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She stood her ground though with a quiet strength that radiated from her, and at the moment, he could see the alpha coming through her. She was his queen, and how he’d ever thought otherwise was unfathomable.
“Hey Hayley, you look good.” She nodded towards Hayley’s midriff and it was then that he noticed her stomach was gently rounded in the early stages of pregnancy.
Ryan stared in surprise, shocked that he hadn’t noticed when he’d first seen her. She was pregnant, and it gave the alpha within him hope that her new pack wasn’t having the same problems theirs was. He might be able to figure out what was going on if he could work with their alpha.
They talked for a few more minutes before parting ways but Ryan noticed that Kelly’s demeanor had changed.
“Kel, it isn’t what you’re thinking.”
“You aren’t inside my head, you have no idea what I’m thinking Ryan.”
“It didn’t mean anything. I wish you’d give us a chance,” he said, as she moved away from him looking at a display of snowmen.
“Do you want to finish shopping or are you done?” she asked, ignoring his personal question.
Ryan blew out his breath trying to keep his cool. It wouldn’t do to lose his temper with her. He needed to show her what kind of man he was, and what kind of mate he could be. When they were back in his truck Ryan broached the subject of Hayley again.
“I’m sorry.”
“Hmm?” She kept her gaze glued to the scenery as they drove home. Her head whipped around when he pulled onto the shoulder of the road and stopped the car.
“I can’t control that we ran into her, but I am sorry. I know if a guy came up to you trying to touch you it would drive me crazy. Hell, it drives me insane every time Clay is within sniffing distance of you.”
“It’s fine, can we go now?” Her tone was dismissive.
“Come on Kelly, talk to me. You’re angry. I can understand why you’re jeal-”
“Don’t you dare tell me I’m jealous! I watched you for years with her. Years, Ryan! While you paraded her around like your mate as if she was meant to run the pack with you, to be your partner. Didn’t you ever wonder why most of the women came to me for advice? Why they talked to me when they were years older than I was? Didn’t you find it strange or were you just too busy getting your dick wet to care?”
“I didn’t know! How was I supposed to know? Huh? I was young and stupid Kelly, I didn’t know any better.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth he knew he’d said the wrong thing. Her jaw fell open and the hurt that flashed hot in her gaze confirmed that it was the wrong thing to say.
“Young and stupid? I’m not much older now than you were then Ryan! What’s that make me?” He froze, not knowing what to say, and not wanting to dig a deeper hole for himself. She stared at him, still expecting an answer.
“You know what? Get Fucked! I’ll walk home.” She flung the door open and before Ryan could stop her she made a beeline for the trees that lined the road.
“Damn it Kelly come back here!” Ryan slammed his hand down on the steering wheel, cursing again when it cracked under his show of violence. Ryan let his head fall forward to rest against the wheel as he contemplated going after her. They were still pretty far from home and walking home would take her hours compared to the drive.
Locking the truck he stashed the keys in a magnetic box under the front wheel well, and then moved around to the side closest to the line of trees; removing his clothing and placing them in the bed of the truck before letting the change come over him, then he followed her into the trees.
“STUPID FREAKING IDIOT!” Kelly grumbled while she picked her way through the tree line into the deeper woods. “And, of course, she has to look all beautiful and glowing!” The way he’d stared at Hayley’s stomach with such wonder and reverence had made her stomach turn. How could he not understand how much seeing them together hurt her?
She brushed away the tear that fell as she remembered Hayley’s reaction to her mate, and was startled when a warm weight bumped against her legs.
“I should have known you’d follow me.” She said the words out loud because he’d never taken the time to form much of a mental bond with her. “Can’t you just leave me alone?”
“No, you’re mine.”The thought entered her mind, the effort clumsily following a newly forged path.
“Get out of my head Ryan. I don’t want you there.” He bumped her thigh again and she glanced down at him the last of her tears falling into the fur at the back of his neck.
“I hate that you’re hurting,” he said, after allowing himself to shift back into his human form
“It’s not supposed to be this hard. Mating should come naturally.” It seemed surreal to be bickering with him in the trees on the side of the road, but he went on, unconcerned with his nudity or the cold air blowing around them.
“Says who?” he asked gently.
“No one, I guess but honestly did you think it would be hard? Your brother knew Sara was meant to be his the minute he laid eyes on her even though she was human, and she knew Caleb was hers too.” Ryan gave her a bittersweet smile.
“They still struggled. We need to focus on you getting well right now and becoming strong. It may not have been intentional but I felt how weak and depleted you are when I helped you heal. No matter what else happens that can’t be allowed to continue.“
