Total pages in book: 203
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
I have to steel myself against the sensations these words evoke, because I can have a bigger purpose in life than being someone’s wife and broodmare, so I change the subject. “Is Sherry confirmed as pregnant?”
“You didn’t let me finish. Bailey, you’re not just Jase’s to be there for him. You’re meant to be here for all of us, using your skills to help in a variety of situations. And that includes helping out all the females coming into the pack to mate with their council alpha. As for Sherry, don’t know. But she hasn’t left town and she has an appointment with Cat the day after tomorrow. Maybe that child has a higher calling. Maybe that’s why Sherry and Wyatt mated.”
“Sherry plans to terminate,” I say.
And now there’s yipping again. I look around to try and find the source.
“Yeah, well, if she is pregnant, maybe the stars will align in a way that the termination doesn’t happen.”
I frown.
“Had a dream about it. Not sure if it’s a prophesy or what,” he says. “Gonna talk to Ronnie about it. Get her to lay hands on Sherry at Cat’s. Ronnie’s a little spent from the Jared ordeal, so if she needs more time, I’ll channel her and read Sherry myself.”
Before I can respond, his phone is ringing. He pulls it from his car and glances at the screen before he answers with, “Hey Jase.”
And here’s my cue to leave. I back up, waving, wanting out of here before I can hear anything they’re saying. I put my fingers into my ears.
“One sec, bro,” Greyson says while he watches me start up and leave.
Where am I going? How can I kill time until this meeting in a way that allows me to avoid the subject? Because it’s all anyone around here will be willing to talk about. And will Jase even show up?
And I have another question, too, so I decide on my next stop.
***
When I walk into Cat’s clinic, she’s just finishing up with Lorraine King who has her baby in her arms, her toddler son following.
Lorraine brightens. “Bailey! Oh my goodness, how are you doing?”
Lorraine is looking for signs of a mate mark. A mate mark that I probably won’t ever have.
A sharp yip pierces my ears.
“Do you hear a pup?” I check.
Her toddler son starts barking, and it’s a similar sound to what I’ve been hearing, but it’s not this little tyke that’s been hitting my ears since yesterday.
“Yes, like that!” I say, forcing a smile and ruffling his hair.
Annoyed, the little guy backs away, smoothing his hair back into place.
“Puppet show?” he asks as Lorraine answers,
“No, I don’t hear a pup. Other than Austin here, I mean.”
“Go to the lie-barry for a puppet show?” Austin asks.
He’s staring at me. Not a surprise. I’m practically famous around these parts with the segment of the pack’s population that are below age six.
“I’m not doing a puppet show today, Austin,” I tell him. “Maybe soon. I’ll let your momma know when I am, okay?”
He pouts, pushing his bottom lip out so far it’s obvious that this generally works.
The baby in Lorraine’s arms starts fussing as Cat comes out of her procedure room.
“Bailey!” Cat greets sunnily.
“Can I talk to you? Is this a bad time?”
“Go on in,” she gestures. “I’ve got an hour lull before my next appointment. I’m just zipping upstairs for a cuppa tea. Want one?”
“Yes please,” I say, enthusiastically.
“Bye Lorraine,” I wave as the door is closing.
Lorraine looks disappointed that she won’t get any gossip from me. I’m not surprised she’s curious about whatever might be going on. I know I’d be curious if I was on the outside of my situation.
I might even silently judge me for it. I can’t recall if I saw Lorraine’s name on the petition or not, which has me thinking I should look at the signatures. How many think I should just give in to Jase? Instead of a petition, since it probably won’t add any weight to my case with the SCC, maybe I should’ve run a poll to find out who is and isn’t on my side. Though, I’ve never cared all that much what other people think, I’ve always loved data. Then again, this data might not work in my favor so maybe it’s better that I don’t know.
Cat comes in while I’m pondering this, sitting on the exam table and swinging my legs as if I’m waiting for a check-up. And in a way, I guess I am.
She sets a tray with two teacups and a plate of sugar cookies down on her desk.
“How are you doing?” she asks, warmth in her eyes. Warmth and knowing. She obviously knows I’m not doing well.
“Not so good. Medically, I think I’m okay, but… I might be going crazy.”
“Let’s take your vitals to be sure while we have a little talk.”