The Alpha's Mark

Valex walked closer to the bed, with Kael following quietly behind him as he shut the door. The physician smiled warmly and said, "Yes, your Highness, Her Highness is pregnant."

Odesse looked up at him, her smile so bright that it made her face glow. Miss Faye and Cara beamed with happiness as they stepped aside for Valex to pass. He sat down beside Odesse, gently touching her face. His eyes were warm, and his smile was bright as he said, "My love."

Tears rolled down Odesse’s cheeks, but she smiled as well. The physician noticed their connection while packing his bag, his focus on Valex, who was gazing lovingly at Odesse. "Your Highness," the physician began, and Valex turned his head toward him. "Her Highness needs a lot of rest because her body is extremely weak from stress."

Valex glanced at Odesse and caressed her long hair, asking, "Have you been stressing yourself, my love?" She looked at him but didn’t reply. The physician smiled gently and added, "All she needs to do is rest and eat properly for her health and the baby."

Odesse smiled at this, and the physician said, "I shall take my leave, Your Highness." Valex nodded and responded, "Thank you, Physician." The man bowed slightly as he walked out the door, with Kael leading him out of the room.

Miss Faye’s face brightened with a smile as Cara stood beside her. "This is amazing news, Your Highness," Miss Faye said. Both Valex and Odesse looked at her as she continued, "I am really glad to hear this. I’m pleased with this news."

Cara gazed at Odesse, her eyes welling up with emotion. Miss Faye’s expression softened as she added, "We shall give you two some privacy now." She and Cara bowed slightly and walked toward the door. They opened it quietly and exited, closing it gently behind them, leaving the room warm and serene.

Valex sat properly beside Odesse and looked at her. He took her hand slowly, bringing it up to his mouth and kissing it passionately. She smiled brightly as he continued, "My love, this news—I can hardly believe it! When I returned to the palace, I was told that the physician was here to see you. I panicked, fearing something bad had happened to you. I rushed up here and heard the best news of my life."

He stood up, and she looked up at him. With a gentle tug, he drew her from the center of the bed toward the edge, waiting patiently as he helped her legs over the side to ensure she was seated securely. Then, sinking to his knee before her, he rested his head on her lap.

Looking down at him, she said, "My king..." He raised his head to look at her and then at her belly and said. "You have no idea how happy I am, my love. I was very exhausted from the long journey, but resting here and knowing you are carrying our child... it makes me happier than you can imagine."

Odesse laughed softly as tears rolled down her cheeks. Slowly, she raised her hands to touch Valex’s cheeks gently and said, "My king, I am also very happy about this. My heart is making a lot of noise from the uncontained joy I feel." They shared a loving gaze in the quiet room for a moment, with Valex’s head resting on her lap and his hand curved around her hip. She caressed his hair with a smile.

He spoke softly, "What have you been stressing about, my love?" Odesse chuckled nervously, and he raised an eyebrow at her. "What is it?"

Touching her neck, she replied, "It’s nothing, my king; just everything I do on a daily basis."

Valex said, "Have you been stressing yourself by studying too hard with that lady, Azure?"

Odesse answered, "No, my king, Azure doesn’t stress me at all."

"My love, you need to take care of yourself," he insisted.

"I know, my king," she replied, and his eyes softened as he suggested, "Okay, why don’t you stop the lessons? I don’t mind. Besides, how long do you have to continue them anyway?"

Odesse looked into his eyes as he continued, "You are a very smart woman, so you don’t need to stress yourself any longer."

She smiled, and Valex looked down at her belly. "You’re carrying a life inside you, which must be hard. I don’t want you to stress and end up in pain." He tilted his head, his voice softening. "Will you not dismiss Azure until further notice, please?"

Odesse felt her heart warm as she looked at the man who had just finish standing before powerful lords, giving instructions with unwavering stature and might. Now, he knelt before her, seemingly begging as if his entire being belonged to her and her alone. She smiled and said, "Okay, my king, I shall dismiss Azure for the time being."

He smiled brightly and hugged her belly gently, wrapping his arm around her lower back. "Your body is incredibly cold, my love," he said.

Odesse replied, "I was very cold before the physician came, which is why I called for him." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

He looked up and smirked. "Want me to help you with a warm bath?"

She blushed. "But you just came back from a very stressful journey, my king. You should have the warm bath instead."

He straightened from his kneel and leaned in, sliding one arm under her shoulders and the other beneath her thighs. She blinked in surprise as the mattress emptied beneath her, her body lifting into the air before she could speak. She tensed for a moment, but his careful, steady grip reassured her.

"My king, what..." she began, but he cut her off with a bright smile as he looked into her eyes. "Caring for my wife is the only thing that gives me peace, so being close to you will make me feel better."

