Page 85 of Rejected and Pregnant By the Alpha King

“Your Grace,” an elderly voice comes from the right side of the room. Looking over, I spot an older male with deep wrinkles set into his face, a long robe draped over his shoulders. “What a pleasure.”

Nyx gives him a sage nod. “Elder Barill. Good to see you. How have you been?”

The male smiles, gesturing with a slow sweep of his hand around the otherwise empty room. “Fairly well, considering the quiet.”

“Is everyone else out in the gardens?”

Barill nods. “Yes, as far as I’m aware. Although, Elder Kaelin may have taken a stroll through town just a bit ago.”

“I didn’t see her when I was heading over.” As Nyx speaks, he sounds fond. “However, that doesn’t mean she wasn’t hiding from me.”

Barill chuckles, a soft and tinkling sound, like wind chimes. “Yes, yes. That sounds like her.”

My fingers twist together over my stomach as I try not to be obviously touching it. While Nyx explained that his elders aren’t particular about genetics and I of course want to believe him, there’s still a part of me that remains skeptical.

Theycouldhave told him that, but what if their minds change once reality slaps them in the face?

The second Barill’s eyes slide over to me, my body tenses. “And who might this be?”

“Raine. The shifter from Andromeda,” Nyx explains.

“Ah.” Barill’s smile widens. “It is an honor to have you, Raine. I trust our alpha has made your stay comfortable?”

“Um.” I nod quickly. “Yeah, of course. More than that, actually.”

“Oh?” Barill’s eyes grow intrigued. “Do tell.”

Next to me, Nyx lets out an almost undetectable sigh. When I glance at him, I notice his eyes are averted and there’s a small, barely-there pout tugging at his lips.

Oh no…is the alpha kingembarrassed?

The thought makes me grin. “He’s been very hospitable. In fact, I haven’t felt more at home in a long time.”

“Excellent. What a wonderful thing to hear.”

Nyx loudly clears his throat. “Since sheishere, I figured I’d bring her to let you all introduce yourselves.”

“Yes, I’m sure the others will be delighted to meet her. I know Verna especially has been looking forward to it.” Barill leans over toward me, cupping a hand around his mouth while whispering loudly, “We’re all quite happy to see our alpha finally settling down.”

Nyx massages the bridge of his nose with another sigh. “Perhaps…we can save the small talk for later.”

So he really doesn’t have a mate.

Interesting. From the sounds of it, he’sneverhad one.

I don’t know why that comforts me but in a way, it’s almost like there’s no threat of another female coming in and wedging herself in the middle of our arrangement, as unconventional as it is. Iwantto be able to raise this baby with someone, even if it isn’t their biological father.

And Nyx seems eager to fill those shoes for now.

Those feelings could change once I give birth, but for now, I’m going to trust his words. They’re all I’ve got.

“Come, come.” Barill waves his hand. “We shall introduce our newest member to the others. They’re quite simply dying to meet you.”

38

Aiden

“Alpha?” Daniel’s face grows pale, though his expression doesn’t twitch at all. “I’m sorry, Your Grace. I’m not following.”

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