The Alpha's Unwanted Bride novel Chapter 411

Chapter 411: WEIGHT OF WORRY

Jasmine woke with a start, her body tense before her mind could catch up. The dim morning light filtered through the animal-hide curtains, casting soft shadows across the stone walls of her room. The fire in the hearth had burned low, leaving only a bed of glowing embers, but she still felt cold. A deep, aching unease gnawed at her stomach, the same one that had plagued her the night before.

She turned onto her side, pressing a hand against her belly, feeling the faint flutter of life inside her. The baby was still. Sleeping, perhaps. Unbothered by the storm that had raged through the night or the fear that now curled around Jasmine’s heart.

Xaden should have been back by now.

The thought pressed heavy against her chest. He had left days ago, leading his warriors to handle the threat of the rival pack. He was strong—unmatched in battle—but something inside her whispered that something had gone terribly wrong.

Jasmine sat up slowly, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Her body ached, not from exertion but from the tension that had settled into her bones.

A soft knock on the door made her lift her head. Before she could answer, the door creaked open, and Nia stepped inside. The older woman’s gray-streaked hair was pulled back into a thick braid, and her expression was unreadable, though her sharp eyes missed nothing.

"You should eat," Nia said simply, setting down a wooden tray on the small table near the hearth. Steam rose from a bowl of thick stew, but the sight of food only tightened the knot in Jasmine’s stomach.

"I’m not hungry," Jasmine murmured.

Nia sighed. "That doesn’t matter. You need to eat for the baby."

Jasmine exhaled sharply. That was the only argument that ever worked on her. She stood, draping a shawl over her shoulders before crossing the room. She dipped a spoon into the stew, taking a slow bite, even as her thoughts churned.

"I need to speak to Erik," she said after a moment.

Nia gave her a knowing look. "Worrying will not change anything."

Jasmine met her gaze. "But doing nothing will drive me mad."

Nia said nothing more, but the older woman’s silence held a quiet approval.

A Second’s Reassurance

Erik was standing near the pack’s main gathering area, speaking with a group of warriors when Jasmine found him. His dark hair was tied back, and his face was lined with exhaustion, but his stance was firm. He was the kind of man who carried his duties like armor—unshakable, steady.

Jasmine quickened her pace as she approached, her heart hammering.

"Erik."

He turned, his brows lifting in surprise before his expression softened. "Jasmine," he greeted. "You should be resting."

She ignored that. "Have you heard from Xaden?"

Erik’s jaw tightened, just slightly, before he forced a reassuring smile. "Not yet, but we knew the journey might take longer than expected. The storm last night would have slowed them down."

Jasmine studied his face. He was trying to soothe her, but she could see the faint flicker of concern in his eyes. He was worried too, even if he wouldn’t say it.

"What if something happened to him?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Xaden is the strongest warrior I know," Erik said firmly. "He has survived worse. If there was a fight, he would have won."

Jasmine wanted to believe that. Needed to believe that. But the feeling of dread that had clung to her since last night refused to ease.

"I just... I can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong," she admitted.

Erik exhaled through his nose, crossing his arms. "Your instincts are sharp, Jasmine. But until we have reason to believe otherwise, we must trust that Xaden will return."

Jasmine swallowed, nodding, even though it did little to ease the weight pressing against her chest.

A few of the warriors had begun to glance her way, their curiosity evident. A pregnant woman, speaking so freely to the Alpha’s second-in-command, was enough to draw attention.

Erik must have noticed too because he gave her a small nod. "Go inside, Jasmine. Get some rest."

She knew there would be no answers here. No reassurance strong enough to quell the storm inside her. But still, she forced herself to step away.

The Afternoon Lessons

By the time midday arrived, Jasmine had exhausted herself with worry. Her pacing had driven Nia to the edge of patience, and when the older woman finally turned to her with a firm look, Jasmine knew what was coming.

"Enough," Nia said. "If you are going to be restless, at least put that energy to use."

Jasmine arched a brow. "And how do you suggest I do that?"

Nia pointed to the wooden writing board set near the hearth. "Your lessons."

Jasmine sighed, running a hand through her hair. Learning to read and write had never been something she imagined for herself. As a slave, she had never been allowed such knowledge. But now, under Xaden’s rule, Nia had insisted she learn.

Jasmine hesitated before finally moving to sit on the cushioned bench near the writing board. Nia placed a small piece of charcoal in her hand.

"Write your name," the older woman instructed.

Jasmine inhaled deeply, pressing the charcoal to the surface. Her strokes were careful, deliberate. J-A-S-M-I-N-E. The letters were still uneven, but the sight of them stirred something warm in her chest.