Page 29 of Rejected Pregnant Mate

She gave me a strange look, "Not mated, really. Married though...yes."

‘And I would like to spend some more time with you. Get to know you better."

Her expression went blank as she stared at me. "Are you serious?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Scott, we're not...friends. We never were. And now we're just...roommates. For lack of a better word."

I laughed, but it sounded empty. "No offense, but I don't want to be your roommate, Nayeli."

Her cheeks flushed a deeper red, and she looked away. "Well, what do you want, then?"

"To go out with you. You're my wife and I—"

Nayeli's eyes darted around the shop, and she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. Finally, she sighed. "Fine. But no possessive bullshit."

"I wouldn't dream of it," I replied, but that was a lie.

Chapter 11 - Nayeli

My plan had been to show up at the party, say hello, and immediately leave. That all changed when Scott decided we would go as a couple, and I felt trapped before we even arrived.

The only upside was that it was my first opportunity since moving in with Scott to really dress up. I loved fun clothes, especially vintage style. I wasn't exactly an expert, but I did have a solid wardrobe thanks to thrifting and yard sales. My closet was full of 50s-style dresses, some modern ones I'd ordered from various websites, and tons of fun accessories.

Tonight, I was wearing one of my favorite dresses—a black swing dress with a full skirt and a wide bow in the back. It fit snugly around the waist and bust, then flared out from my hips. It made me look feminine and curvaceous, and I felt more confident than I had in ages.

I'd thought the party would be low-key, but once we arrived, I was disappointed to see how packed it was. Since I saw so little of Scott's pack, I tended to forget just how big it was. There were drinks flowing, and everyone had grouped up into their little circles, talking amongst themselves. There were plenty of people I recognized from Samson's pack, and even a few I'd seen in Joe's pack before.

"I'm going to go get something to drink," I said to Scott. I needed an excuse to get away from him and the insane amount of need he made me feel, and that seemed like a good one.

"Do you want me to get you something?" he asked, but I waved him off.

"No, no. You stay here and schmooze, or whatever it is you do." I turned to leave, but he grabbed my wrist to stop me. I froze, the touch sending electric shocks through my body.

He stared down at me, his eyes dark. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'll be right back." I pulled my hand away, trying to ignore the way he looked at me: like I was a seven-course meal.

I pushed through the crowd, moving towards the drink table. Once there, I filled a cup with wine and took a sip, watching everyone around me. It was strange being at the cafe after hours. Finally, after I'd resigned myself to hiding on the wall all night, I saw the only people on the planet that I actually wanted to socialize with—Gwen and Kiera.

They spotted me at the same time and made a beeline over, Gwen pulling me into a hug the second she was close enough. "Oh my God! It feels like it's been forever!"

Kiera joined in, wrapping her arms around us both. "Too long. We've missed you so much."

"It's only been a few days," I laughed, "but I've missed you guys, too."

Grinning, Kiera pulled back and looked me over. "The new pack suits you. You look great."

"Does it?" I exhaled. "Because it feels like I've been holding my breath ever since the wedding."

We found a corner booth to huddle in, the three of us fitting together easily like it was muscle memory. We drank champagne and talked about nothing, just catching up on the little things in life that we used to gossip about when I was still in the Saltfang pack.

Things didn't stay breezy forever, though. "So," Gwen leaned forward with her chin propped on her hand. "How's married life? Or are we not asking that yet?"

I groaned, dropping my head onto the table. "It's weird. I mean, it's Scott, and I've known him forever, but this is totally different." I had to keep things vague since Gwen didn't know about the bond.

"You'll get used to it," Kiera promised.

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