Alpha

After Zara left, I couldn’t concentrate on anything. The world seemed dull and uninteresting. Nothing, absolutely nothing, brought me any pleasure.

I waited for her to text me, even just one word. Holding my phone in my hand, I stared at her name for hours, but she never came.

Even though Kaysir and Hades kept me updated on her, I just wanted to hear her voice.

Climbing into bed, I finally fell asleep after so long, I have no idea...

Mom pulled back the curtains in my room to let in a little sunlight. I squinted, half-opening my eyes, shielding the morning light with my hand—or was it noon? Afternoon?

"Wake up. Stop wallowing in your sorrows." She came up to me and, with a snort, threw the blanket off me.

"Mom!" I warned quietly, but she didn’t listen. "Ah! Ah! No excuses. Your company needs you. Do you want it to go bankrupt after you worked so hard to build your empire?"

I tried to take the blanket away, just to get some more sleep. I wasn’t even sure how long it had been, or how many days.

But she kept it away from me.

"I don’t care right now, Mom. Let me sleep." I plopped down on the bed and tried to cover my eyes with my hand.

"Want me to push you off the bed?" she asked, yanking my hand away from my face and frowning.

"What’s the point?" I complained.

"The point is to plan and get her back, not act like Romeo."

"She doesn’t want me back. She said so before she left." She plopped down next to me on the bed.

"And you’re just going to give in? I know you who’s not that kind." She pushed my hands away and tapped me on the forehead. "I won’t let you give in so easily. Get up, we’re going to your office, and there we’ll work out a plan to get her back."

After much persuasion, she managed to drag me out and finally get me to return to my duties as CEO. Marcus was gone, and I needed someone capable to take his place.

"I’m going shopping, but I’ll bring you lunch." She left with Olfie, dropping me off. I took the elevator up.

It reminded me of Zara, the way she’d cling to me during the climb, or simply steal glances at me and inhale my scent.

How I’d kissed her to keep her from having a panic attack. Now they were just memories, wonderful, wonderful memories that I’ll always treasure.

The elevator rang, and the doors slid open. With a sigh, I stepped out, and my gaze immediately fell on the office that had once been hers, but was now occupied by another woman.

Her curious eyes turned to me. Seeing me, she quickly jumped up from her seat and ran out of the office. Her face paled.

Was I really that scary to her?

"Good morning! Mr. CEO. I’m glad you’re here," she smiled pleasantly, plastering on a horribly fake smile.

I wanted to blurt out, "And you?" But I held back. Zara asked me to be gentle with her.

"Good morning, Nasya. Tell me the details, and tell me how far behind we are?"

Her jaw dropped in surprise, and her eyes widened in shock when I called her by name and replied, "Good morning."

I could have sworn she was about to faint from shock. I cleared her throat to calm her down. She quickly regained her composure and began fiddling with her tablet.

"We have a meeting with the new investors. You need signatures on important documents; I left them all in your office. Also, the monthly department meeting is coming up."

"Okay, get everything organized. I have a meeting with the heads of all departments in an hour. We need to promote someone to COO." She nodded quickly. "Bring me some strong coffee. And send Miranda." She enthusiastically wrote everything down and ran away, excited.

I headed to my office and settled into a chair. Taking a pen from the Itachi holder, I opened the first file and began reading the approval from the marketing department for a funding increase. Miranda asked for permission to enter.

"Come in," I said calmly. Soon, she stood in front of me.

"Good morning! Nice to see you again," she said, her voice excited.

"Good morning! Take a seat," I offered, still looking at the documents.

"So, I need to ask you an important question."

I looked up and looked at her. "Who do you think is the best candidate to replace Marcus?"

Miranda paused for a second before saying, "I know he’s my friend, but beyond that, he’s capable, smart, and knowledgeable. He’s also been with us for quite some time. So, I’d say it’s Chang."

That wasn’t a surprise. I already had that same name in my head. Was this another desperate attempt to impress Zara?

I knew the news would reach her. Miranda and Chan were quite close.

Before leaving, she worked directly under Chan.

"I agree, Miranda. Thanks for the advice. But I need you to be careful and not turn...Become the gossip you and Chan love to be," I warned, and she smiled sheepishly.

"My lips are sealed until you make an announcement."

"Okay, we have a meeting in an hour. Make sure everything is organized. Work with Nasia," I ordered, focusing on my work again.

"Sir!" she replied respectfully before standing and leaving my office.

My thoughts turned to a certain red-haired girl, and an idea struck me.

I knew Zara...

She was curious, and even though she ignored me, I knew she’d definitely check my page. Time to post an amazing video for my mate.

***

Zara

Holly took me to the gynecologist. I was almost two months pregnant. January had ended, and we were entering February.

The weather had changed: the icy cold had given way to a mild chill. Flowers were starting to bloom. I lay on the exam table in the doctor’s office while she examined my belly.

"Your baby is developing according to plan! The heartbeat is strong, and at this stage, everything looks healthy. That’s exactly what we want to see at eight weeks," the doctor said warmly, pointing to the monitor so I could see the speck.

My heart swelled with joy, watching life form inside me. This baby was going to be so special. He had survived, despite so many challenges.

We took precautions, and yet, somehow, he had made his way inside me. I was kidnapped, threatened by shadows, starved, and dehydrated, and yet he survived, desperately clinging to life.

Holly held my hand, squeezing it tightly as we stared at the screen, lost in a sea of ​​emotions.

"Thank you, Doctor. Could you please create a meal plan for her so we know what she needs to eat daily and how much?" Holly asked.

"Of course!"

After the ultrasound, the doctor gave me a strict nutrition plan: drink plenty of fluids and do morning breathing exercises. She also gave me vitamins and minerals.

"Thank you!" I expressed my gratitude before leaving her office.

We both returned to the car. Kaysir held the door for us. He insisted on coming with us, and after Alpha told me he was the one who found the earring, I was forever in his debt.

"Thank you, Kaysir. Especially for saving my sister’s life. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate," Mom said gratefully, and he nodded respectfully.

"That was a great joy for me." Then he turned to me and asked, "Luna, did everything go well?"

"Yes, Kaysir. We’re both healthy," I replied with a smile, which he respectfully returned.

We went home, and Mom asked, "Do you want anything?" I simply shook my head.

"Our father is very strict: no fast food, only organic produce, fruits and vegetables, and so on," she mimicked him, making me laugh.

I couldn’t help but notice that, in addition to his sweet tooth, Dad followed a strict diet, just like Alpha. Another thing we had in common. Unlike Mom and me, Dad didn’t like fast food.

Pregnancy was supposed to be a time we’d spend together, and I didn’t want to experience it alone.

The thought of him not being there saddened me.

Holly sensed the change in my mood and asked softly, "Have you talked to him?"

"No, I’m afraid I won’t be able to resist him if I hear his voice, and I don’t want to disappoint dad." I bit my lower lip to keep it from trembling.

"Oh! Darling. I understand. I just wish it were easier, but relationships are complicated." She hugged me from the side, and we spent the rest of the drive in silence.

We got home, and I saw Dad’s car in the driveway. He’d come home from work.

Holly got a call from work, so she excused herself and left.