Baby System: I'm the Beast World's Only Hope!-Chapter 296: Episode 294: A Way to be Whole

Torian didn’t give Roxy the chance to protest. The White Tiger Alpha swept her effortlessly out of the massive bed, cradling her against his broad chest as if she weighed absolutely nothing.

He carried her out of the master suite and down the quiet hallway.

"Rian," Roxy grumbled half-heartedly, resting her cheek against his warm collarbone. "I just told you, I need to move around."

"You are moving," Torian countered smoothly, his thick tail swaying in a happy, rhythmic cadence behind him as he descended the wooden staircase. "You are carrying my cub. I will not have you tripping over your own feet when you are half-asleep and starving."

What do you mean by half asleep?? I am wide awake!

Roxy couldn’t argue with his fiercely protective feline logic. She let out a soft sigh, enjoying being squashed by the heat of his skin..

Torian carried her all the way into the kitchen on the ground floor. He only set her down when her bare feet touched the cool, smooth stone tiles near the massive iron stoves. Even then, he didn’t step back.

The moment Roxy turned to face the wooden prep counter, Torian stepped right up behind her. He wrapped his thick, muscular arms securely around her waist, pulling her back flush against his chest.

Roxy rolled her eyes. How was she going to cook like this?

He rested his chin heavily on the crook of her neck, his stark white hair tickling her shoulder. A deep, continuous, chest-rattling purr began to vibrate through his entire frame, transferring directly into her spine.

He was clinging to her like a second skin. It was overbearing, ridiculous, and incredibly heavy, and Roxy absolutely loved it. The sheer, unapologetic devotion of him acting like a giant, purring weighted blanket made her heart swell.

"Alright, you giant cat," Roxy murmured, leaning back into his warmth as she reached for a heavy iron pot. "If you’re going to attach yourself to me, you have to pass me the ingredients. I need the leftover chicken Kaelen roasted, the thick egg noodles from the pantry, and a terrifying amount of garlic."

Torian happily obliged, using his long reach to grab the requested items without ever loosening his grip on her waist.

Roxy went to work. The pregnancy cravings had completely taken over her senses, demanding something rich, spicy, and heavily comforting.

She poured a generous amount of Kaelen’s untainted, rich chicken bone broth into the pot. She began crushing cloves of garlic with the flat side of a heavy kitchen knife, the sharp, pungent aroma instantly cutting through the lingering scent of sleep in the Manor.

"You’re making a mess of the kitchen, Roxann."

A low, gravelly voice echoed from the archway.

Roxy smiled, not even needing to turn around. Zarek stood in the doorway, his dark hair a chaotic mess, his broad chest bare, and his linen sleep pants riding low on his hips. The Dragon King was rubbing the sleep from his eyes, clearly displeased to have woken up to an empty, cold bed.

"I’m making noodles," Roxy corrected, tossing a handful of chopped scallions and fiery red chili flakes into the broth. "And since you are awake, my dragon, you can make yourself useful. I need this boiling, and the firewood takes too long to catch."

Zarek grumbled under his breath about being reduced to a domestic hearth, but he didn’t hesitate. He marched over to the stove, placing his large, calloused hands flat against the iron base of the pot.

A localized, perfectly controlled stream of white-hot fire flared from his palms. Within ten seconds, the thick broth was brought to a violent, rolling boil.

The incredible, mouth-watering smell of spicy garlic, rich chicken fat, and toasted sesame began to waft through the entire ground floor.

Now that’s what I’m talking about.

It didn’t take long for the rest of the Kings to be lured from their slumber.

Ren appeared next, slipping into the kitchen quietly and drowsily. The Fox Beastman still had dark, exhausted shadows beneath his vibrant green eyes.

But seeing Roxy humming happily in Torian’s arms, bathed in the warm glow of Zarek’s fire, forced a genuine, soft smile onto his face.

He picked up a pair of hunting daggers and moving to the cutting board. With blinding, fox-like speed, Ren shredded the roasted chicken breast into perfect, bite-sized strips.

Syris glided in moments later, his long emerald tail sweeping softly over the stone tiles. The Snake Beastman didn’t say a word; he simply picked up the wooden spice racks, clinically measuring out the exact ratios of salt, dark soy, and pepper to perfectly balance Roxy’s chaotic concoction.