Odesse blushed as she looked down, and Valex walked toward the bathing chamber with his whole world effortlessly in his arms.

...

Two weeks slipped away like a flash.

The glass walls of the royal conservatory were flooded with midday sun, making the vibrant greens of the oversized ferns and hanging ivy look almost translucent. The air inside smelled faintly of damp earth and blooming jasmine—warm, but cooled by a gentle breeze blowing through the cracked-open top windows. It felt completely alive and open, a stark contrast to the heavy stone walls of the rest of the palace.

Odesse and Calista sat opposite each other on a pair of low, comfortable wicker armchairs tucked into a quiet alcove of the garden. A small round table sat between them, holding a sweating pitcher of chilled water and two cups. Odesse was leaning back against a soft cream-colored cushion, her posture relaxed but lazy, her hand unconsciously resting over the fabric covering her stomach. Calista sat forward slightly, her ankles crossed, watching her with a soft, knowing look.

Just a step behind Odesse’s chair, Cara stood quietly. Her hands were loosely clasped in front of her apron, her eyes scanning the beautiful greenery of the conservatory, though she remained completely attentive to Odesse if she needed her cup refilled.

"I wanted to visit you because I needed to see you again," Calista said with a warm smile, breaking the peaceful quiet. "But I definitely was not expecting such amazing news."

Odesse smiled warmly, a soft blush rising to her cheeks.

"Have you both told anyone else?" Calista asked, leaning in a bit closer.

Odesse shook her head sideways. "No, his highness and I decided to keep it low until the due date. Only a few people in the palace are aware of it."

Calista’s eyes softened with deep understanding. "After the death of the Queen Mother, this news must have gone a long way for his highness."

"He was very happy," Odesse replied softly, her voice filled with quiet emotion.

Calista shifted slightly in her chair, her gaze dropping for a second before she looked back up at Odesse. "I really am happy he has you in his life. When we were children, Orin and I saw his struggle... but he would never talk about it. It brings me great joy to know he has a wife like you."

Odesse’s entire face beamed at the praise. "Thank you very much, Calista."

Standing behind the chair, Cara quietly observed the exchange. "This lady is really nice to Odesse," she thought to herself, a wave of relief washing over her. "It makes me so happy to know she has good company in the royal world."

Minutes passed easily as the two women continued talking, their laughter echoing lightly against the glass panels. Eventually, Calista stood up and smoothed down her skirts. "I shall take my leave now. This visit was absolutely delightful."

Odesse stood up as well, her movements a bit slower than usual. "I am really glad you came to visit."

"And I shall visit once again," Calista promised with a soft smile.

The two women bowed slightly to each other. Calista offered one last warm look before turning to walk out of the royal conservatory, her light footsteps gradually fading down the tiled path.

Once they were alone, Odesse turned around to face Cara with a bright smile.

"She is really beautiful," Cara said, letting her professional guard down a fraction. "Physically and internally."

"Yes, she really is," Odesse agreed, nodding.

Cara stepped forward, gently touching Odesse’s shoulder. "I am really happy to see you have people who love you here."

Tears touched the corners of Odesse’s eyes, and she immediately stepped into a warm hug. "Thank you, Cara."

Pulling back slowly, Cara looked at her with a practical expression. "Do you want us to proceed to your bedchamber now?"

Odesse stretched slightly, looking out toward the open archway. "I actually want to take a walk around the palace courtyard."

Cara frowned slightly with worry. "But your highness, you have to rest. If his highness returns and finds you—"

"It’s just going to be a short walk, Cara," Odesse interrupted gently, her eyes dancing with amusement. "I’ll be back in bed and resting long before he returns."

Cara let out a defeated but fond sigh, nodding her head. "Alright. Let’s go."

Odesse smiled brightly, turning toward the exit while Cara followed close behind. They made their way through the grand thresholds of the palace and stepped out onto the wide stone courtyard.

The sky above was beautifully overcast, a thick layer of soft clouds filtering the afternoon light while a gentle wind blew through Odesse’s hair. A few passing maids paused, bowing respectfully as they walked past the Queen, but Odesse’s attention was completely fixed on the air around them.

She turned back to Cara. "Isn’t the atmosphere beautiful today, Cara?"

"It has been like this for a few days, your highness," Cara replied, squinting up at the grey sky.

Odesse looked back up, a soft laugh escaping her lips. "No. Today’s atmosphere... the sky, the wind, the birds... it feels completely different."

Cara caught the sheer happiness radiating from her friend and couldn’t help but smile back. "Okay, fine. Maybe there is a difference."

Odesse looked back at her, a playful smirk resting on her lips. "I told you."

Just then, a voice called out from not far away, "Your Highness." Odesse and Cara turned to see Eryx walking towards them.