Beauty and The Beta (Bailey) novel Chapter 132

I shook my head. I knew the moment she started with her insults she meant me. This was just the sort of thing we did. Her, Caleb and I. It was how our friendship was. “Thanks for that, Eden. Love you 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 of the pack, grumpy old bastard, with a face to match. Dark and mysterious with a face like a smacked ass. 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 to bribe.”

Bailey was looking down. I could see her biting her lip. I don’t know if she was trying not to smile, or she was feeling uncomfortable. But this sort of teasing was usual for Eden and I. It was nothing I wasn’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 excused to 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 my hospital 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’t be? She had to push a little pup out of her any day now. That had to be scary. Let alone having to do that with Caleb by her side trying hard to encourage her, which would likely be more an annoyance 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 said with a smile.

“Not bad for a grumpy old bastard, I guess.” I shrugged. “I will leave you ladies to it. I will chase that mate of yours down, get him to hunt that hospital bag of yours down, maybe even give him a hint about 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, though whether that was for me or not was hard to tell, but she quickly returned her gaze to the floor, like making eye contact with me burned her eyes or something... I don’t think things would ever be as they had been in my home with her again. Not that it would stop me worrying about her. She feels like part of our pack now, and I think that was why I worried about her. Yeah, that was it, the same as I would worry about any pack member. I am certain that was why.