Page 29 of Forced Plus-Size Mate

Chuckles sound around the circle, and the other witches start to try out their powers.

Zoe, Dani, and Marie have always had earth-based powers, and between them, they make a little patch of grass grow with spring flowers in the center. Hildy, Georgia, and Cerene turn the earth, bringing stones and gems to the surface. Jeanette and Tara conjure a fierce wind from the peaks, turning the air cold and then warming it up again. Kelly, Alisa, and Penny commune with forest spirits and a few old ghosts.

Nell goes last. She manages to pluck detailed thoughts out of everyone’s heads, even when they shield against her.

“It’s a start,” Zoe says, watching her patch of green grass wither and die. “But it took all three of us, and it didn’t last long. Hurt like a bitch, too, and now I have a headache.”

“Me too,” Georgia agrees, rubbing her temples. “And all we sifted to the surface was a few rough crystals. That shouldn’t have been this hard.”

“Well, it’s an improvement, anyway,” Lucy says with enthusiasm. “Better than yesterday, isn’t it?”

“Much,” Tara agrees. “But I’m even more keen to get my hands on a wolf now. If you two have gotten your powers back and affected the energy in all of us from marrying them, imagine what will happen if all of us do the same!”

Everyone starts talking at once, and the eagerness of every single girl sends alarm bells ringing in my head.

“Please, calm down,” I say, waving my hands to get their attention. “This isn’t just marriage, it’s a magical bond. It may even be soul-deep and eternal. We don’t know yet. It’s a massive commitment to make, and you need to consider it carefully.”

“Easy for you to say!” Zoe snaps. “You’ve got your wolf and your powers back, so you don’t have to worry about it anymore!”

“She’s right,” Georgia says in a flat voice. “You can’t argue the point, Amanda. You don’t know how it feels for the rest of us to see you and Lucy using your powers like this when we can barely shift a rock.”

“Girls,” Nell cautions, “imagine being tied to a man who doesn’t want you. Imagine corrupting his soul and murdering his heart. You’d slowly drain him of his magical essence, and he would hate you more every single day. Would it be worth it, to get your powers back?”

From the shocked expressions around the circle, I can see that none of them had actually thought about it until now.

“That almost happened to me,” Lucy whispers.

“And may well be happening to me,” I agree. “It’s too early to tell.”

“So, by all means, girls, mingle and see if you and the wolves can find a good connection,” Nell suggests. “We’re here to build ties. But I beg you, don’t do any spells, please. We just don’t know enough—and we have never, ever supported subjugating another’s will.”

Nobody speaks, but it looks like all the girls are in agreement. At least for now.

“Come on,” I say, breaking the dark mood. “It’s getting late, and we should go home.”

I feel optimistic for about two seconds before I remember where I’m going.

Back home. To that wolf who hates me.

Chapter 10 - Body

Amanda gets home much later than I expected. She didn’t answer any of my texts or calls, and I was starting to get truly worried by the time I saw Lucy’s car in the drive.

I already have bad news to give her. I didn’t need to add worrying about her safety to that burden.

I’m waiting in the hall when she comes through the door. She actually jumps a little when she sees me.

“Hi,” I say, a bit too suddenly.

“Jeez, Body, do you have to be waiting right at the door? You gave me a fright.”

“Sorry, but I have to tell you something. Didn’t you check your phone?”

“No,” she answers, staring at me. “What’s so important?”

“I have to leave early in the morning,” I say defeatedly. “It’s a trip with the young wolves that got organized months ago. I just forgot about it with everything that’s going on.”

“Oh. Okay, then. See you when you get back.”

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