“You came back,” he said.
“I felt you dying through the bond. Couldn’t exactly ignore that.” I shifted my weight because my feet were killing me. Five months pregnant meant standing was not comfortable. “But you’re okay now so I’m going to head back.”
I saw panic flash across his face. “Wen, wait-”
“Goodbye, Mal.”
I turned and walked away before he could say anything else, before I could change my mind, before the tears threatening to fall actually made an appearance.
Commotion sounded from behind me as voices overlapped and Aurion said something while Mal responded. I didn’t look back, just kept power-walking as much as my pregnancy would allow toward the exit.
Maybe I should just stick to the human kind from now on? Werewolves were clearly too much drama and violence and everything I didn’t need in my life.
I was halfway down the corridor when I heard footsteps running behind me. Fast. Getting closer.
“Wen!”
I froze at the sound of my name in his voice. Shit.
He walked around me so he was blocking my path. I noticed he’d changed into clean clothes and washed most of the blood off. Most. Not all. There were still traces of it under his fingernails and in his hair.
“What do you want now?” I asked. My voice came out tired. Defeated.
He grimaced and his eyes dropped to my belly. Stared at it for a long moment before meeting my gaze again. “You are pregnant, Wen? With my heir?”
I tensed at the word heir, as if this baby was just some political tool or successor to his throne instead of a person, instead of our child.
“The baby isn’t yours,” I lied.
Which was actually completely useless since I could feel through the bond that he knew I was lying. Stupid supernatural werewolf senses.
Shit.
“Do not lie to me,” he grunted. His eyes flashed red for a second. “Please. Just tell me the truth. How far along are you?”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Around five months.”
The devastation that crossed his face was immediate and brutal. He looked like I’d just stabbed him. “Five months. You were pregnant when I...” He couldn’t even finish the sentence. “Gods, Wen. I am so sorry. For everything. If you would just let me explain-”
“No.” I cut him off. “I’m not letting you sweet-talk me into anything anymore. We’re done, Mal. You rejected me for another woman. One I fucking HATE. And then you banished me like I was trash. So there’s no future for us. There’s no US. You made absolutely sure of that when you stood in front of your entire court and called me worthless.”
My voice had risen to almost a yell by the end. Tears were gathering in my eyes and I refused to let him see them fall. Refused to give him that satisfaction.
I turned and practically ran toward where the portal sat in the middle of the corridor, jumped into the swirling light before my stupid heart could convince my brain to forgive him.
The journey back was rough. My stomach protested the entire way. But I landed in my bookstore and climbed out without vomiting, which felt like a small victory.
I checked my phone. Two days had passed since I’d left. Just two days. My friends had kept the shop running smoothly in my absence according to the texts in our group chat.
I was so damn grateful to have them. What would I do without Krystin and Bella and Daphne?
The gratitude turned into tears. I sat down behind the counter and cried for what felt like hours. Lost and alone and like my life was spiraling out of control again.
But eventually the tears stopped. I wiped my face and took some deep breaths.
I made it. I was alive. Mal was fine. Our baby was okay. That had to be enough.
I spent the next day like a zombie, going through the motions of helping customers and restocking shelves and eating when my friends forced food on me. But I felt hollow inside.
