Amia's POV
I was woken up by loud yelling and hissing.
I blinked a few times before my vision became clear.
Lucian stood in front of my mate, yelling loudly.
"Are you going to let her do this to your one and only blood? I get that you might not love your bond, but your own blood can never be harmed or looked down upon, and you know that! Amia carries the sore heir to this nest, damn it!" he yelled as my mate sighed with sadness in his eyes.
When he looked at me, his eyes instantly turned cold.
"If you can't stand her, then send her to my nest. I will do everything in my power to make sure she is—" he stopped when my mate raised his hand to his face.
"If you don't want that, then do better and treat her as she deserves, Ezra," Lucian said coldly.
When my mate approached me, I instantly sat upright while Lucian turned to face me.
He raised his hand and leaned in, making me close my eyes in fear.
I had touched his precious Rachel; he was definitely going to hit me.
When his gentle hand caressed the side of my cheek, I instantly opened my eyes and looked at him in surprise.
For the first time, I saw worry and care in his eyes, and that was very hard to understand.
Was he concerned about his unborn heir?
I looked at Lucian with a frown.
"Is anything wrong with the heir I carry?" I asked in a concerned, husky voice.
He smiled and then shook his head.
"No, my lady, you are in good health," he answered as I sighed in relief.
My mate dropped his hand and sat down next to me at the edge of the bed, grabbing my hand in his, making me uncomfortable.
"Don't be uncomfortable, my lady. It's the lord's duty to soothe his bond whenever she's terrified or hurt in any way. What you endured today must have been hard on you. I apologize for coming late here with the lord," Lucian said as I sadly smiled and blinked back the forming tears.
"The lord and I will see to it that Rachel gets punished for her deeds. It's obvious she came here with the intention to hurt you," he said as tears filled my eyes.
Why was he so kind and good to me?
I froze when my mate moved his free hand to my cheek, wiping off a tear that had rolled down.
I didn't have to say a word; I had to keep quiet and never speak out. That's what went through my mind, but my heart couldn't let me do so.
"My lord, I know you don't love me or want me. But I am so tired of having to endure such harshness from Rachel. If it's not too much to ask, can you please stop coming here and let me be?" I asked seriously, and that seemed to shock not only him but Lucian as well.
"My lady," Lucian whispered in disbelief.
My mate dropped my hand and then stood up with a loud hiss.
"I know I am asking for too much, but I believe the only way to stop Rachel from hurting me is if you stay away from me. Like, why do you even come here when you hate me so much?" I asked loudly.
"If it's to check up on me, then Lucian can do that as well. After all, he is your trusted second in command. He could be giving you the necessary reports on your heir's progress," I said loudly.
"My lady, you have gone through so much, and it can be very confusing and disheartening. That's why I believe right now you aren't thinking clearly," Lucian said loudly as I moved from the bed and stood up, facing them.
"Lucian, I know what I'm talking about, and I have clearly thought about it. I am tired of being scared and waiting for death to come knocking on my door. Do I have to have a miscarriage for you all to fully understand how I'm not safe here?" I asked loudly as my wolf huffed in agreement.
"I am in a territory with those who hold magical abilities I can't fight. I know I would have been safe if my mate's heart belonged to me, but it belongs to another, and his partner is one who holds black magic in the palm of her hands and hates my very being. You can't always be by my side as the oracle of this nest and him," I trailed off when I looked at my mate, who clenched his hands.
I knew I was being bold and digging my own grave, but sadly, I was tired, and enough was enough.
"He can't stop the woman he loves, even if it means I die by her hand," I whispered sadly.
"I don't want to die, and I don't want to do something that may cause my sister's death," I said, and then I went down to my knees.
Before I could bow my head low to the ground, I was forced to stand up by strong hands.
I looked at my mate in front of me coldly and then at Lucian.
When my mate looked at him too, he sighed heavily.
"Fine, my lady, the lord has heard your request," he answered, making me smile.
"He hates the idea of not checking up on his heir, but he also doesn't want the mother of his unborn heir to stress or become sad. That's why he has decided to listen to you and stop visiting," he said seriously.
"As of today, I will be the one to check on you and report to him directly. He will also ensure that Rachel has no way of visiting you. So you should never kneel down again. This should be the last time such a warning is given to you," he said coldly as I felt a shiver go through my entire body.
I was relieved for a moment but also scared about what would happen to my little sister.
"My lord, about my sister," I said in a low tone.
He moved his hand to his hair, brushing it with his fingers slowly, and then turned to face Lucian.
"Your sister will be safe, but there is something you should do for the lord in return. He wants you to eat well even when you have no appetite and rest even when you are not tired," he said as I quickly nodded.
"I swear on my life I will take good care of myself," I answered as Lucian smiled warmly.
"Good, because the whole nest knows about the heir you carry. We are all happy, and we are all looking forward to you having a healthy and safe delivery," he said, then looked at the door and the room where Serai was hiding.
"She has been crying ever since we walked in. I suggest you let her come out," he said, then walked to the entrance door and looked back at the lord, who was now looking at me in silence.
"My lord, it's time to leave," Lucian said in a low, respectful tone.
My mate sighed heavily, then moved in front of me and leaned in, resting his forehead against mine.
I wanted to push him away, but I couldn't find the strength to do so. Moreover, the tingles I felt were so calming and made me feel at ease.
When he pulled back, I wanted to grab his hand and stop him from leaving, but then I knew better than to do that.
He moved to the door, glanced at me for a minute, and then went out with Lucian.
I felt very sad, and I wanted to break down for asking my mate to stay away, but the thought of risking my unborn pup was more terrifying and sad.
"Serai, you can come out now," I said sadly.
When the bathroom door opened, she came out in tears and rushed to my side, hugging me as I teared up.