Page 58 of Forced Knocked-Up Mate

Peter and I settle into a routine, going to the bakery for a few hours each morning and traveling to New Hope a couple of times a week. I watch him coaching the kids, and the way his face lights up when he sees them touches me deeply.

I sit on the benches behind the great hall at New Hope, waiting for Peter to finish today’s session. He’s out there with nine kids, getting them to sprint, climb, then shift and use their wolf skills. All of them enthusiastically follow his directions, and Peter beams the whole time, thriving on their attention.

If he doesn’t love me, at least he has found real, pure love. He knows what it is to be needed, and he doesn’t want to let these kids down. If I am not enough, then this should be.

I know if I truly love him, I should be happy for him that he is enjoying life and moving forward, even if I’m not a part of it. This doesn’t stop me yearning for him, and it doesn’t erase the fear in my heart that he might still leave the second he gets the chance.

“How’s it going?” Fiona asks, sitting down beside me.

I nod towards the field. “He’s doing an awesome job. The kids love him.”

“That wasn’t what I meant, hun,” she says, putting an arm around my shoulders. “I meant, how is it going with you?”

I want to give an easy, flippant answer, but tears fill my eyes. I shake my head.

“Oh, Lucy! That bad?” Fiona hugs me.

“No, it’s not. Not really. We wake up together and have breakfast, work together in the bakery, tend the pack, then make dinner. We’ve been doing everything together, and he seems to be enjoying himself with me.”

“So what’s the problem?” Fiona asks, rubbing my arm.

“The first problem is, I don’t know if any of this is real. The spell might be causing it, enhancing our attraction to each other and drawing us together. Then there’s the issue of being tethered… who’s to say he won’t just take off the second he can?”

“Has he told you what he wants?”

I shake my head, chuckling. “Nope. I’ve asked. But nothing.”

“He really does a great job with the kids,” Fiona says, watching him with appreciation. “They just adore him.”

I look out over the field, and Peter has the kids transforming into their wolf shapes, running an obstacle course, then shifting back to complete the rest of it on foot. Caleb leads the charge, transforming more smoothly than the others and taking on the obstacles with full enthusiasm.

Peter waits at the end of the course. When Caleb reaches him, he grabs the little boy and swings him around, making him laugh. Soon, all the kids are laughing, and so is Peter.

“What are you thinking?” Fiona asks.

“I’m thinking I need him to tell me what’s going on,” I say with a sigh. “The change of behavior doesn’t feel real.”

“If he told you straight out that he wanted to stay, would you believe him?”

“Good point,” I acknowledge.

Fiona laughs softly, reaching out to touch my hand. She rubs her finger gently across my wedding ring. Peter and I had them made a few days ago, very simple gold bands to signify our union and make it real.

“It’s not just the spell,” Fiona says. “You’re married now. No matter what happens in your life, even if you get divorced, he will still have been your husband. I know you only did it to try and break the spell, but it still means something.”

“I’m afraid you’re right,” I murmur.

Peter and the kids have started running towards us. Caleb launches himself at his mother from quite a distance, almost knocking her right off the bench.

“Did you see me, Mom?” he exclaims. “I won on the course! I was like lightning!”

“You sure were, kiddo,” Fiona says, laughing. “Strongest little pup in the pack!”

Peter leans over and tousles Caleb’s hair. “Great job, little buddy!” He turns to the rest of the kids. “Now, everyone, even though Caleb was the fastest today, he might not be next time. Even the alpha can falter. It is your job as pack members to try your best, every single day. Each of you is important—never forget that. You don’t have to be the fastest or the strongest to have value. If the alpha is unable to perform his duty, the rest of the pack steps up. Wolves who might be slower or not as strongcan be useful as stealth, scouts, or even back here in town to stand guard.

“The pack is strong because it cares for all its members,” he continues. “Never feel like less because you can’t do what another can do. I guarantee you, there will be a skill you have that no one else can master. What we’re aiming to do is find it so you can live true to your purpose. Understand?”

The kids happily agree, smiling and shouting as they jump up and down. Peter hands out hugs as the kids swarm him, then sends them off to find their parents.

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