Page 104 of Broken Souls

“For a run.”

“Are you going to call my babysitter?” I ask sulkily.

“Elora, I did...” He pauses. “No.” He sighs, not seeming to want to start a fight.

***

I'm at lunch with Ryleigh and Olly. I saw Axe this morning and it was fine but I can feel it's like we're walking on eggshells around each other.

“I'm surprised he's letting you go,” Ryleigh says.

“He didn't really say I could go. But I think he's too scared to stop me,” I say.

“I don't understand it.” Olly frowns.

“What?”

“The fighting between you and the alpha. With Brian, there is absolutely no conflict between us,” Olly says.

“Could it be because Olly is with her destined mate yet you're with a chosen mate? Does it work that way?” Ryleigh asks, confused.

“That makes sense. With mates I've seen, everything seems perfect. Maybe since you and the alpha chose each other and weren't destined, the tension just keeps building up because you don't have the mate bond to keep things hunky-dory,” Olly says.

“Yeah, probably.” I sigh. “So with both of you, there are no arguments between you and your mates?”

“Dash and I fight sometimes,” Ryleigh admits.

“Once again, no mate bond because you're human. Only Dash can feel it,” Olly claims. “To answer your question, no, Brian and I don't argue. We only got into a little bit of a heated debate when he ordered me to leave my pack to be with him but since then, everything's been perfect.”

“Is that why you're ditching us to spend the weekend with Brian?” Ryleigh teases.

“No, I can't leave him on his birthday,” Olly says.

“Because he's expecting a wild night of birthday sex?” Ryleigh continues to tease.

“Shut up,” Olly mumbles, her cheeks blushing.

Ryleigh laughs and I smile. It feels good to be around girlfriends and have light-hearted conversation, nice food and a peaceful atmosphere.

***

While I'm making dinner for myself, Carson calls.

“How's the baby?” I ask her.

“Tiring. Timothy took the baby for the day so I can have a break so I thought I'd call. How are things?”

“Well.” I sigh. “Axe and I have been fighting. There's too much drama here...”

“Why are you fighting?” Carson questions, and I can just imagine her frown.

“I don't want you to worry about the bullshit here. You should just focus on your baby, like what I should be doing.”

“I still want to know if something happens, Elora.”

“I know.”

“The only reason you're probably fighting is because you're pregnant. Things affect you more deeply with the hormones and mood swings.”