CHAPTER 52. THE BABY IS GONE
RYDER
My incessant pacing did little to nothing in chilling my tensed nerves. Running my fingers through my hair, I leaned against the wall and gave a deep exhale.
It's been a heck of a day, and it was beginning to take a huge toll on me. Rescuing Hara was the easier part of everything. When we got to the rogue's hideout, they were gone. But thankfully, Hara was there, tied up in chains, and her face was smeared with dirt.
Seeing her in such a pathetic state was the hardest part. It knocked off my soul, entangling me in a web of sorrow and grief.
She was unconscious and was losing a lot of blood, and we had to hurry back to get her medical attention. Halfway home, I used my powers to suck up her pains. But then I realized, it was not just any pain, it was the baby. She was having a complication, a more lethal one. I had the Royal doctor waiting before our arrival. And it's been an hour already and he was still in my room, attending to her.
Red was stirring up around the walls of my mind. It's been a while since he felt this alive. Been a while since I felt him inside of me. His recent inactivity was more than his usual bipolar state. And I don't even wanna think about the reason behind it, I don't wanna add to my current agitation. I just pray this is the end of the twist between my mate-bond with Hara. I hope from here on, we get to stay together, as mates. My heart has taken enough hurting to last a lifetime, not anymore, please. Not anymore.
“She'll be okay, bud. She'll be fine,“ I muttered to Red, but it was more of me trying to reassure myself.
He quieted down but I could still feel his apprehension. It wasn't peculiar to him though, the hallway was filled with apprehension with a slice of melancholy and exhilaration from the warlords. It's been a hectic day for everyone.
Thirty minutes later, I was back to pacing around. I was fighting down the urge of barging into the room and seeing for myself if she was okay or not.
“You're gonna wear out that floor with the so much pacing you're doing,“ Darius pulled me to a halt by the arm. ”She'll be fine.“
“I don't understand why it's taking so long. The doctor has been in there for more than an hour now. It's about time she comes out and tells us something,“ Yeah, the doctor was a female.
“Maybe it's more complicated than we thought. Try to relax and let her do her thing. Hara will be fine, and the baby too.“
“I pray so,“ My gaze drifted from him to the approaching figure. Giveon. He was looking haggard, as was the rest of the warlords.
“Ryder, man. You got our deepest, sincerest goodwill. We hope she's okay, but we gotta get going to the pack house. Need to rest,“
“Thanks, bro. Yeah, sure. Go ahead,” I bro-hugged him, nodded to Jay, and they both left. It was a four-man rescue mission. No one else had gone with us. Just the four of us. It's no wonder they are exhausted.
Darius wouldn't leave with them. As my new Beta, he stays here in the palace with me.
My eyes squinted at the female figure sprinting towards us. It was Tiffany. What the hell was she doing here?
“I called her up. Told her to come over,“ Darius explained and my brows arched in question.
“Why would you do that? This was supposed to be a secret,“
“Yeah, but you do trust her. And she's the only one to soothe you right now. You wouldn't stop pacing and muttering. Had to get you a remedy.“
He was right. I needed some sort of soothing and just Tiffany knew the best way to. Don't get me wrong, I got no issues with having her over. I'm just fucking stressed out right now and venting.
“God, Ryder,“ She ran straight into my arms. I was quick to catch her and wrapped my arms around her. Her breathy tone vibrated some sort of calmness down my spine.
“Tiffany, thanks for coming,“ I let her go, but our hands held each other.
“I came as soon as I could. How is she doing?“
“We don't know. The doctor's yet to give us any update. I'm worried sick about the baby. She was losing a lot of blood on our way here,“
“Don't worry, dear. I'm sure she's gonna be okay,“ She cooed. “Just have faith and take it easy, alright?”
Still basking in her warmth, I sighted Father making his entrance dressed up in full regalia, with his hands to the back.
“Tiff, would you give us a minute? Father and I need to talk,“ I was quick to dismiss her. Father and I were always at loggerheads during our conversations. I wouldn't want her listening to all that. She nodded and headed to Darius.
”So I see you found your nemesis,“ He snorted, halting in front of me. “Well, son, don't get all excited thinking this is happily ever after. Because it's far from that. Sooner or later, the elders will return, confirming my suspicion that the flood was a result of your forbidden attraction to her. And once it's confirmed, you can't get officially mated to her. Your people would be against you,”
“Then I guess I should start making plans on how to relinquish the Alpha position,“
“What's that supposed to mean, Son?!“
“Father, I will not let Hara go. So if the elders claim my attraction to her is jinxed, then I'll quit being the Alpha of this pack. That way, my jinxed relationship wouldn't bring any hurt to my people anymore,”
“Have you lost your mind? You're an Alpha by birth. It's not just a title you can toss aside at your own will. What nonsense are you saying?!“
“I'll always love my people, Father. That'll never change. But I won't continue to be the reason behind their tragedy. If I quit being the Alpha, then my unruly decisions won't have whatever effects on them. That'll be the best thing for everyone,“
He was gonna speak, more like yell, but his mouth snapped shut as the doctor finally stepped out.
I rushed to her, “How's Hara and the baby?“
“She's fine and resting, Alpha-Prince. But I'm afraid we couldn't save the child. She lost the baby,”
”What?!”