The Alpha's forbidden omega mate - Chapter 37: Chapter 37

A few days after the whole fight with Alpha Isabelle, things felt weird. I was happy she didn't punish us for trying to escape, but I just didn't feel right.
At first, it was small things, Dizzy spells when I stood up too fast, my stomach feeling icky all the time. I thought it was just normal stuff that happens when you're having pups.
But then, my whole body ached, and I was so tired I could barely move.
One afternoon, I was curled up in bed shivering like crazy. Dakota was freaking out next to me.
"Catrina, you look awful!" she said worriedly.
"I'm getting help, even if Alpha Isabelle says no!"
She ran out before I could stop her. I tried to yell after her, but all that came out was a weak croak.
Cold and scared, I pulled the thin blanket tighter and hoped Dakota would hurry back with someone who could help.
It felt like forever, but then I heard footsteps rushing down the hall. Dakota burst back in, and Alpha Isabelle was with her! There was also an old lady I'd never seen before.
"This is her, Grandma Rosa," Dakota said in a hurry, pointing at me.
The old lady clicked her tongue and shook her head as she came closer, her eyes looking me over carefully.
Up close, I saw faint lines tattooed on her face and hands that looked kind of magical - like something a witch would have.
"Poor thing," she said softly. "You look way too pale, honey."
Without wasting any time, Grandma Rosa started poking me, checking my pulse, and looking closely at my eyes.
I tried weakly to push her hand away, but she wouldn't let me.
"Sweetheart, you gotta let old Rosa check you up, okay? We gotta figure out why you're sick."
She spoke kindly but firmly, leaving no room for arguing. Alpha Isabelle stood back with her arms crossed, watching the whole thing without showing any emotion.
After a few minutes of Grandma Rosa poking and prodding, she sighed heavily and sat back.
"She's not really sick, she's just... what's the word... drained. Her body's too weak to take care of the pup growing inside her."
"What?" I croaked out, scared. "B-but I've been eating. I've been trying, at least."
The old lady waved her hand and looked at me with a mix of fondness and annoyance.
"Eating regular food isn't enough for an omega carrying pups, dear. You need special stuff, like strong herbs and vitamins, to stay strong."
Dakota bit her lip, worried sick. "Can you help her? Please, you gotta do something!"
Grandma Rosa patted Dakota's hand gently. "Don't worry, child. I'll make a special drink right away to give her more energy. But..."
She looked at me with sharp eyes. "There's more to it than just food, I think."
My head creased in confusion. Seeing me all confused, the old lady spoke softly.
"You know, sweetheart, the pup needs more than just food to grow strong. They need to feel..." She paused, searching for the right words.
Then she spoke again, a twinkle in her old eyes. "Well, you know how it works, right? The father told you, no?"
My face turned bright red at what she was hinting at. "W-well, you know...he did say it was important to, uh, sleep together. So the baby could sense his pheromones and stuff."
Dakota's eyes grew huge like dinner plates, and even Alpha Isabelle let out a surprised snort.
Grandma Rosa couldn't help but chuckle a little too.
"Oh honey, I didn't mean literally sleep together!" she said, reaching out to pat my hot cheek gently. "Unless that's what you two want, of course."
My face felt like it was on fire, and I'm pretty sure it turned even redder after what she said.
"N-no!" I stammered. "I mean, I...he said just sleep next to each other, like side-by-side. So the baby could get used to his scent."
Poor Dakota looked like she might pass out from how embarrassed she was. Her shoulders were shaking as she tried to hold back laughter.
Grandma Rosa finally saw I was about to melt into a puddle and waved her hand dismissively, though her eyes still sparkled.
"Calm down, dear. I'm just teasing because you're so cute all flustered."
Her voice softened, and the old lady reached out to gently place a wrinkled hand on my growing belly.
"But you're right. Having the father around, his scent and energy, is really important for the pup's development. “
She nodded wisely like she was explaining something super important.
"This little pup needs more than just healthy food, it needs to feel loved too. That's part of why you're not feeling well."
My breath hitched in my throat. Of course… My wolf craved Rowan's familiar scent, the one that made me feel safe.
Being kept apart from him, I realized with a jolt, was hurting me way more than I thought.
A small whimper escaped me before I could stop it. My wolf inside was howling for its alpha.
Grandma Rosa made a calming sound and rubbed my belly gently.
"There, there, honey. I have some herbs that can help with the ache for now. But you gotta try to find some peace inside you too, okay? For the pup's sake."
I couldn't speak, I had too many feelings jumbled up in my throat. So I just managed a small, shaky nod.
Seeming happy with my answer, Grandma Rosa turned to Alpha Isabelle, who'd been watching the whole thing with a blank face.
"Alpha, if I can be so forward..." Grandma Rosa started carefully.
Isabelle raised an eyebrow, telling her to get on with it.
Grandma Rosa puffed up her chest a little and said firmly, "This poor girl needs her alpha right now, just as much as those special medicines I'm making. I really think she should..."
"No."
Alpha Isabelle's sharp answer cut through the room like a loud crack. Grandma Rosa blinked, surprised at being cut off.
Isabelle stared at the old lady, her face hard. "Rowan made his own choices, and now he has to deal with them. I won't help him out by making things easier for him."
"B-but Alpha," Dakota stammered nervously.
"Catrina is really sick without him. Can't you see she needs him to get better?"
Isabelle turned to Dakota, her mouth twisting into a mean smile. "Her wolf chose to bond with that careless pup and have his babies. Why should I fix his mistakes?"
Isabelle's voice sounded angry now, even more than just mad at me. It was like something else was bothering her too.
Before anyone could say anything else, Alpha Isabelle turned and walked away quickly.
"That's all I have to say about it," she said curtly, basically telling us to forget it.
The room got quiet and awkward after she left. Dakota seemed like she wanted to argue more, but then she stopped herself. Instead, she put her arm around me in a comforting way.
I felt sad and withdrawn. Alpha Isabelle saying no hurt even worse than I felt before.
My wolf inside me whined really loud, wanting my mate, my alpha, the only one who could make me feel better.
Grandma Rosa looked at me with worry and sadness on her face. Then, she seemed to decide something and grabbed my hand, squeezing it tight like she was trying to reassure me.
"Don't give up hope, honey," she whispered, so only I could hear.
"The Moon Goddess works in strange ways, that's for sure. She wouldn't let a strong bond like yours just disappear."
I nodded a little, my grip tightening on that tiny spark of hope. No matter what, I thought fiercely, I would find a way back to Rowan. Even if it meant going against the entire Mondragon pack.