Page 26 of Rejected Plus-Size Mate

I knew it wasn't going to continue. I would have to eventually return and deal with the mess that was waiting. But April's was different. She was married. There was a dividing of assets and money. April's family had money, and her husband wanted to hang onto that, so he likely wasn't giving up even if he'd been the one in the wrong.

"Besides that, how is everything?"

"The same," April sighed, sounding annoyed. "Everything is the same here."

I pushed off the counter and turned to the fridge. I leaned back, chewing on my lip.

"You've gone quiet. What's wrong?"

I half laughed and sighed. "I've just been thinking about what I'm going to do when this trip is over."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean..." I paused, unsure if I wanted to voice my concern, but I had to. I mean, what am I doing with my life? Do I come back? And if I do, what do I do? Everyone loves Brad. And if I don't go back? Where would I go? Could I stay here?"

"Do you want to stay there?"

That was just it. I didn't know what I wanted, and as the vacation approached the end, I became more unsure. "I don't know what I want."

This was the first time in a long time that I was making a decision for myself. Every holiday, every vacation, every day, Brad made the plans. He decided everything, and I had no say in anything. And for so long, I just accepted it.

"Well, maybe start thinking about what you want," April said. "No one can do that for you."

I started cleaning, hoping it would give me something to do. I was just setting the last pan onto the drying rack when there was a knock at the door. I wiped my hands into the dish towel and walked over, pulling the door open.

Cayden stood at the other side, wearing a workout outfit. My eyebrows went up, taking in a shirt that left little to the imagination. He was ripped, and it took my breath away for a moment.

"Hey, are you busy?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows at me.

"I'm just finishing some dishes, so not really."

He smiled, and I felt my heart skip a beat. "How does a run sound?"

"I ran this morning," I said with a shrug.

He shook his head. "No, a run. Out in the woods."

I suddenly grew eager. "Do you mean in wolf form? You mean going for a run in shifter form?"

He nodded. "The weather is perfect for it, and I need to stretch myself out. I figured you'd want to go."

"Yes!" I practically yelled the word giddy with excitement. I couldn't even remember the last time I'd shifted and gone out. I pushed her down so far some days, I thought she was gone.

"Do you need to change?"

"No," I said, throwing the dish towel onto the counter. "Just let me grab my shoes."

We were in Cayden's car within five minutes. I sat in the passenger seat, practically bouncing with joy as he drove us to the edge of town right where the woods were.

"You're excited," he said with a smirk. "Has it been a while?"

I didn't want to admit that it had been months. Everyone always talked about going at least once a week, but I didn't. Brad made me feel so out of my body that I didn't want him to know my wolf form. I was afraid of what he'd say about her.

We parked at the edge, and suddenly, I realized we would have to undress. Cayden seemed to have thought of that and had already started down a pathway.

"We have a changing area made out a few feet into the woods."

"Really?" I said, a little surprised.

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