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I let Kayden pull me over to the chaise lounge tucked in the corner of my office, then took a sip of the water. “Thank you.”
“First of all…” she said “… I don’t think you’ve done anything to mess up the Contention. It’s been wonderful. Beautiful. Your hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. But I’m not worried about that at all. I’m worried about my friend.”
I nodded, taking a few deep breaths, needing to get everything off my chest. “I don’t know how to deal with this, Kayden. This was unexpected, like I said. Sure, maybe I had a crush on him, but I never thought anything would come of it. But somewhere along the way, I fell in love. Now I feel like I’m dying inside. Each day has been steadily marching toward the end. Garrett will pick his mate within the next few days, and then I’ll lose him forever.”
I fell apart again at that, wondering if the tears would ever end, if the hole in my heart would ever mend.
Kayden pulled me in close again, offering solace and words of comfort. After a while, she murmured, “I had an idea that something might be going on after seeing you together after the most recent challenge. There was something that passed between you that didn’t quite make sense, but now I understand.”
“So you aren’t mad?”
“Of course not!” She paused. “But I have to know… does Garrett feel the same way?”
“I know he cares for me,” I admitted. “Last night… he told me he wanted me, that he wanted to be with me, even after the end of the Contention.”
Kayden’s mouth dropped open, and I hurried to add, “He has an offer from one of the girls. From Reagan. She knows his heart isn’t in it, and she’s onto the two of us. Garrett says it would be more of a business arrangement than a real marriage. And… and he wants to continue a relationship in private.”
Kayden shook her head. “No. You can’t be his mistress, Jessica. Surely you know that.”
“I do.” My voice shook. “That’s what I told him—I wasn’t willing to be his dirty little secret.”
“Why would he even suggest that? I’ve never known Garrett to be so irrational.” She paused, a thoughtful expression coming over her face. “Then again, I’ve never seen him truly fall for a woman, so maybe this is what Garrett in love looks like.”
“He’s not in love with me,” I said quickly. “He never said that.”
“Just because he hasn’t said it doesn’t mean it isn’t true. Have you told him how you feel?”
“No.” I sighed. “What’s the point? It won’t change anything.”
“So what are you going to do?” Kayden pressed.
“There’s nothing I can do,” I said with a small shrug, sniffing and hoping I wouldn’t break down again. “Other than stick to the plan. I’m going to see this Contention through, get Garrett successfully mated, and then… I don’t know. Move on? Find my own love and live my own life?”
My words felt empty, though. Hollow. I had no interest in finding anyone else.
“How do I move on, Kayden?” I lifted my gaze to hers. “How do I continue to live my life here, watching the man I love with another woman?”
Tears spilled over again, and Kayden held me close. “I wish I had the answers, Jess. But I’m here for you. No matter what.”
She held me until the tears abated once more, until I felt like there were no tears left.
“I have something to tell you that might cheer you up,” she finally said.
I pulled back from her embrace. “What is it?”
I’d be happy for anything to take my mind off Garrett at this point, but I certainly wasn’t prepared for what came out of her mouth next.
“I’m pregnant.”
“What?” I gasped, eyes widening as I looked down at her flat stomach. “Really?”
She nodded, her eyes shining bright as a smile spread slowly across her face. “We haven’t told anyone yet—not even Bridger and Kessa.”
“Oh, Kayden!” I flung my arms around her again, only this time, all I felt was joy. “I’m so happy for you guys.”
“Me too,” she said, her smile widening. “I didn’t expect it would happen so soon. The timing might not be perfect with Holden and Garrett still working so hard to bring the alphas around, but—”
“The timing is just right, Kayden. You and Holden, and now this baby…” I looked down at her stomach again, hardly able to believe it. “You guys are the future of the pack. This…” I gestured at her belly “… is what we’re all working so hard for.”
