There's no way...Absolutely no way. We always use protection, and I'm on the pill. How can there be two lines? Two! How can I be two weeks late?
I drop the disgusting pee stick into the sink before staring at myself in the mirror.
What am I going to say to Adam? We aren't ready for a baby. Our marriage is so rocky right now, and his parents aren't supportive at all. Out of the seven years of us being together, I can only remember his mother smiling at me twice. And neither were genuine.
I shake my head and force the pessimistic thoughts from my mind. That's not how I should be responding to this news. I should be happy! Overjoyed, even.
"I can do this," I mumble before brushing my flyaways from my face.
I can be a mom. Maybe this baby is what we need. All we have been doing lately is fighting about everything, which isn't us...The fighting all started about the time he became foreman, so I know it is stress-related. Before his new position, we were perfectly happy. Plus, we aren't in the honeymoon stage anymore. We've been married for four years...it's time for a step like this. I should be happy. This is a blessing.
I sigh as I pick the pregnancy test back up. I double-check the results one more time before throwing it away.
Time to call the doctor.
******
My hands fidget as my eyes keep darting towards the clock. Adam should have been home hours ago. Dinner is cold and spoiled, as is my attitude. I'm pissed. I have messaged him at least fifty times and called twenty.
When he is this late, he normally has the decency to shoot me a text. But I guess our last argument has him giving me the cold shoulder, which is something he does. When things don't go just his way, he always gives me the silent treatment.
Finally, the gravel crunches in the driveway, and I stand up—the truck door slams, and the uneasy feeling in my stomach doubles. I hope he didn't go drinking with the crew. He isn't a pleasant drunk, and my news needs to be delivered when he has a level-head.
We have never had an honest conversation about having kids, and as far as he is concerned, conception isn't possible due to how much protection we use. I'm afraid he is going to say the child isn't his....or he doesn't want kids, which is going to lead to an even bigger fight because I am not aborting.
The door swings open, and the face I fell in love with in high school comes in frowning. I sigh a little. Every instinct in my body is saying this isn't going to go well. But I have to get it out. We have to discuss this.
"Adam," I question, and his blue eyes roll as he is forced to acknowledge me.
He runs his hand through his messy brown hair and takes an aggressive stance next to the door before answering me.
"Not now, Sam. Whatever it is you want to bitch about, not now," Adam snaps, and I cringe due to the blatant disdain in his voice.
"Adam, we really need to talk. I know it's late, but I have some things I need to say," I reply, letting my voice drop a little.
I hate how he makes me feel sometimes. I hate that my voice becomes passive and appeasing when he barks at me. But we weren't always like this. He used to treat me like a queen. He never raised his voice, and he never put me down. He used to shower me with compliments; now, I'm lucky if I get a kiss goodbye in the morning.
"Fuck Samantha, this is why I hate walking through the front door. Every fucking second in this house, I have to listen to you nag. What is it tonight? I came home late? Hell yeah, I did. I'm a grown-ass man. You are my wife, not my keeper. I went out with the guys, and you know what...I shouldn't have even come home," He yells, and my mouth falls open.
Tears sting my eyes as he glares at me. And when they fall, he scoffs.
"Great. Now I'm the bad guy. Fuck this. I'm going to stay at my parents. See you tomorrow," he grumbles before turning right back around and walking out our one-story ranch-style home.
*****
I push the plastics lid down on the Tupperware and place it in the insulated bag. I can't remember the last time I made Adam lunch and took it to the job site, but it's time I did. We need a good icebreaker, and my homemade spinach pasta has never let me down before.
I smile to myself as I load the sides in the bag. I made all his favorites and even wrote him a long letter just in case he is too busy to speak with me when I drop by. I've really missed doing sweet things like this for him.
Before leaving, I check my appearance in the bathroom mirror. I took extra care to look pretty today. I curled my natural strawberry blonde hair and applied makeup that makes my bright green eyes pop. My dress is white, form-fitting, and deep cut to show my c-cup breasts...a part of my body I know he loves.
