Page 2 of Forced Knocked-Up Mate

When I pull into the driveway, an icy breeze is blowing down from the high peaks. The sun is long gone, and the sky is clear, gleaming obsidian speckled with chips of glowing marble. I lean my head back, taking in those stars, wishing I could fly away and let the endless void embrace me.

Would anyone miss me?

I head inside, trying to ignore the silent stillness of the house. Suddenly, I can’t decide what to do. Ordinary routinesbeckon me—taking a shower, making some popcorn, and watching TV—but these seem like a pointless distraction from the emptiness inside.

If I just do what I always do, nothing will change. I’ll wake up tomorrow feeling worse, and this will just go on and on.

Tears fill my eyes and threaten to spill down my cheeks. I’m happy for Fiona and the others, I truly am. It just doesn’t stop me being sad for myself.

I never knew it was possible to feel this lonely.

Where is my love? There must be one for me, somewhere in this vast and wonderful world.

With a small gasp of surprise, I realize that tonight would be the perfect night for the ritual to call a lover. When the moon is waxing, almost full, the energy of the maiden becoming the mother is incredibly strong. It is the perfect phase for finding love.

I don’t give myself time to think, I just run straight into my room to fetch a clear quartz crystal and a white candle. Hurrying outside, I pick a pale pink rose and set off into the woods.

I can hear the distant howls as the wolves race into the mountains. All three packs are strongly bonded now and have become one huge family.

The closer they get, the more isolated I feel.

I move in the opposite direction, finding myself a small hill with a clearing at the top. The circle of dark trees creates a protective barrier for my spell, and the moon directly above casts rays upon me without shadows in the way.

I take off my dress, leaving it at the edge of the trees. Witches aren’t quite as comfortable with nudity as shifters are, but spells should still be performed entirely unclad. I set my candle on the ground, placing the crystal behind it and the rose in front.

Lighting the candle isn’t easy, but I finally get the wick to catch, and the breeze settles enough for the flame to burn steadily. Setting the matches aside, I turn back to my items and kneel, leaning back so I can look directly at the moon above me. I began to recite the pagan creed that all divinity has but one source.

“All gods are one god,” I whisper. “All goddesses are one goddess.”

I could call upon Aphrodite, Venus, or Freyja, but all of them are derivatives of the same energy. It doesn’t really matter which name I call on—the goddess will hear me if my heart is true.

“By my flame and crystal light, under moon, full and bright—guide my lover to me, here, tonight!”

Holding my breath, I let images cascade through my mind. The loving looks between Fiona and Rider, the joy on Caleb’s face as he sits between them. I imagine the empty spaces of my home filled with laughter and company—a real family.

In my mind, I can almost see him perfectly. He’s tall and strong, with a powerful gaze. He radiates a fierce, almost dangerous energy. That fire consumes and warms me… but never burns me.

A soft gasp slips through my lips as heat rises in my body, throbbing between my legs, tightening my nipples, and bringing a hot blush to my cheeks.

It’s been too long since I felt a lover’s touch!

“Merciful mother, goddess of love and fertility… hear me. Bring my heart’s desire to me… the man I need, and the man who needs me.”

A man just like Rider.

I stay completely still for some time, watching the moon above my head until my eyes hurt. I feel nothing inside, no comfort and no release. A chill suddenly comes into the air, leaving me covered in goosebumps and killing the lust inside me.

That’s one way to do it, I guess.

When I look down, my candle has gone out, and all the pale pink petals have fallen off the rose. I watch them scatter as the wind gets stronger, beginning to howl as it twists around the mountain peaks.

Gathering up my things, I hurry to put my dress back on and rush through the forest. The cold has set into my skin, making me tremble so badly, I can barely put one foot in front of the other. My teeth are chattering by the time I make it back to the house, but I still pause at the back door to look up at the moon one last time.

Did you hear me, Great Mother? Is there a man out there who needs me as much as I need him?

I feel absolutely nothing. No acknowledgement, no warmth. The sense of loneliness within only cuts deeper, with a sharper edge. Another cold gust of wind hits me, and I hurry inside, trying to hold back my tears.

Then I realize I’m still holding the naked stem of the rose. I slip back outside and toss it under the trees. My candle had burned down so low, it wasn’t worth bringing back. When I goinside again, I take my clear quartz back to my altar and place it next to the center candle.

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