Page 12 of Forced Pregnant Mate

Staying here is safer.

Father pulls the wheel savagely, turning the pickup into the driveway. He turns and glares at me as he turns off the engine.

“You’re going to pay for what you did today,” he mutters. “You’re going to clean the house and get into the bar early to open. Then you’re going to work late. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, Father,” I stare out the windshield at the house, trying to imagine being anywhere else.

He grabs my arm hard and gives me a shake. “I said, do you understand me?”

“Yes, I do!” I cry. “I hear you! Please let go of me.”

He glares at me, his fingers digging deep into my arm. “If you were a good daughter, I wouldn’t have to treat you this way,” he mutters. “Get inside, clean yourself up, then start on the house.”

I nod, feeling hot tears beginning to run down my face. I quickly head inside to get changed.

Father goes straight to the garage. He has never kept the truck in there, but the doors are always locked. This fact crystalizes in my mind as I think about him messing around in the storerooms and back dock at the bar.

He is doing something illegal!

No wonder he is in trouble with the pack. They don’t need much evidence to kick him off the council, and then the pack as well.

I’ll get kicked out… and so will Sam!

The idea fills me with dread.

As I hurry into the house, I look in on Sam’s room as I go down the hallway. It looks like he’s already left for school, which is a huge relief. He probably never even knew I was gone. Mercifully, Kelly is still asleep.

After I get changed, I head to the kitchen, trying to force down a few bites of toast and some coffee. My stomach is flipping around so much, it’s impossible to eat. I can’t stop thinking about what happens if—when—Father gets kicked out of the pack? What will happen to me and Sam?

He doesn’t have long to go before he graduates high school, then he can get a scholarship—I know he can. He’ll get out of this horrible place and live a better life than all of us. I just have to hang on a little longer.

I’m trying to think of a plan to keep Sam safe when I hear Father’s footsteps by the back door. I quickly grab a rag and start cleaning the bench.

“Good, you’ve gotten started,” he snaps. “Make me some coffee, would you?”

A knock at the front door makes both of us jump.

Father scowls and points at me. “Stay right where you are. I’ll handle this.”

I hear him stomp through the house and open the door. There is a low rise and fall of voices, and I can’t understand any words. Then Father returns to the kitchen with our visitor.

When I see that it’s Decker, my heart seems to stop in my chest. It doesn’t feel like it’s beating, just fluttering around in the cage of my ribs. I can hardly breathe, let alone speak.

“Good news, Lena,” he tells me. “You have been chosen as the bride in the marriage alliance.”

“Isn’t it wonderful?” Father asks me, beaming. I can see a hard edge in his eyes as he prompts me to react.

“Yes,” I croak, still trying not to tremble. “It’s great.”

Decker nods. “I realize it is something of a shock for you, my dear, but the alliance is very important. And Jack specifically asked for you.”

He did?

I find that hard to believe. I’m too tired, and too sick, to even begin to comprehend the emotions crashing through me right now. Wave after wave of panic that I’ll be tied to a man who doesn’t want me, shame for not being enough, relief I’m getting away from Father, worry for my poor baby brother—

“Lena!” Father’s voice cuts through my riot of thoughts. “Would you accept the proposal?”

I realize that Decker is waiting patiently for me to respond while I have a quiet mental breakdown. I nod, trying to dislodge the lump in my throat.

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