Page 33 of Plus-Size Pregnant Mate

She turned and marched away. I took a step to go after her but stopped myself. I dropped my eyes back on the pregnancy test, wishing things were different.

If I had stayed with her, maybe this moment would have been different. She would have thrown her arms around me, and we would have cried with excitement for the little bundle of joy.

Ashley wanted kids, but she always wanted them when she was ready after she'd accomplished things in her life.

My phone started to buzz, and I pulled it out of my pocket and glanced at it. It was Ayden calling me, and worry built up in my stomach. It had been too quiet lately.

I answered it. "Hello?"

"Hey, figured I should touch base with you. How has it been since you both have been back?"

"We're okay," I said, glancing at the test. I was tempted to tell him, but I figured I should hold off. “We've both adjusted fine. She had a meeting with her folks, which I think could have gone better."

"I heard. I also had Logan asking for a meeting. Apparently, he's not going down without a fight about this."

Of course, he wasn't. That would be too easy.

"What did he say?"

"That I should really rethink about it and how great it would be for the packs. He kept going on saying that marriage was a great way to connect the pack's bond and everything. You both need to keep your eyes open and be aware of what's going on. He's also been spotted more and more in town with her folks."

My gut twisted, and I was a little jealous. I had tried hard to make friends with Ashley's folks, and I never could. I hated how quickly he could, and I knew it was because of money and the fact he was alpha.

"Thanks for the warning," I said, rubbing my head.

"How are you doing?" he asked.

"I'm fine," I said with a shrug.

"Considering you haven't been your chipper self since you got back, I'm doubting that. Is there anything I can help with?"

There wasn't. Ayden couldn't fix what was going on, and he couldn't fix how her folks saw me. At this point, I could offer her folks everything they would ever want, and they still wouldn't like me.

"No, sadly, there isn't."

"You let me know if there is."

"Ayden, you've done a lot for me already."

"Yeah, and I'll continue to. You've been nothing but a great friend and a trusting beta for me. You need anything, and you let me know."

I looked down the hallway, hoping that we could figure things out. A baby was coming, and it had changed everything, and the stakes were even higher now.

Chapter 17 - Ashley

I scowled as my phone buzzed for what felt like the tenth time since I sat down ten minutes ago.

I looked away, and my hands slipped, spearing the paints down the canvas.

"Son of a bitch." I yelled as it ruined the painting, dripping down. "God damn it!"

"You okay?" Owen asked from the kitchen, his head snapping away from the salad he was making.

"My damn phone," I said, grabbing a rag to wipe at the canvas. "It keeps buzzing, and I looked away for a second."

"Is someone calling you?"

"No, my folks are messaging me."

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