Page 27 of Forced Knocked-Up Mate

A lump rises in my throat, and I see the look in Rider’s eyes. There’s pain in it, but determination, too.

Neither of us had a dad at all. Caleb gets to have two—and he damn well should.

Even though I’ve known the kid for all of two seconds, I feel an unbelievable bond with him. I know that I’d fight to the death to protect him, and ensure that the evils of the world I’ve had to endure never, ever touch him.

“It’s nice to meet you, little man,” I say, gently ruffling his hair. “And I’ll happily be your second dad.”

Caleb smiles, and it’s so radiant and innocent that it almost tugs my heart right out of my chest. Even though I’mconnecting with the kid, I’m relieved when Rider puts him down and Caleb runs away with his friends.

I’m definitely not ready for this.

When we sit down to eat, I feel incredibly out of place. The pack do their best to make me feel welcome, but the atmosphere just keeps getting more awkward.

There it is. There was no one to yell “cut,” but the idyllic scene has ended.

My wolf feels restless, dreaming of running through the surrounding hills, free and alone. The connections to all these people, even Rider, don’t feel warm and welcome—they feel like chains binding me to a life I didn’t choose.

Happiness isn’t real. Stability is an illusion. The only safety is in solitude.

I’m relieved when the meal wraps up. I join Lucy at the end of the table, happy to see that she appears relaxed and calm.

Maybe we’ll actually be able to communicate without arguing this time.

“Ready to go?” I say.

“Sure,” she answers, her smile slipping just a bit. She hugs Fiona, and I turn away, striding across the field towards the car.

Lucy has to jog to keep up, and I keep my distance, not looking back but listening to make sure she’s still coming.

“Will you slow down?” she yells as we hit the trees. “What are you in such a hurry for?”

“I’m not walking that fast,” I snap, walking faster. “Why are you being so slow?”

I hear an exasperated sigh, but I don’t slow down. When I get to the car, I have to wait several minutes for her to catch up and end up pacing.

“What took you so long?” I ask, exasperated. “I’ve been waiting ages.”

She folds her arms across her chest and shakes her head. “I decided if you want to rush home, that’s your business. I’m not exhausting myself or risking falling over in the dark just to keep up with you.”

“Fine,” I say flatly. “Let’s just go, then.”

She sighs, a bit too dramatically, then gets in the car. I jump in the passenger side, feeling my irritation rising steadily. I’ve never been good at controlling my temper, even at the best of times.

And this is hardly the best of times.

The connection I felt with Caleb, reuniting with my brother, and the kind smiles of all the residents of New Hope echo through me. But instead of soothing me, it feels like alarm bells are being set off. Everything I love about my life—the freedom, lack of accountability, and rejection of social norms—feels like it is under threat.

“Do you have any idea how we are going to break the spell?” I ask as Lucy navigates the dark mountain road.

“I messaged my mentor, Amanda. If anyone can help us, she can.”

“Great,” I scoff. “I’ve been enchanted by an amateur.”

“I’m not an amateur,” she says stubbornly.

“Tell that to the—what did you call it?—forced teleport. If you have the power to do that, how come you don’t have the power to undo this?”

“It’s complicated! Magic isn’t always straightforward.”

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