Page 32 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
“What do you want? We can always split it?” I offered, trying to determine the root of her hesitancy.
Gwen bit her lower lip. “Maybe?”
We ended up with some fancy trail mix, tiny packets of nut butter, gourmet crackers, and sour candies. Not dinner, but a start.
I passed a case of truffles. Oh. I should get a raspberry one.
No. I stopped myself, my heart speeding a little.
“Are you okay, Tens?” Gwen stood close to me, there was worry in her soft minty scent.
“I… I was about to get some for Morgan. But there’s no Morgan.” My voice shook a little. “She loved dark chocolate raspberry truffles. I’d always pick some up for her when I was traveling, or even just out. She’s a med student and always could use a treat.”
“Want to tell me about it?” Gwen offered as we left the food hall.
“There’s not much to tell. I met Morgan at the noodle shop where I often picked up food. She liked to study there. We started talking and began dating. Last year she moved in. It was so nice coming home to someone. Also, she’s so busy with med school and her rotations that it was hard to see her during the season, given my own schedule.” We’d had a lot in common, too, like a love of nature.
We wandered through the next section, which was all holiday decorations–foreveryholiday.
“Were you going to marry her–or mate her? Was she an omega?” Gwen picked up a bear in a pumpkin outfit, then set it down.
“Beta. We’d talked about mating after she finished medical school, and starting a pack and a family. But later, because her career is important to her. I did my best to support her. It was a surprise when she told me she was pregnant and wanted to keep the baby and join a pack.” I grimaced, because the idea of being a dad overjoyed me.
Gwen sucked in a breath as we wandered out of the holiday section and into an area full of gift books and other such things. “It wasn’t your baby.”
“The Lewises were the first friends I made when I moved to Portland to be a Sasquatch.” I picked up a book of nature photos and leafed through it. “Jacen was my real estate agent. He helped me rent my first place, then buy my house. He invited me over for dinner and his throuple adopted me. His alpha is a doctor. Their omega is an interior decorator. I was over all the time, and they adored Morgan. Jacen was one of my best friends.”
I sighed and closed the book. At least I had Cooter.
“Oh no.” Gwen looked stricken.
“Morgan loved decorating, so when she moved in, I hired their omega and the two of them became close. I’m gone so much during the season, it was a relief that she had more than the dog for company, though her studies kept her busy.” I leaned against the bookcase.
“You have a dog?” Gwen brightened. “We had a dog when I was a kid.”
“She took the dog.” My head bowed. “I can’t care for a dog with my schedule. Turns out, while I was on the road, she was growingveryclose to the Lewises. She let me think the baby was mine. I was excited, and planned a romantic trip where we could mate, and a party for us after. Then, Jacen and Ilya, their alpha, ambushed me, asking for us to form a pack with them. That it would be best for Morgan to have support, and their omega,who’s also pregnant, could have company. I was ready to accept. They were my dearest friends outside Coot. Jacen let it slip that the baby was his and the whole story came tumbling out.
“It started out innocently enough. Their omega went into heat unexpectedly. Morgan was over and got swept up into it. Instead of them talking to me about it, they kept it a secret—and continued their relationship. The four of them kept up the pretense with me that they were just friends, and Morgan continued to make me think I was enough for her.” That was the rub–the lies.
“Tens. I… I’m so sorry,” Gwen put a hand on my arm.
“Morgan confirmed it was true. She was lonely, and they were there for her. Though, she also insisted she needed me.” I walked through the store, not knowing where I was going.
“So, she was like,whoops, I fell on his dick and got preggers. Let’s move in with them and raise the baby together?” Gwen trotted to keep up with my longer stride.
“Pretty much. The fact I didn’t want that baffled Morgan.” My throat grew tight. “I felt betrayed, and they told me it was wrong for me to feel that way. I thought about it for weeks. In the end, I just couldn’t get over the lies. Now I’m here. She and the dog moved in with them.”
We were now in the home section, full of pillows and blankets.
Gwen had tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry. Your best friends, too. Your feelings are valid.”
“If they’d come to me, been open, I would have been for it. Instead, they lied. I hate liars.” I grimaced again, my voice going sharp with pain and anguish.
Gwen jumped, dropping a purple pillow shaped like a heart.
“Hey, it’s okay,” I soothed, putting out calming pheromones, even though it was a bit of an overstep.
I was probably triggering her, given her ex’s lies. Picking up the pillow, I gave it back.
