Page 107 of The Pregnant Wolf Omega Next Door

“I did!” Emre bounced on the balls of his feet. He took both pups from Zenith, cuddling them against his chest. His happiness was enough to buoy Zenith through the entire shopping trip.

Zenith added fresh bread to the cart, lettuce and tomatoes to give the sandwiches some crunch. Then he added eggs too, because Abbie seemed to really enjoy them.

By the time they left the grocery store, there was no more space in Buttwheel’s basket for two pups.

Zenith laughed. “This was because you wanted another cart, wasn’t it?”

“Me?” Emre fluttered his lashes innocently.

A cart came up to them, squeaking its wheels and nudging Emre’s hip. Emre beamed and patted the cart. “Hi! Do you mind carrying two pups for a while?”

The cart lifted its flap, and Emre carefully placed Abbie and Bean in its cargo basket.

“Good cart,” Emre said.

The cart squeaked its wheels.

Then it turned abruptly, racing away. With Abbie and Bean still in its basket.

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CART-NAPPED

Emre froze,his jaw dropping. “Hey! Cart! Come back!”

The cart did not stop. It was speeding away, Emre’s pups getting further and further with each passing second.

Zenith was already chasing down the cart. Emre broke into a run after them.

“It’s kidnapping the pups!” Emre realized. “Oh gods, we’re in a romance novel!”

The pups looked back at him and howled.

“Bad cart! Such a bad cart!”

Up ahead, Zenith was cursing. The alpha put on a burst of speed. Except the cart went faster too, keeping just out of Zenith’s reach.

Emre’s shoes pounded on asphalt. Where was the cart going? Had someone given the cart instructions to take away Emre’s pups?

Then it struck him.

Ronald?

Ice shot through his veins, at the same time the cart took a sharp turn into an alley.

Zenith followed. Emre’s stomach clenched.

Bad things always happened in alleys.

Should he follow Zenith into the alley? Or should he wait out on the street as hidden backup?

What can I even do, aside from creating a distraction?

In any case, it was a good idea to stay out of sight. Emre dropped to a crouch and peeked around the corner.

The alley led to a dead end. At the very far end was Ronald, that proud sneer sending a bolt of disgust down Emre’s spine. Ronald didn’t look much different from the last time Emre had seen him. Those cruel glinting eyes, those rough hands ready to bring Emre pain.

“Ah, pups,” Ronald said, grabbing the cart that rolled up to him. Emrehatedthat he’d taught Ronald how to befriend carts. “I heard they’re mixed breeds. They’ll sell for a lot.”