The Alpha King's Series

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

BRINLEY.

It's been a few weeks since Dominic's been born, and I've nearly lost my sanity in these intense two weeks. Dominic's heart has stopped more times than I can count.

Dr. Jacob has decided to put him on liquid heart medication to see if it helps his heart. It's been three days, and so far, it's working.

He said if Dominic improves, he can go home soon.

I go to the hospital to visit him every day because Xander refuses to let me stay there.

But I know he doesn't want me to see the Doctors work on Dominic when his heart stops. Xander is going with me to the hospital later on today. I have to meet with Katie about the fundraiser that happing next week. Katie and Kyle have done everything, But she wants to inform me about stuff, but I think she attempts to keep me from sitting at the hospital all day.

But I don't mind, though. I love to be needed.

Since my stomach has healed up quickly, Dr. Jacob said I could go back to my everyday routines When I'm not at the hospital with Dominic, I help the girls clean and make lunches and dinner to keep my mind busy so I don't focus on the negative stuff going on with my baby.

Xander wants me to take it easy, but I can't. If I sit around and do nothing, I'll go crazy thinking about My child's heart.

I want to keep what sanity I have left.

Kelsy and Delores stayed with me for a few days after Dominic's birth, But Kelsy has two kids at home, and Delores has Gabriella now to worry about, and I will say I've never seen my sister and Delores so happy until now.

They're complete.

TWO- MONTHS LATER.

BRINLEY.

I cannot believe it's been two months already. Dominic has been home for a month and doing great on his medication. We go every other to see Dr. Jacob so he can do an EEG of his heart, but on all the visits, he says it's pumping ideally.

But eventually, Dominic will need surgery to replace his valve.

Things with Xander and me are going great. He still hasn't marked me yet, but I have no doubts that will come.

The new orphanage is coming along. We still have an aways to go, but at least the structure is there now. The fundraiser went smoothly. We raised a lot of money for the nuns and children though I am sad to say only two kids found homes that day.

The nuns still do have over twenty kids.

But I know they will find homes. They are beautiful children

ONE- YEAR- LATER

BRINLEY.

"Do you need help with that?"

I glance over my shoulder and smile at Xander.

"Sure," I say, moving out the way so he can grab the cake.

Today is Dominic's first birthday. We are so glad we made it through a year without any disasters Dominic's heart valve seems to be holding well. Dr. Jacobs hasn't mentioned surgery, so I'm taking that as a good sign.

"Can you believe our son is one?" Xander asks.

I shake my head.

"No. But I also can't believe you haven't marked me yet," I muttered.

Xander still hasn't marked, which makes me think if this is what he truly wants-Me.

Xander rolls his beautiful sucks you in silver eyes.

"Why do you keep going with that?"

"Why do you keep avoiding the question?"

He goes silent.

I shake my head and attempt to walk away when he grabs my elbow and forces me into his chest. "Why does being marked matter so much to you?"

"Because I'm your mate. You should want to mark me and show everyone who I belong to,”

A growl vibrates through his chest, causing goosebumps to form on my skin.

"You belong to me. Everyone fucking knows that,”

"Is it because of my age? You've always hated my age,"

His jaw ticks once, twice.

"I could give two fucks about your age,”

I frowned.

"Then enlighten me. Why don't you want to mark me?"

Xander releases his hold on my elbow, grabs the cake, and walks to the backyard where Dominic's party is held.

I follow after him, and he sits the cake on the table in front of Dominic. His silver eyes look at Xander, and a smile spreads his face.

Xander smiles back at him and kisses his forehead.

"Happy birthday, buddy,” He says, rubbing Dominic's cole black hair.

Dominic is a complete cologne of his father.

Shadow looms beside me, and I jolt sideways.

"Knox. You scared the crap out of me," I say, slapping him playfully. He chuckles.

I look beside him and don't see Lucy or their new baby Demi who is now four months old.

I frown.

"Where's Lucy and Demi?"

Knox sighs and points. I follow his gaze to See Lucy laughing with Katie.

"I knew they would hit it off,"

Knox rolls his eyes.

"Another friend to steel my mate way,"

I raise a brow.

Knox has always been the jealous type, but more so if he could lock Lucy up in a room and never let her out.

Yup, he is that twisted.

"How are things between you and my brother?"

"Good," I lie.

Knox purses his lips.

"And how is my nephew?"

"doing great so far. Heart seems to be functioning okay,"

Knox nods.

"That's good news,"

I nod in agreement.

"Let's go watch Dominic blow out his candle,” I tell Knox.

After we sang happy birthday, Xander helped Dominic blow out his candle. And Dominic wore most of his cake than what he ate.

Dominic had such a good birthday. After his party, I bathed him and put on his pajamas. So he was tired that he was out when his head hit the pillow.

I flipped on the baby monitor and pointed the camera toward him. I hooked up his heart monitor that alerts us if his heart is to stop.

I'm going to meet everyone in the backyard Ryder, and Knox are starting a fire in the pit, and the girls are getting us glasses of wine. Beer for the men.

