Page 28 of The Alpha's Bullied Pregnant Mate

“However, ever since you brought that money to us, you’ve been acting weird. I was hoping that eventually, you were going to tell me what was going on with you, seeing how I was your only friend in the world and what not, but you’ve refused to do that.”

“Oh!” Isla sat up. “I can’t believe I forgot to tell you, but I found a friend. Her name’s Elsa and she’s not from around here, but she’s really cool.”

“Oh? That’s nice and I’m proud of you. But you’re trying to change the topic. What’s going on, Isla? Why did you give us so much money, and why have you been acting strange?”

“It’s nothing so serious, mom. I promise—”

“Forgive me for refusing to take your word for it darling. Tell me?”

Isla looked away. There really was nothing to tell. She and Fannar had had a wonderful, magical night, and she had reacted by kicking him out of her house the next morning.

She had also insisted that what they had was a mistake, even though deep in her heart she knew she was lying. She looked him dead in his eyes, ignored the pain she saw there, and told him to get out. He’d done just that, and now had decided to stay gone.

Despite promising to call her later, Fannar had gone over a week without saying a word to her. No texts, no messages, no calls, nothing. It was almost as if everything that had happened between them had been a dream.

She would have been convinced it was a dream if she hadn’t found another wad of cash wrapped in a newspaper and waiting on her doormat exactly a week after the first payment was made. Another ten thousand dollars, just as Fannar had promised her she would receive every week.

Apparently, their deal was still on, but he had clearly decided to heed Isla’s warning to the letter, and was now staying away and keeping things neutral between them. And that hurt her more than anything in the world.

Make up your mind, woman. Do you want him? Do you not want him? You’re going to have to choose and decide what you want. You can’t have it both ways.

But that was just the thing. She couldn’t choose. She currently didn’t know what she wanted anymore. Initially, she was convinced that she wanted him to stay as far away from her as was possible. She’d insisted that they maintained a purely business relationship. She’d practically tossed him out of her house.

And now, she wasn’t sure that was what she wanted anymore. She missed him in an irrational way, and kept wishing he hadn’t stayed away. She wanted him badly. She wanted him inside her, taking her as if she belonged to him.

She fantasized about him every night, and once, when the urge had been stronger than her ability to control, she’d touched herself, while moaning his name over and over. She’d felt ashamed afterwards, but that only made her want him more now.

On several occasions, she’d considered calling him and reaching out first. She’d been too proud to see it through, but the fact remained that the thought had crossed her mind in the first place.

She was struggling and she thought she’d managed to keep her struggle private. Apparently, her mother had seen through the facade, and now the woman was waiting for answers. Answers that Isla was not certain she could give, regardless of how close they were.

She’d never spoken to her parents about a man before and she had no idea how to start doing so now. This was something she had to figure out for herself. How much longer could Fannar avoid her for?

She imagined him appearing before her door, a cold demeanor on his face, and nothing of that passion and hunger that had once dominated his eyes when he looked at her. The thought of that happening to her made her shiver. She didn’t want to imagine him not wanting her. Not now, when he was all that she could think about.

Fortunately, the bite mark on her neck had cooled off now that they had slept together, but she still felt some tingles there, and the ever persistent longing for Fannar. That was still a mystery to her, and she was determined to bury herself in the library if that was what it took to learn more about those two things.

Isla sighed and looked at her cup of coffee. It felt cool in her hands and had lost its comforting warmth and appeal. She got up from her stool and walked to the sink. She emptied the coffee and washed the mug, returning it to a rack.

Her mom watched her silently the whole time as Isla moved. Isla walked up to her and wrapped her arms around her neck, kissing her softly on the cheek.

“Trust me, mom. I’m not lying about the money. I did a trade that worked out great, and trust me, there will be more where that came from. At least over the next few weeks. I started trading stocks online and it’s been stealing my sleep. I’m tired and stressed, but it’s worth it. That’s it, mom. I promise.”

Her mom didn’t look convinced, but it was a good enough excuse. It wasn’t the most outlandish lie in the world, and Isla wondered where she had learned to lie so well.

The older woman finally smiled, to Isla’s relief, and held her daughter’s arm. “Alright then. I guess that makes sense. And I’m sorry I gave you so much grief about the money. Trust me, your father and I are grateful, but… well, it really was a lot.”

“It’s fine, ma. You’re just looking out for me, and that’s all that matters, right?” She kissed her mother’s hand. “I gotta head to work now, ma. You’d lock up before you leave?”

“Don’t I always?” She hugged her daughter. “Remember to take it easy, Isla. Take life easy. Promise me you’d take it easy.”

“I promise, mom. I really have to go now.”

“Sure, sure. Get outta here. Oh, one more thing. I’d really love to meet this new friend of yours, Elsa? Charming name.”

“That can be arranged, ma,” Isla said opening the front door. “I love you, ma. Try not to finish all my food?” She laughed and rushed out of the door, shutting the door behind her so she didn’t hear her mother’s wise ass retort.

It was a warm day by Frost Peak standards, but still too cold. The sun was buried behind an overcast sky, and everything looked gray. Isla hated how colorless Frost Peak always looked.

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