I smile at my appearance. It's been a while since I tried to look good, and I think I forgot how nice I can look. In school, I was popular solely because of my looks, and it is the thing that definitely caught Adam's attention. I know that because I didn't have anything else going for me. I was an orphaned ward of the state, wearing hand-me-downs and holey shoes. But my bad style and poor background didn't matter to Adam, who comes from a very wealthy family, no he was happy to have me. I was the girl every guy had asked out but who had turned every one of them down. I was the unattainable Samantha Layne, the clean-faced angel, according to some. And Adam Polk was the guy who got me. The only guy I wanted.
Adam was every girl's dream guy in high school. He was built like a male model with glossy brown hair and sparkling blue eyes, and when I first saw him, I was hooked. I didn't care about the fact he came from money, no matter what his mother believes. I loved his smile, his laugh, and his chiseled chest. I also loved how Adam seemed just as happy to call me his as I was to call him mine.
I remember how Adam would proudly walk through the halls holding my hand. I remember how his buddies used to give him high fives when we would kiss... When did I stop trying to look nice for him? No wonder he has only touched me a few times in the past six months. I need to up my game. If I try to do better, Adam will most likely do the same. We can repair our relationship before our baby ever even arrives.
I smile as I grab his lunch and head for my little red Toyota Adam got me when he was promoted.
This is it. I'm going to tell my husband we are expecting. I am going to go back to caring about the little things. That way coming home will be a joyous event for him and not a chore.
******
I pull into the site with a wide smile on my face. Adam worked hard to become the foreman of his father's commercial construction company. Mr. Polk hadn't just handed over the title to his eldest son; he has made Adam start at the bottom and work his way up. That way, the crew would respect him, and he would actually know what he was talking about.
I park my car next to the mobile trailer Adam uses as an office and smile at the faces I recognize who walk past me. The men seemed shocked to see me, and that stings a little. I really have been letting Adam down.
I push the thought down and widen my smile as I grab Adam's lunch. I need to show everyone, including him, how proud I am to be his wife. I need to show them I'm not some nagging housewife who doesn't appreciate him. I love him. I want this to work, and if I have to humble myself a bit to repair what we have, I will. The last thing I want to do is prove his mother right.
I chuckle to myself as I open my car door and head for the trailer. Just the thought of how happy his mother would be is encouraging. I open the mobile trailer's door with a satisfied smile, and one thought running through my mind, "sorry Margaret, but you won't be proved right anytime soon."
My happiness and self-confidence instantly fade as my eyes take in Adam groping and kissing a skinny brunette. His hands are traveling her body as if they have never felt a woman before, and his tongue has to be licking her tonsils.
"Adam," I whisper before I can stop myself, and my husband jumps.
He pushes her away and meets my shocked eyes with a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar expression.
"Samantha," he whispers, and the brunette looks between the two of us with a confused expression.
"Adam...who is she," she asks after a brief moment of us staring at each other.
I turn my gaze towards her now annoyed face. Red hot rage like I have never felt before blooms in my chest as I look her over. She obviously comes from money. She has diamonds in her ears, diamonds on her neck, and diamonds around her wrist. Her dress is exceptionally slutty, and it shows off her fake breasts beautifully. Her hair is long, but I can see part of an extension due to my husband's hands running through her hair. She is exactly what my mother-in-law has always wanted for her baby boy—a fake high-class bimbo. Fine...as my heart breaks, my old defenses return.
I turn my gaze back to my husband as I respond.
"I am Adam's wife. Samantha Polk," I answer while stepping towards his desk.
I make sure to pose perfectly as I present her with my all-natural side profile. I know I look good. I work out four times a week to ensure that I do. I monitor my diet, so I can make sure I don't become the fat-cow my mother-in-law said I would become..... I can even wear clothes from junior year in high school. My breasts are natural, soft, and perky. My ass is lifted and so toned you can bounce a quarter off it... I guess Adam forgot what was under my sweats...I guess he forgot how I can make him drool.
For once in over a year, I feel the old Samantha. I feel tough. I feel like the orphaned girl with the backbone made of steel. I feel ready to show him just what he threw away. I push my anger forward to block out my sadness. When I leave here, I will cry. When I leave here, I will break down. But for right now, Adam is going to get the tough "I know I am hot," Samantha he married. No more passive verbally abused broken housewife! No more, "what can I do to improve our marriage!" I am going to be a mother! I need to be tough!
