The Wolf’s Pregnant Mate: Shifter Surprise Pregnancy Romance (Stardust Hollow Wolves Book 2) by Lyra Atlas

Author:Lyra Atlas [Atlas, Lyra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-09-12T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11 - Michael

“I don’t understand what the problem is.” Michael tugged at the ends of his hair, pulling the strands tight in frustration. “I’m just trying to look after you.”

“Yes, Michael, I know.” Tala groaned. “You’re always looking after me.”

“What’s wrong with that?” he asked, his voice rising in frustration.

Tala threw her hands in the air. “I can’t breathe!”

“You’re not making any sense.”

“Listen, I get it. You’re concerned about the baby—”

“I’m concerned about you and the baby.”

Tala released an exasperated rush of air. They’d been going in circles for hours and weren’t getting anywhere.

Every day, Michael found himself walking the delicate line between his protective instincts and Tala's need for independence. As she’d described it, he was following her around like a shadow, making sure she adhered to the diet recommended by Dr. Williams. He couldn't deny it. He had become fixated on planning balanced meals, monitoring her salt and sugar intake. He encouraged her to finish every last bite, all in the name of ensuring their baby received the best nourishment possible.

Tala claimed she found it endearing, yet there were moments when she wanted to indulge, to enjoy a pint of ice cream or a bagel smeared with cream cheese without the burden of guilt. Michael wanted to accommodate those cravings, but his concern for her health often overshadowed her enjoyment of those treats.

Then there was his insistence on rest. He knew the importance of it during pregnancy, but Tala's independent spirit clashed with his advice to slow down. He'd never seen her back down from a challenge, always charging forward into whatever she thought needed to be done around the house. She told him the idea of taking it easy felt foreign to her, and while she recognized his intentions were genuine, it grated on her nerves. She felt he was trying to impose limits on her that she had never encountered before.

But his protective nature didn't stop there. He had become hyper-aware of potential dangers around her. The steepness of a staircase, a loose floorboard, even a patch of ice on the sidewalk. Tala always seemed to appreciate his vigilance, but she told him it also made her feel like she was walking on eggshells. She missed the days when she could take risks without a second thought, embracing her autonomy without restriction.

And then there was the increased affection. His desire to be close to her—to hold her hand, rub her belly, and cuddle on the couch—intensified with every passing day. The intimacy they shared felt profound, even if they hadn't been intimate in the physical sense since their first night together. He reveled in those moments, feeling their connection deepening, but Tala's need for personal space conflicted with his desire to be near her constantly. There were times when she wanted to stretch out on the couch without feeling his arms around her, when she craved the solitude of her own thoughts.

Listening to Tala recount their recent struggles, Michael understood her objections more clearly, but understanding it did little to ease the anxieties that picked at the back of his brain.

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