Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder novel Chapter 48

Chapter 48 Is Sex Safe During Pregnancy?
The smell of the clinic turned my nose up a bit.
Ever since I had become pregnant, I had developed an aversion to many different smells. The smell of the capitol hospital was at the top of my “dislike” list. However, today, I was thrilled to be here.
“Good morning, Rosalie!” Estrella greeted me with a warm smile.
I eyed Estrella, thinking. She was in charge of my health… did she know?
She had been so supportive of me all along, though. I was certain she wasn’t involved in Ethan’s plan.
“Hey, Estrella.” I smiled sweetly, trying to remain positive. “Do we get to see the baby today?”
“That’s the plan. We’ll try and get a proper ultrasound done today. I know that last time we couldn’t see much because you were too early, but I think, by now, we should be able to get a real picture.”
Despite everything that was going on lately, this was something I had been waiting for. I was excited to see my child.
“Yes. I could barely sleep last night thinking about it.”
“Let me take a look at you.” Estrella started checking my vitals. “Have you been losing some sleep lately? High quality rest is important, dear.”
She pulled out a piece of paper and started writing something down. “I’ve got some pills-herbal medicine-that can help you sleep better and are safe for pregnancy. You can take one or two as needed.”
I nodded. I couldn’t tell her that woke up from nightmares during the night.
Then she smiled and gestured toward the table. Looking at her watch, she asked, “Is the Alpha still not here yet?”
“Um.. it seems so,” I replied.
My feelings towards Ethan had gotten more and more confusing, even for me. I should’ve been happy about his more frequent visits, lessened restriction and growing patience, but I couldn’t.
When I thought about how I had a certain death ahead of me, most things didn’t bother me anymore. Still, it felt strange to enjoy the company of the man who would take my life.
But I couldn’t help it. I rationalized it as making the most of the days I had left.
Besides, Ethan’s behavior had been almost… tender the past few days. I had felt myself starting to let go of my anger toward him.
But then Madalynn swept in and tore the rose-tinted filter from my life, forcing me to face the stark reality. It was ugly–but it also held hope.
If I chose to accept Madalynn’s offer, I would need to be independent and strong, for myself and for my child. I could rely on no one but myself.
I chose to be here alone because I believed this moment belonged to me. I wanted to meet my precious baby for the first time as their mother.

But of course, Estrella didn’t know my secret.
“I’m so excited, Estrella” | effused. “Is there any way to speed things up?”
Estrella chucked at my enthusiasm. But really, I was just giddy with relief that Ethan hadn’t shown up.
If Ethan was here, it would throw a bucket of cold water over what I wanted to be a sweet moment between mother and future child. I knew that Ethan would be warm and gentle – but I also knew he only did that for the baby, not for me.
Estrella shook her head with a smile. “Alright, impatient young lady, let’s get started.”
As I laid down, she brought the ultrasound machine across my stomach to try to pick up a view of the fetus within. I held my breath as I stared at the screen.
The door to the room opened, and in stepped the one person I was hoping wouldn’t be here, Ethan.
My heart skipped a beat.
“Alpha, great timing! I wasn’t sure if Rosalie told you about the schedule change,” Estrella said with a grin, looking at me.
“She didn’t,” Ethan said flatly.
All I could do was to pretend I didn’t hear him.
Luckily, again, I had the perfect built-in excuse of being pregnant.
“Oh! It must have slipped her mind pregnancy brain fog is a terribly common thing, especially during first pregnancy. Don’t pay it any mind,” Estrella commented, trying to reassure him about the situation.
The look she gave me, meanwhile, said that she knew I didn’t tell him on purpose.
I sighed inwardly.
“Is that the baby right there?” I asked, changing the subject.
She squinted, looking at the screen. Then a smile spread across her face.
“Yes! There it is.” She chuckled before looking over her shoulder at Ethan.
The moment I saw the shape of my child’s adorable tiny body, tears welled up in my eyes. The little one lay there, safe inside my belly.
I knew we were connected. They were part of me, and I could almost feel their heartbeat rhyme with mine.
I would do anything for them. Regardless of what a disaster my life had been, I couldn’t be more grateful to be a mother.
“Estrella, there isn’t any picture in the world more beautiful than this…” | murmured to myself.
Ethan was also quiet. I couldn’t tell what might be going through his mind.
“How is the baby?” He finally asked in a serious tone, as if its physical well-being was the only thing he actually cared about.
Overall, the pregnancy is going amazingly. The baby looks very healthy and strong. Nothing to worry about.” Estrella’s words were a big relief for me.
She turned around and instructed me, “Just please remember to stick to your diet, and take it easy.”
Chapter 48 Is Sex Safe During Pregnancy?
I nodded, wiping my tears away. They were tears full of happiness.
But Ethan’s next question struck me.
“Boy or girl?” he asked in an even tone.
Bitterness built up in my heart. Why did it matter?
I looked towards him with disappointment. Boy or girl, the baby should be loved either way.
