Amia's POV
Two days had gone by and I was still struggling to eat solid food. Although I was forced by Serai to eat soup and porridge, I ended up throwing up most of the time.
Serai was so concerned but worked even harder to bring me tea and some fruits I could try to eat.
I was happy to have her by my side; at the same time, I felt a little sad for her because she was overworking herself.
She didn't sleep in my room, but she made sure to leave when I was fast asleep, and whenever I opened my eyes in the morning, she was right there standing next to me.
If not for waking up in the middle of the night, I wouldn't have known that she didn't sleep in my room.
When the door opened, I smiled and stood up from my bed.
"Food is here," Serai announced as she moved in with a tray in her hands.
"I will never get used to you using your tail to open the door," I teased, making her laugh softly.
"Well, my lady, it's something I kind of think of as having three working hands," she answered playfully while putting the tray of food on the table.
I sighed heavily when I noticed that she had brought steak, soup, bread, and some fruits.
"Please, you have to try and eat something solid today, my lady," she said softly.
"Why do you usually bring meat?" I asked seriously.
"That's because it's a part of your diet. Do you know the story about pregnant bonds eating rotten raw meat?" she asked.
"No," I answered instantly.
"It's something the elders told us when I was young. They said a pregnant bond was bound to eat rotten raw meat to sustain their health. Even when the neonate was healthy, they would continue eating that, and that freaked me out," she said as I felt a shiver go throughout my body.
"It was just something they told us to freak us out at a young age so we wouldn't fool around with males," she said with a smile.
"So, you don't eat raw meat, right?" I asked.
When her smile faded, I instantly understood that they did.
"Not always, my lady, but whenever our instincts allow our urges to completely take over, the need to hunt overwhelms us, and we find ourselves hunting prey. But that's seldom, so you shouldn't worry," she answered.
I unconsciously moved my hand to my stomach and rubbed it gently.
The thought of my little pup or hatchling hunting and eating something raw was a little unsettling.
"You are not showing yet," Serai whispered, getting my attention.
"Oh, yeah, I know," I whispered back and then dropped my hand.
"Pardon me, my lady, but do you not hunt?" she asked.
"We do, but not to eat raw meat. Those who eat raw meat are those who are not so civilized, I believe," I answered and then chuckled nervously.
Deep down, I knew that I too could eat raw meat in my wolf form if I were left to starve for weeks in the wilderness and there was no way to start a fire.
"Everyone in the nest is talking about how you must have been blessed by powers above and the gods for you to carry the heir so soon," she said as I moved closer to the table.
To be honest, I too was shocked, and I couldn't even understand how I could easily be pregnant.
When she pulled a chair for me, I slowly sat down.
"Some are praising the gods for that, while some think it's because your love and the lord's were blessed and destined from the very beginning. A few think it's because of your good compatibility, while some think_"
"Serai!" I called loudly, startling her.
I hated everything I was hearing from her. Yes, I was surprised too, but I hated hearing how they thought it was because of our compatibility or love!
"I apologize, my lady; I got carried away," she answered in a respectful tone and then lowered her eyes to the ground.
I was about to move my hand and touch hers when my wolf growled furiously as we picked up our mate's scent, and that made me feel scared.
"Serai, be ready," I ordered, and then quickly got to my feet when the door opened.
My mate had his face covered as usual, and this time his upper half wasn't covered at all. His muscles and abs were on full display, and he had golden round bangles that looked like small snakes around his biceps.
For a second, I swallowed hard, admiring his amazing physique, but when the memories of our nights invaded my mind, I found myself feeling disgusted with myself.
Serai bowed very low and raised her hand, pressing the tips of her fingers against her forehead in silence.
I lowered my gaze to the ground and I was about to bow when I felt a hand grab my shoulder.
Tingles instantly spread throughout my body and I found myself looking up.
My mate was right in front of me with his hand still on my shoulder.
I felt confused when he raised his hand and moved his finger up and then down.
"My lady, please sit down," Serai whispered without even looking up.
I hesitated but moved and sat down after he dropped his hand.
"Don't look at him," I told myself, but when a bright light shone, I immediately looked at him. He had two legs yet again and a golden cloth tied around his waist perfectly.
When he sat down opposite me, my heart began to beat rapidly.
He raised his hand and Serai quickly dropped her hand and moved closer, with trembling hands serving me the food.
She was about to lift the fruits when they accidentally fell to the ground.
Her tail instantly coiled, making her lower herself to the floor as she bowed her head, trembling.
When my mate lightly hit the table, I found myself standing up and grabbing his hand across the table.
"Please, it was a mistake; don't punish her, I beg you," I pleaded at the top of my voice.
When he sighed heavily and pulled his hand away, I remained standing.
"What can I do? What should I do? Please help me," I pleaded to my wolf silently.
"Fall with her," came her soft response.
Without holding back, I went to Serai's side and knelt down. He instantly sprang from his seat with a loud hiss that made Serai look up.
He raised his hand and Serai quickly grabbed my hand and moved upright, making me stand.
"Thank you for your grace, my lord," she said in a respectful tone, with tears running down her cheeks.
"My lady, please refrain from bowing and kneeling down, as it is not advised for one pregnant," she said softly, then wiped off her tears.
"Please take a seat and eat something. The lord came here to see how well you are taking good care of yourself," she said in a respectful tone.
I frowned, looking at her in concern.
When she smiled at me sadly and nodded, I moved and sat down, looking at the table of food.
She picked up the fruits on the floor and moved out of the room, leaving me with my mate.
"The child must be so important to you to come all the way here just to watch me eat," I said coldly, and then I grabbed a fork and knife.
As I cut the steak, it became clear to me: he wasn't going to hurt me, not while I was carrying his heir. That's why he wasn't going to allow me to even bow down for fear of how I might lose the child.
It was a stupid thing to think because my kind always bowed when they were pregnant, but that also worked in my favor because I could do as I wanted, and he wouldn't raise his hand against me.
When I took a bite and chewed, I felt nauseous.
Seeing him stand up made me force myself to swallow. I moved my hand to cover my mouth when I began to feel like throwing up, but that nausea went away instantly when he moved his hand to my head, brushing my hair.
It was shocking to me, but then it hit me: he was doing this not out of concern but because he didn't want to starve his unborn heir.