing our baby inside of you. You are making another life in that body."

"There will be so many omegas there. Omegas slim and trim and ready. I…"

Talon sat up. The atmosphere around us changed, popping and zipping with his anger and hurt. Hurt above all. "Rowan, think. Think. Am I the type of man who would go to a club and cheat on you? You think so little of me that I would betray you with another? You are my fated. My mate. My bonded. You bear my mark and hold my babe in your body. How could you?" he asked. "My love, how could you?"

With the last question, his voice cracked. I'd hurt him. I didn't even believe he would cheat on me—ever. But the jealousy and aggravation about being cemented to this bed, even though it had only been hours, drew out the worst parts of me.

I'd broken my alpha's heart.