I couldn't fathom this. Forfifteen yearsI had served at Koval Manor. Been absolutely devoted to their pleasures, their comforts. What could I have done wrong? I didn’t see any way I had seriously disgraced our mate bond. Had I been too sassy sometimes? Maybe too moody, now and again. . . especially after those horrible failed tests.
Maybe I had been too slow when one of my Alphas wanted attention?
After all, they couldn’t have known anything about my dirty little secret, what and who I thought about late at night in my own bed, when my pussy was aching but I was left unsatisfied and wanting more. . .
Penn and Brand sat silently, Penn’s strong hand brushing off an infinitesimal piece of fuzz from his impeccably tailored suit.
I began to feel very uneasy.
Something must beverywrong.
“Why can’t you tell me what’s the matter? Nothing is wrong with our mate bond! I feel the claiming bites as strongly as always!”
I bared my throat to show the scarred indentations where they had each bitten me, fifteen years ago, when they had knotted and claimed me, one faithful layer over the next.
“The thing is,” Edgar said, apologetically. “You’re 40 years old, Jessabella.”
I felt my blood run cold.
“Well, of course I’m 40. You all took me to the coast for my birthday a few months ago. If you’ve forgotten about it that fast, I want another trip!”
My lame attempt at humor landed with athudas they all continued to stare unsmilingly at me.
“You are getting older.”
“What–what does that matter? We’reallover 40, aren’t we?You’re50!”
There went my tart tongue again.
Their frowns were my usual reward for sassing.
“It’s different for Alphas,” Penn said.
“Our biology is different,” Brand added.
Edgar looked pityingly at me.
“Yes. Well. Thatistrue. That’s why this conversation can’t wait forever. We’ve been putting it off to not hurt your feelings, but, well–it’s time. Jessabella, it doesn’t look like you’re ever going to give us the baby we want.”
The gut punch hit so hard it was like all the breath was sucked from my lungs and body, leaving me a dried-up failed husk.
My body wanted to shrivel up into itself, I wanted to hold my arms and legs tight and curl up so small I’d disappear.
“It isn’t too late!” I said desperately. “There’s still–things we haven’t tried. We haven’t beenseriouslytrying for fifteen years! Dr. Horák says there’s nothing wrong that he can–”
But Edgar shook his head.
“We’ve tried it. All the things. Getting you tested. Making sure you’re eating enough protein. Taking pills, supplements, all different types of medications.”
My stomach roiled at the thought of those endless disgusting protein shakes, but they hadn’t been enough. Never enough. AndIwanted a baby, too. Wanted one desperately, in fact. But it had never happened.
“We’ve been patient,” Penn said.
“Please,” I whispered. “Please give me another chance.”
“I’m sorry, but it’s over. You were quite pretty in your prime, Jessabella. But that can’t be your whole life.”
The words stung badly, strange and foreign. The thing they had chosen me for–now it wasn’t enough. Not now that I had a few extra pounds. Some chin hairs I couldn’t pluck fast enough. Was it reallymyPack acting in this nightmarish manner? Rejecting their Omega? It just wasn’tdonein Winter Haven.
