[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-alpha-s-unwanted-bride":3,"chapter-the-alpha-s-unwanted-bride-the-alpha-s-unwanted-bride-chapter-693":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Alpha's Unwanted Bride",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1497145,1945,"Chapter 693: UNCOMFORTABLE","the-alpha-s-unwanted-bride-chapter-693",693,"\u003Cp>Training nearly broke me that morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not in the way pain usually does.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being sharp, immediate, obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in a quieter, more terrifying way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like something inside me was being pried at with patience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elders had brought me back to the standing stones, the same circle where the wind never stopped singing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My feet were bare against the cool ground, my palms slick with sweat, my back aching under the weight of my belly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Breathe,\" the eldest murmured again. \"Into the spine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I always did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pull came faster this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My wolf surged upward, furious and desperate, clawing against something unseen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gasped as the pressure slammed into my ribs, my vision flashing white for a heartbeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then there was a crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a seam tearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cried out, instinctively clutching my stomach as my knees buckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hands caught me immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough,\" the elder snapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world steadied slowly, my breath coming in ragged pulls. The baby kicked hard, distressed, as if reacting to my panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What was that?\" I demanded hoarsely. \"Something changed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder’s face smoothed too quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing you need concern yourself with,\" he said. Too calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at him. \"You saw something didn’t you? Because I felt something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We are close,\" he said instead. \"Very close. But not yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My chest tightened. \"I’m exhausted. My baby could come at any time. The plan is for me to unleash my wolf so that I can go through my birth successfully.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You will be ready,\" another elder said gently. \"It is only a matter of days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They always said days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They dismissed me shortly after that, insisting I rest. My legs trembled as I walked away, the echo of my wolf still rattling inside me like a beast locked in too small a cage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could feel it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>❧\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massage chambers smelled of warm oil and crushed herbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, that scent calmed me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, it made my skin prickle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I slipped out of my training robe and reached for the soft linen dress prepared for me, I sensed movement behind me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood there again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same midwife from before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Older. Severe. Her posture too straight, her gaze too intent and her smile too fixated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She made my skin crawl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good day your majesty.\" She said evenly in her soft voice that should make me pleased but rather made me uncomfortable. \"I’m here for your session,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My stomach dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her here, while her body touched me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t want it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No,\" I said immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She blinked. \"Excuse me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I said no,\" I repeated, sharper now. \"I won’t be having a massage today. Especially not with you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lips pressed together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is what I am assigned to do your majesty.\" She stated\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And I’m declining,\" I snapped. \"Thank you, but your services are no longer needed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something flickered in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annoyance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I insist,\" she said. \"You need to have me-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I decide what I need,\" I cut in. My voice shook, but I held her gaze. \"Please leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she turned abruptly and exited the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My hands trembled as I continued dressing, my heart pounding too fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did she keep appearing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did it feel like she was watching me rather than caring for me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A knock sounded at the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes?\" I called cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The head she-wolf entered, her expression apologetic, practiced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My apologies,\" she said. \"My staff informed me you were upset.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wasn’t upset,\" I replied. \"I was uncomfortable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is there something wrong with the care you’re receiving?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t want her,\" I said simply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She nodded with a calm smile. \"Of course. We can arrange another masseuse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can you arrange Lydia?\" I asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hesitation was instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brief..... but real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m afraid not,\" she said smoothly. \"Lydia resigned.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just like that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not interested anymore,\" I said, my voice flat. I stepped past her and shut the door firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I left the chambers, I could feel it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The women watching from doorways. The way conversation stilled just a beat too long when I passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The head she-wolf caught up to me at the stairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We truly hope you’ll allow us to assist you later,\" she said carefully. \"You’ll need proper care if you want to deliver your baby safely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That did it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stopped and turned on her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t need threats dressed as concern,\" I said coldly. \"I am the one who decides what is safe for my child. Not you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My apologies,\" she murmured. \"Of course. I never meant any harm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned and saw their eyes on me before they all hastily pretended not to be aware.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made me further upset, now I looked like the crazy mad woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I descended the wide stone steps toward the waiting carriage, my heart racing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place was watching me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Managing me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I didn’t know why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>❧\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It happened just before I reached the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A servant rushed past me, arms full of folded towels, head bowed. She collided lightly with my shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh! Forgive me, my lady,\" she said quickly, bending to gather the fallen cloth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s fine,\" I said automatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As our hands brushed, she leaned closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice dropped to a whisper so soft it barely stirred the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you truly want to find Lydia,\" she said, eyes never lifting, \"follow the fireflies at midnight tonight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My breath caught.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\" I whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was already gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The towels gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corridor empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I wasn’t sure if had happened, I would have believed I had been hallucinating due to how quickly it had happened\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stood there frozen, my heart hammering violently against my ribs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fireflies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Midnight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lydia hadn’t resigned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And whatever was happening in this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever they were preparing me for here\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was no longer sure my father was telling me everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I placed both hands over my belly, grounding myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I won’t let them hurt you,\" I whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for the first time since arriving here, I wasn’t sure who they were anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that terrified me.\u003C\u002Fp>",1050,"2026-06-06T04:22:25.635Z",1,"novelbin.me","49063ccbaa80d5efb4731f4bdeaccdc396ca0af6206c4c61afc66e1767a27e24","the-alpha-s-unwanted-bride-chapter-694","the-alpha-s-unwanted-bride-chapter-692",728,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-alpha-s-unwanted-bride-cover.jpg"]