Chapter Eleven
The next morning they went into River Mountain.
Grey broke the lock on the door of Matthew's apartment and they retrieved Matthew's belongings before heading into town to do some shopping.
Grey bought Matthew some new clothes for the Christmas Eve party and then dropped Matthew off at the coffee shop.
"I'll be back in a little while to pick you up." Grey leaned over, kissing his mate.
"Aren't you going to come in? I thought you liked the coffee?"
"It was the cute guy serving it that was always the main attraction," Grey said, stroking Matthew's hair back from his face. "Besides, I've got a bit more shopping to do."
"Oh? Such as?" Matthew quirked an eyebrow, excitement lighting up his face. "I thought we said no presents?"
"Who said anything about presents?"
"Hmm," Matthew said, narrowing his eyes. "I'll see you later."
Matthew climbed out of the truck and waited for Grey to drive away before entering the coffee shop. Wendy immediately came round the counter and pulled him into a big hug.
"Thank God you finally used some of your common sense and went to Grey!" Wendy held him out at arm's length before yanking him back into a hug. "I'm so sorry, Matthew."
"None of that matters now. I'm just glad you're okay. I was scared he was going to hurt you." Matthew smiled at his friend as he gently untangled himself from her strong embrace. "Did he?"
"No, honey. He had enough on his plate dealing with Naomi. I'm just glad he's gone, the whole pack is. We can all move on with our lives now."
"I'm glad he's gone, too." Matthew's eyes sparkled with tears as he gripped his friend's hand. "Grey claimed me."
"I knew it. I knew you two were meant to be! Oh, my heart!" Wendy clutched her hands together and then turned to the counter. "This calls for a celebration!"
Matthew sat down at one of the tables and Wendy joined him after a moment, handing him a hot chocolate with whipped cream. He looked at it and frowned.
"Have you run out of coffee?"
Wendy sat back and studied Matthew, her eyes gleaming. "Nope."
"So...?" He waved his hand at the hot chocolate.
"Coffee's not great when you're pregnant."
"What?" Matthew looked up at his friend. "That's not funny."
"It's not supposed to be. You're pregnant. I can smell it."
"That's ridiculous," Matthew snapped and pushed the hot chocolate away, his temper rising as he fought against the hope that Wendy was right. She couldn't be, could she?
"Is it? Don't you think it's strange how Naomi couldn't get pregnant by Kelvin either?" Wendy asked, leaning on the table and staring at Matthew so intently that he shifted uncomfortably in his seat under her scrutiny. "Like, maybe the problem was with Kelvin and not with either of you?"
"I don't see how I could fall pregnant so quickly, though, even if that was the case."
"Did he claim you when you were in heat?"
"Yeah, he knotted inside me and..." Matthew's voice trailed off and he blushed.
"Honey, it's nature doing what she does best. Grey is your Alpha, it was meant to be between the two of you. Anyone with eyes, and a nose, could tell that he was your perfect match."
Matthew shook his head. "I don't feel any different."
"Well, there's only one way to find out for sure. There's a pharmacy just down the street." Wendy cradled her hot chocolate between her hands.
"So, Grey already knows I'm pregnant?" Matthew said, reaching for his hot chocolate and scooping up some whipped cream.
Wendy shrugged. "He'll be able to scent it, but only you can confirm it for him."
"What if I'm not? What if what you're smelling is something else?" Matthew ran his finger around the rim of his cup, not daring to hope after all the years of pain he had endured with Kelvin.
"I know you're scared of letting Grey down, of him treating you the way Kelvin did, but you've got to have faith in your mate. He's your mate for a reason, and he'll take care of you, no matter what."
"I love him. He's everything I've ever wanted." Matthew looked down at the table, trying to blink away the tears that suddenly threatened to overwhelm him.
Wendy reached out and took hold of his hand. "Then you need to tell him that. Now, go and get yourself a happy ending."