Page 67

“Hi…” I trailed off lamely.

“You haven’t been by the house in a while. Joey’s been pouting all over the place.” As he spoke, he wrapped an arm around my waist, kissing the top of my head in a move that made my insides mushy.

“I’m sorry—I’ve just been trying to catch up after my surprise week off. I know you guys have been busy with Joey starting the new school year.”

Gideon nodded. “That makes sense, but you know you’re welcome. I…” He trailed off, his gaze locked on my shopping basket.

Where the pregnancy test just so happened to sit, like a big glowing beacon, screamingthis omega is totally knocked up.

“Bethany?” he asked, his voice dangerously low.

“I, uh…I need to get going. It was nice seeing you,” I said, injecting my voice with lots of fake cheer as I went to turn away and make a beeline to the checkout.

A hand wrapped around my wrist, turning me back and halting me in my tracks.

Gideon didn’t look happy, not at all.

“Are you pregnant?” he asked in a low voice.

“I don’t know! That’s why I got the test. I’m probably being silly, but I’ve been sick a few times.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” he asked, his voice low and controlled.

“Because there’s nothing to tell,” I said, attempting to tug my hand out of his grip and failing miserably.

“If you’re taking a pregnancy test, then there is something to tell.”

“No, I’m probably being paranoid.”

Gideon was thoughtful for a moment, taking the basket out of my hand, ignoring my complaints.

“What are you doing? Give me that back!”

He shook his head. “We’re going to go check out, and then we’re going back to the pack house, and you are taking these tests.”

I spluttered, following him as he strode toward the cash registers. He really wanted me to go back to his house to take the tests?

That was ludicrous.

“I can pee on a stick in my own home,” I assured him in an annoyed whisper. I would have shouted, but I didn’t really want to be screaming about peeing on sticks in the middle of a grocery store.

Gideon gave me a firm look, and deep down, I knew that resistance was futile. He had a stubborn set to his jaw that made it clear he was not going to back down.

That’s what I got for going to the fancy grocery store.

Jensen and Cullen were waiting for us the moment we arrived. Thank god it was the middle of the day and Joey would be at school. I hardly spoke to Gideon the entire drive, crossing my arms and glaring at him occasionally to let him know just how displeased I was. My ire seemed to bounce off him as he simply stared forward at the road.

“Is it true?” Jensen asked, rushing forward when he saw me.

I turned to Gideon. “When on earth did you have time to message them?” I asked incredulously.

“I texted them while you were getting in the car.”

Stupid bossy, controlling alpha.

I huffed, turning to them. Jensen had a large grin on his face and Cullen didn’t seem that stressed either.

“Look, I’ve been slightly averse to a few foods recently and thought I would take a test. It’s seriously unlikely that I’m pregnant. Gideon is blowing this so far out of proportion.”