Page 67 of His Bullied Fated Mate

“That’s a lot of marks.”

I groaned. “I know. I’m starting to think I’m insane. But I swear it’s real and I know it's here.”

“I believe you.”

I gave her a smile before I shut the notebook and turned to her. “Are you supposed to be at work?”

“Lunch break, I was running out to grab something. But saw you here, so I figured I would stop.”

“God, I miss working. The rush of having something to do and being busy.”

“Well, you have been in town a while now. Have you looked for a job?”

I hadn’t, mostly because I had been hanging onto the thought of going back home. But now I felt like I was in limbo. I gave up my job, so I had no income. It was only a matter of time before I needed to figure out what I was going to do with my apartment. The idea of getting a job here made it seem like I was going to stay.

But wasn't I? Riley asked me to say, and I'd agreed. So, obviously, I was going to stick around.

“I wanted to adjust to being back here. There is still a lot I'm learning, and with having magic and being a witch, I want to learn that first before I start working again.”

Kyla nodded. “I can understand that. Oh, do you want to join me for lunch? I was going to run to the burger joint around the corner.”

I scrunched up my nose and shook my head. The smell and sound of greasy food made me want to vomit.

“No thanks. I actually should head home. We will catch up and have lunch another time.”

She nodded, pulling herself up. She waved as she headed across the park. I packed my stuff up and headed to my car. I knew that I needed to figure out lunch myself. I tried to think of something that would sound good, but the thought of anything made my stomach churn.

Anything that sounded good, I didn't want to cook. I wanted something quick so I could get back to studying and focusing on finding the cauldron.

I arrived home and threw the fridge open, deciding I’d just eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I pulled the peanut butter out and yanked some bread free. I unscrewed the top of the peanut butter.

The smell hit me, and I choked on it. I quickly pinched my nose and slapped the lid back on. “Oh, my god.” I covered my mouth and quickly searched for the expiration date. But the peanut butter was new. Riley just opened the container a couple of days ago.

I shoved it back into the cabinet and yanked the jelly free. I sniffed the lid, my stomach remaining calm.

I spread some of the jam onto the bread and tossed the container back into the fridge. I took a bite of the sandwich and chewed slowly as I headed up the stairs.

But as soon as I swallowed, my stomach clenched up. I covered my mouth, begging it to stay down. I moved quickly, rushing towards the bathroom and throwing up into the sink.

I pressed my forehead against the faucet and flipped it on. I scowled as I leaned back, looking at myself in the mirror. My face was pale, and now the room smelled like vomit.

My eyes went past me towards the tampon box that was shoved behind my makeup bag on the shelf behind me. My eyes widened.

I was late. I had been so focused on finding the damn cauldron that I didn’t realize my period was two weeks late. I always got it around the middle of the month, and it was well past that time.

I covered my mouth as I looked at myself in the mirror. I couldn’t say it wasn’t possible because I was. We never used protection. We never even spoke about it. I never thought about plan B or getting on anything. It never even came to mind. We had sex and just went on about our day.

“Oh god...” I shook my head. This couldn’t be happening. I couldn’t possibly be pregnant.

I hurried out of the bathroom and grabbed my purse. I slipped my shoes off and hurried out of the house. I drive to the drug store, my mind a blur.

Why didn’t I think about this? Why hadn’t I been careful, or at least thought about getting on birth control?

I hurried inside and headed for the pregnancy test. I stared at them, my hands shaking. This couldn't be real. I couldn't actually be pregnant. I must have caught a stomach bug or eaten something.

I grabbed a package and paid for it. I hurried into the bathroom, practically running. I sat on the toilet and stared at the box. I swallowed as I ripped it open, yanking the stick out.

I peed on it and cleaned my hands as I stared at it. I chewed on my cheek, already knowing what it was going to say. I was late, and we’d done it without protection. All signs pointed to me being pregnant.