Page 49 of Pregnant Rejected Mate

My mind wasn’t truly in the game, after all. What I really want is to fix my personal life. I can only do that without my duties looming over my head.

Being the Beta caused my initial delay in seeking the answers I needed from the Cube. I refuse to put Sierra on the sidelines again. If she loves me the way Aragon claims she does, I have to fix things.

I have to fight for her.

“I’m sure, Draco. Now, if you’ll excuse me…” I say as I get off my seat. “There’s somewhere I need to be.”

From across the table, my father smiles and nods curtly at me. I know I’ve done the right thing when I leave the boardroom and enter the elevator with excitement in my chest.

I finally feel free to pursue what I really love. I’d been so bound by what I thought was expected of me while the gods had other plans. As I step into the lift, I feel the fine hairs on the back of my neck prickle with attention, a distant ringing in my eardrums. Frowning, I can’t help but wonder if my senses are heightened now that my resolve has strengthened.

Or if I’m just excited to see Sierra again.

Chapter 20 - Sierra

Closing my eyes is not the best idea, especially when I only see Felix’s face. Finding sleep this way has been tough, but I have to maintain my bodily strength. I force myself to sleep every night, knowing I’ll have to endure meeting him in my dreams.

My mental state, on the other hand, isn’t doing so great. Despite sweet kisses and the warmth of his embrace, those dreams feel more like nightmares.

Groaning as I wake up from another one of those nightmares where Felix has proclaimed his love for me and I’ve confessed it back, no holds barred, I stretch my arms over my head. I’m thankful for the distraction of work; the yoga studio keeps me busy as a certified yogi.

It’s the only place where I find peace. Over the past seven years, I hadn’t realized that living in the same apartment I shared with him was keeping me prisoner to his memories. I’d worked so hard through therapy to reach a place of pure zen, working on obtaining my degree and becoming a licensed yoga instructor, that I hadn’t realized I’d been holding on to his love.

A love I didn’t think would exist after all this time. But when he came back into my life, unearthing that love was inevitable.

Now, I have to pick up the pieces again, knowing that I only have myself to blame this time around. If only…

“No, Sierra,” I chastise myself, shaking my head and hastily climbing off the bed. I’d already been late to work three days in a row. It didn’t look good for business, especially since I’d been missing in action for two weeks.

Four clients dropped out because of it, and I don’t want to risk losing the space I’ve rented as the yoga studio. With that in mind—knowing I have to carry on with life as if Felix never existed—I decide to stop by the bakery on my way to the studio.

***

“That should do it,” I smile to myself as I pack out the gluten-free pastries on the tea station, swaying to “Thinking Out Loud” as it plays on the overhead stereo. I dance my way to the control to change the sound to something calmer just as my clients arrive.

Luckily for me, I no longer have to answer questions about my sudden disappearance. Instead, I’m greeted sweetly by those who’d chosen to stick around instead of joining the local gym for yoga classes, and we proceed to prepare for our morning class.

Despite the calm sounds filtering from the speakers and the scent of sage filling the room, closing my eyes to begin my class brings back images of Felix’s face in my mind. These are images I don’t wish to see, but I’m forced to face them even through meditation.

While instructing my class, I make a mental note to visit Ms. Walter. These intrusive visions, coupled with the lack of peace in my mind, need to be dealt with.

Getting over Felix the first time around was hard. Getting over him a second time? I’m not sure I’m fully equipped to deal with it, especially since I now have to make peace with my own transgressions. We had a second chance, and I blew it because I thought I couldn’t trust him.

“... Exhale as you come into a down-dog position,” I call out to my class, planting my palms on the mat and lifting my rear into the air. I’m about to stretch out completely when a rumble in my belly skitters up to my throat like bile.

Quickly cupping a hand over my mouth when it feels like I’m going to throw up, I sink to my knees.

A burp escapes my lips as soon as I’m upright again, but the acrid bile in my throat sours my tastebuds.

I need to throw up.

“Excuse me, ladies,” I say to the class as I hastily uncoil from the yoga mat and bolt to the bathroom. As soon as I’m on my knees in front of the toilet, I splutter out the contents of my belly.

It’s mostly last night’s dinner since I’ve only had coffee this morning. Coughing and splurging over the toilet, I empty my stomach just as relief washes over me.

“Damn,” I say to myself, wiping the corners of my mouth with the back of my head when suddenly, I’m hit with a startling realization.

I’m late.

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