The Alpha’s Curvy Cinderella - Chapter 168: Chapter 168

Josie POV
I felt my mate’s hand gently stroking my hair as we lay on the bed together. I traced my mark, my body relaxed in his embrace. We were content just to remain in each other’s arms, silent, watching television, my body resting as I’d been told to do, even if I had initially ignored the medical advice, my cheeks flushing as I remembered what Rohan and I had chosen to do when we got back to the house. We were watching one of my favorite shows, Supernatural and I snuggled against him, my wolf purring as we inhaled his intoxicating scent.
“I know we’re only watching this because you have a thing for Jensen Ackles” Rohan pouted.
I tried not to giggle. It was true that I found Dean Winchester, aka Jensen Ackles extremely sexy and Rohan was very put out by it. But the show itself was also intriguing and exciting. I mean it had all sorts of supernatural creatures in it. I couldn’t seem to get enough of it. I gave Rohan a wide-eyed look, feigning innocence and he glowered at me as I dissolved into laughter.
“But I love you most,” I told him as he sulked and turned to kiss him, his expression slightly placated as I felt him reciprocate, his lips gentle and tender before I pulled back and cuddled against him again.
“I still don’t know what the attraction is” he muttered resentfully.
I fought back my laughter. He gave a long-suffering sigh and sat up, running a hand through his hair as I looked at him, trying not to drool. He wore a basic pair of sweatpants that hung low on his hips, his chest bare, showing off his six-pack and taut abdomen. I wanted to groan with how sexy he looked. He gave a groan. “I’m starving” he moaned dramatically and I rolled my eyes. We had literally eaten an hour ago.
“We had food earlier” I protested, half keeping my eyes on the TV “Or have you forgotten?”
“Donuts and pop-tarts are not real food,” he said with a grimace “I don’t know how you can stand to eat both at the same time” he huffed.
“I have cravings,” I said with a shrug “and it tastes good.”
He rolled his eyes. “Well for those of us that aren’t pregnant, a proper meal with nutritional value is in order” he teased. “They had nutritional value” I muttered, “just not the nutrition you prefer.”
Killjoy. He headed for the door, whistling under his breath. “Can you bring me back some cold milk?” I asked eagerly. “Yes, I’ll bring you back cold milk,” he said in a suffering voice as I turned back to the television.
It was another craving of mine. I didn’t know why, but I was drinking it by the gallons or at least that was what it felt like. Maybe the baby liked the taste or something.
I was really getting into supernatural and I almost failed to notice that Rohan’s phone was vibrating on the bedside table beside me. He had forgotten to take it with him. Strange. He seemed to be glued to the phone lately. I was going to leave it, but something made me stop and grab it. It could be something important, I rationalized, maybe another Alpha trying to get in contact or some business matter he had to attend to. That’s what I told myself anyway, but a small part of me was being nosy. Every time he took a call lately, he seemed to excuse himself and I didn’t know if it was because he didn’t want to bore me or if it was something else. I was probably being paranoid. Right?
I pressed the answer button. A woman’s voice was on the other end, smoky, sultry. The name on the phone had said it was Lauren. “Hey handsome, I hope I got you at a good time,” she said and my heart dropped. My chest tightened and I found it hard to swallow. The walls around me seemed to be closing in. I was speechless. The woman on the other end continued unperturbed “We’re still on for Friday night aren’t we? Make sure to keep your wife occupied” she said and then added blithely “Well I have to run but I know you’ll let me know if there’s any problems.”
She hung up. My fingers trembled as I clutched the phone. My whole body was shaking. I felt sick to my stomach. Tears pricked the corners of my eyes. I slowly lowered the phone. I glanced towards the doorway. I couldn’t hear Rohan’s footsteps. My wolf was angry, beyond pissed.
That son of a b***h, we should rip his manhood off and feed it to the animals in the forests.
There has to be an explanation for all this, surely he wouldn’t cheat on us, would he Amber?
You heard it with your own ears, Josie. But maybe we should check out this woman and what they are doing Friday night if you want to confirm it for yourself. But Rohan can’t know about the phone call.
What do you suggest I do? He’s going to see as soon as he goes to pick up his phone!
Delete it from his call history dufus! If they already have plans then he doesn’t need to know she called today. Do it quickly, before he comes back!
Right, of course.