It was as if they had already discussed what Roxy was making and decided on how much they could help her.

Finally, Kaelen descended the stairs. The Wolf took one look at the five of them crowded around his cooking station and let out a long, long-suffering sigh. But his eyes were incredibly fond.

"If you are going to cook a feast at early in the morning," Kaelen announced, crossing his thick arms over his chest, "we might as well feed the entire pack. I will go wake the pups. They haven’t had a proper, hot meal since."

"Thank you, Kaelen," Roxy beamed, dropping the thick egg noodles into the boiling, spicy broth.

As Kaelen headed back upstairs, Drax stumbled into the kitchen. The teenage dragon-shifter was yawning so widely his jaw popped, his small horns catching the firelight. But seeing his mothers and fathers actively preparing a meal, he decided to help.

"Good morning, my little Drax, how are you today?" Roxy grinned as she turned to face Drax, and he smiled warmly, his gaze narrowing as a thrill shot straight through his heart.

"Good morning mother, I am a bit still sleepy," Roxy chuckled.

"I’ll prepare the table," Drax mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

He moved efficiently, pulling down the massive stack of heavy wooden bowls and setting out chopsticks and spoons along the sprawling dining table in the adjacent room.

By the time the noodles were perfectly tender and the shredded chicken had soaked up the fiery, garlic-infused broth, the kitchen was a symphony of chaotic, domestic perfection.

Torian finally released his iron grip on Roxy’s waist, solely so he could help Zarek carry the massive, steaming iron pot to the center of the dining table.

The pups stumbled down the stairs in a sleepy, uncoordinated line. Axel and Onyx were practically sleepwalking, their fluffy wolf tails dragging on the floorboards, while Iris clutched Kaelen’s hand, her stuffed rabbit tucked under her arm. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Tanith, however, was wide awake. The toddler had shifted back into her human form. She waddled into the dining room on her chubby little legs and made a direct, unstoppable beeline for Roxy.

"Mama!" Tanith squealed, reaching her little hands up.

Roxy smiled brightly, scooping the little snake-shifter up and settling her comfortably onto her lap.

Everyone took their seats around the massive wooden table. The Alpha Kings, Drax, the wolf pups, and the Queen.

Zarek began ladling massive, steaming portions of the spicy chicken noodles into everyone’s bowls.

For a long while, the only sounds in the room were the clinking of chopsticks, the happy, messy slurping of the pups, and the soft murmurs of satisfaction from the men.

The food was absolutely incredible. The spicy heat of the broth chased away the lingering chill of the night, and the rich, savory noodles hit the exact, specific spot Roxy’s pregnancy cravings had demanded.

She groaned. "Gosh, that’s the spot."

She moaned again when she took another bite.

But as the bowls began to empty and the warm, heavy contentment of a full stomach settled over the pack, the domestic bliss felt distinctly fractured to Roxy.

She looked around the table. She looked at Torian, whose eyes were watching her every move with absolute devotion. She looked at Zarek’s fierce, protective presence, Kaelen’s steady warmth, Syris’s elegant grace, and Ren’s quiet, lingering affection. She looked at Drax, Iris, Axel, Onyx, and the little girl babbling happily on her lap.

They were her family. They were her entire world.

But there was a massive, pearl-lit void in her heart that the spicy noodles couldn’t fill. She tried to ignore it, but the louder the absence screamed in her mind. She thought of Caspian and Zale and all of a sudden it’s just too painful.

Roxy slowly lowered her chopsticks, resting them across the rim of her wooden bowl.

The subtle shift in her demeanor was instantly registered by every Alpha in the room. They all turned their full, undivided attention to their Queen, sensing the heavy, emotional weight gathering in her green eyes.

Roxy took a deep breath, resting her hand gently over Tanith’s dark hair. Since they were her mates, since they had fought and bled and sacrificed everything to build this sanctuary for her, she decided she owed them the absolute truth about what was destroying her peace of mind.

"I love you all," Roxy started, her voice quiet but ringing in the quiet dining room. "And I love this pack. But we are not whole."

The men remained perfectly silent, waiting.

"I have been thinking," Roxy said, her green eyes hardening with determination. "I have been thinking of a way to bring Zale and Caspian to the surface."