"Who are you," I ask while turning back towards her wide-eyed stare.
Adam steps towards me, but I hold up my hand. I look into his eyes with the same disdain he gave me last night, and I see him cringe just as I did. I shift my gaze back towards the home wrecker.
"Kelly O'Neil, I am Adam's girlfriend! We have been together for six months," she snaps, and I raise my eyebrow before looking back at Adam.
His eyes are trailing over me, and I smirk. Perfect.
"Is that so," I say, and he meets my hard green eyes.
"Sam, please...I can explain," he says, and I throw my head back to laugh.
I make sure to be extra dramatic as I laugh my pain away. I even wipe away a nonexistent tear as I bring my face back down.
"I think I can explain for you," I reply before flipping my hair back to guarantee my breasts are in full view.
"You probably went to your mother after one of our fights...you probably complained about me and your precious all-knowing mother talked down about me. Then a short time after, she introduced you to miss slut here...You being a good man, fought your attraction to her. But as we fought more and more at home, you decided to hell with working through our marriage. You called up miss mommy approved bimbo and started to get you some on the side...... Well, don't let me ruin your good time Adam.....I just came by to talk about the thing I wanted to discuss last night. You know the thing that made you cuss me out and storm back out of our house. The excuse you used to go get right back in between her legs!..... I'm Pregnant," I announce as his face loses its remaining color.
"What," Adam whispers, and I smirk.
"Yup. Well, enjoy your lunch. It's all your favorites. I will be sure to give Kelly the recipes so she can make them for you from now on.....oh, and she can have this too. The diamond is a little small for her taste, judging from the size of the stones already on her," I reply as I slide off the ring I chose.
I place it on top of his lunch bag and give the two of them my best smile.
"Well, continue," I say as I turn to leave.
Adam grabs my arm before I can escape but drops it as soon as I look at him.
"Pregnant? How? We use protection," Adam asks, and I roll my eyes.
"Doesn't matter how," I growl, and he frowns before Kelly's squeaky voice erupts from behind me, cutting into our discussion as if it belongs there.
"Pregnant? Adam! You cheated on me," Kelly shrieks, and my soon-to-be ex-husband's eyebrows crease.
He turns towards her to say something, but before he can, I respond to little miss deluded.
"Are you looking at me, honey? Of course, he slept with me while with you. No part of you is better than me," I sneer, and her mouth hangs open.
I turn back to Adam just as he turns back to me. Our eyes lock, and I can see the shame and regret growing within him. I internally smirk before delivering the final blow.
"And don't worry, Adam. I remember every word of the prenup your mother made me sign. The baby is definitely yours. DNA will have no problem proving it, and since you were the one caught sleeping around, I get everything. Including fifty percent of this company when your father hands it over. I guess mommy dearest forgot that part when she introduced you to Ms. O'Niel," I explain snarkily.
When I go to leave this time, he lets me, and the last little piece of my heart shatters. The crew, who looked shocked to see me avoid my eyes as I head to my car. I guess I assumed wrong when I pulled up. They weren't shocked to see me here. They were wide-eyed because they knew what scene I was about to walk in on.
I get into my car and slam the door. As I start it, I look back toward the trailer to see Adam watching me. As a final parting gift, I flip him off. I put my car in reverse and punch the gas. Gravel flies as I flee the scene of soul-shattering destruction.
Goodbye, Adam Polk.
