Free Into the Unknown (Werewolf Wars, #2) by Bethany Shaw

know it’s silly to expect to get pregnant the first time you try, but...” Emily trailed off, sagging against the rack her smile faltering. “Let me know if I’m being overzealous.”
    “It’s fine,” Natalia said, smiling at the other girl. “These are all nice. I just don’t have the means to buy these, is all.”
    “Oh, is that all?” she questioned as if it were no big deal.
    “Don’t worry about it. The guys are taking care of everything.” Emily smiled as she waved at Marcus.
    “I do not like taking things,” Natalia murmured.
    “Have you thought about getting a job?” Emily asked. “You’re still looking to fill that other spot, right Lark?” Emily asked, shoveling through the racks again.
    “I am,” Lark said.
    “At the bakery?” Even if she felt comfortable leaving Adrian, Natalia knew nothing about cooking.
    “No one is saying you have to. There are many other things to do. I’m sure you could work something out with Gene to help out on the ranch too,” Sarah said. “With Preston and Vincent gone for who-knows-how long, they will be down a few workers.”
    “I will be gone too,” Natalia reminded the girl.
    Sarah twiddled with a strand of hair. “For a week. Preston thinks he will be gone much longer. He deferred his first semester at school.”
    “Oh,” Natalia responded. “I don’t know much about horses either.”
    “It’s okay,” Emily said, gently placing a hand on Natalia’s shoulder. Natalia jerked at the unexpected touch but didn’t pull completely away. Emily continued, “I know how hard it is to make your own way in our world. You’ll figure something out, I’m sure. Besides, it must be nice to be able to spend so much time with Adrian.”
    “It is,” Natalia agreed.
    “I would be happy to look after him for you. I’m sure my mom wouldn’t mind an extra hand in the kitchen. And I know she would definitely love to see Adrian too,” Emily commented.
    “No,” Natalia hissed. “I will not work with the fake alpha’s wife. She is a monster, like her husband.”
    “Oh,” Emily stuttered. Her cheeks reddened and she cast her eyes to the floor.
    Natalia watched as Emily turned to the rack, fiddling with the different clothes. Silence enveloped them, and heat scorched her face as she realized she had insulted the other woman’s parents. Having viewed Emily as a fellow prisoner at the McKinley homestead, it was easy to forget that she was a member of that vile family.
    “Finding everything okay?” Gene asked as the four guys approached.
    “Yes,” Natalia said, averting her eyes to assess the garments in her hand.
    “We were thinking lunch before you ladies drag us to anymore stores,” Devon said, placing his hand on the small of Lark’s back. She leaned into him, and placed a tender kiss to his lips.
    “I’m starved,” Emily said as she hugged Marcus.
    Gene held his hand out. “I’ll take those.”
    Natalia flushed, her cheeks and ears burning. If she didn’t need the things, she would’ve shoved his hand away. But her son did need clothes.
    “I will find a way to pay you back.”
    “Fair enough. I’d be more than happy to put you to work on the ranch,” Gene said.
    His fingers brushed against hers, causing her breath to hitch as he took the garments. With a smile, he turned away, walking to the register.
    “You like him?” Lark asked, smiling.
    “What?” Natalia asked. Turning to look at the amused blonde, she narrowed her eyes, thankful it was just the two of them now. “I do not.”
    “Fine, you’re attracted to him.”
    “Only because he’s an alpha,” Natalia reasoned. “It is natural for alphas to feel an attraction to each other.” She had no idea if that was the truth, but Lark didn’t need to know that.
    Lark gave her a pointed look. “Then you feel the same attraction to Devon?”
    Natalia scoffed, and clenched the stroller handle tighter.
    “I didn’t think so,” Lark said, touching her arm lightly. “Come on,