Lone Wolf (Wilde Brothers Ranch #6)- Scarlett Grove Page 0,23

time seemed to stand still. But then he was in front of her door, taking long breaths and trying to calm down enough to gain the courage to knock. He lifted his fist to rap on the door. But it swung open before he had a chance.

She stood there before him, her eyes wide with shock. The smell of his mate hit him like a slap in the face. His inner wolf howled with frantic need. He took in the sight of her and the smell of her. It all rolled together in one resounding clang of awareness. The scent of her body, the rounding of her belly, and the flush in her cheeks… His mate was with child.

“Dylan,” she said in a low voice. “How did you find me?”

13

“What are you doing here?” she asked, cold dread seeping through her skin.

“Annie…”

“You shouldn't have come,” she said, her hands trembling.

“You're pregnant,” he stammered. “How did this happen?”

“How do you think it happened?” she snapped.

“It's mine?” he said with a thick voice.

“Of course it is.”

“Why didn't you tell me?”

She let out a deep, ragged sigh and stepped back, opening the door for him to come in. He slowly walked through the entrance, and she closed the door behind him. He stood stone-still, like a statue in her entrance hall.

She brushed past him, her lips tight and her teeth clenched. She motioned for the chair. “Sit down.”

They sat across from each other in the living room. He was doubled over with his elbows on his knees and his hands in his hair. His eyes were wet, and his lips were parted. It hurt to see him like this. And she felt a wave of guilt for having kept the truth from him for so long.

“I was going to tell you,” she finally said. “I'm giving the baby up for adoption. And you should be the first to get a chance to take it… if you want.”

“Of course I want it.” He dropped to his knees in front of her and reached out to take her hand. She looked away as his eyes pleaded up at her.

“Please tell me what I can do,” he said. “Tell me what I did wrong.”

“You didn't do anything wrong.” She brushed him aside, standing. She walked away, squeezing her eyes closed. She heard him stand behind her, then his hot, strong hand gripped her shoulder. She shrugged him off and turned back to him. Everything inside her wanted to throw herself into his arms. He was the father of the child who quickened inside her. Her hand instinctively went to her stomach.

“It's moving.” She took his hand and pressed it to her stomach.

The tears that had welled in his eyes broke free and ran down his cheeks.

“It's a girl.”

“I will do whatever I need to take care of her and you.”

“I don't need you to take care of me. I just need someone to take of the child when she is born.”

“But why? Why don't you want her? Why don't you want me?” The last of his words came out in a whisper, and she couldn't stand the pain in his voice. She dropped his hand and walked toward the kitchen, where she poured herself a glass of water and chugged it down.

He stood in the doorway, watching her and wiping tears from his cheeks. She gulped, trying to organize her thoughts. How could she tell him in a way that he would understand? She didn't know if she even understood.

“I never wanted to have a relationship. It's not in the stars for me.”

“How is that possible? I'm here. I'm here for you. You're my mate. There has to be a way.”

“This isn't about you, Dylan. It's about me. I don't want to ever be with anyone. Signing up for mate.com was a mistake. Making love to you was a mistake.” He opened his mouth, and she lifted her finger to silence him. “Like I said—it isn't anything you did wrong. You didn't do anything wrong. This is about me and what I need. And what I need is to be alone.”

He sank into the kitchen chair and covered his face with his hands, letting out a low groan.

“There are things in my past. Things I can't explain. You grew up with a loving family. You know what it means to love and be loved in return. Those are things that I can never be and never have. We can figure out how I can give up