Page 64 of Rejected Pregnant Mate

Oddly enough, I felt nervous. I was never nervous.

I cleared my throat as I went over the script in my head. "I've been thinking about us. I know we've done everythingbackwards, but it's worked, hasn't it?" I felt myself start to ramble. "I mean, through all the magic and danger and whatever...we've made a good team. What if we...ah...were a team forever?"

She blinked at me, clearly not following. "What do you mean?"

"Sell your apartment. Move everything into my place. I don't care if it looks like Comic Con threw up in there; I want you to make it your home, too. Because I don't want you to leave. Ever. I want you to be mine forever." I paused and swallowed hard. "I know I sound like an idiot right now..."

"An idiot that I love."

Stunned, I looked down at her, pulse racing. "What did you just say?"

"You heard me, Scott Nevada," she said, giving me a wide smile. "And it feels really good to finally tell you that."

My heart was pounding so loudly I could barely hear myself think.

"I heard what you said when I was still knocked out at my old house. You told me you loved me then, and it helped me climb out of the darkness. So here's me saying it back: I love you."

I laughed, kissing her soundly. "So you already knew, huh? Looks like I'm the awkward one this time around."

I felt Nayeli smile against my mouth. "I'm glad you finally told me. I love you, Scott. I love you so much."

I pressed my lips against hers, pouring all of my love into that kiss. My heart felt like it was going to explode, and I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her closer to me. I rested a hand on her belly, spreading my fingers wide. She wasn'tshowing yet, but it just felt right to include our pup in the moment. I loved this woman more than anything, and I'd never let her go. Not now, not ever.

"I love you too, Nayeli Jones."

"Nayeli Nevada," she corrected with a giggle.

"Ah, that's right. Nayeli Nevada. It had a good ring to it, doesn't it?"

Epilogue - Nayeli

It was a cool fall morning, but I was determined to make the most of the sunshine before I was trapped inside, huge and pregnant for the winter. There were a handful of wolves, both Shadowbay and Saltfang, outside setting up for the baby shower, and I'd been run off multiple times for trying to help.

My belly had grown larger, and I couldn't help but smile as I ran my hand over the bump, feeling the life growing inside of me. Our pup, a reminder of everything Scott and I had been through to find each other.

Things were...better. The pack alliance had changed with Jayce's addition, but he and his pack proved to be hard workers, and they had no problem following the rules laid out by the other three packs. I'd worked closely with a few of the Omegas with magic from the Blacktide pack, and it had given me a different perspective on my powers. Kiera's experience was similar to mine, where she found her magic later in life. Learning from someone who had been training for decades was enlightening.

But it wasn't just the pack alliance that had changed. The Shadowbay pack as a whole had changed, too. The strides that they had made since Scott announced that the women of the pack would become equal had continued, and a few she-wolves were rising in the ranks that demanded respect from everyone around them. It was inspiring.

Omegas weren't treated as second-class citizens, and the male wolves that had been bothering Rhie were finally forced to leave her alone. I still hadn't discovered why she was an outcast, but I was more worried about making sure she felt welcome.

Gwen had come to stay with us for a while when it became clear that Scott would be out of the house more often becauseof the new alliance changes. She seemed eager to do so, moving into Scott's place to help me prepare the nursery for the baby. I also thought that Scott had brought her in to help keep me out of trouble, but neither of them would admit it. I didn't care either way; I was just happy to have my friend and a little piece of my old pack around.

It was Gwen and Kiera, of course, who had planned the baby shower. They'd tried to get me to leave and go to the spa while they were setting up, but I didn't want to go to the damn spa. I wanted to be in the center of the action. They'd forced me to sit down and given me a box of crafting supplies, and told me to make table decorations.

I was halfway through my tenth decoration when someone joined me, and I smiled up at him.

"Here to join me in detention?"

"Yeah," Scott laughed, leaning back in his chair. "The girl I have a crush on is here, and I wanted to keep her company."

I pretended to fan myself, and he grinned, leaning over the table to kiss me. I could tell it was supposed to be a quick, chaste touch of the lips, but my hormones had been insane in my second trimester, and I couldn't resist pulling him closer.

"Hey, now," he protested without pulling away. "Aren't you supposed to be making decorations?"

"It's just busy work to keep me out of the backyard while they set up." I sat back down and checked my phone, grinning. "We still have two hours. Would you like to help me...um...stretch in the bedroom so I'm not sore later for the celebrations?"

"Nayeli," he growled. "You can't tease me like that."

---