Ascension - Book Eight - Man x Man

Chapter 134

We drive at an almost uncomfortable speed through the winding road, unlike Europe. The houses were few and far between in some areas, while in others they were packed tightly, it didn't compare to the stacked neighborhoods of our homeland. 

The amount of land here was genuinely astounding. I feel Eve's nose on my armrest and lightly pat the dog's head, she'd been an acceptable replacement for Badger. 

"So what are you hoping for in a car?" I allow, crossing one leg casually over the other, it would be a welcome distraction from the horrible motion sickness I was experiencing. "Were you hoping to run off and join the car races after this?"

"Car races?" he muses, toying with my accent for a moment before considering my question. "I like to drive, it's the closest I can get to my wolf nowadays. Alpha likes it, too, it would seem. He's calmer when I get to indulge. I'd like to have what I had back, perhaps better handling, but the original was plenty. This car is alright, it's good for you and the children, but it's quite the plug." Exhaling, I note the glare of frustration towards the lazy speedometer. 

Considering this, leaning back into my seat, it seems like a daunting task considering my knowledge on the topic was minimal. "How would you feel about me working?"

The mere mention causes his hand to tighten on the steering wheel. 

"Keep in mind, I'm not asking your permission, I'm asking for your cooperation." I remind him quickly, hearing his teeth grind, I reach over and place my hand over his to stop him from crushing my unsuspecting steering wheel. "Randy-"

"Nic." Verando's tone is hard, quick, and firm in its intention. He was against it. 

"It's not far from the house. I want to work in the shop, my shop." While it made sense, I knew that the whole idea of the shop had come around when I wasn't carrying our child. When I wasn't doing something physically impossible, under the gift of a god who'd given me an ultimatum. 

"Why?"

I sense the hurt, the fear, in his voice. Did he think I could ever replace him? That I was worried about his potential as a provider? Taking his hand in mine, his other hand takes over driving as I claim one in my lap and carefully smooth out his fingers to lace with mine. "I want to do this for you, I want to help make this car, I want to learn how to run this shop. I need to contribute, I can't just sit at home barefoot and pregnant."

Before he can speak, I feel the rumble in my chest at his pending suggestion. 

"I'm a King, damn it. I can't feel fulfilled with watching you turn our home into a well-oiled machine. You make a much better housewife than me anyway, the house always looks amazing. With you on the job, there's so little for me to do. I need purpose." Purpose beyond giving my life away to the being growing inside of me, as the thought hit me, I could see him already mulling it over as he frowned. 

"And your intention when you're further along, when you're going through... this?"

Verando still refused to say it. Slipping my fingers out of his, he snatches my hand, bringing my knuckles to his lips with an apologetic exhale. I could feel the heat radiating off of him, his pulse pounding, his body struggling to hide the tremble underneath the surface of a wolf refusing to be out of control. 

The full lips skirt over my knuckles, Eve slides her nose under the armrest of his seat, resting her head as close to his thigh as she could, sensing the mounting anxiety. 

"Why do I have to think that far ahead? Why can't we just take it day by day, week by week? If I feel good.. I'll go, if I don't, I'll stay home. But I want to learn this-"