Betrayed

☾Chapter Forty☽

Vladimira's P.O.V

I stayed in the hospital for one more day before being released. My father desired for me to stay longer, but I was already tired of sitting in a hospital bed.

But, while I was using that one day to catch up on sleep and heal, Titus hogged Aaron, only giving him to me when he needed to be fed.

My father hasn't bothered with trying to hold him, he only looks at him from afar before looking back at paperwork that almost seems attached to his hands.

Greer keeps telling me he's still adjusting and that I should just focus on healing correctly, so I can focus on my child.

Despite my worries, I listened to her and focused on Daniella and her instructions. They're helping me get accustomed to my new lifestyle: motherhood.

A few hours after I gave birth, she told me that I had gone into labor almost four weeks early, and Aaron is, technically, a premie, despite him not looking it.

"His lungs work just fine, his organs are working accordingly, and his sense of sight and hearing will develop quite soon," She had said, clipboard in hand. "It's probably because of the blood flowing through his veins. Alpha and royal blood, that's powerful stuff."

Pride had flowed through me so vigorously that day. Not only had I gave birth to a baby but my royal blood had saved him.

My father and Titus weren't feeling that pride, though, because I could feel the tense air between them.

When both men had thought I was asleep, they had shared a few words.

Flashback:

The tips of my father's fingers brush my temple, occasionally stroking hairs away from my face.

From the sounds of it, Titus is watching Aaron sleep in the bassinet. He occasionally coos little mantras about how lucky he is.

"I owe her," He says randomly, making my father freeze.

Shifting slightly, I release a sigh to play the part of the oblivious, drained, sleeping mother.

My father clears his throat. "You do. My daughter carried your child despite her situation," He answers.

Titus scoffs. "The situation you put her in?"

A gasp bubbles up in my throat but I hold it back.

My father growls. "Don't disrespect me."

Silence.

"So... you're saying you were supportive of her throughout the whole pregnancy?"

Silence.

Clearing his throat again, my father resumes his gentle brushing of my temple. "No, I could have done better, but I love her. I know her. You? You can't even tell me her birthday!"

"She has books written about her! Pick up a book titled 'Vladimira: The Adored Luna Queen' and you know basically everything about her!" Titus hisses.

A cold laugh escapes my father. "Then please, Titus. Tell me how much you know about your queen. All she is to you is the mother of your child. Nothing more, nothing less," He says viciously.