I gulp down my Dr. Pepper almost desperately before grabbing another one of Adam's shirts. I place my glass down before picking up my Ralph Lauren perfume bottle. I spray the collar just like I've done all the others and hang it back up. Even though every cell in my body is calling for violence and destruction, I fight it. If I destroy his stuff the way I want to, he will know how hurt I am. How utterly broken I am, and I refuse to give him the satisfaction. He doesn't deserve my love or my tears. What he deserves is endless hours of smelling me. Endless hours filled with missing me. I have decided he is nothing but a weak coward who still hides in his mother's skirts. No matter how hard his father pushed the importance of family and tradition on him, I guess it wasn't enough. It only took six months of hard times for him to cheat. Because "precious" Kelly said they had been together for six months and our fighting only
It's done. I'm free. Finally! I sigh as I stand to my feet. Happiness is pulsing, ready to erupt right under my skin, but I contain it. I need to remain dignified since the enemy hasn't left the courtroom. I straighten my pencil skirt and push a stray curl behind my ear. I offer Mr. Hedge my hand, and I give him a big smile. "We did it, sir," I say, and he returns my smile and handshake before refocusing on gathering his notes. "We sure did. It wasn't easy, but we did it. You have officially divorced Mr. Polk and are once again a free woman. If there is...Oh yes, umm, Ms. Layne, tomorrow, could you stop by my office around 3 pm. A few days ago, I was contacted over a separate matter that I need to discuss with you," Mr.Hedge says as if he just remembered the separate thing we needed to discuss. He packs up the few documents left on the table, and my brain panic
I stand up and stretch my back before rubbing my rounding stomach. I let out a long whistle as I take in my surroundings. This place is beautiful! Beautiful and big. I have no idea how I will take care of the house, let alone the land, but it was too good of an opportunity to pass up. I press my hand to my forehead to cancel out the setting sun and smile. The rustic mansion isn't just beautiful; it is gorgeous, and the backdrop is something you would see on a postcard. I still can't believe this is all mine. When I contacted the lawyers handling Hazel Layne's estate, aka my grandmother, I learned about the size of the house and how much money I was inheriting. When the lawyer had informed me I would be receiving just under 63 million after taxes, I fainted. I don't know the story behind my father's family and where their money came from, but I know I am a millionaire—a millionaire with no ide
PLEASE LEAVE REVIEWS IT HELPS MY STORIES!!! I NEED TO KNOW WHERE I CAN IMPROVE OR WHAT I AM DOING RIGHT. THANK YOU DANIEL POV (A few weeks before Samantha moves to Wyoming) "I don't care. I don't know why you insist on looking for a Layne spawn after all these years, but I told you before, and I will tell you again. Leave me out of it," I snarl before my fraternal town brother can say another word on the matter. I grab a hay bale and toss it effortlessly into the stall of my favorite gelding. Stanley follows me to the next stall, and I grind my teeth together. "Dan, stop! This is serious. This isn't like the old days when territories could transfer hands without humans knowing. The land is still in the Layne name. I had to make sure there wasn't a single living descendant before we could purchase it. Dad did have me go into law for a reason, you know. We have to keep shifters secret. You being a fucking hot-head isn't going to cut it," Stan snaps, and I freeze. My co
SAM POV "Coming," I call as I quickly make my way to the front door. I don't want to keep my rescuer waiting, and I especially don't want to spend another minute in this house alone. Forty-five minutes of hiding under a comforter that would do very little to protect me from claws were enough. When I get to the front hall, I smooth back my crazy unbrushed hair as best as possible. I glance down at my clothes and grimace, but I'm not going back upstairs to change. These sweats are comfortable, and I desperately need comfort right now. I place a believable smile on my face and swing the door open to greet Daniel Gray, but as soon as he comes into view, I wish I was back upstairs under my protective layer. The tall piece of man-candy standing at my door looks as if he wants to eat me. His blue eyes are ablaze with so much ag
"This place is beautiful," I whisper as Daniel pulls in front of a house similar to mine. He gives me a broad smile before unbuckling his seatbelt...and mine. "Not as nice as yours. I'm guessing you haven't checked out your barn," Daniel says before hopping out and heading around the front of the truck. He opens my door, and I tilt my head curiously. "There is a barn on my property," I ask, and he nods while offering me his hand. I take it and get out, but my wheels are still turning. "How do you know that," I ask, and he looks a little shocked by my question. He grabs my bag from the floorboard and closes the door to the truck before answering me. "We used to stay on that land. Mrs. Layne was over there by herself, so we tended the land and helped out," he replies while trying to seem distracted.
