Page 57 of Forced Pregnant Mate

“Are you still too sick for dinner? I can go and get something. Or I could cook. Well, try to cook.”

She doesn’t even smile at my joke. My worry goes up several notches, making the atmosphere in the room supercharged with tension.

My God, what if she’s really, properly sick? What if something really bad has happened?

“Lena,” I say, unable to keep the urgency out of my voice. “Please, tell me what’s wrong. Should I take you to the hospital?”

“No,” she says, shaking her head. “I already saw a doctor today.”

My stomach twists like someone just punched me in the guts. She’s not just sick. She knows exactly what’s wrong, and she’s afraid to tell me.

I take her hand gently in both of mine. I know there’s fear on my face, and I make no attempt to hide it.

“Please, baby, tell me what’s wrong.”

She looks up at me, and there’s a spark of alarm in her eyes, as if my words have triggered something in her. She sighs and looks at the table, then looks up again. She fixes her beautiful green eyes on me and stares steadily into my face.

“Jack. I’m pregnant.”

The words strike me like a physical blow. It feels like the earth bucks under my feet—reality itself explodes around me into meaningless shapes and colors. My hand tightens on hers a little, and I have to look away. I know she’s still watching me, but I can’t look at her.

“I know how you feel,” she says, her voice rushed. “But we can work it out together, I promise. I just want you to know that.”

A baby. I’m going to be a dad.

I know I should look up at Lena and say something—anything—but I can’t find my voice. I can’t think of any words. I have no idea how to describe this feeling inside me.

“I’m not sure where we go from here,” Lena goes on, her voice high and nervous. “But I think it’s best if we figure out the details now. Don’t feel too overwhelmed, please. Nothing drastic has to happen at this time, I just want to reassure you.”

I can’t believe she’s being so nice to me, while I’m sitting here like a granite statue. My guts are leaping around like live fish in a net. I assume she’s talking about hospital schedules, baby classes and groups, schools. I appreciate the amount of thought, but I think it’s a bit soon for all of that.

Lena’s hand trembles a little, and she removes it from mine. I look up at her, knowing that my expression is just blank shock and wishing I could do better.

“I know,” she says. “You weren’t expecting this. It’s a hell of a shock. I’m really sorry.”

Her choice of words finally sinks in. She’s not laughing, singing, and dancing around the kitchen. She’s just sitting here looking upset. Suddenly, I remember the way she reacted every time I mentioned kids.

“Lena—”

“No,” she says. “Don’t try to spare my feelings. We should get this all out there right now. How we both feel, what we would like to do. Then, reach some compromise.”

She doesn’t want the baby.

Shock floods through me, making me feel cold and shivery. I don’t know how to deal with this situation. I’m completely lost as to what to say.

I have to convince her I want this child. But if she doesn’t want to be a mother, what can I possibly do?

“It’s okay,” Lena says, her voice cracking. She reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze. “I know how you feel. I know I can’t convince you, anyway, so just tell me. I can take it.”

I look up into her eyes and shake my head. Where do I even start?

Lena takes a deep breath, and her next words come out in a rush.

“I know you don’t want this baby. Why would you? You were dreaming of a real family, a nice, agreeable wife, someone from a decent family who wouldn’t bring shame on you or threaten your position in the pack. You didn’t want this marriage, the elders all decided together. Now you’re stuck with me, and if I keep the baby, then you’re trapped forever.”

Her words hit me like arrows to the heart. Sweat breaks out in patches all over me as panic sparks deep in my chest.

What is she saying?

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