We're in a Contract Marriage, But I've Imprinted - Chapter 100
A scoff escaped him naturally.
“Lady Nicola.”
“…”
“If there’s even the slightest problem left with my heir, I swear I’ll drive out everyone from my father, who left you here, to you.”
“What nonsense!”
Nicola jumped at the mention of her alpha being implicated, but Ian had resolved to take full control this time.
“Do you think I can’t do it? Why? There are mothers who hit their children.”
“…”
“Then there should be mothers who get hit by their children too, right, Lady Nicola?”
Nicola was profoundly shaken by Ian’s words.
Because of his unfilial remarks?
No, it was because her son, who had never spoken of his childhood, was revealing his feelings for the first time.
And he was doing it deliberately to wound her deeply, leaving her unsure of how to react.
With nothing else to say, Ian coldly warned her once more.
“Never mess with my omega again. I won’t be as forgiving as my father.”
“…I understand. I’ll be careful.”
These were the only words she could muster, but they were sincere. Though she didn’t know the full extent of the situation, the idea that Melissa suffered because of her filled her with guilt and a deep sense of loathing.
The thought of harming not just her son but also her daughter-in-law and grandchild made her feel as if her heart had dropped and was rolling at her feet. With a face pale enough to turn blue, Nicola could only watch her son’s departing back.
Ian hadn’t realized such explosive emotions dwelled within him. The situation, brought on by Melissa alone, forced him to confront aspects of himself he hadn’t known and filled him with discomfort.
“Whoo.”
He sighed deeply, feeling the frustration bubble up from within, and headed back to the annex where his omega was. Despite being blinded by rage, he couldn’t bear to leave the one bearing his child alone.
As he entered the annex, the servants on duty bowed deeply to him. He felt their fear but lacked the energy to care about such trivial matters now.
As he opened the door and entered the room, he saw her sleeping peacefully. It was him who had told her to rest and heal, yet seeing his omega sleeping so soundly irritated him.
As his emotions overflowed uncontrollably, he finally realized something was off with him.
He stopped in the middle of the bedroom, looking at his hands. Slowly clenching and unclenching his fists, he checked if they moved as he willed.
It was undoubtedly his body, his head, his heart, yet why did it feel so alien, as if belonging to someone else?
Was this what all alphas spoke of, that overwhelming instinct? The feeling of being utterly swept away, as if controlled by someone else. He completely understood the statement that the alpha’s instinct revolved solely around the omega.
He walked towards the bed, stopping to gaze down at Melissa before reaching out to brush away the hair clinging to her nape.
He wanted to choke her yet found her so lovely. It seemed like a sure sign something was off. He took off his shoes and lay down on the bed. He pressed close to her back who was still sweating even as she slept and buried his nose in her nape.
He deeply inhaled her still-fresh pheromones, he slipped his arms below her arms and pulled her tightly against him.
“Mmm…”
She stirred uncomfortably, so he gently patted her chest and comforted her.
“Shh, you need to stay still now.”
Your alpha is here, so now you must be calm.
She seemed to understand his words, quieting down and even gripping his arms tightly as she slept. He then fully released his pheromones for her.
Seeing her find comfort in his pheromones even in the subconscious was charming. A faint smile appeared on her lips over time, and stable pheromones began to flow.
While he enjoyed Melissa’s fresh pheromones, the thought of her soaked in his pheromones wasn’t bad either.
No, it seemed even better.
The idea of completely erasing the omega’s energy so no one could detect her crossed Ian’s mind, his eyes gleaming coldly with a strange heat.
The malfunctioning affection would climb up the throat and strangle the breath. The pheromones that gently enveloped her now carried weight, pressing down on her, and sharp thorns pricked her here and there.
The peace on Melissa’s face gradually faded, contorting as if she was having a nightmare, and tears began to form.
Ah, my poor omega. How could I leave such a frail being alone?
He wished for her to break even more, to be so shattered that she couldn’t breathe without him.
While doing so, he mimicked a very gentle alpha, comforting her as she cried in her sleep.
“Shh…”
Her hot tears wet his fingers. Naturally, he placed his finger in his mouth and tasted them, showing a subtle expression.
Even though it was just tears, he found them delicious.
He stayed up all night, keeping watch over his omega, soothing Melissa whenever she whimpered and greedily drank her tears.
* * *
After nearly losing the unborn child, I had stopped going out for walks. Extreme fear and caution had limited the number of people allowed into my room.
Ian seemed to feel the same, for he had brought a desk into the annex and placed it directly opposite the bed as if to monitor me, and had brought most of the documents from his office there.
Honestly, I couldn’t complain even if he was watching over me. According to him, I needed to properly protect the child in my stomach. It was my duty as both a mother and his contractor.
Even though I thought I had to endure his scolding and criticism, Ian had become gentler than before, despite his gaze remaining cold.
“Leave it and go.”
“Yes, Young Lord.”
It seemed time had passed as a maid brought in lunch for both of us. Following his orders, the maid laid out the food on a new table placed next to the bed and left.