Page 40 of A Surprise Baby for the Wolf Shifter

“Crying,” I blubbered out.

“Oh, sweetheart,” she softly said, “tell me what happened.”

The tone of her voice told me I had her full attention.

“I’m on my way home,” I started. “This whole trip was a mistake and utter waste of time.”

“Why do you say that?” she asked.

“Are you prepared to be on the phone with me the rest of the way home?” I asked. “Because it might take that long to explain everything.”

“I have my show paused and everything,” she said. “You have my full, undivided attention.”

I spilled everything. Well, everything except for the wild animal part. That portion of things was still difficult for me to accept much less explain. When it came to that part of the discussion, I simply said Weylan’s ex had lost her mind and was trying to get inside to kill me.

For all intents and purposes, thatwasthe case.

Once I pulled into my parking space right outside my apartment, I stared at everything around me. I felt so out of place. Everything still seemed wrong. It didn’t feel like home anymore. The air filtering in from the window also felt colder than normal.

Was anything going to be like it was? Would I ever have a normal life again?

And the guilt? Don’t get me started on that. I started warring with myself on whether or not to turn around and go back. I probably should have given him the chance to explain. If anything, I could have had some closure instead of a list of unanswered questions.

“I’m glad you made it home safe,” Cassidy said. “Do you want me to come over?”

“Would it be too much to ask?” I asked, figuring I didn’t need to be alone. I needed a friend. I needed reassurance.

Most of all, I needed a plan.

“Not at all,” she said. “I’ll grab some of my things and stop at the store for some comfort food. I’ll be there as quickly as I can.”

I sniffed and smiled. “Okay.”

That was another thing about Cassidy that I absolutely adored. She knew exactly what I needed to feel better.

Once we hung up with each other, I hauled my bags back to my apartment. Once I was inside, everything looked the same. But deep inside, I knew I would never be the same again. Instead of getting ready for Cassidy, I took a bath. A nice, long hot one.

Cassidy had the key to my apartment anyway. I simply sent her a text letting her know to let herself in and then treated myself to a small piece of happiness. At least, what little happiness there was left to have. But still, Weylan was never far from my mind, and all I wanted was to forget he ever existed.

16

WEYLAN

Hours later, I was standing on my back patio, looking over the woods as the sun dipped down behind the mountains, creating long shadows, and deepening the black within the trees. A snapping branch alerted me to Tabitha’s approach. I knew it was her because I smelled her scent on the gentle breeze that blew into me. She simply wanted to show off.

I groaned.

Not her again. She was the last person I wanted to deal with.

I couldn’t catch any peace. Especially with her around and Gemma as good as gone.

“Whatever it is you want from me, you’re wasting your time,” I said. “Go away. I’m not in the mood for company.”

She slowly emerged from the trees and stared at me with a smile. “You don’t mean that.”

“Funny how you happen to be the only one convinced of that,” I muttered and turned my back to her. “Go away.”

“I’m only here to talk,” she said. “I’ll behave myself.”

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