Mating the Female Alpha
Chapter 84 – Baby shower

Bernice's POV

Landry returned later in the evening, and I knew from looking at his worn face that the talk with Alaric didn't go well.

He's out of his mind," he mumbled, shaking his head in thought. "He's requesting that you meet with him alone." "Alone?" I asked, raising my brows. "For what reason?"

"He wouldn't explain further. He said whether you go to him alone, or no deal."

My heart weighed heavily in my chest at Landry's words. I wasn't just thinking about myself anymore; I needed to do what was best for my pup.

"Do you think he would keep his word?" I asked, I couldn't hide the worry in my tone.

"It's hard to say, but I certainly don't trust him," Landry said; a crease formed between his brows.

"What other options do we have?" I asked. "If he really can cure me then maybe..."

"And if he doesn't? What if he takes you again?" Landry asked. "I don't think we should take that chance."

"He had a chance to kill me when he held me captive in his layer. If he wanted me dead, I would be," I tell him the grim truth. "He let me go for a reason. I don't think he's going to kill me." "Maybe you should see him, and I'll come with you."

"He wants me to go alone," I remind him.

"I can hide somewhere"

"He's a powerful vampire lord," I tell him, folding my arms across my chest. "He would figure out you were there, and then kill us both."

Landry fell silent as he thought about what I said. He knew I was right, but he didn't want to say it out loud. We might not have a choice in the matter. It pained me to think about how much power Alaric held over us already.

I placed my hands on my stomach; I couldn't feel the pup yet, but I knew it was there and that was enough for me to want to take any chance I can to make sure it was born and safe. His eyes fell to my stomach as well and I could see the defeated look on his face.

He knew this was something we had to do if I wanted a fighting chance. But before he could speak his thoughts out loud, the door of my bedroom swung open.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought Bernice would be alone..." Jessie said, staring between Landry and me. Am I interrupting something?"

"No," I say, plastering a smile on my face. "What's up?"

"I had an amazing idea," she said, clapping her hands together. "In honor of your pregnancy and to get our minds off all the shit that's been happening, I want to throw you a baby shower!"

A knot formed in the pit of my stomach as I stared around at her eager face.

"A what?" I asked, dumbfounded.

"A baby shower! A celebration of your pregnancy!"

I knew what a baby shower was, I wasn't that stupid. I just never thought that someone would want to throw me one.

Then, again, I shouldn't be surprised. Jessie loves this kind of thing.

"I don't have many friends to invite," I remind her.

Technically, Jessie was my only female friend.

"Leave the guest list to me," she said, waving her hand in dismissal. "I'm thinking maybe this evening? What do you say? Please say yes! I think this would be good for us! We need a little fun in our lives." "Fun?" I asked, raising my brows. "Jessie, this is hardly the time to-"

"I won't take no for an answer," she said, stopping my words.

I glanced up at Landry whose eyes had softened and there was even a small smile playing on his lips. One look from him was telling me to just go with it.

"Okay," I say, looking back at her. "That sounds great."

"Perfect! Just leave everything to me."

She left my room without another word.

...

I had to admit, I was in awe of how quickly Jessie was able to throw together a last-minute baby shower. She had the best caterers preparing food in the dining hall; the entire living room was filled with soft-colored decorations. She even had balloons.

Guests from all over the kingdom were filling the palace with beautifully wrapped gifts. Most of the guests I had never met before but recognized them from Jessie's many events.

There was a pianist in the corner of the room playing a lovely classical tune. It was oddly perfect.

"Wow," I said as I approached Jessie; she was wearing a beautiful pink sundress.

No matter what she wore, Jessie was always beautiful.

"What do you think?" She asked, her smile lighting up the entire room.

She had an infectious smile, and I couldn't help but smile as well.

"You've outdone yourself," I tell her, giving her a hug. "Thank you."

She had me wearing a light blue sundress, which matched her pink dress.

"I'm so glad you like it!" She cooed. "I set up an area for you to sit."

She took my arm and escorted me toward a comfortable-looking loveseat. I frowned as we approached.

"I'm not even showing yet; I don't need to sit," I tell her with a light laugh.

"That doesn't matter," she said, waving her hand in my face in dismissal. "This is your baby shower; you deserve the most comfortable and best chair in the house."

I sat down; it felt like I was taking a throne. Guests were piling their gifts on a long table she had set up; I felt a little awkward that people I didn't know were showering me with gifts.

"Think of it like they are showering the baby with gifts," Landry said as he approached.

I rose my brows at him.

"Sometimes I think you can read my mind," I say to him with a headshake.

"I can read your face," he said in return.

I pulled my eyes away from Landry and peered down at my stomach, pressing my palms to it I breathed, "This is for you, little pup..."

The thought of not being able to give birth to my little pup ached my heart. I tried to keep the sadness off my face and enjoy the party that Jessie had worked so hard on, but I couldn't help but worry.

Having a baby shower made things feel that much more real. Whether I liked it or not, I had a baby inside of me and I needed to figure out a way to save its life. I couldn't allow it to die because of the decisions I had made. Just the very thought broke my heart.

I knew Landry didn't like the idea of me going to see Alaric alone and I knew just one look from him might change my mind. But I couldn't take the chance. I knew more than ever that I needed to see Alaric and I needed to go alone. Tonight.