Page 39 of The Wolf's Pregnant Rejected Mate

The last thing she wanted was to baby-trap Ryder.

As she rushed through the streets, all she wanted to do was run out of there, to go to the forest and just run forever. If she wasn’t pregnant, she might just take the risk of the demons if it meant running away from these emotions. Instead, she headed toward her house. Elin would be at her job, which meant she’d have the safety of four walls and no listening ears to truly break down.

It was the right choice, even if her wolf kept plaintively howling. How was she supposed to live with Ryder, knowing he hadn’t really wanted her? They enjoyed the sex, but they had agreed it didn’t mean they were mates.

How was it that today, when she rejected him, could have the same impact as the day he rejected her?

***

Tess’s wolf whimpered and cowered in her chest as she hurried through the streets. Her stomach knotted as she tried to find him. The one person who could save her from this mess. The memory of that playground when Ryder told her that one day they’d be mates rang clear in her mind. He was leaving today, along with a bunch of the other boys.

If she could just get to him, she could tell him she was ready, they could be mates, and he would take her away from this place. Tess had been patient; she figured he wanted time to establish himself before sending for her.

It had been over ten years since he told her they’d be mates. He hadn’t brought it up again, hadn’t spent a lot of time with her. But unlike most of the boys in high school, he also didn’t date anyone. He’d been laser-focused on his future. So that had to mean that he remembered, didn’t it?

She had to get to him before he left, and it was too late.

Alpha Monroe had visited the house last night. Lenard had had Tess cook all day and served the Alpha course after course. She’d been confused about what was happening, especially why Hilda kept smiling knowingly at her.

Later, after she had been sent to bed, she had snuck to the kitchen for a midnight snack. She’d been so busy during dinner she hadn’t eaten anything herself.

Lenard and Monroe were in the living room, talking. Tess didn’t mean to eavesdrop, moving as quietly as she could. But what she heard froze her to the spot.

“That girl of yours is pretty and young,” Monroe said. “Nice tits and ass. She’ll be good as a second mate. I need sons.”

Lenard laughed. “I’m honored that you want her. She’s not a bad girl, really. A firm hand is needed to keep her from running up her flights of fancy, but I’m sure you’ll sort her out quickly enough. Shall we discuss recompense? I’ll have to hire a worker to take over the work she does around here.”

Second mate.

Sons.

She hadn’t slept at all, tossing and turning and feeling sick to her stomach. She couldn’t—wouldn’t—be mate to that awful alpha. The thought of him touching her, of his child growing inside of her, made her want to slit her own wrists.

There they were! The big van that the military sent to pick up the boys. Tess’s gaze ran over them. Blayke, Kai, Maverick, Hayden. Ah! There he was—Ryder. Tess slowed as she approached. They were just tossing their duffle bags into the back. Her stomach twisted, feeling the crush of bodies around her. There were so many people around.

And if she didn’t ask him, she would be trapped forever, and what choice would she have but to accept Monroe? Her father had already made the agreements…

She swallowed dryly as she watched Ryder, hoping he’d turn around. Memories flooded through her. The day on the playground when he said she’d be his mate. School dances where he sat and talked with her. Times she’d struggled with her schoolwork and he helped tutor her. And, of course, the way he always stood up for his sister.

Tess’s wolf whimpered. She steeled her courage and marched up to her mate.

“Ryder,” she said. Her voice trembled despite herself.

He turned, and his brown eyebrows rose in surprise. “Tess?”

How did she say this? How could she explain everything? She twisted her hands, the fear of what she’d heard last night still flooding through her. “Ryder. I… I want to ask you something.”

“What?” Ryder’s one-word answer was clipped.

“I… will you… take me with you,” she exclaimed finally, abandoning all caution. “Take me as your mate, and take me with you.”

Ryder stared at her blankly. The other boys shifted from foot to foot, looking uncomfortable.

“Please,” Tess begged. “I want to be your mate.”

Ryder opened his mouth. His expression didn’t change. “No.”

Her heart dropped. No? But he’d said… he… promised…

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