Chapter 162: QUIET COMFORT
KEISHA’S POV
My fingers closed around his hand before he could take another step.
I wasn’t fully awake.
My senses had simply been heightened when I caught his familiar scent in the room with me. Almost immediately, I had acted on instincts seeking comfort from the one person who was about to walk out apparently.
"Don’t leave..." The words came out as little more than a whisper.
When I slowly opened my eyes, Callum was still standing beside the bed, looking down at me with an expression that was a mix of relief and concern.
The worry in his eyes softened when we locked gazes and I caught his shoulders relaxing slightly as he eased. "I thought you were asleep," he said quietly.
"I was." A small smile tugged at my lips. "I knew you were here anyway."
He looked faintly amused. "My scent gave me away?"
I nodded. "I would’ve known even without opening my eyes."
Callum smiled, a small twinkle in his eyes as he just looked me over, as though making sure I was fully okay this morning.
The thoughts of the previous hours came crashing into me, a reminder as to why I was still in bed and under supervision.
"I’m sorry," I murmured eventually.
His brows knitted together.
"For today. I know how worried you were." I muttered under my breath, refusing to meet his gaze.
The image of the horse refusing to stop flashed across my mind again, followed by the panic on everyone’s faces when I had fallen. I could still remember the fear in Callum’s eyes when he’d burst into my room, trying to determine whether I or the babies had been hurt.
"I shouldn’t have worried everyone."
He sighed quietly before sitting down beside the bed. "I was angry because I was frightened, not like I was mad you simply went horse riding. I can’t bear the thought of losing you, you know that."
"I know you don’t. That’s why I’m apologising." I replied.
"I don’t want anything happening to you." His voice was calm, but there was a hint of exhaustion behind it that made my chest tighten. "Every time I think we’re finally making progress, someone finds another way to put you in danger."
I lowered my gaze. "I’ll be more careful."
"I know you will." He gently tucked the blanket higher around me before resting a hand over mine. "You need to stop carrying everything alone, Keisha. You have people who’ll stand beside you."
I looked at our joined hands for a long moment before giving a small nod. "I’m not keeping anything to myself."
His expression finally relaxed. "Good. You’ve had enough adventures for one week."
Despite myself, I laughed softly. "I think I agree."
Callum leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss against my forehead before brushing a loose strand of hair away from my face. "Get some rest."
"And you?" My eyes fluttered shut at the whisper of a kiss against my skin. "I already feel much better though, my ankle doesn’t hurt anymore and I just want to walk around now. The painkillers helped a lot."
"Get some sleep, Keisha. I’ll stay until you fall asleep." His tone left no room for argument.
I shifted a little farther beneath the blanket, still holding his hand. "Okay."
Tiredness and exhaustion rolled into one, crashing into me and soon, I was pulled under.
*********
Sunlight filtered through the curtains, letting me know it was morning already.
I groaned and stretched carefully before instinctively reaching toward the space beside me.
It was empty.
A faint smile crossed my face anyway. Callum had probably left before dawn to deal with another mountain of responsibilities. It wasn’t unusual. Being Alpha rarely allowed him the luxury of sleeping in.
After washing up and changing into a comfortable dress, I made my way downstairs.
The aroma of breakfast drifted through the mansion, drawing me toward the dining room where Becca was already placing dishes on the table.
"There she is," Vera said the moment she noticed me. She stood immediately, her expression carrying the same guilt it had worn since yesterday. "Keisha... I’ve been wanting to apologise again."
I offered her a reassuring smile. "You already apologised."
"I know, but it still feels like my fault." Her tone carried regret, and I felt bad suddenly for assuming she was laughing at my predicament.
She would never do that.
"It wasn’t." I assured her. "The riding field should never have assigned an injured horse."
She shook her head. "If I’d never suggested going there, none of it would’ve happened."
I reached across the table and lightly squeezed her hand. "I’m alright. Don’t beat yourself up about it."
She studied me for a moment before finally allowing herself a small smile. "I suppose the doctor did say the babies are perfectly healthy."
"They’re stubborn already." I laughed.
"They certainly take after somebody."
Nadia laughed from across the table while Becca quietly announced that breakfast was getting cold.
I managed a few bites before an uncomfortable sensation settled inside my stomach.
At first I ignored it. Pregnancy had introduced all sorts of strange aches and discomforts into my daily life, and I’d long since accepted that not every unusual feeling meant something was wrong.
But this? This felt different.
By the time breakfast ended, the discomfort had intensified enough that I quietly excused myself and headed upstairs before anyone noticed the expression on my face.
The moment my bedroom door closed behind me, I let out a slow groan.
The ache rolled through my abdomen, sharp enough that I couldn’t stand on my own anymore and I had to lower myself carefully onto the bed. I shifted onto my side, hoping a different position would help, yet the discomfort lingered.
The babies. They were moving more than usual today.
I rested both hands lightly over my stomach, smiling despite the pain when I felt another tiny kick beneath my palm. "You two are certainly awake."
Well... I wasn’t scared anything had happened to me.
The doctor had examined me only yesterday and confirmed everything was progressing normally. Pregnancy came with moments like this, or so I’d repeatedly been told.
I simply didn’t want to worry anyone over something that would probably disappear on its own.
The bedroom door opened unexpectedly.
"Keisha?" Nadia’s cheerful voice filled the room before abruptly stopping.
"Oh my goodness..." She hurried over immediately. "What happened?"
"I’m alright." I waved a hand.
"You don’t look alright." She crouched beside the bed, worry spreading rapidly across her face as she looked me over. "Are you hurt? Is it your ankle? The babies?"
I shook my head. "I think it’s just the pregnancy."
"You think?"
"I’ve been feeling uncomfortable since breakfast."
That was all it took before Nadia was already hurrying toward the door. "I’m getting Vera."
"Nadia, you don’t have—" I tried to stop her but she was gone before I finished speaking. Only a minute later, both she and Vera returned together.
Vera listened carefully while I explained how I was feeling before placing a thoughtful hand beneath her chin. "I’ve seen this before." She turned toward Nadia. "Could you prepare some lukewarm water with a little honey?"
Nadia disappeared downstairs without hesitation and I looked at Vera curiously. "That helps?"
"For some women, yes." She smiled reassuringly. "Let’s see if your body agrees."
When Nadia returned with the drink, I accepted it without argument.
Several minutes passed. Then, almost as suddenly as the discomfort had arrived, it began easing away. I blinked in surprise. "I... actually feel better."
"I told you." Vera looked immensely pleased with herself. "It’s not a cure for everything, but sometimes the simplest remedies work best."
Oh.
Nadia remained with me for another hour, chatting about anything and everything until she was finally called away to help Becca downstairs.
Once the room became quiet again, I found myself resting both hands over my stomach.
It had grown noticeably rounder over the past few weeks.
It was funny how I tried to hide the bump just a few months ago, there was no hiding the life growing inside me anymore.
The babies shifted gently beneath my palms, as though responding to my touch and a soft smile found its way onto my face. "You’ll be here soon." The words barely rose above a whisper.
And my babies? I would make sure they were born into a world where they wouldn’t have to inherit the enemies their parents had made.