DANIEL POV "So Samantha Layne is your mate," Stan asks before throwing the rock across the smooth water. "Yes," I whisper as the light wind gently blows through the trees. Sweat and dirt tickle my skin, but I ignore them. My body is pulsing with emotions I have never felt before, and they are so intense I couldn't even enjoy our pack run tonight. A run we should have done before Samantha even moved here, but we didn't. It's been weeks since we went for a good run. The Gray pack needed to get out, and the park rangers needed us to do our job. So even though Samantha being here is risky, we felt since she was sleeping, it was the perfect time. "What are you going to do? She doesn't know anything about shifters, let alone mates. Plus, she seems super skittish," Stan asks while our packmates wrestle around in wolf form ten yards aw
SAMANTHA POV Tracking down a bathroom in a huge unfamiliar house while trying to be as quiet as possible is hard. I tried holding my weak morning bladder for as long as possible, but it's still only seven-thirty....much too early to wake up a house full of people playing gracious hosts. My foot finds a squeaky spot on the floor, and I freeze. Damn... The sun isn't even up, and I'm going to wake up the whole house because my child has decided my bladder is its pillow. After a few seconds of holding my breath and staying perfectly still, I take another cautious step forward. I shift my weight to avoid making the floor cry out again just as the closed-door I am creeping past opens. A smirking gorgeous woman, and I lock eyes as my foot touches back down on the floor. After a moment of her staring at me in amusement, I strai
SAMANTHA POV Oh God, what have I done? I scream the thought to myself as I follow Daniel's scent trail into the old pine forest. It's been hours since he left. I tried to give him time to cool off and come back to me, but I think that was a bad idea. I need to find him. I never meant to hurt him or behave as if I am unhappy to be pregnant again. I'm just stressed. Angelica is amazing, but she is a lot of work. If we didn't have the pack's help, I have no idea how I would get everything done. And I don't even do that much. I also wasn't a massive fan of being pregnant the first time. Yes, it was a magical experience, but I disliked all the heightened dramatic emotions that made me not act like myself. Plus, being that big is extremely uncomfortable. You can't sleep or even walk without experiencing growing pains. I hit an area in the forest that is denser than the others, and I decide to shift. He should be close enough to hear me yell. "DANIEL," I yell out with m
DANIEL POV "No, Boyd and Mike went over to Andrew's. They are helping him move his larger furniture. The movers delivered his stuff before we arrived," I answer as I pat my favorite horse. I have missed the smells and sounds of home so much. It's so peaceful here compared to Florida. Florida is awful, to be honest. I have no idea why humans retire there. It smells of mold and dirty water. It's humid and loud. Plus, it's the home to alligators. I leave the stall and head for the tack room. I want to check on everything. Not because I don't trust my men, but because I have missed doing it. I have missed the routine and the scents of Wyoming. I have missed working away my stress. "That's nice. Is Andrew comfortable with that," Stanley asks as he follows me with his hands tucked in his pockets. "Yeah. He commente
SAMANTHA POV It's been a week since Margaret Polk's body was found, and you would think we would be over it, but we aren't. The funeral is today, and I have no idea how I am going to hold myself together. All week the press has been harassing and torturing Andrew with in-depth questions that tear at my heart. They ask him what drove his son to murder. They ask him whether he abused his wife or son. They asked him if Adam and Margaret were having an incestuous affair. They ask him if Kelly O'Neal was a part of the relationship. You name it, they have asked it. When they tried to bring Angelica and me into it, he shuts them down. He denied them any further interviews and said if anyone went near us, he would sue. All in all, it's been an absolute nightmare. "Love, I believe Boyd is all set with all of Angelica's things, but I might be wrong. He has four bottles, two pacifiers, a change of clothes, and a crap ton of diapers... Is there anything else you can think of that he might
BENJI POV Mariah leans in a little closer as Lauren continues to eye her suspiciously from across the table. My anger towards the pregnant female grows. The other members have all moved past the fact that she is here, but Lauren is refusing. She is purposefully making Mariah feel uncomfortable, and I am ready to tear her hormonal head off. The only people that needed to accept Mariah were Luna and me. Lauren needs to realize we have accepted Mariah as a pack member. My mark is on her flesh. "The Hay sold, so that's a relief. I spoke to a couple of companies about the foundation of our future home, but without a set blueprint, they can't move forward," Stanley says, and Finley nods while swallowing his bite of brisket. "I'm sure Luna will move forward with the house once she returns. Right now is a stressful time," Finley says, and the stiffness in Stanley's shoulders eases. His face creases with sympathetic emotions, and we all feel that familiar pinch of sadness for wh
