Page 14 of Forced Knocked-Up Mate

“Like what?”

“Like… Rider’s brother’s back, and he’s here.”

“What?!” the voice shrieks.

“He’s here. In my kitchen.”

“PETER IS HERE?”

“WHAT?” a male voice roars, drowning out the two women.

Lucy looks up at me with tears in her eyes. She looks so miserable, I almost feel bad for her.

Almost, but not really.

Chapter 5 - Lucy

To say it was the most uncomfortable phone call of my life would be a drastic understatement.

Everyone starts yelling at once, and I close my eyes, gripping the phone. The situation is bad enough now, but once Fiona and Rider hear about how Peter ended up here, it’s going to get immeasurably worse.

And I am so stupidly, ridiculously attracted to him, even though he’s the most infuriating, arrogant jerk I’ve ever met!

There is also a sense of familiarity around him that is spooking me out a bit. A few minutes ago, when I was cooking the bacon, I felt an eerie sense that all of this had happened before. I have had premonitions all my life, and this felt exactly the same.

It can’t be. I won’t accept it!

When the yelling finally settles down, Rider says he’s coming to Silver Meadows immediately.

“I have to open the store,” Fiona says. “We’ll all go.”

“Let’s take separate cars,” Rider says. “Then you can go to the store, and I’ll go to Lucy’s.”

“Hmm,” Fiona murmurs, considering. “I actually think the store can wait for today. What do you think, Lucy? This should qualify as a personal emergency.”

“It definitely does,” I agree, staring at Peter. I hold the phone towards him, raising an eyebrow. He shakes his head.

He doesn’t want his first talk with his long-lost brother to be on the phone. I don’t blame him.

“Okay, so we should all just go to Lucy’s, then,” Fiona says. “How on earth did he end up there, Lucy?”

I swallow hard. “Actually, I’m having a bit of a problem,” I say, my voice wavering as I fight the tears of frustration and shame that are threatening to spill. “We are kind of tethered together… like, magically… and I can’t break the spell.”

“What the fuck,” Fiona whispers. I hear Rider whisper the same words somewhere in the background.

“I’ll explain everything, but do you know anyone who has magical abilities?” I ask. “I need help.”

“I tell you what,” Fiona replies. “I’ll bring Jen. She’s as old as some of these hills, and she knows a lot of magical lore. Aside from that, do you know any other witches?”

“A couple,” I answer. “I don’t think they have the ability for this type of thing, but I can message them.”

“Good, do that. We’ll be leaving soon. Should we come straight to you?”

The idea of every witch and werewolf from New Hope and Silver Meadows combined descending on my house shreds my guts with fear.

“How about Shelley’s?” I suggest.

“Great idea,” Fiona answers. “We’ll be there soon.”

---