- When I tell her I feel like the other woman, she laughs, that's just learned sexist bullshit. We are all in charge of our own bodies and what we decide to do with them. We are all our own.

I believed it when she said it, like she'd opened up a new valve that had been stuck. I felt unconfined and open-minded and totally confused. Intellectually, non-monogamy made complete sense; emotionally, it felt like sandpaper across my eyelids

ZZZ

Chapter Nine

Jared didn't blink as the glass plate smashed into his face. His eyes were a bit sore, but he had closed them, and the glass had only cut the sensitive lids protecting them. The scent of his blood has Rosalie sniffing the air and softly, Emmett swatted her arm. "Behave" He growled at her, ignoring how his mate rolled her eyes at him.

Kim was still screaming. How could you, we're imprints, why would you do this to me? With her?

And when she fell into a sobbing mess, Jared brushed the glass from his shoulder and craddled her in his arms, lips against her forehead. He told her he loved her, but he was afraid. Of hurting her, of accidentally killing her. Rosalie gave him an outlet, and then she became more, and he was sorry but he couldn't help how he felt. Not about her, and not about Rosalie. There wasn't anything he could do, and he wouldn't let Kim ask him to kill his baby. It wasn't a baby with her, but it was still his baby and he wouldn't.

If Kim wanted him to leave, he would. He'd pack his stuff and go back home and care for Rosalie there, even if his mother hated him for it.

Kim clung at him and cried. She loved him, she'd always loved him, but she was just so, so angry.

"Let them stay for dinner. They'll stay and we'll have dinner, and we'll talk it over baby." He kissed her forehead again and gently lifted her to her feet.

Sniffling and wiping at her eyes, embarressed from the display of emotions, she nodded. "Okay...I'll go...I'll go put the spaghetti sauce on."

"I love you."

"I love you too Jared."

"...Well, that went better than I expected, actually." Rosalie said softly. "You know you don't have to do this. We can go home and you can go back to your life."

Jared sighed through his nose, giving Rosalie a look that clearly asked, 'are you stupid?' "You're part of my life now Rosalie. You have been for a while. You and that baby are a big part of my life." He strode across the room, cupped her chin. "There's no going back."

From the doorway, Kim cleared her throat. "Jared, I can't reach the pot above the fridge."

The wolf turned to help his imprint, but Emmett was already walking. The giant man gently laid his hand against the small of Kim's back. "I'll get it. Show me where it is." He said softly.

Unafraid for the first time in a while, Kim did as asked, leaving Jared and Rosalie alone.

The anger of his pack a heavy weight in his mind, Jared couldn't help but think that perhaps it was all going to be okay. If Kim could get along with Emmett, she'd eventually be able to handle Rosalie. She was a nice girl, forgiving, and it would all be okay.

If he got kicked out his pack for this...Well. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Well if that happened, he still had three people in his tiny house who would stand at his side.

The growl of a wolf filtered in through the window from outside.

Jared smirked. Well, he had three people in his house and one very amazing shewolf who would stand at his side. He had his own pack to take care of now.

Rosalie, as if feeling his mood shift, leaned against his side.

Jared placed a hand over her stomach.

It would all be okay.

It had to be.