A Winters Memory

Chapter Twenty

Keeping news of the child slowly growing within Ara's womb had been quite difficult. Dahlia found Ara crying most nights in fear of someone finding out and it gets back to the Alpha. She didn't know what that monster would do if he were to find out about it.

She hadn't wanted to tell Alec because she knew that things would change if he were to ever find out, but keeping it hidden was becoming more and more difficult with time.

Soon, the natural glow of a woman expecting would soon flourish through her and even her scent would change, it was only a matter of time before it came to light and then they would be forced to deal with whatever consequence came with the knowledge.

More days had passed and as Ara and Dahlia were preparing lunch for the pack members, Alec made his way into the kitchen; walking past Dahlia nodding his head in her direction as he moved over, wrapping his arms around Ara's middle before pressing his chest to her back and pressing his lips to her cheek.

The moment he breathed in her scent, his eyes seemed to gloss, he blinked in confusion and stared at her as she turned around to face him, a smile plastered on her full lips. The smile suddenly disappeared as she took in his confused expression replacing hers with horror and worry.

"A-Alec?" She chewed on her bottom lip as she spoke his name bringing his attention down to her abdomen then back up to her eyes. His lips parted to speak only to close them then reopen and close them again, the words seeming to be lost to him at that moment.

Another moment of silence passed between Alec and Ara, his eyes still lingering down at her abdomen. Dahlia watched the tension between the two curious as to what was running through their minds.

"Alec...?" Ara spoke again, her voice so soft Dahlia had to strain her ears to hear her.

Alec's gaze finally broke away this time taking her in fully.

"Is this real?" He asked incredulously still unable to rationalize the situation even if it still hadn't yet been confirmed in full.

Ara chewed on her bottom lip as her gaze moved from Alec to Dahlia's worried expression. Dahlia slowly nodded her head assuring Ara that she should tell him now that he had already caught the difference in her scent.

Ara bit down on her bottom lip harder and took in a deep breath before turning her attention back to Alec who waited patiently for her to speak to him.

"Yes... It's real..."

She looked down to her belly, her hands moving over it and resting there as Alec's eyes moved back down to stare at her hands where they rested.

He took in a sharp intake of air through his teeth, his hands moving up to cup her face, she locked her eyes with his and before she could react his lips were crashing down on hers.

The kiss deepened as she relaxed in his arms, her own arms snaking their way up and wrapping around his neck. He slowly pulled away from the kiss and moving down to his knees, one arm wrapped around her back while the other rested against her abdomen, his face pressing against her and pressing his lips to her belly with a smile.

Tears began to fill her eyes as she watched him caress and kiss her abdomen with such exaltation. She moved one hand down, running her fingers through his hair gently, the smile still plastered on her lips. How she loved this man even if she knew they could never be together the way they truly wanted to be.