I did as my wolf suggested and quickly deleted the call history. Rohan to my surprise didn’t have a pin on his phone, perhaps a little too trusting of me. I moved quickly, replacing the phone back where it had been on the bedside table and maneuvering myself to the exact spot I had been on the bed when he had left. I tried to concentrate on my TV show, but all I could think about was that woman and who she might be to Rohan. I wiped the tears threatening to fall and forced a fake smile onto my face, even as my heart felt like it was being ripped from my chest. Rohan was like a stranger to me.
I heard footsteps approaching the room. Heavy, loud, and definitely my mates. I swallowed hard. Now I was going to have to put on an act and pretend that everything was well or he would know that something was wrong. I tried to convince myself I could do it, forcing my eyes forward, instead of towards the door and gritting my teeth as I relaxed my body as much as I could.
Rohan walked through, clutching a glass of milk as I’d requested and a plate full of various sandwiches, including my favorite, peanut butter and jelly. Despite my anger, my mouth watered. He looked so nonchalant as he wandered in, carefree and relaxed. Either he was a really good actor, or he was completely innocent of what I believed he was doing to me. I plastered a smile to my lips as he sat on the bed with me, leaning against the bedhead and crossing his ankles, placing the plate between the two of us. I sat up and saw his eyes narrow as he glanced at me.
“Are you feeling okay?” he asked with a tinge of concern.
Damn. Maybe I wasn’t that great of an actress after all. I gave a slow nod. “I’m just a little um nausea,” I said with a cracked voice.
He didn’t look convinced. I grabbed a sandwich and almost crammed it in my mouth.
He raised an eyebrow. “If you’re feeling nausea, shouldn’t you eat a little more slowly?” he asked.
“I’m nauseas because I’m hungry” I snapped.
Damnit. Now my temper was beginning to fray. I gulped some of the sandwich down, grateful it prevented me from speaking further.
He grabbed a sandwich and began to munch on it placidly. Silence. Awkward silence. The tension in the room grew thick as I struggled to say anything to him that didn’t resemble anger or resentment.
“I have some business I need to take care of in a little while,” he said evenly, shooting me a sidelong glance “Are you going to be okay while I’m downstairs? You can always mind-link me if you need anything,” he said gruffly.
Why? So you can continue to message and call that slut Lauren, I wanted to yell at him, but instead, I swallowed it down and gave a tight nod, my throat constricting.
“I’ll be fine,” I said hoarsely, glowering at him “Just fine,” I said pointedly. He looked a little nonplussed “Are you angry at me?” he asked confused. “No” I lied “Do I have a reason to be angry at you?” I asked meaningfully.
Was it my imagination or did he look guilty as f**k? His Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat as he swallowed. “Of course not” he denied smoothly. He finished the sandwich he was holding, leaving the last peanut butter one for me as I sipped on the milk, placing the glass carefully on the bedside table beside me. I glanced at the television, frowning. I had completely missed half of the episode. Now I would have to rewind it and catch back up.
“You can go do your work,” I said finally, Rohan looking taken aback “I’m sure you must be busy” I emphasized.
“Well it’s not something that can’t wait till later,” he said puzzled “But if you’re sure then…” he trailed off.
“Yeah, I don’t really want to keep you from doing what you need to do,” I said lamely “Besides, all I’m going to do is watch supernatural and chill.”
I gestured towards the television and Rohan nodded, standing up and picking up the plate as I grabbed the last sandwich.
“Alright, well in that case, I’ll try and get everything done as fast as I can” he promised, “so I can get back and spend more time with you.”
I gave him a weak smile. He frowned and moved closer to the bed, bending down and pecking me on the cheek. “Remember, if you need anything” he reminded me.
“I’ll mind-link you” I echoed with a scowl.
It would take a hell of a lot to get me to mind-link him. I was still seething and wrestling with the possibility he might or might not be cheating on me.
He swiftly departed, leaving me alone in the room which felt stark and vast, the television loud and annoying. I turned it off, staring blankly out the window. For once, the beautiful scenery outside failed to comfort me and I felt cold, despite the warmth of the sun that was flooding in from outside. I hopped out of bed and closed the bedroom door, feeling broken, locked the door and then sank onto the bed, putting my face in my hands and dissolving into tears. If Rohan was cheating on me, then I had no idea what I was going to do.