Pregnant And Rejected

Chapter 174

Sophie

Lila is sprawled on the sofa in our apartment in Asphodel, flipping through Drake’s photo album. There used to be a time when that album filled me with jealousy. Half of it was occupied with photos of Selene – when she was pregnant with Lila, the early days after the pup had been born. Now it fills me with longing. I want a pup of my own so badly, a dream I never even realized I had until Drake claimed me as his own.

I haven’t confessed this dream to my mate yet, but I know he wants the same thing. He’s been endlessly patient with me, taking every new stage of our relationship one step at a time. One day soon I hope to share this secret with him, but I’m still finding my feet in the new order of things.

As nervous as I was to be given the responsibility of caring for Selene and Bastien’s daughter while they’re away, I’ve come to adore Lila, and even catch myself practicing my own mater nal skills on her. I’m not sure if Drake knows this is the reason I ve been so eager to spend time with her, but he’s more than willing to indulge me either way.

“What do you want to do today, Lila Bean?” | ask, coming to sit beside her.

“I wanna go shopping!” She informs me happily, kicking her pint-sized feet back and forth as she lies on her belly.

“Shopping?!” | exclaim, not the least bit opposed to this idea, “What kind of shopping?”

“For gwocries.” Lila answers promptly. “I wanna cook like ! do with Mommy.”

Of course, I think with resignation. She wants to do the one thing I’m truly terrible at. No matter what Drake says, I know I’m a horrible cook. Thankfully he hired a real chef for Selene’s cafe and re-appointed me as the business manager, otherwise the restaurant would have gone under months ago.

“Alright!” | agree, “But you don’t get to be mad at me when the food doesn’t taste like how your Mommy makes it.” I cau tion the toddler.

“Don’t worry.” Lila giggles, “I show you how.”

For most pups this would probably seem like an over-abun dance of confidence, but Lila knows exactly how well I can cook, and she’s right to think she can do a better job. Poking my head into Drake’s office, I tell him where we’re headed. “Lila and I are off to the store.”

| planned on ducking in and out, but to my surprise, Drake rises from his desk and comes to take my hands in his, “Oh? | was thinking about getting a sitter and taking you out tonight.”

“Really?” | flirt, fluttering my lashes, “because that would probably save us all from food poisoning.”

“I believe in you even if you don’t, you can

| concede, “but I don’t care enough about cooking to put in the effort.” I confess, “if we ever have kids, we’re

wide smile, “Is

in a teasing tone, “most couples dis cuss this sort

more than I love some imaginary future. I

“You can’t say things like that to me when there’s a pup in the next room, Drake.” I

with a grin, “why’s

that would be very difficult to explain to her should she walk in.” | exclaim, turning my cheek when he tries to kiss me. Drake emits a low growl and catches my chin, turning my face back to his and claiming my lips despite my protests. When we part a

his mark and swiping his tongue over the pink scar, “But do me a favor, and

with mild confusion, “Okay,

grins wolfishly, kissing my

liking the idea of staying put much more than I did a mo ment ago.

stare.

my mate requested, we picked out chicken, strawberries and carrots for Lila’s dinner. It was an odd combination,

unpacking out bags, Lila helped me prepare every step of her dinner. Together we sliced the straw berries (her with a very dull plastic knife), roasted the chicken and laid out the carrot sticks. When the chicken was finally done cooking and – to my amazement – actually smelling appetizing, we let it cool before Lila cut it into bite sized pieces too. When her plate was finally

of the dirty dishes to the sink, “What was

don’ want dis.” Lila

lovey?” | ask patiently, “We made this just for you, it’s exactly what you

it.” She repeated, crossing

– logic wasn’t on the table. “Honey, we went shopping for these specific things, you helped make it and cut it all up,

Lila explains,

did you ask for

Lila

my lips. I try to conjure a reasonable reply. I

I try to imagine how difficult it must be for her to be away from both of her parents right now, and feel

complaining to Drake, “She’s a monster. We did exactly what she