Page 7 of Plus-Size Pregnant Mate

It was a challenge, so she jumped out of her chair and turned towards the front door. She unlocked it and threw it open. I watched as she stepped outside into the rain.

"You want a coat?" I asked, but she just glared at me as she took a few steps off the porch. The water hit her, but she ignored it as she marched forward.

I let her. I knew Ashley, and she had to learn the hard way.

My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out, finding Ayden was calling me.

"Shit," I said as I pulled it up, answering it. "Hey, what's going on now?"

I could hear Ayden sighing. "A shit storm is what happened. Do you have any idea how her folks are coping? They are losing their goddamn minds."

I turned, looking out the window, watching her walking down the driveway. Ashley had her arms crossed as she looked around, but she wasn't going to find anyone. It was just her and I for miles.

"What happened?" I asked, watching as she turned, marching down the road.

"Her parents are demanding me to send out people to look for her. They don't know it was you who took her yet, so you guys got out without anyone seeing."

I snorted. "Seriously, her folks want you to send out people looking for her?"

"Yeah, and not for the reasons you would think. It's because Logan is pissed off that she wasn't at the restaurant. He's furious, demanding if I know about her whereabouts, I tell him."

I swallowed. Ayden didn't lie, he stretched the truth.

"So, what did you say?"

"I just told him I didn't know her location. I said Ashley was a grown woman; if she disappeared, she probably wanted to. He wasn't happy."

"Logan is never happy," I said, remembering the few times I'd spoken to him. He was a prick and probably the most arrogant person I'd ever met.

"He's demanding his bride, which I am still trying to piece together. Not that Ashley isn't a charming girl because she is, but why her? There is some kind of arrangement between him and her folks, but I don't know what it is."

My fingers curled up, and I scowled. I didn't like the idea of Logan thinking she was his. Ashley wasn't mine, but she sure as hell wasn't his either.

I watched as Ashley walked towards the garage. I had locked it and made sure she couldn't get inside. But if she genuinely wanted out, she could find a way home.

I brought her to the cabin but wasn't keeping her here. If she honestly wanted to go back, she could shift and run home. We might be five hours away from town and people, but she could find her way. If Ashley stayed, she was deciding that herself.

"Do you know why Logan wants her?" I asked. "There is something going on. Do you know what deal her parents made?"

"Not yet, but we're still digging. Until then, you guys sit tight. I'll call you when I have an update."

I nodded. Ashley turned back, storming back toward the house. I ended the call and stuffed my phone into my pocket as she stepped back inside.

Her eyes narrowed on my phone, and then she backed up at me. She crossed her arms, her hair dripping with water and her clothes clinging to her. She shivered but held her head high as she walked towards me.

"Where is my phone?" she asked, looking around the space.

"Locked away," I said, taking a seat. "You don't need it."

"I do need it. So, why can't I have it."

"You know why."

She licked her lips, and her nostrils flared. "I need to call my folks and tell them where I am. They are going to get worried."

"They aren't. I know your folks, Ashley, and they aren't the worrying type. At least, not until it's been more than a few days." I smirked as I grabbed my coffee. "Besides, do you even know where you are?"

She narrowed her eyes, her lips forming a tight line. "Don't be a smartass, Owen. It's not a good look on you."

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