Page 42 of The Wolf's Pregnant Rejected Mate

Ryder winced. “Two days ago. I honestly thought you’d know already. Thought Tess would tell Mica, and Mica would tell you.”

“We don’t share other people’s secrets without their permission,” Hayden rumbled. He awkwardly patted Ryder’s shoulder. “I’m sorry that you’re having to go through that. I hate to say it, but this might be for the best.”

“The best?” Ryder repeated. He lifted his head. “She’s my true mate, Hayden. I don’t know why I’ve been so blind all these years. There’s nobody else. There’s only her.”

“And did you tell her that?”

Ryder opened his mouth and closed it again. Wasn’t it obvious?

Before he could figure out his own thoughts, Hayden shook his head. “What I mean is that this might give us an edge in our battle against the demons.”

“How?”

Hayden rubbed the back of his neck. “Because it’s going to give you an excuse to run off and play the vengeful jilted lover. If there’s one thing that the demons will believe, it’s that a man wants revenge on the woman who rejected him.”

Ryden studied his Alpha, his mind whirling. “I don’t understand.”

“We need inside information. We need to know exactly what the demons want,” Hayden said. “I have a plan for how to get you integrated into them, but I won’t force you to accept the mission. If it goes awry, it will cost you your life.”

Ryder straightened. It wasn’t unusual to risk his life day in and out fighting the demons. If this was a plan that would get them the answers they needed… “Tell me the plan. I’ll do it.”

Chapter 23 - Tess

Denzel gurgled nearby, laying on his blanket while he kicked his feet into the air. Tess smiled at him, absently stroking her belly. She wasn’t showing yet—she wasn’t even sure how far along she was—but she still imagined she could feel the little life inside her. It wouldn’t be recognizable as a baby yet, but she felt connected to it when she realized she was pregnant.

A binder lay on her lap. It was filled with transcribed notes from ancient texts that the special ops team had discovered a few years earlier. There was always more to learn about the demons.

Unfortunately, Tess wasn’t reading very quickly. Her stomach sloshed uncomfortably, that strange feeling of being desperately hungry and like she was going to throw up all at once.

“Are you okay?” Mica asked. “You look a little green.”

“It’s the morning sickness,” Tess said. “I couldn’t keep anything down this morning.”

It had been the morning sickness that tipped her off. She wouldn’t have thought much about skipping her period these last two months. But she didn’t get sick. She’d never even caught a cold before. So the nausea and throwing up had caught her off-guard.

Elin got to her feet. “I’ll go grab some soda crackers from the kitchen. Hopefully, it will help soothe your stomach.”

“Thanks,” Tess said awkwardly.

Elin smiled and hurried from the room.

Mica watched her go, then scooted her chair closer to Tess. “How are you doing? Emotionally, I mean. I know that you’ve been going through a lot.”

“As well as can be expected, I suppose,” Tess answered. Her shoulders slumped as she ran her fingers over the pages in the binder. “I think I’m starting to accept what’s happening. I’m trying to figure out what I’m going to do with everything. I made a list of the things I need. It’s a start, right? The thing I’m most worried about is when my parents find out. I’m not looking forward to that.”

Mica nodded her sympathy. “If you need Hayden or Ryder to be the ones to tell them and to enforce a barrier between you, I can talk to them. Or you can. If you’re comfortable with that.”

“I need to be comfortable talking to Ryder since this is our baby. I’m just trying to give him some space, you know?” Tess winced. She was giving herself space, too. Honestly, the idea of being a single mom terrified her. Even though she knew Ryder would step up as the father.

“Elin seems more eager to help than usual,” Mica said.

Tess wrinkled her nose. “Um… yeah. She’s been very attentive and helpful. I haven’t done any cleaning in the house since I told her. And she’s been hovering over me with anything she thinks will help me feel better. It’s sweet, really. And I am glad she’s around.”

Mica gave her a knowing smile. “But?”

Tess smiled gratefully at her friend. Mica knew her well. “But it’s a strange place to be in. I’m still holding a grudge—I know, you told me to let it go. But I’m still holding that grudge. While at the same time, I am grateful for her. I don’t know how I could do this alone.”

“You’re not alone.” Mica took her hand and squeezed lightly. “You have all of us. You have Mom and Ryder, too. We’ll all band together to help you with the baby. Never think you’re alone, Tess. You’re a part of our family, and we’ll make sure that you’re taken care of.”

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