ICA'

rsed through my body, and I struggled to open my eyes, but they remained sealed shut. No matter how much I willed my

dread grew stronger with each passing moment. Lying there, feeling utterly helpless

nally fluttered open. I lay in my bed, panti

h experience, I slowly turned to find t

been gone

used to it. He usually woke me up to make hi

g in my mouth, slowly got out of be

und him sitting on one of the sofas, focused on his laptop. He

nly to see him swiftly snap his

d, and I wondered if so

imply staring at me as if I were an alien,

ning. Did you sleep well?" he asked stiffl

ceiving me. I couldn't remember the last time Keagan had asked

e of my cheek to restrain the wide smil

mixture of surprise and cautiousness, pulling the

He hummed before returning his gaze to hi

, but I reminded myself that this was progr

asted and re-tasted the dishes, ensuring that every flavor was perfect. I longed for Keagan to hum

chives, crispy bacon, savory sausages, buttered toast, and perfectly seasoned p

ater in the day?" I asked, gen

only response.

felt immensely happy knowing he would stay home with me today. At least

nt at the prospect of having

e you gu

e Emma stood with a growing smile on

ion, but I thought I saw Keagan

l! Girl, I moaned," she exclaimed, clapping her hands in delight

an," she greeted before j

plate as well, not wanting Emma to

etly, no one volunteeri

ondering if we could go on any fun outings. A girl's day out. It's been so long since

ing together? My face flushed with shame as I noticed Keagan had stopped eating, his silence only f

my brow, my grip tighten

gan interrupted me by clearing his th

we all go out together? Yes?" h

I couldn't believe Keagan had so readi

d on my plate as Emma chattered excite

n process what

n' place. I felt uncertain about my appearance since I hadn't felt like myself lately. I put on a simple bl

aze on my outfit. He didn't complain or compliment me; inst

s; I'm sure Emma will like it," he s

is words. He was thinking about Emm

to find Keagan helping Emma into the front passenger seat-the se

arth was

o face me, while Keagan was busy typing away on his phone, p

een dealing with motion sickness lately, and I don't want to feel cold or clammy, or nausea hi

rt her feelings. The idea of another woman sitting close to my husband

heck would be

seemed entirely unconcerned. He spared me a bored gla

wanting him to snap, I nodded reluctantly, like a drenched

watched with growing discomfort as Emma continuously chatted with Keagan, who n

agan. His mood was always foul around me; he detested my presence and only

emotions

t friend

I was too

nswered each one. To an outsider, it would seem that Keagan was deeply in l

erthinking w

rror. As our eyes met, the smile on her face vanished. Emma gl

sensing my unease with the nicknam

see her steal my husband's attention away from me? Or tell her the truth by

e. Memories began to flood my mind, reminding me of how Emma had taken special care of me on numerous occasions. I recalled

e from bullies during our high school days. If Emma hadn't confronted those kids

llying even more intense. I couldn't breathe without feeling anxious; I couldn't feel at peace around anyone at school. They

didn't mind having lunch with me-a first for me. N

iend in school. In an effort to return her kind gestures, I made sure to b

l smile. "I'm good, Emma. Just a littl

owly, turning her gaze away from me and back to t

ll you a lot about Jessica and me..."

talked about how she had been scared of spiders and fallen into a larg

had sneaked out of school at her request an

small smile and occasionally nod. I didn't want to see any more of his

p my gaze back to him. "How come you're an Alpha

nched at h

hink I fell in love with the cakes

hether to smile

women in your league?" Emma shot back a ques

wheel before responding.

fore glancing at me and

lieve an Omega can be mate

t. Deep down, I had no mate sense or pull towards Keagan. We w

ings continue like this b