Page 63 of Forced Pregnant Mate

Mom has done her usual job on the food, and the table is covered with plates piled high. She’s also gone to great efforts with the decorations, streamers, and fairy lights that are strung around the trees that line the yard.

“There you are!” she calls out as she sees us. “I was worried the food wouldn’t be ready on time. Come here, you almost grown-up pup!”

Mom pushes past me and wraps Sam in a big hug. He blushes fiercely, but I can tell he enjoys her affection.

“What are you going to do next, my fierce little pup?” she asks, patting his cheek.

“I have some idea,” he says a bit shyly. “I’ll talk to you about it after dinner.”

“Can’t wait to hear it,” Mom says, ruffling his hair before turning to Lena.

“How are you, my little dove?” she asks, patting Lena’s tummy. “And how’s our next pup coming along?”

“Kicking the hell out of me,” Lena laughs. “Even though they tell me you can’t feel anything until well after twelve weeks, I’m sure there’s some soccer games going on in there.”

Mom nods sagely. “I know exactly what this is. Have you been very tired?”

“Yes,” Lena says, looking a bit anxious. “What do you think is wrong?”

“You are in dire need of more food,” Mother announces. “Quick! We need a large slice of chocolate cake, stat!”

Lena laughs as Mom drags her over to the table to stuff her with cake. Sam and I join them, and pretty soon, Dad and Bailey bring over the food from the grill. Natalia sits on Bae’s lap and coos happily, patting his cheeks with her soft hands.

It still feels unreal to me, that soon I will have my baby in my arms.

I look over at Lena as she smiles and laughs with Mom and Gina, and I know I’ve never been so happy. She’s changed so much since we got married, even though I know it wasn’t really a change. We just gave her the space and love she needed to express her true self.

After dinner is almost over, Dad asks Sam about his plans. So far, a few people have asked and he has avoided answering. I’m surprised when he takes a moment, then stands up and asks for everyone’s attention.

“I understand this might be a surprise,” he says. “But I’ve decided to go home—back to Decker’s pack.”

“What?” Lena cries as exclamations of shock ring around the table. “I thought you were going to college! Your grades are so good, you could go anywhere you want!”

“I will,” Sam says simply. “I’ll start applying right away. I know I can get a good scholarship. I’m just not even sure exactly what I want to do yet.”

“Don’t worry about money,” Mom says. “Anything you want to do, you have our full support, my almost grown-up pup.”

“How long is she going to call me that?” Sam mutters.

“For as long as she calls me Babykin,” I answer.

“Seriously, they kicked you out,” Bailey says. “I don’t know if you can just walk back in there.”

“That’s why I need your help, Bae,” Sam says, turning to him. “My family is of the founding wolves. I want to restore the honor of my grandparents, and my mother. I want to prove to Decker and the rest of the council that Father may be bad, but we are not. Will you help me, alpha?” Sam asks the last question with a slight dip of his head, deliberately breaking eye contact.

Bailey nods. “I will help you, brother. You aren’t just my pack, now—you are family.”

Gina takes Bae’s hand, and they put their heads together, sharing a moment of closeness. Jack turns to Lena, who has tears in her eyes.

“Not only do I want to restore the honor of our family, I want to repair the bond that your marriage serves. I know that Decker and Bailey intended to join our packs together and become true allies, and Father twisted this to use it to his own ends. That has caused a great rift to open between the packs again. If I return and work for the council, serving the pack, I can repair the bond. Strengthen the alliance.”

“Sam,” Lena whispers, tears streaking down her cheeks. He leans down to her and takes her hand.

“I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me,” he says. “And I promise you, I will apply to colleges with intent to start next year, or maybe defer, depending on what I end up doing with Decker. But my first priority is the pack. Not my old one, or my new one—but both, together, as one family.”

Lena throws herself into Sam’s arms and cries. The sounds of her sobs hurt my heart, but I know it isn’t all sadness. She will miss him, but today, he’s shown her that he’s grown into a man—a man who will put his duty and honor before anything else.

“Now I’m crying,” Mom wails.

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