Page 91 of Nursing the Alpha
“Hi, sweetheart,” I murmured, wiggling my fingers at her. “You’re even cuter than in the pictures your dad spams me with.”
Ellie let out a delighted squeal, kicking pudgy legs against the seat.
“Micah, she’s perfect,” I said, unable to keep the awe out of my voice.
“Perfect and exhausting,” Micah admitted, but there was no missing the fondness in his tone. “She’s teething like crazy. You’d think she’s growing a second set of molars the way she’s been gnawing on everything.”
Ellie grasped my finger with surprising strength, tugging it toward her mouth.
“Poor baby,” I crooned, gently removing my finger before she could put it into her mouth. “You’re working so hard, huh? It’s tough being this cute.”
Micah snorted. “Careful, or she’ll get used to all this praise and expect it from everyone.”
I laughed, brushing a thumb gently over the baby’s tiny fist. We placed our order, then chatted easily, catching up on work at the library, life, the little things.
“Speaking of life,” Micah said after a while, eyeing meover the rim of his coffee cup. “When am I going to meet this mystery alpha of yours? Seth, right?”
I flushed. “Soon. He’s… been busy with work, too. But I promise I’ll introduce you before you think I’m making him up.”
Micah’s grin was all sharp edges. “You’d better. Although I believe you that he exists. You’re glowing.”
I could feel the glow. “Thanks. He takes really good care of me.”
“Why don’t you come to my alpha’s birthday party? It’s next weekend.”
“Sounds good. I’ll convince Seth to come along.”
“Of course. He’s the one I really want to see, not you.”
I turned to the baby. “You hear that Ellie? Your omega dad is rude.”
Ellie babbled in agreement.
“See, even Ellie agrees with me.”
Micah rolled his eyes.
When our food arrived—steaming plates of pasta and crusty bread—I inhaled deeply, only for my stomach to roil unexpectedly.
I gagged.
I tried to play it off, twirling a forkful of linguine as my throat tightened. But the rich scent of garlic butter hit me again like a punch.
“What’s wrong?” Micah asked.
I barely managed to mumble “Excuse me” before bolting to the restroom.
The nausea came fast and hot, my stomach heaving as I clutched the edge of the sink. Cold water on my face didn’t help much, but I forced a few deep breaths until the queasiness dulled to a low, sour ache. I leaned against the cold ceramic tiles, the world spinning mildly around me.Minutes passed and I finally managed to pull myself together.
The same thing had happened to me starting two days ago. That morning I hadn’t been able to eat the breakfast Seth made for me either.
Feeling slightly better, I gingerly made my way back to the table, Micah's concerned face doing little to quell the embarrassment seeping through me. Micah was bouncing the baby gently, his brow furrowed.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I said too quickly. “Just… upset tummy lately. Must have been something I ate.”
Micah’s expression shifted, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.
