m

ee

Rayne rejected me, and I fe

were excruciating-I avoided eye contact, ignored the curious glances, and hurried back before anyone could ask me

ment. I stared at the cracks in the ceiling, the chipped paint on the walls, and the worn floorboards, a

on't want you, Amber. I never did." The way he'd thrown money at me, like

the thin mat. I clutched my stomach, my fingers trembli

st eve

he only friend I'd ever had, was gone. He hated me n

bout the pregnancy. And if he did know... my stomach churned at the thought. The way he'd re

d in, stayed safe in the shadows where I belonged, none of this would have happened. I wouldn't have bet

softly. "I just want it all to go awa

oice cut through my despa

y face deeper into the

re crying for three days. This isn't goo

f guilt through me, but I cou

her tone firm. "You need to stop wallowing

ed bitterly. "There is no n

ou still have a future. You just need to

weight of her words

. Get out of this room. Get out of this shelte

stomach churn. "I can't," I wh

. "But hiding isn't going to fix anything. I

as I hated to admit it.

's shared bathroom. The air was damp and cold, the tiled floor freezing against my bare feet. The water was ice cold,

towel and stepped into the hallway, keeping

voice called, stop

blonde hair falling in soft waves around her shoulders, her hazel eyes sharp and observant. Marilyn alwa

asked h

ealized with a jolt of panic that I'

" she asked,

d to cover the bond mark. "I

yebrow. "That's a mate mark. What are

explanation. "It's... complicate

azel eyes narrowing. "Complicated? Figure it ou

yself to keep my composure. "Wh

her gaze unwavering. "Yo

opped. "What?

patch you're always wearing, but I've seen the way you move. The way you hold your stomach without realizi

, my voice trembling.

t have to. Pregnancy isn't something you can hide, Am

gger to my chest, b

and Omegas with young kids aren't allowed to stay here