The Runaway Breeder novel Chapter 7

Early in the morning I wake up with sleep filled eyes taking in the blurry surrounding. For a moment I panic, thinking that I am in the wrong house before the events of yesterday flood into my mind. Taking deep calming breaths I push the covers off of me and stand, stretching my body and heading into the bathroom to comb my hair into a messy bun that sits atop of my head, washing my face and brushing my teeth before relieving my bladder. Today Abby will be here with my things.

With yet another sigh I make my way down the stairs into the kitchen and take things out to cook some comfort food – banana chocolate chip pancakes. I figure Abby will want to eat with me and boy can that girl pack down food like it’s nothing, so I triple the recipe. By the time the pancakes are done and the stove top is turned off the doorbell chimes with the arrival of a new visitor and I make my way over to the front, opening the blue wooden door to see Abby standing there with four Warriors, each holding a bag and boxes with “Laina’s stuff” written on them in black sharpie.

“Morning girl. Is that pancakes I smell?” Abby greets me as she pulls me in for a long hug. The Warriors head inside .taking my things up stairs and I tell them to leave everything in the master bedroom before telling them all to leave. Abby holds a tote bag in her hand out to me with a wink and I couldn’t help the grateful smile I send her way as I take the bag and search inside, happy to see my phone charger, wallet and other essentials that a Breeder isn’t allowed to have; happy that my friend snuck these in for me.

“Thank you Abby.” I whisper. The two of us head into the kitchen where the stack of pancakes await us and begin to dig in. Abby goes on about the gossip around the pack, thankful that she steers clear away from any about me. It felt normal to be in the kitchen with my friend scarfing down comfort food and acting like regular teenagers. Abby offers to take the dishes off of the table and in the dishwasher while I head upstairs to get change. Looking through the boxes and bags in my room I manage to procure a pair of leggings and a comfy cropped hoodie to wear as well as a pair of black sneakers and my purse before I make my way down the steps to where Abby waits. Today will be spent shopping for this house and the first stop is the home gym equipment. I would save the baby stuff for last for now.

…

“That’s all for shopping.” Abby exclaims. We left the cottage around eleven in the morning to make it to the nearest mall. Our first stop had been the sports store as I hunted down equipment to turn the garage into a home gym. Abby thinks that I am insane for creating a home workout area but when I pointed out I would need to stay in shape for my job, she quieted down and agreed with me. Each store we went to offers delivery to the pack house and will be delivering the items I purchase to my cottage tomorrow. It makes me sad thinking that the first house I decorate will be the prison called the breeder’s cottage.

“Now it’s time to get home with all the paint waiting for you to paint each wall.” I can tell Abby is trying to stay cheerful but her words are starting to annoy me. She sounds more formal then friendly. I know my job as a Breeder meant that Abby would have a say on what I will have to do as the Beta Female of the pack and smiling around her soon becomes harder as each sentence she has said throughout the day became more and more insensitive. At one point she told me to just chose a damn crib and lets go because it wouldn’t matter what I chose anyways, the baby would be whisked away from me as soon as its able to eat baby food. I guess my mood must have shown as she rolls her eyes at me while we climb into her car.

“It’s going to be fine. Besides, I hear that Max is your first warrior and knowing him he won’t do anything with you, he is saving himself for when he finds his mate.” Abby’s words do reassure me to some degree. Everyone knew Max is an honest wolf. He grew up with the notion of saving himself for his mate and to this day is still a virgin. Part of me hopes he doesn’t find his mate until I figure out what to do but maybe – just maybe I might be his mate. The only hope of getting me out of this situation is if one of the Warriors meant to breed with me is my mate.

“Thank god for that.” I state with a grumble looking out at the scenery flashing by. Abby laughs at my words as she turns up the volume to the radio, singing along to whatever song is on. I do not feel like joining her, her mood a little too happy while she takes me back to the baby making prison I will be stuck in. I hate this. Soon her land rover crosses our back boarders and the familiar houses and forest pass by until the road to the breeder section greets us and my cottage comes into view. Part of me wants to run away right now but the consequences will be dire. As Abby pulls into the driveway I feel even more dread settle in. The situation is becoming all the more real than ever right now.

“Well where do you want to paint first?” Abby asks, cutting off the engine and turning off the racket coming from the radio to allow silence to settle.

“The nursery, I want to paint it the powder blue.” I answer. It will never be the design I had wanted for my babies because it will never be theirs for the rest of their life, and I will never raise them and watch them grow up. A trail of warmth flows down my face and I reach up, feeling fresh tears on my skin. I don’t think I could do this at all.

“Laina are you okay? Seriously you need to pull you self together because you’re a fucking Breeder and it’s your job. Get used to this and stop crying.” Abby glances at me from the side, a look of annoyance on her face as her eyes glare at me. I stare at my so called friend in disbelief for a moment. Is this how she really felt about the situation considering I am supposed to be her best friend.

“Does it look like I am okay Abby? Does it look like I am used to this fucking situation? My life got turned upside fucking down yesterday and you’re telling me to get used to it!” I shout, finally snapping. I can’t believe how insensitive she is right now. This last statement from her being the proverbial straw the broke the camel’s back after all her snarky comments from shopping.

“You get to live a happy fucking life with a mate that loves you and have pups that YOU get to raise.” I scream, continuing my rant and blocking her from saying anything while slamming my fist into her land rover dashboard feeling it dent with my strength.

“Do you want to know how long my pups are in my life? Two fucking years. That’s it!” I continue, feeling my tears flow faster.