We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 111

Isn’t it natural to think this way when someone in his arms was in pain?

Ian sat by Melissa’s bedside, holding one hand over her mouth and tightly gripping her smaller hand with the other to support her.

“Huuh!”

Melissa found some comfort knowing Ian was there. She wanted to appear composed, but since it was her first time with childbirth, she was overwhelmed with fear.

What if she couldn’t push properly and something happened to the baby? Amid the pain, she was worried for the child’s safety.

“Aahk!”

The pain surged as if nothing she had felt before was comparable. Melissa clenched his hand and trembled.

“Just a little more, just a bit more! Think of this as the end and give it all your strength!”

The midwife shouted. Melissa followed her instructions, pushing with all her might. Her limbs felt disconnected, and her vision started to blur. Yet, she didn’t want to disappoint Ian, who seemed even more in pain than she.

She wanted to hold it. An Alpha who looks just like him

“Aaah!”

Melissa poured all her strength and focus into delivering the baby, forgetting it was there as she bit Ian’s hand. Even as her teeth broke the skin and blood flowed, Ian didn’t flinch. It was more accurate to say he didn’t take his eyes off his Omega for even a second.

The midwife grew frantic under Melissa’s legs, and the white cloth covering them started to stain red in places.

“Uhh!”

“It’s out! The baby is out!”

At the same time of the midwife’s bright voice, she felt the sensation of her stomach deflating. But her relief was short-lived, replaced by the anxiety that the baby’s cry wasn’t heard.

“The baby…. why isn’t it crying?”

“Just a moment, why isn’t it crying…”

The midwife seemed flustered and moved around hurriedly. Then, urgently approaching Ian and Melissa, she instructed,

“Release your pheromones. The baby needs to sense its parents’ presence!”

For Beta babies, a parent’s voice might naturally evoke a response, but it was different for Alpha and Omega babies. They needed to feel their parents’ pheromones to sense security.

Responding to the midwife’s request, Ian quickly released his pheromones, and Melissa, gathering her remaining strength, also released her faint pheromones.

“Uwaaang!”

Finally, a loud cry burst from the quiet baby’s mouth. After a long wail, the baby yawned through tears and smacked its lips.

“Oh, seems like someone is hungry. I’ll clean him up and bring it right away.”

At the midwife’s words, the waiting maids approached with warm water and sterilized cloths. The midwife carefully cleaned the baby, removing any residue, and then wrapped it in a cloth.

Afterwards, the midwife efficiently took care of Melissa, and the doctor used a magic tool on the baby to check something, then approached Melissa with a relieved expression.

“You’ve lost a lot of strength, but you should recover quickly with some rest and medicine. It appears you’ve given birth to an extreme dominant Alpha due to your extremely recessive body. Congratulations on the birth of a young master, Young Lord.”

Ian and Melissa looked at the doctor with joy-filled eyes. Between an Alpha and Omega, a Beta child was impossible. It was clear, between an Alpha or Omega, they had hoped for an Alpha.

And not just any Alpha, but an extremely dominant one.

Melissa couldn’t close her mouth for joy. She thought she had no tears left, but they started flowing freely.

“Shh, why are you crying?”

“Huff.“

Deep inside, she had been very worried. What would she do if an Omega were born? Would she have to hide in the mountains like her late mother? With no inheritance of her own, how would she survive?

Could she even live without her imprinted Alpha in the first place?

The mere thought made her heart sink, and anxiety filled her. Though she was happy to have safely given birth, she could not predict how Ian might change now that the bonds of pheromones during pregnancy were concluded.

Like the intense possessiveness that comes after a heat period, what if his behavior changed now that she had given birth?

Suddenly, Melissa found her own thoughts strange. Instead of rejoicing at the safe birth of her son, she feared being abandoned by Ian. She felt a faint disgust and bewilderment at her own attitude.

Noticing her stiffness, Ian, thinking it was just overwhelming emotion, comforted her repeatedly.

“It’s okay now. You did well.”

Ian was indescribably happy. Not only because the heir he had desired was born, but there was a more fundamental joy.

His Omega had given birth to their child.

The mere fact filled him with wonder and happiness.

“Madam, it’s time to nurse. It will help the baby grow healthy.”

Following the midwife’s instruction, Ian nodded to the doctor and other servants, who quietly bowed and left the room, giving them privacy. The midwife adjusted Melissa to make the latching easier and then discreetly exited.

The midwife knew from experience that this was a particularly sensitive time for an Alpha. It was crucial to give space for Ian to intensely focus on protecting his newborn and weakened Omega.

“Shall I help?”

“…Yes.”

Melissa had tried several times to nurse but failed, so she did not refuse Ian’s offer. He carefully took her breast out with familiar hands and gently massaged it so the baby could latch on more easily. Then, rather than wiping off the milk that touched his fingers with his handkerchief, he tasted it.

“….Why are you drinking that?”

“It’s for my son, isn’t it fair I know what it tastes like?”

His seemingly playful response made Melissa wonder if this was really the same Ian she knew. The man who could be so distant was now completely gentle in her presence, dispelling her anxieties and filling her with anticipation.

Yes, how could he be so caring if he didn’t love her, right?