TEGAN'S P.O.V
I went to a doctor I once heard of to get some prenatal medication and an ultrasound.
I was right on track by measuring just a little over a few weeks pregnant. I found out a week ago through blood tests. Strangely, werewolf pregnancies only last 3 months, which means we also detect our pregnancy early too. Lucky for me, I still had plenty of time to find a job, get a suitable home, and get all the required items for a baby before he or she gets here.
It was close to dinner time, and I was tired of eating room service secluded. Therefore, I decided today I would go down to the hotel's fancy restaurant to dine instead. As I opened my door, a chiming sound sounded out. The room's door next to mine immediately opened up, revealing Tanner.
"Did you alarm my door?"
"How else am I to know if you are leaving without standing guard outside of your door 24/7? I am ordered to be at your side, so that is what I am going to do."
"I don't need an escort to go get dinner."
"Alpha thinks otherwise."
"Fuck your Alpha." I stated, making the muscles on his face tighten, yet he did not respond to it.
"I am going to be like a fly on the wall, you won't even know I am there."
"Not the first time I've heard that statement." I said as I walked past him down the hall to the elevator, him following closely behind me.
Once downstairs, I headed straight to the big double-doored restaurant where the delicious smells poured out, making my mouth water with delight.
"Hello Ma'am. Table for two?"
"We will dine at separate tables, but they need to be close to one another." Tanner spoke out, making me roll my eyes. So much for a fly on the wall.
"Very well, follow me." The host said as we both followed her to the back.
"Is it always this busy?" I asked curiously as we walked through the busy restaurant.
"Not normally this busy. There is a conference in town, so we are a little more busy than normal. This will be your table, ma'am. Please take a seat, your waitress will be with you shortly. And you can sit here sir." She said, placing him just one table over, handing us both menus.
"Thank you." I said as the waitress walked up to take my drink order. Once she had disappeared, I began to look over the options.
"I hear the steak is to die for." A husky voice spoke out. I laid down the menu to look up. Meeting a set of familiar brown eyes.
"Alpha Liam, to what do I owe the pleasure?" I asked politely.
"I am in town for the weekend for the conference. May I ask the same of you?"
"Just dining out."
"Without your mate?" He asked before looking around.
"Keep walking buddy." Tanner said as he stood up from his chair.
Liam turned around with a smile on his face.
"And why would I do that? I am simply just talking to the pretty lady."
"You are talking to the Queen, show some respect." He said as his eyes changed colors. I was unsure which animal wanted to come play.
"Don't get your boxers in a bunch, I was only being polite." Liam said, before turning his charming smile back at me.
"It is fine, Tanner. Liam is welcome to join me if he wants to." I said, looking between them.
"Sounds lovely." Liam responded as he took a seat across from me, making Tanner let out a threatening growl. Liam took no offense as he got comfortable. "May I?" He asked, pointing to my menu.
"Sure, I hear the steak is to die for." I said, handing him the menu, making him laugh.
"So, where is Alpha Ezra? If I were him, I wouldn't let my mate walk around without me."
"I am sure that were true, if he and I were mates still."
"What do you mean?"
"I am no longer his mate; therefore, I am no longer his problem." I stated bluntly without showing my emotions.
Luckily, I have had a week to control those hormonal emotions and could now speak about it freely without breaking down.
"Hmm, his loss. I was wondering why you smelt so divine. Moreso than you did on your wedding night."
"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.
"Did you accept Alpha Ezra's rejection?"
"What makes you think I didn't reject him?"
"Because if you had, you would be able to sense our connection. Without acceptance, it is hindering your senses. Therefore, you cannot sense who I am."
"And who are you?" I asked with a laugh.
"Your second-chance mate, of course." He said, making me spit out my drink.
"Excuse me, what?" I asked dumbfounded.
"I had a feeling the night I met you that you were someone special to me. Now that you are no longer vowed to one another, I know why. Because you belong to me."
"I belong to you?"
"Not like that, that came out wrong. I meant you're my mate."
"I don't want another mate." I said bluntly, making his face turn sour.
"Well, it looks like the goddess had other plans for you because here I am."
"Liam, no offense, but I am not in a place to accept another mate, plus I don't feel that sort of connection to you."
"Once you accept the rejection, you will."
"And if I don't want to?" I asked challengingly.
"You don't want to accept his rejection?"
"I mean, if I don't want to feel this mate bond connection."
"I ask you not to give up without giving me a chance. Say you'll give me a chance?"
"We can have dinner. We can get to know one another, then if I think it is the right choice, I will accept it. But if I don't, then we will reject one another?" He was right, I needed to give it a chance.
"And if I don't want to?"
"Truthfully, I don't care. It is my choice this time." I said bluntly.
"Then you will come to live with me."
"I will do no such thing. I will remain here. You can come to me, or we can meet elsewhere, but I will not live in your pack."
"You will have round the clock guards then."
"Already got one." I said as my eyes shot over to Tanner.
"From my pack." Liam hissed out.
"There is one condition you should know before you try swooning me to be your mate."
"What's that?" He asked.
"I am pregnant."
"Ezra rejected his pregnant mate?" Liam about laughed out, making me bite my lip to not say something disrespectful.
"Is that a deal breaker?" I managed to get out.
"Absolutely not, it's even better." He said as a grin spread across his face, making my skin crawl, but not in a good way.
He was up to something, even if I didn't want to be his mate, I wanted to find out what it was.