DANIEL POV "This seems promising. There is an off-road path to the water here," Boyd says, and I nod. "Roll down the window. See if you can smell anything," I urge, and he instantly follows the order. He closes his eyes and inhales the outside air as we slowly drive down the dirt/grass road. After about two seconds, his eyes snap back open. "She's here....and not just her normal smell. Her body is still here. This whole area smells like death," Boyd whispers, and I roll down my window. As soon as the first wave of air enters the car, I smell it. I smell death and decay emitting from somewhere nearby. I slowly stop the car. Boyd and I climb out in silence. The pit of my stomach is tight, and I almost feel nauseous thinking about seeing her. But we have to do this. We have to close the c
DANIEL POV "Sam said he would have chosen a spot with water. He might have been crazy, but he wasn't an idiot," I say as I drop one of Margaret's shirts in the backseat. Boyd and I already familiarized ourselves with her smell, but bringing her scent along will help. "Did he have any special spots," Boyd asks as he rounds the car to the passenger side. I nod as I recall mine and Andrew's private conversation last night. "Yeah. Andrew said he loved to fish. He gave me a list of the most private spots. But the thing is, most of the areas have some pretty big predators. Alligators being the main ones. We might be searching for a body that is being digested. So let's focus on locating her scent. We won't focus on finding the body, just her scent. I think Andrew would benefit from just knowing her final resting place," I say as I s
BENJI POV RATED R I growl as my dominant side pushes forward. Her lips try to keep up with mine, and it makes my fire build. I love that she didn't give up. I love that she refused to just let me walk away. I love that she took charge, but now it's my turn. I need to show her that I do want her. That it was my hurt pride talking. Her words reminded me of my fear when we voted. How I felt knowing if my pack said no, she would have to leave. She is right. I said I wanted her, and I do. I trust that what she is saying now is the truth. It just hurt my pride that she didn't come back for me. I wanted to be the reason. When she brought up everything she did, it made me angry again. It made me forget what I already knew. She is mine! I want her! We will forgive her, and she will earn our trust. I growl as I let my index claw grow. I slice her dirty dress in half at her back, at she gasps. She pulls away to look at me, and I smirk. "Show me what's mine, sexy kitty," I growl,
BENJI POV "Mariah," I say as I open the guest room door. She has been hiding out ever since Lauren blew up, and I need to check on her. I haven't checked on her yet, and I feel like a terrible mate, but it's because I don't know what to do. My heart is torn between loving my mate and loyalty to my pack. I never thought I would have this dilemma. I thought I would meet my mate and she would love me. That's how shifters are. The only time a shifter has to work harder is if their mate is human. They have to win their mate over and reveal their true identity. But a shifter with a shifter mate has nothing to disclose. Both their inner animals call to one another. They love instantly...except in my case. My mate is a secret assassin sent to kill my Luna. Kill my Luna, not because of her crimes, but her family's crimes, which is bullshit. My Luna is an amazing woman. She is strong, loving, and loyal. My mate has been dishonest and withdrawn....ahhhhh. "I'm here," Maria
SAMANTHA POV I don't know why I am so nervous. I mean, Andrew is one of the nicest men I have ever met. He shouldn't blame any of this on me. I know I had no control over Adam's actions. But I also know people who are grieving aren't always rational. He could have warped what happened in his mind, because he is upset about losing his loved ones. I mean, I did kill his son. He could be upset about the way I handled things. He could think I should have used nonlethal force. He could be disappointed that Adam never got his day in court. "Do you think seeing me will be too much for him," I ask Daniel quietly as he follows the rental car's GPS? "What do you mean? Too much? Are you asking about whether he can handle you being a shifter" Daniel asks, giving me a quick glance? "No. No. Well, that too...But umm, I was meaning he might get upset when he sees me. I mean, Adam killed his wife, and now Adam is dead. And Adam is dead because I killed him. Andrew might resent me," I