Total pages in book: 203
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
I pull in a big breath and let it out slowly.
“What happened there?” Amie asks, gesturing to the hole in the wall.
“Jase’s temper,” I mutter.
“He doesn’t seem like the type to have a bad temper,” Stacy points out.
“He’s not,” I mutter. “Apparently being fated to be mated to me brings out the worst in him.”
Because Jase doesn’t typically have a bad temper. If that’s who he was, I probably wouldn’t be so surprised and devastated by the way he’s been treating me lately.
And now that newly discovered bad temper is worse because he can’t fuck me.
And here he is, walking in with a pail of drywall spackle and a bag of stuff.
“Hey Jase,” Stacy greets with a smile.
I shoot her a dirty look for being kind to my enemy. She looks remorseful.
“Ladies,” Jase greets warily, eyes skimming all of us, but landing on me.
“Jase,” Erica greets.
“Hiya Jason,” Ivy says without looking at him.
“Jase,” Amie chimes in, giving him a dirty look.
His jaw muscles flex and he looks both tired and irritated. He walks past me and pulls a trowel from the bag.
“The Moonshine Springs pack is having a cookout. Should we go, girls?” I suggest.
“Ooh. Hot dogs,” Ivy brightens. “I thought I was smelling hot dogs.”
“Hot dogs aren’t exactly healthy for a pregnant person,” Amie points out.
“Well… I need to eat at least three,” Ivy tells her.
“My stomach just growled. I think Puppers wants hot dogs drenched in mustard,” Amie says, holding her stomach.
“You hate mustard,” Ivy points out.
“I know,” Amie says. “But… mini Doggo wants hot dogs drenched in mustard.” She shrugs.
“I hope they have burgers, too,” Stacy muses. “And potato salad. Patsy makes this awesome potato salad filled with deviled eggs.
“Bleurgh,” Erica mumbles before making a gagging sound and looking a little green.
All eyes snap to her.
“Are you…” I ask.
“What?” Erica asks.
“Pregnant?” Stacy finishes.
Erica looks a little pale suddenly. She’s frowning, though. “I’m… not late. I just got a visual of deviled eggs that made me…” She makes a gack sound and covers her mouth.
“Are your boobs sore?” Ivy asks.
“Uh…” Erica takes her boobs into her hands. Jase turns away, grinding his teeth and looking like he’d rather be anywhere else.
“Nnoooo…” Erica drawls.
“The idea of hard-boiled eggs usually make you go green?” Amie asks.
Erica makes another face, dry heaving a little less dramatically. “No,” she whispers and gags again. “But don’t say that again.”
“Riley would’ve smelled a baby, I think,” I put in.
“Could be super-early,” Stacy muses.
Erica, wide-eyed, smiles at us. “I hope so.”
“It’d be awesome if we all get to be pregnant together,” Ivy squeals.
All eyes hit me suddenly and though the words aren’t spoken, I can tell they want me in this club with them. The club of females freshly mated to our council alphas, being pregnant together, raising kids together.
The lady on the plane comes to mind again. With her little knitted booties. Telling me about my future daughter.
If I manage to reject Jase and make all this nonsense stop, what about her? The future daughter?
Pain lances through me and now I hear yelping. Far away. High-pitched yipping, like a pup.
“Should we go eat some hot dogs?” Ivy asks, bouncing a little.
“Yeah, let’s,” I say, eager for some fresh air.
I turn off my computer and pocket my phone.
“I’m not so sure,” Erica says. “I feel a little barfy.”
“Ooh. This is exciting! When are you due for your period?” Amie asks, linking arms with Erica as we move outside.
I look over my shoulder and see Jase watching us go, eyes on me, putty-covered trowel held aloft.
As our gazes connect, his expression hardens and he looks away.
And for some reason, I want to burst into fresh tears.
***
Jase and Riley are eating pulled pork sandwiches, standing with Brody.
Me and some of the girls are sitting at a table. The pregnant ladies have all got piled-high plates. Vivi is here but she and Erica are standing away from the group, talking behind their hands. “Who can lip read?” I ask.
“Me,” Amie says. “A little.”
“Is that why Erica and Vivi are talking behind their hands?” I muse.
“Possibly.”
I look at Amie and Ivy. “Do you guys think I’m being too harsh with Jase?”
“Absolutely not,” Amie states.
“Nope.” Ivy agrees.
“But you’re still hoping we make up,” I mutter.
“Of course we are,” Amie says. “But again, we support you.”
I look over at Jase who looks miserable. Our eyes have met at least five times since he came over here with Riley. Each time our eyes meet, I look away. I keep telling myself to stop looking at him, but I keep doing it.
I’m questioning everything right now. I’m questioning whether the SCC will agree to let the coven extend the spell so they can review my motion. I’m questioning whether or not my friends on my group chat are right about me letting my anger cloud everything. I’m thinking about the conversation on the plane and the yellow booties. I’m wondering how in the world I’ll sift through all these emotions I’m having. I’m wondering if I’m being unreasonable. But none of it changes the feeling of being completely heartbroken that it’s all come to this. I can’t make sense of it.