In the next month, Alfred had spent most of his time avoiding not only Ivan, but Natalya. Perhaps, it was the hormones giving him the extra rebellious streak. Perhaps, it was the fact that he had stopped taking whatever tea they tried to "calm" him with. His belly had grown from day to day. It was not overbearing yet. Just a small bump he could rest his thin wrists on.

He was either in his room, or in the gardens. He frequently wrote his mother. They had been in an argument since the month before at how Alfred had rebelled against his father. Everyday, upon receiving a letter from his mother or brother. He would angrily and hastily write a witty response to whoever dared to criticize him.

All of this continued until one cold December night, Alfred was in the process of writing his mother when the door to his room swung open. Lifting his nose and inhaling in, he could tell who it was. He dropped his quill and crossed his arms, refusing to turn around.

"Alfred," He smelled alcohol deeping the Alpha's scent, "I thought you may as well hear from me first." Alfred raised a brow with his back still turned, "Yao, the leader of the Asios, has declared war on our kingdom."

A bit of cold fear bit into Alfred's belly. Of course he was not happy with Ivan right now. He felt a calming scent thrown out in an effort to calm him. "I know you will be unhappy about this, but I may be gone for up to a year, or even longer. There is many things that need to be discussed with the generals."

"Ivan," He began standing from his chair and turning, "You are ridiculous. The King is not sent out to battle like a common knight." He crept closer, attempting to keep the cold composure. "Everytime you give me bad news you smell like alcohol. Why is this? Could you possibly be afraid?" He taunted.

He knew he shouldn't have. He could see Ivan fighting the anger that was bubbling under the surface. Alfred stepped back, "Look, I have been as understanding as I can possibly be, Alfred. I am getting tired of this attitude." Alfred glared at him, "You should have chosen a better mate than me!" He hissed out.

Ivan growled slightly, Alfred attempted to fight the fear quaking in his bones. "You would dare to miss the birth of our first child, since you have to go out and fight someone else's issue. That sounds like cowardice to me!" He yelled. He knew he shouldn't have poked the bear, but he could hardly help himself. He was fed up of this place! He was tired of being the queen.

He knew he shouldn't have taunted Ivan a bit too late. He felt Ivan's hand smack him across the face. Of course, he hadn't expected him to do that. He hadn't expected Ivan to strike him. This was nothing like the strike he had suffered months ago. This one was hard. He could hear the crack of his skin and immediately withdrew. He stumbled to his knees and his hands flew to the cheek that had been hit.

"Alfred."

"Get out." Alfred quivered.

"No Alfred, this is not how I wanted this to go. Look at me. You are an omega, you are supposed to be submissive. You just anger me so greatly, I-I…" Alfred refused to look up. "I just want to be left alone." He said rather defeated.

Ivan shook his head.

Alfred felt something foreign in his heart, he stood slowly balancing himself on the bed post. He walked to Ivan. He glowered at the larger male. He then pulled his hand back and smacked the other on the cheek. He felt again wrong to poke the bear, but he put as much effort as he could into it.

"Now, we are even." He said turning away.

He heard a horse chuckle from behind him. "You hit hard for an omega." Ivan then wrapped his arms around Alfred's waist and Alfred felt something in his heart lighten. He leant back and chuckled softly. "This is a fucked relationship, you know that right?" He said taking a deep breath in and out.

"Perhaps, sometime we could battle it out. When you are not pregnant." Ivan said nuzzling Alfred's neck. Alfred attempted to pull away, but Ivan's grip was too strong. It was as if he was desperately trying to hold on to the one thing he felt a bond with.

"I'm not your normal omega. You cannot treat me like so. I cannot stand this, is this what all Omegas do? They just bow to your anger?" He asked with clear cerulean eyes. Ivan was silent for a moment and then pulled back. "Yes." He said frankly, "This is how I am taught to treat you, you challenge me. It makes me so vexed." He shook his head as if he was trying to clear it.

"I am going to have the doctor treat you while I am away. You have never been away from a bonded mate, have you?" Alfred was reluctant to shake his head. "It will hurt me on the inside, it will, but you are going to feel weaker, more helpless than ever."

Alfred laughed softly, "Are you crazy?" He asked coldly. "You think I will be that weak? Have you met me-." "You are also not to have Natalya anywhere near you. She is somewhat a snake."

Alfred frowned and shook his head. "Ivan you know I am not that pathetic, do you not?" Ivan laughed, "It will hit you after a few days, It is not that easy to be bonded. Alpha's are most ruthless away from their mate, omegas are at their weakest state."

Alfred rolled his eyes and spat out, "Whatever." He raised his arms softly and yawned. "I think you're crazy." He sat down on the bed and leant back slowly to allow all of himself to gracefully plop on the bed. Ivan sat next to him.

"You are getting rather big, how many more months?" Ivan asked, Alfred looked away feeling as if it was something that Ivan should have known. "Four."

Ivan reached out his hand to touch his mate in the stomach. "I don't think I really have ever been around children. They are somewhat scary creatures."

Alfred shrugged, "My parents saw me a few times each week, they wanted to make sure that we knew who they were." Ivan chuckled, "That sounds nice. My father saw me monthly when I became of age." Ivan looked away with somewhat of a stoic look, "I wouldn't know how to act."

Alfred chuckled, "You'll learn when it comes."

Ivan looked off thoughtfully, "I am sure I will."