Becoming Alpha’s Personal Caretaker
Bonus Chapter 3.1

Mila's POV

"Hey."

It was a Sunday morning. Almost everyone in the manor were on rest day.

"Hey."

Lauren sat in front of me. She has a canister of nuts in her hands.

As of late, I noticed Lauren's affiliation with nuts. Macadamia nuts in particular. She liked it whether in chocolates or in cookies.

I poured some on my hands before giving the woman the canister back.

Since the mating ceremony and the wedding, Lauren has been staying in the Miller Estate. She decided to plant her roots there while managing the Full Moon Tribe together with Victor.

It has also been decided that I should stay in the manor since I am pregnant with the Beta's baby. It was a mutual decision actually.

Since I have agreed to give mating a try with Richard, I have to stay with the Midnight Claws territory. It would be safer for me and my child.

It has been a great decision insofar.

Richard was a very attentive boyfriend and father. Although he was overbearing at times, I still find it cute. It may lead to an argument but at the end of the day, we compromise since it was for my sake and the baby inside me. "Are you still having second thoughts?"

I made a face as I turned to my friend. Lauren is chewing on the nuts noisily and she did not seem to care.

"W-what?"

"Chew with your mouth close, woman."

"Are you bothered?"

"I am."

"You want some more?"

"No, thank you."

"As I was saying, are you still in doubt with your mating with Richard?"

"Sometimes."

"Why?"

"It's easier for me to doubt him than trust me. I have been doubting me and relationship my whole life, Lauren. Besides, were not true mates. What if his destined mate comes?"

"But he has been very nice to you. Richard is next to perfect, Mila. Meeting one's true mate does not happen every day. I was just lucky to find mine."

"I know. In my mind's eye, I am just waiting for him to make a mistake."

"He will because he is human. I mean, a shifter. He is bound to make a mistake, my friend."

I exhaled.

I knew that Lauren has a point but I am not trusting person. I can count in one hand the number of people I trust. I cannot seem to bridge the possibility of handing my trust and my life to Richard. Even with the baby on the way, I cannot see myself depending on him. Richard talked to me about making everything official but I tried to evade the topic as much as possible. He even suggested marriage one time but I slammed him immediately.

Although Richard is the beta of the tribe, if he found his mate, he can also hold a mating ceremony in the territory since he is the second highest official in the tribe. Despite being a chosen mate, he wanted to hold the ceremony with me.

The first time that he asked me of introducing me to the tribe officially as his mate, I told him that I was not ready. The second time, I requested for more time since I am new to being in a relationship and the pregnancy is pressuring me to say yes. On the third try, he proposed a marriage between us. I rejected him affront.

"The guy likes you."

"You think so?" I asked when my musing halted.

Lauren nodded. "I can see it. Only a blind person cannot see it. You are a blind person, Mila."

I giggled at my friend's statement.

I grabbed the canister from Lauren's clutch. I poured the nuts on my palm.

"I like him a lot, too."

"What are you going to do about it?"

"Bury them?"

"Silly."

A piece of Macadamia nut made a three-point shot in my forehead. To my annoyance, Lauren let out a laugh.

"Kidding aside, I haven't seen you behave like this with anyone. Hell, you rarely give anyone a chance."

"I know. It was the reason I have this fear inside me. That, what if he screwed up? That after all I gave him the chance, he eventually hurt me in the end?"

I turned to my friend when she did not respond. Lauren is staring at me. She has this funny look on her face. A frown marred my face when a smile formed on her face after a while.

She popped a big Macadamia nut on her mouth. She chewed it slowly but her eyes remained on me.

"You're in love with my mate's beta, witch."

It was not a question.

"W-what?"

My heart pounded. I had to swallow the lump in my throat at the intensity of my friend's stare and the weight of her question.

"F*ck!" I muttered under my breath when I found the truth.

"Congratulations, my friend. I am very happy for you."

I swore again when the confirmation of my feelings toward Richard remained. My heart beat even faster.

"It ain't so bad. He felt the same way."

"Really?"

Lauren nodded. "You have him in your pretty little fingers for a long time. You are just too blind to notice it. That man has been bewitched by your very lovely personality." "Hey!" I cried.

The Luna of the Midnight Claws Tribe laughed even louder.

"Do you know where he is?" I asked when my breathing returned to normal. The thought having a much deeper feelings for Richard overwhelmed me.

"He is with the horses. According to my mate, Richard has been there earlier this morning since a foal was born earlier than expected."

"He told me about the pregnant horse a few weeks before."

"Apparently, that horse is familiar with Richard than anyone else. She only let Richard near her than anyone else."

"Why is everyone pregnant in this estate?"

Lauren snickered. "Not everyone. Only you and I, my friend."

I groan "I should go. I think my man haven't had hid breakfast yet."

"Maybe. Go along."

The top of my clothes rose when I stood up. My swollen stomach made it that way. Instead of being embarrassed, I pulled my top slowly.

I used to be uncomfortable when it happened but when I saw Richard many times looking at me like I am the cure to global warming and HIV, I became more confident of my own skin, pregnant or not. "Be careful."

"Thanks."

I waddle my way to the direction of the stable. I saw a young man carrying a bundle of hay.

"Did you see the beta?"

He nodded before pointing the direction of the field. A tall man is standing by the side of the track. A familiar figure is leaning on the wooden fence.

The bright, almost noon sun is making a picturesque image of the lean man in the grassy field.

Taking my time as I ambled my way to Richard, I stepped carefully at the grassy field.

"Hey," I greeted as I catch my breath.

Nowadays, a short walk made me pant a little. The little bundle of joy inside me is growing healthily and added more weight on my feet.

"Are you alright, sweetheart? It's a little hot in here."

"A little sun and a few walks are good for me."

I stood beside the man who has been my exclusive boyfriend for months. Those months has been eventful but not a single day made me unsecured. Despite the turmoil in Midnight Claws Tribe, Richard always made sure that I am safe while doing his responsibility as a beta.

"The horses alright?" I aske to break the silence between us.

"Yes. The mom is a little agitated since her baby was unmoving when he was born. She calmed a little when he cried after a while."

"How about you?"

"A little shaken." He muttered.

Richard pulled me closer to his body. He enclosed me in an embrace with my back on him. He placed his intertwine hands on top of my bulging belly.

"It was an eye opener seeing the horse giving birth." He added. "My thoughts went to you, sweetheart."

"What about me?"

"You're a small woman while I am a quite tall. I am also a shifter. Carrying my pup might be dangerous for you."

Worry was laced on his voice.

Lauren was right. This man cares for me than I care to admit. I am blinded by my own bias that it hinders me from being happy with this man.

"Ask me again." I said, mustering the courage to be honest with myself.

"W-what?"

"Ask me again, Richard."

I saw the confusion on his face when I turned to him. I held his huge hands in mine as I stared into his eyes.

"Mila--"

"Do you want me or not?" I asked me in annoyance.

Richard breathed out in exasperation.

"Of course, I want you. I'm in love you, alright. I don't want to force you into something that you are not comfortable. Mila-. Mila, sweetheart?"

Panic appeared on the beta's face when he saw me crying. I bawled my eyes out as I realized how lucky I am to be with this man. He would rather suffer in silent that hurt me. "Ask me." I sniffed.

He wiped the tears from my face.

"Will you be my mate, Mila? Be mine and be the mother of my children?"

I nodded.

I was pulled into a tight hug. Richard is whispering in my head on how happy he is.

"I love you, by the way."

The love of my life laughed loudly.

And he is so handsome. His eyes were glistening with unshed tears.

With the sun shining on us, Richard and I will have better days in the future. Together.