Chapter Five

Oliver

 

 

 

I down my breakfast pretty quickly and the beta nurse looks at me, surprised. I’m not sure why I’m so hungry. Maybe it’s because I’m nervous… or perhaps it’s because I’m pregnant? Then again, it could easily be both of these things.

 

Either way, the eggs, bacon, and toast were delicious. She also gives me some type of vitamin smoothie that tastes sweeter than honey. I drink it in one gulp. Then, I look back at the nurse, hoping she’ll give me some more.

 

“Just one a day,” she says, taking away my plate. “I’ll go bring these back to the kitchen, hungry boy.”

 

“Thank you,” I say before laying back in my bed.

 

“Not a problem.” She winks and smiles—I think she likes me.

 

As the nurse leaves me alone in the room, I think of Benson. My stomach has stopped hurting—thankfully. Yet, I begin to feel lonely without him. I hope he gets his head together and visits me soon.

 

I stare around the empty, windowless room and wish that I could see outside. Just seeing the water usually calms me. The smell of the salty air lingers everywhere in the castle, but the room does a pretty good job at keeping most scents out. Still, I sniff every now and then hoping I’ll get a hint of Benson.

 

My life feels like a ship and Benson is the ocean. When he’s around, everything rocks and is exciting. He crashes into me, pulls me deep out into his vast sea, but always keeps me safe.

 

When I’m around Benson, I want nothing else than to be deep inside of his vast ocean. However, when he’s not around, I feel stranded. It’s as though the mighty ocean has stopped its movement. As if all of nature has ceased to be and all that remains feels drab and lifeless. It’s not long before I’m begging for him.

 

Knock, knock!

 

The taps on the door are sort of urgent sounding. I’m not sure if I should allow anyone inside. Still, the faintest bit of a scent wafts into the room. It’s a familiar scent I haven’t picked up very recently.

 

But, it’s not Benson.

 

Before I can respond, the door swings open. It’s a gorgeous, raven-haired woman with almond eyes. She wears a green jumper and looks around the room. Our eyes meet and she smiles—it’s Emerald.

 

“So good to see that you’re safe,” she says breathily.

 

“Emerald?” I ask. “What are you doing here?

 

“I’ve come to see you, silly,” she says, but there’s nervousness in her voice. Emerald looks around cautiously outside. Then, she slowly closes the door and makes her way toward my bed.

 

“Is everything okay?” I ask.

 

Emerald looks me up and down. “The world is fine as long as you are.”  She sits next to me and places her hand on my stomach. “I hear that you’re pregnant?”

 

“Word traveled that fast?” I ask, nervously.

 

“I have big ears,” she jokes with a sweet smile. Her eyes move back to my stomach, and she lifts her hand. Emerald stares at my belly in wonder, as though she’s witnessing a miracle. Perhaps, she is.

 

“Do you know where Benson is?” I ask. “Has he gotten breakfast yet?”

 

“I haven’t seen him,” she replies. “And, I suppose that means you haven’t, too?”

 

“No,” I say, shaking my head.

 

I turn to my side and feel a bit uncomfortable. Why hasn’t Benson come to see me? Doesn’t he want to know that I’m feeling better? Even Emerald has come to check in on me, but not my alpha.

 

“What’s the matter?” she asks.

 

“I just… wish he was here,” I say.

 

“He’ll come looking for you,” she responds. “I’m sure that he just needs a little bit of space after hearing that you’ve fallen ill. His father isn’t doing very well either.”

 

“He’s not?”

 

“No. I’m afraid the King will pass away any moment now.”

 

“Oh, that’s terrible.”

 

“Yes, but not entirely unexpected.”

 

There’s a brief pause before I hear something outside the door. Footsteps? It sounds like someone is running. I sit up, wondering if it’s Benson come to see me. I can almost smell his scent through the door. It’s light, but fresh like he’s just arrived.

 

“What is it?” Emerald asks, confused.

 

“Benson?” I wonder. “Is he going to see his father?”

 

“No, he’s in his wing,” she assures me. “He said that he doesn’t want to be bothered.”

 

“What was that noise then?”

 

“You’re probably just stressed,” she says before placing her arm on me. Then, she reaches into her purse and pulls out a pill that sparkles with silvery colors. “They give these to pregnant betas in my country. It’s supposed to calm the nerves and help with a healthy pregnancy.”

 

I eye the pill skeptically. “What is it?”

 

“Just vitamins,” she smiles.

 

“Well, I’ve just had a shake.”

 

“But these vitamins are from a plant that only grows in my country… you’d like my country, Oliver.”

 

“Why’s that?” I ask.

 

“It’s not by the sea, but the mountains are lush. Once, omegas thrived there.”

 

“Omegas thrived in your country?”

 

“Yes, we regarded them as very sacred.”

 

“What happene to them?” I wonder, but I’m almost afraid to know the answer.

 

“An illness spread throughout our country about a decade ago,” she says. “We weren’t the richest land, so healthcare wasn’t always available. Omegas always bred with the family line, but they all succumbed to the sickness. It was a terrible time.”

 

“Did you ever find a cure?”

 

“Yes, eventually. But, it was too late. Now, beta women like me are expected to have alpha children. Though, we will likely never produce an alpha male.”

 

“I see…” I say feeling awful for her. I couldn’t imagine seeing that many people die. Emerald seems to genuinely care about me. “Okay, I’ll take the pill. Thank you.”

 

“You will?”

 

“Yes, I want to stay well.”

 

“Very good,” she nods before placing the pill in my hand. Then, she reaches for my glass of water and hands it to me. “You’ll save a kingdom someday, and this is how it begins.”

 

Emerald smiles at me with closed lips. I drop the pill on my tongue and drink from the glass. The pill goes down quickly and sort of tingles along the way. I take another sip and then place the glass on the table.

 

The tingling sensation doesn’t stop. It continues to spread around my stomach and back up my throat. I gag before feeling my veins light on fire. I try to stand, but Emerald’s hand presses me down.

 

“What—” I mutter, “what are you—doing?”

 

“Shh…” she hushes me. “The vitamin is just working its magic.”

 

The room seems to spin. I try to fight her off, but I can’t. She just stares back at me, sweetly, until I eventually collapse.