Page 38 of The Alpha's Bullied Pregnant Mate

“And if it doesn’t work?”

“It will.”

Fannar pulled a fist full of hair in frustration. “And how can you be so sure?”

Callahan laughed. “I’m not. But that’s a risk you’re going to have to take. I need you to trust me. This will work.”

He was right and Fannar knew it. He sighed again. “If this doesn’t work, I’m going to kill you, and chop you into little pieces.”

“You’re welcome to try,” Callahan teased. “Well, I’m going to bed now. Josie’s waiting.”

“Thanks for rubbing it in my face.”

“You left me with no choice, I’m afraid. Good night, Fannar.”

Fannar settled heavily into the couch and shut his eyes. He could already see the scene when he made the proposal. Isla was going to get up angry, and walk out of his life forever. This couldn’t work. He could feel it in his bones. But what other choices did he have?

Chapter 15 - Isla

Isla’s phone rang a second time. She folded her arms and watched it ring, She didn’t want to talk to Fannar, not after the stunt he had pulled the previous night.

He’d been the perfect partner these last three months, and she was doing her best not fall for him, but he was not making it an easy task for her, and last night had made things a thousand times harder for her.

While it wasn’t the first time they had kissed—they kissed all the time when they were in public and acting for an audience—there was something different about last night.

It was the first time he’d ever tried to kiss her without an audience and when they were not about to have sex. He was about to kiss her good night, like any loving, perfect boyfriend would do to his very real girlfriend.

She noticed how he looked at her, doted on her, and paid attention to every little thing she did. She’d been seeing the signs for weeks and while a part of her loved everything about it, the rational part of my mind pushed back. She knew he was starting to fall in love with her, and the thought terrified her.

The call ended and she let out a pent up breath. She rubbed her scar again, the incomplete bond mark that Fannar had left there years ago. Whatever he thought he felt for her wasn’t real. It was all this stupid mark’s fault.

She considered telling him about it but she didn’t know how to. She shivered. She knew one thing, if she’d allowed him kiss her last night, it would have been impossible for her to keep fighting her feelings for him.

It was one thing to have amazing, casual, meaningless sex. She tried not to mix in any emotions when they got intimate, but after last night, she didn’t think she could allow him touch her again. The experience had been a jolting one for her, and now she had only one more move to make. She had to get away from him. Far away.

Everything within her had longed for that kiss and storming away was the hardest thing she’d ever done. She didn’t think she’d be able to withstand him again. Things had gotten too personal for her liking, and she wanted to pull the plug on their arrangement.

The thought of it was a sharp pain in her chest and she was overcome with sadness. No, she scolded herself. This is not me. It’s neither of us. It’s the mark and the mark alone. This longing I have for Fannar is unnatural and I have to break the bond.

Isla had spent weeks in the library trying to learn how to break the bond mark, but she had come up empty at every point. It was frustrating. She knew she couldn’t leave without breaking the bond mark. It could hurt them, or worse, kill them.

She wanted to get rid of it without letting Fannar know anything about its existence, but the longer it took her to get an answer, the deeper she fell for him. His presence was so warm and comforting and she found herself longing for him every time they ere apart. How much longer before she lost the strength to fight against it?

Her phone rang again and she jumped. It was Fannar. She had no idea what he wanted, and she didn’t want to risk finding out. She wished she could talk to someone about this, but there was no one she trusted that much, not even her mother. This was her burden to bear, sadly.

She answered the phone. “Hi.”

“Isla.”

Fannar’s voice set her heart racing wildly and she shut her eyes to steady herself. His influence over her was the scariest thing she’d ever experienced, and somewhere deep down inside her, she loved how he made her feel.

She took a steadying breath. “I’m kinda in the middle of something right now—”

“You’re not,” he replied calmly, cutting her off. “I called to apologize about last night. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for. Is that all?”

She heard him draw in a sharp breath. “Isla… Can I see you? There’s something I’d love to talk to you about. In person. I’d love if we could go out for dinner tonight.”

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