I walk over to Xander's office and open the door.

Kyle begged him to join us outside, but he refused and said he had work to do. But I know that's a lie. He just doesn't want to be around me since are little argument this afternoon.

"I'm busy, Brinley," He says without looking up from his paperwork.

"Here," I say and hand him one of the monitors. "Listen for any alerts, and now and then, please glance at the screen,” I say, turning to leave.

"Are you sure you want to go and drink? The grand opening of the orphanage is tomorrow,"

I stop walking and turn to face him.

"I know what tomorrow is. You don't need to remind me. I want to visit with my sister, mother, Lucy, and Amanda. Don't you want to visit them?"

“No,”

"Is it because Gabriel is here?"

The mention of Gabriel's name causes Xander's body to stiffen.

"No, it's not because of him,” He grits out.

"Then why? Is it because of me?"

Xander looks up from his paperwork and finally meets my gaze.

"Go have fun. I'll take care of Dominic if he wakes," He says, looking back down at the stacks of papers.

Katie hands me a glass of red wine, and I mutter a "Thank you" before sitting down next to Kelsy. "Brin, No Xander?" Ryder asks.

I shake my head.

"He's busy,”

Ryder waves that off.

"He just doesn't want to join us. His loss,” Ryder says, and the other joins in with him.

"You look tired, sweetheart,” Delores says, rubbing my knee.

"I am tired, Mama,"

"Do you want to go rest?"

I shake my head.

"I want to sit here with you ladies and drink until I can't drink anymore.”

"Hell yeah," Lucy says, raising her glass. We all laugh and clink our glasses together.

"Are you sure you don't mind Bane staying in Dominic's room?" Julia asks.

I shake my head.

"Not a problem. You know I love him,"

Julia shakes her head.

"Yes. Sometimes I feel he loves you more than me,”

"No. He loves you, Julia. You're his mother,”

"Thanks for that,"

I nod.

As the girls began to talk about something about what? I have no idea because as I glance around at them, they all have one thing familiar, something that I've been longing for a mark from their mates.

Delores has had two marks since she found her second chance mate months ago. Who would have thought?

Kevin seems to make Delores and Gabriela happy he told Delores he would like to adopt a son, which makes me glad to know another child may get a good home tomorrow.

Gabriela is happy to be getting a new sibling.

Kelsy wasn't happy about Kevin at first when Delores finally told us. I was delighted that she was happy. That's all that mattered to me.

I am happy with Xander, but often I wonder what goes in that brain of his. Why is he so against marking me as his mate? I know I was a slave, omega, half-breed. But we have come so far for him to take steps back.

As I'm pulling forward, he is pulling back.

"Brinley?" Lucy says, raising her brow.

"What?"

The girls laugh.

"Did you not hear a word I said?" She says, shaking her head.

"No. I'm sorry, what did you say?"

She rolls her eyes.

"I said wouldn't it be so cool if our kids were mates?"

"Whose kids?" I asked

"Maybe Demi and Amanda's new bundle of joy she's having,"

"Can I have him first?” Amanda laughs.

"Wouldn't it be cool if Henry was Annabella's mate?” Amanda asks Katie.

"Fuck no. Your son comes near my daughter. I'll cut his balls off,” Kyle joins in.

"She has a mate out there somewhere, Kyle,” Amanda says, shaking her head.

"She's one. You women don't need to be talking about mates for our kids,"

They ignored him and kept chit-chatting about it. I listened

A cry catches my attention, and I grab the monitor.

"Is it Bane?" Julia asks.

"No," I shake my head.

"I'll be right back," I tell them and walk back into the house.

I know Xander would get Dominic, but he was busy, and I wanted to get away from their conversation.

I open The nursery door and pick Dominic up.

"Hey, sweet boy," I murmur.

"Are you hungry? I'll get you some milk," I tell him, unplugging his machine and walking to the changing table.

I quickly change his diaper and place him back into bed. Then, I hook up his machine.

"Mama will go get you a warm milk bottle," I rub his soft cheek and say.

I turn toward the door and nearly jump out of my skin. Xander is leaning on the door frame with a fresh warm milk bottle in his hand.

"I figured he would want this. I know he fell asleep before his night bottle,” He says, handing me the bottle.

I take it and lean over Dominic's crib.

"Here, sweet boy," I whisper and hand him the bottle. He takes hungrily and takes needy gulps.

"I told you I would take care of him,"

"I know," I say, glancing up at him.

"They were talking about mates like if our kids will be mated to each other,"

Xander nods.

"You didn't want to talk about it,"

I shake my head.

"No,"

"Is it because you don't want to picture Dominic with a mate? Or is it because you think your mate doesn't want you?"

"Both," I admit.

"You're stuck so far in your own mind that you have convinced yourself that I don't want you because I haven't marked you," He says, taking steps toward me.

Xander lifts me over his shoulder and carries me from the nursery to our room.

I hit the bed with a thud.

I sucked in a breath when Xander hoovers over top of me.

"If a mark is what it will take for you, see how fucking bad I want you. Then so be it," He rasps.