Page 73 of Bullied Pregnant Mate

"You seem happy," my mother said, breaking the silence.

"That's because I am," I said, staring at her.

She nodded, looking around the space. "This is a lovely home. I see why she fought so hard for it."

I raised an eyebrow. "You knew about that?"

She snorted. "Oh please, Chris is a pompous ass that tells everyone everything. The only reason I knew she won was that he came back in a foul mood." She shifted in her seat. "And your father will come. He may be cold, strict, and a rule follower, but he will come. Your father doesn't bend to anyone, but that man is going to bend to me."

Even if he did, even if he never accepted Joseph, I didn't care. This was the life I wanted, and I was happy with it.

I woke the next morning to silence. I could hear soft music playing in Joseph's room. I rolled over and found Gina's spot empty. I sat up, scanned the room, and found it empty.

I quickly dressed and headed down the hallway, finding her office door open. She was at her desk, her fingers typing away and her eyes glued to the screen. I walked over, resting my hands on the back of her computer. "You're up early."

She glanced away from her screen and then back to it. She nodded her head. "Joseph was up, and I couldn't fall back asleep."

I moved my hands, wrapping them around her and inhaling her scent. "Are you worried about my mother being here?"

She shook her head. "No, your…your mother is lovely."

"Then is it maybe the date?" I asked, knowing today was her birthday.

She sighed. "Possible."

I kissed the top of her head. "Happy birthday."

She turned, tilting her head slightly as she looked at me. A small smile pulled at her lips as she pulled herself up. "Thank you."

I pulled her close into a hug and felt her relax against me. I knew she didn't enjoy her birthday since she spent most of it alone, but I wanted to make it special because it was special.

"I have a surprise for you."

She leaned back, raising an eyebrow. "Your mother wasn't enough?"

"That wasn't even me," I said, rolling my eyes. "I invited everyone over for dinner tonight. Do you think you are up for that?"

She remained quiet for a moment before she nodded. "Yeah, I don't see why not."

I kissed the top of her head. "Good. It will be a good day. You're going to love it."

The morning went by quicker than I expected. My mother spent the morning with Gina and Joseph, doing whatever they wanted. I spent the morning getting the garden prepared for tonight.

It was just a little after three when Ayden, Wendy, Poppy, and Zayden arrived. They all looked in good spirits, even Ayden. Since the attack on Gina, he's been gone a lot. He'd been having meetings with the surrounding packs, asking what steps he needed to take. He was trying to avoid a fight, but pretty soon, it was going to be the only answer.

Ayden didn't enjoy bloodshed, and we could all see how the tension was building for him and Owen.

Owen, Ashley, and Ivy were the next to arrive. The kids instantly ran around, chasing each other outside the garden to a sprinkler I had set up earlier.

"The garden is beautiful," Ashley said, taking the space in. "Gina must be so pleased with how it's looking after everything."

"Speaking of Gina, where is the birthday girl?"

"I'll be out in a second," Gina said from one of the kitchen windows.

"Where do you guys want the gifts?" Ashley asked, waving a wrapped present. "We got her a new planter."

I couldn't help smirking, knowing how excited she would be.

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