Page 68 of Manny's Surprise Baby

“It was reckless.” He chewed his bottom lip, looking worried.

“Yeah.” I cocked my head. “You’re going to be here when I get home tonight. Right?”

He blinked at me. “Is that what you want?”

“Yes.”

“I have to be here for Emily anyways.”

I narrowed my eyes. “That isn’t what I meant.”

“I know.”

I swallowed hard. “It’s going to be okay.”

“Is it?” His voice broke slightly. “Because I feel pretty fucking terrified right now.”

His vulnerability tugged at me. “We’ll make a plan tonight. Maybe then you’ll feel calmer.”

“Maybe.”

I moved to the door. A part of me hated leaving when he was so obviously unnerved by this crazy situation. “You’re not alone. Maybe that sounds cheesy? But to me, the worst part of this would be going through it alone.”

He held my gaze, as he nodded slowly. “Yes. I’ve done that before.”

I frowned. “What do you mean you’ve done it before?” Did he have babies with other alphas? I was shocked at the rush of jealousy that pushed through me at the thought of other alphas being with him the way we’d been together.

“We’ll talk tonight.” His voice was hushed, and he wouldn’t meet my eyes.

“Okay.” Reluctantly, I opened the door. I wanted to stay and figure out why his eyes were a deep, sad blue. I hated leaving him when I could feel he needed me, whether he’d admit it or not.

“And Seth?” His voice wobbled.

I turned to him. “Yes?”

He kept his eyes down as he spoke quietly. “Thank you for saying that… that part about not being alone.”

“Of course.” When he flicked his gaze up and gave a timid smile, it was hard to breathe because my heart squeezed so tight. “I’ll see you tonight.”

“Yep.” He straightened. “See you then.”

His tone was emotionless, but as I walked to my car, I could feel his gaze on me.

Chapter Eleven

Pierce

Feeling nauseated, I went about my day on autopilot. I picked up Emily from school and helped her with her homework. She was bouncing off the walls happy after her sleepover. She was like a different kid in a way. I listened to her chatter about all the things they’d done last night, but all I could think about was the baby growing inside of me.

But it would have been impossible to forget I was pregnant, seeing as I’d spent much of the morning puking. I’d also spent a lot of energy trying to reassure myself that Seth was nothing like Baxter, and that this baby I carried would be safe. It was hard to shake the feelings of dread that attacked me. After all, I’d been through this first part before, and the alpha in charge of me and my unborn baby’s safety had been my worst nightmare.

“Are you feeling okay?” Emily’s soft voice cut into my dreary thoughts.

I sat up straighter and nodded. “Yes. Of course.”

“You look a little pale, and you had a big frown on your face.” She chewed her lower lip, watching me closely.

“I think I have a touch of the flu,” I lied.