Love consumed her in flames but she emerged untouched
Chapter 0132

Chapter 0132

I shook my head. I knew the moment she started with her insults she meant me. This was just thesort of thing we did. Her, Caleb and I. It was how our friendship was. “Thanks for that, Eden. Loveyou too. Pretty sure Bailey wasn’t after my resume.”

Eden chuckled. “Well, if she was, it would go something like that, would it not? Asher Alcott, Beta ofthe pack, grumpy old bastard, with a face to match. Dark and mysterious with a face like a smackedass. Face sure to crack if he attempted to smile and no clue how to mix with other people.Interaction with people limited. Do not expect conversation. If you want help, bring chocolate tobribe.”

Bailey was looking down. I could see her biting her lip. I don’t know if she was trying not to smile, orshe was feeling uncomfortable. But this sort of teasing was usual for Eden and I. It was nothing Iwasn’t used to, and it truly didn't bother me.

“Sounds like a perfect man.” I smiled sarcastically at her. “But if I am so unappealing, am I excusedto leave now?”

“Jeez, anyone would think I held you here at gunpoint, Ash. Just go if being here with me is so bad.”Eden dismissed me with a flick of her hand. “Do me a favor though. Ask Caleb to bring me myhospital bag later. They are probably going to try inducing labor tomorrow.”

I sighed. I couldn’t really be angry with her, I knew she was worried about it all, and who wouldn’tbe? She had to push a little pup out of her any day now. That had to be scary. Let alone having todo that with Caleb by her side trying hard to encourage her, which would likely be more anannoyance than an encouragement. “No worries. Anything else you need, sweetheart?” I asked.

“A way to fast-forward time, so baby could be here, and I didn't have to go through labor?” she saidwith a smile.

“I wish I could do that for you Eden, I truly do, but despite my mean and moody looks, I don’t holdany magic skills. You will have the best care, and you know you will. You did amazing when you hadMatty.” I reassured her, and I saw tears in her eyes, while Bailey was sitting on the edge of her bed,her eyes darting between Eden and I. I hated seeing her struggle. I knew this birth scared her somuch more than Matty's ever had because of what had happened to her friend.

“But he was massive Ash, this one is even bigger, I am sure of it. And I have to push it out of me,while Caleb stands there and makes weird panting and puffing noises trying to help me breathe. Orhe is telling me how gross things look.” She said, looking like she wanted to cry, while I wassomewhere between wanting to reassure her and trying not to laugh at her telling me what Caleb islike when she is in labor. That did not surprise me in the slightest about my friend, he was like a bigchild sometimes.

“As much as he is a complete idiot sometimes, sweetheart, you know, it is only because he isexcited, and sometimes his mouth works before his brain. Tell him you have heard of a thing calleda silent birth, that way he won't be able to talk at all.” I winked at her and she chuckled.

“Ash, you are funny.” She smiles at me, wiping away a lone tear slipping down her cheek.

“Not bad for a grumpy old bastard, I guess.” I shrugged. “I will leave you ladies to it. I will chase thatmate of yours down, get him to hunt that hospital bag of yours down, maybe even give him a hintabout what is appropriate to say when your mate is in labor, before I go out for my run, okay?”

Eden smiled once more at me, while Bailey briefly looked at me, a small smile on her face, thoughwhether that was for me or not was hard to tell, but she quickly returned her gaze to the floor, likemaking eye contact with me burned her eyes or something... I don’t think things would ever be asthey had been in my home with her again. Not that it would stop me worrying about her. She feelslike part of our pack now, and I think that was why I worried about her. Yeah, that was it, the sameas I would worry about any pack member. I am certain that was why.