Page 62 of The Wolf's Pregnant Rejected Mate

Tess mirrored him. “And I could have actually talked to you instead of making assumptions. That’s something we’re going to have to work on if we’re going to make this work. We both have to be better at communicating.”

Ryder nodded his agreement. “And I’m willing to put in that work. I want to make this work, Tess. I love you and want to be with you for the rest of my life. Which means I have something to ask you.” He touched her lips lightly. It made her insides melt with desire and affection. “Will you be my mate, Tess? Not because you’re pregnant but because we love each other?”

“Yes,” Tess breathed. She wrapped herself tighter to him, careful not to upset his injuries. “I’ll be your mate, Ryder. Forever.”

Epilogue - Tess

Tess gasped and put a hand to her belly. “Oooh!”

Ryder, who had just dipped his fingers into the small water bowl between them, looked up sharply. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” She rubbed her ribs and shook a finger at her belly. “Little Miss here decided now was a good time to practice her ninja kicks. I’m fine; let’s continue.”

If Tess had her way, she would have this baby tomorrow. As it was, her due date was still a week away. She was very ready not to be pregnant anymore, ready to finally have a baby in her arms. She and Ryder had decided that they wanted to have their mating ceremony before the baby came. With the pack still being so busy with everything demon-related, they had been putting off the ceremony until now.

Hayden, Mica, and Echo were the only ones present. Though some members of the pack expected their Beta to have a massive celebration, Ryder and Tess wanted something small and intimate.

Ryder cupped his hand into the water bowl and let her drink from it. “The first of my vows, to provide you sustenance,” he said, quoting the traditional words.

Tess nipped at his finger lightly, grinning when he blushed. Then she scooped up a bit of water and let it empty into Ryder’s mouth. “The first of my vows is to return your sustenance.”

Ryder picked up a scarlet ribbon. “The second of my vows, to protect you with my body.”

“The second of my vows, to give from my body.” Tess pointed at her stomach. “Which, I might add, I’m already doing.”

Ryder tied the ribbon around her wrist. “I bind myself to you, dear Tess.”

“I bind myself to you, my beloved Ryder.”

He beamed at her, his smile making her go weak at the knees. She couldn’t believe they were finally here. It had been a long road to admitting their true feelings, but it was worth every step. Now, they were true mates, and nobody could argue that they hadn’t made the commitment to one another.

Mica and Echo kissed both their cheeks, and Hayden shook their hands.

“Enjoy your honeymoon,” he said with a wink. “It’s the only time off you’ll have for a while.”

Tess gave Mica and Echo both another tight hug. Part of her mourned the fact that her parents weren’t here. That relationship would never recover—not that they wanted it to. They had gone back to pretending like she didn’t exist. Her grief was for the possibilities that never would come. Even if they wanted to be here, she wasn’t sure she’d ever forgive them. But she had Mica and Echo. She had a family, even if it wasn’t by blood.

Hayden, Mica, and Echo left the house then, leaving Tess and Ryder alone in their new home. It still smelled faintly of construction. It had been built to their specifications. Tess couldn’t wait to see how things developed here in the years to come.

“So. You want to go upstairs and have a nap?” Ryder asked as he slid his arms around her from behind. He carefully cupped her belly in his hands and lifted it, holding the weight of it for her.

Tess groaned as she leaned back against him. “Actually, I was thinking we could have sex. The oxytocin is supposed to be good at kick-starting labor.”

Ryder chuckled in her ear and nipped lightly at her neck. It sent zings of pleasure straight through her. Gently, he lowered her belly again and took her hand. They made their way to the bedroom and, once there, quickly stripped off their clothes. Tess marveled at how comfortable she’d gotten being naked with Ryder—and then marveled at the sheer beauty of him. She traced her hands over the contours of his sculpted muscles, the blood flow increasing throughout her body.

“You are so beautiful,” Ryder murmured. He kissed her slowly, their tongues tangling.

“You’re not too bad yourself,” Tess murmured back into his mouth.

Ryder pulled her to the bed, where he sat on the edge. He was already starting to harden and kissed up Tess’s body as he slid a hand between her legs. Tess squeezed her thighs together, making it more difficult for him. His eyes sparkled as he continued, finding her clit with his fingers. Tess’s head fell back, groaning.

“No, not yet,” she said, her hands resting lightly on his shoulders. She didn’t really mean it. It felt so good when he touched her! “I finish too quickly these days.”

“Thank you, pregnancy hormones,” Ryder chuckled. His hand remained where it was, just touching her clit. He didn’t move his fingers. “Isn’t the goal for you to finish? That’s what released the oxytocin, isn’t it?”

He winked at her.

“I like it when we finish together,” Tess said. “So let me…”

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