Page 45 of The Wolf's Plus-Size Bride

“Sonya,” Jane says, her voice calm and even, “it’s okay. I can handle this.”

“Are you sure?” she asks.

Jane nods, and Sonya looks at me, her eyes narrowed. She doesn’t trust me, and I can’t blame her. I haven’t given her any reason to.

“Okay,” Sonya says, her eyes still on me. “But I’m not far, and if you hurt her, Reiner, I will end you.”

I snort. “I’m absolutely terrified.”

“Reiner,” Jane warns, and I sigh.

“Look, I just need a moment alone with my girlfriend. Do you mind? Or do you want to hear the intimate details of our sex life?”

She pauses in front of the door and turns back to me with a smug smirk. “Joke’s on you, asshole. I’ve already heard all about it.”

As she disappears back inside, I replay the comment in my mind. “What is she talking about?” I ask Jane. “What all did you tell her?”

“Relax. I didn’t tell her that we’re not really a couple, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“Then what did you tell her?”

She throws her hands in the air and scoffs, “Girls tell each other things, Reiner. It’s what we do. I didn’t go into graphic detail, but I did tell her that we fooled around. Guys aren’t the only ones who brag about their sexual conquests, you know. Besides, she’s one of my best friends. I tell her everything.”

My shoulders relax, and I let out a breath of relief. “Good,” I say. “That’s good.”

“What the hell do you want, Reiner? Why did you drag me out here?”

“Because those guys were all over you,” I almost shout, pointing at the door we just came out of.

“So?” she challenges. “We’re not really dating, remember? You don’t have the right to get jealous.”

“Fuck,” I mutter, raking a hand through my hair. “I know, okay? I know. I’m sorry. I just… I don’t know what to do. I can’t stop thinking about you, and I can’t stand the thought of you with anyone else.”

“That doesn’t make any sense, Reiner. None at all. Have you forgotten that I tried to get your attention a year ago? That I basically threw myself at you and you rejected me? You didn’t want me then, and the only reason you want me right now is because you don’t want your pack thinking you have Peter Pan syndrome or some shit. The idea of someone else flirting with me bothers you because you’re afraid of how it would look to other people.”

“No, that’s not it. I-”

“You humiliated me! I told you I thought we were mates, and you shut me down and laughed in my face. I thought we had something, something special, and you made a fool of me. And why, Reiner? Because I’m not a size two, I’m not a bimbo, and I’m not a damsel in distress. I’m a chubby, opinionated, independent woman who likes to eat and take care of herself, and that’s not good enough for you. So don’t you dare come here and act like you have the right to get jealous because I’m not yours. That’s your fault.”

I’m stunned, and I can’t find the words to respond. I’ve never seen Jane like this. Even when she’s had little moments of insecurity, she’s always managed to pull it together and smile. But this is different. This is anger, this is pain, and it’s directed at me.

“I’m sorry,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’m so sorry, Jane. I know I hurt you, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t mean to because at the time, I did. But it had nothing to do with you.”

She blinks at me, and I inch closer, reaching out to take her hand.

“When you asked me if I felt the same way, I panicked,” I continue. “I wasn’t ready for a mate, and I wasn’t ready for a relationship. I was a mess, and I was in a bad place. I had a lot of shit to work out, and I was fucking terrified. What I felt for you, it was so much, and so intense. I didn’t know how to handle it. I didn’t know how to handle you.”

“What the hell are you talking about, Reiner?” she asks, drawing her brows together.

“I’m trying to explain,” I say, exasperated. “I’m not good at this. I’m not good at talking. I’m not good at expressing myfeelings. I’m a jackass, okay? I’m a big, dumb asshole, and I don’t know how to do this.”

“Do what?”

“This,” I say, gesturing between us. “I don’t know how to do this. But God, do I want to try.

Chapter 16 - Jane

There’s no way I heard him right. No way. I still remember the look on his face when he turned me down. He was disgusted by the idea of us being mates. It was written all over his face. There’s no way I’m not hearing him wrong.

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