ENDURING {Sequel to Everlasting} ❗️EDITING ❗️

Chapter 41

A couple of days go by, Jackson got over the dilemma overnight, but I think he just wanted to leave on good terms. Hardin is another story, while he's been very helpful and making sure I stay off my feet...he's barely spoke more than five words to me.

The silent treatment may seem childish, but I'm fully aware that his anger is probably ready to explode, and anything he says will turn into an argument. I hate the tension, but it's not like I can click my fingers and magically get rid of Roman.

I relax into the warm bath filled with bubbles, trying to shake off the constant stiffness. Why am I so tense? I silently wonder, glaring at the hideous and irritating cast on my leg. It stops above my knee, making it hard to hold it out of the bath as it's so heavy and I can't bend it.

Think happy thoughts. I tell myself, picturing rainbows, dolphins and puppies. Blatantly ignoring the worries that are beginning to cause me a headache.

Every time Hardin and I are finally on track again, something gets in the way. Always. Huge fucking boulders made of the toughest kind of stone.

A sudden knock on the door makes me jump.

"Can we talk?" His voice is muffled through the door, but I could already hear the apology.

Glancing down at myself, I quickly bring the bubbles up towards me, attempting to cover my naked flesh a little. Only Hardin would choose me bathing as a perfect spot to talk things out.

"Come in." I call out, adjusting my leg on the side of the bath a little.

The door opens behind me, and I hear nothing until it shuts and he walks across the floor. As big as he is, he moves quietly. Perks of being a wolf.

"I'm sorry...I was fully prepared to marry someone and all you did was support that, I had no right to react the way I did about you having feelings for him." Hardin is the first to break the ice, his words spoken with truth and remorse.

"I thought I had anger issues." I mutter with a quiet scoff before correcting him. "I don't have feelings for Roman, Hardin. I felt something, two years ago and literally nothing happened."

"The thought of you marrying someone else...I don't know how you were so calm, so...accepting." I could hear the turmoil in his voice, truly confused as to why I didn't fight for him at the wedding.

I didn't acknowledge him, not until he sits on the edge of the bath staring down at me. I couldn't help but gaze up at him, silently admiring how beautiful he is.

"This isn't just about me, it's about you. I understand the sacrifices, it's our duty to protect family at any cost...I get that." Hardin says softly, nodding his head lightly.

I could see it in his eyes, as he says the words with truth despite how much it hurts him. He's accepting this, that I will soon be marrying Roman and Hardin and I will be over for good.

Hardin takes my hand from the edge of the bath, grasping it between his large rough palms.

"I'd choose you, in a hundred lifetimes." He tells me, gazing at me with such open raw emotion that I felt my heart jumpstart a little.

"In a hundred worlds, in any version of reality."

"I'd find you...and I'd choose you." His eyes shimmer with faint ushered tears, such sadness in his grey depths that I felt my eyes brim.

He's said things to me in the past, sweet heartfelt comments and actions, but hearing him say something so...sad, and yet beautiful, it's heartbreaking.

It makes this decision a lot easier.

"Even in this lifetime?" I whisper softly.

A small crease of confusion forms between his eyebrows. "Without a doubt." He answers smoothly.

I offer a small smile, ignoring how my heart is literally bursting. I feel like I'm floating.

"While you've been throwing your three day tantrum, I've figured out a solution." I declare with a small amount of slyness.

Hardin isn't completely shocked by this, but his face instantly lights up. "Let's hear it."

"Name a single male wolf that chooses a mate who is carrying another's pups." I say with a gentle shrug.

The look on his face is priceless. "I thought mating wasn't in the cards for a while?"

"When she-wolves are pregnant, you can smell it. I just need to smell like I'm carrying, and because I'm human we'll just tell everyone it's due in nine months." I say.

"Are you sure you want to lie about something like this?" Hardin questions, knowing it's not exactly the nicest lie to tell.

I get that it's kind of sick, but if convincing Roman I'm pregnant means I get to stay with Hardin, and it keeps everyone safe, I'll sing it from the rooftops. I'll even fake the birth and adopt a newborn if I need to.

"Until we can figure out another way to keep everyone alive, we don't have a choice." I tell him softly.

"I was so sure you'd marry him." Hardin admits in a quiet voice, gazing down at me.

I felt my heart twist slightly. "Let's hope this plan works so that I don't have to." I retort, exhaling heavily.

New problem, how the hell do you make a human smell like a pregnant she-wolf?

"Are you going to keep sitting there and staring, or are you going to help me out?" I sigh, grabbing the sides of the tub and attempting to push myself up.

Hardin instantly snaps into action, reaching under the bubbles and scooping me up like a toddler, lifting me from the bath. Can you say awkward?

"I'm sure there wasn't a much easier way to do that." I mutter, grabbing the towel from the sink as he places me on my feet. Or should I say foot.

By the time I'm dried and dressed, Hardin is half way through cooking dinner, and my stomach is grumbling unhappily. With a long ass struggle down the steps as I shuffle on my butt from step to step, I finally grab my crutches from the floor and ease myself up.

"Stupid goddamn leg." I curse the entire time.

"Whatever you're cooking better be good for the struggle I just went through." I grunt as I sit at the breakfast bar, my good leg nicely tucked up while the other hangs like a dead fish.

"I was going to bring it up to you." Hardin tells me with a disapproving frown.

"What are you cooking anyway?" I wonder, smelling a hint of rice.

"Thai fried rice with basil."

Just like that, I knew we'd be ok, that we're going to get through this. I just hope that Hardin can eventually trust me again, even if I don't deserve it.