But I knew my opinions on child-rearing didn’t really matter to him.
Ethan turned to face me, the dark gaze in his eyes revealing some undercurrent that I could not quite understand.
I met his gaze firmly, refusing to submit to his authority. I might have been a mere breeder, but I was the baby’s mother, and I needed to stand up for my child.
The tension in the room seemed skyrocketed, and Estrella shot me a hesitant glance before she replied to her Alpha, “It’s too early to tell.”
Ethan didn’t comment further, but I was surprised to capture a glimpse of relief from his eyes.
What was he thinking?
“Sweetie, keep yourself hydrated.” Estrella poured me a cup of water and helped me sit up from the bed. Then she walked towards her desk to print out the pictures.
Ethan followed her. “Estrella… Is sex safe during pregnancy?”
I choked on my drink.
Estrella obviously did not expect this question, so she stuttered, “Um…well, technically, yes.”
Ethan glared at her, and she added, “I mean-yes, it is.”
She grabbed a few small photos and handed them to me.
“Thank you, Estrella,” I replied as she looked between the two of us.
Before I could say anything else, she made her way from the room, leaving Ethan and me alone.
“Here…” I said softly as I handed him one of the photos. “One for you to keep.”
Ethan took it, his eyes staring down at it with curiosity before he slid it into a pocket in his jacket-a secret location for only him to know.
Seeing him cherish the picture brought a smile on my face.
“Um •may I go back now?” I had already gotten up to leave, but I still asked out of politeness.
However, as I reached for the door, Ethan spoke. “What’s going on, Rosalie? Why did you not tell me about the appointment?”
I didn’t want to have this conversation with him right now. The pain inside of me was too heavy, and with what I had planned for myself, I just couldn’t do it.
“I’m doing well. Sorry, maybe my hormones make me a little out of sorts.”
“Rosalie,” he said with a commanding tone to his voice. “Tell me the truth,”
I looked at the ground and shook my head.
There was nothing left to tell. He had his secrets; well, now I had mine.
“I’ll be okay, don’t worry.” I didn’t want to act too abnormal. He expected me to be compliant, and thus, I would act compliant
“Keeping whatever is upsetting you inside doesn’t help.”
What could I say?
I looked at him, and how I wished I could cry and beg him and ask him to change his mind.
But I knew I couldn’t. I would have to defy him if I wanted my freedom.
I sighed. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
He moved forward. “Say it.”
“Rosalie, look at me.” He paused. “Don’t make me-”
“It’s Madalynn,” I interrupted him.
His expression changed, and he grit his teeth. “She was troubling you? I told them..”
“No, she didn’t.” I look him in the eye, and stated clearly, “It’s about you. You’re marrying her…”
And so, I lied.
I had to. I needed to lower his guard; I needed him to believe I was “misbehaving” for a reason, since he didn’t accept pregnancy as an acceptable root cause.
He was taken aback and didn’t say anything.
“…See, there’s nothing you can do about that,” I said, turning to walk toward the door.
“I have to,” he said quietly. It’s about protecting my property and making alliances, even if I don’t want to. It’s the king’s order.”
I stilled.
as if he was trying to explain himself, as if I
I had never expected that, one day, he would speak to me like this was not just someone he gave orders to.
I lowered my head. “Please accept my apology. It isn’t my place to tell you not to.”
Ethan gripped my upper arm, stopping me from leaving.
“Rosalie, stop acting like this.”
The touch of his skin on mine brought back a warm, familiar feeling I wanted to sink and fall into.
If I wasn’t careful, my heart would betray me.
Tam just finally looking out for myself” I whispered, refusing to look at him. “My entire life, everyone around me has tried to hurt me in some way. For once, I want to matter.”
He forced me to look up to him. After a few seconds, he murmured, “You do matter to me, Rosalie.”
It was that small phrase that made the tears rush to my eyes.
All of the emotions rolled through me like a tidal wave. I wanted so badly to lash out at him for everything he had put me through – or to dive into his arms and beg him to change his plan.
But I knew I couldn’t.
“I wish I could believe that.” I choked out before pulling away from him and quickly exiting out the clinic door.
I rushed hurriedly to get away from him- to put as much distance between him and myself as I could. As my feet moved across the halls, I found myself rushing like I was fleeing for my life- and, in a sense, I was.
Finally, I shut the door of my room behind me and slid to the floor.
Ethan was a man of his own words. As much as I hoped he would change his mind, he wasn’t going to. Talon had already tried and failed.
I broke down in tears, trying in vain to stifle the pain I was feeling until I glanced at the ultrasound photos in my bag.
I pulled the photo out. The baby was growing beautifully. I gently brushed my fingers over its head, its body and its little heart.
A smile returned back to my face. I was amazed at how quickly I calmed down.
My hand gently touched my belly. It was like magic, my heart was warmed by knowing its existence.
“Little one, thank you for being my strength.”
I wouldn’t give up.