Page 30 of Forced Plus-Size Mate

“No, Amanda,” I sigh. Sorry, but you have to come with me.”

“What?” She frowns. “Why?”

“It’s tradition. We have to live together after the wedding. Like, a night or two here and there wouldn’t hurt, especially if there was a good reason, but I’m going right up into the mountains. You have to come.”

“And what if I refuse?”

“Then you have to go before the alphas to be judged. Considering the meeting I went to today, some of the higher-ranking wolves are just itching for any excuse to fuck over a witch.”

Her expression changes immediately, the usual warm blue of her eyes turning steely and cold. “What do you mean by that?”

“Not all the elders are happy about this arrangement,” I say. “Let’s leave it at that for now. But I have to go—I promised the youngsters. And if you don’t come, any judgment they put on you also applies to me.”

“Fuck!” Amanda cries. “Are you serious?”

“Completely.”

“When do we leave?”

“Four in the morning, I’m afraid.”

“Jesus, Body!”

“I know. There’s really nothing I can do about it.”

She glares at me, and I wish I could shrink into the floor to get away from her icy gaze. I’d forgotten that her warm, tropical blue eyes could change to slate gray when she’s pissed off.

Used to scare the fuck out of me. Still does.

“Well, I’d better shower and go to bed,” she says. “I’m only going to get a few hours’ sleep as it is.”

“Yeah. Like I said, I’m sorry. Can I make you something to eat?”

“No, it’s fine. I just want to rest. I can’t believe you’re making me do this, Body.”

“I can’t let my charges down,” I say firmly. “I'd like you to meet them, anyway. It’s kind of what I do now.”

“You’re a role model?”

“And a teacher.”

Her face softens a bit, but she doesn’t say anything. When she takes off down the hallway, I move out of her way and head back to my end of the house.

I find it almost impossible to sleep. My bones feel electrified, and my blood runs hot. When I do sleep, I fall into short, vivid dreams full of violence and screaming.

One of them is so real, I claw my way free of it, gasping and sweating as I shake myself awake. Once my eyes are open and I’m sitting on the edge of the bed, I realize I can still hear the screams.

I bolt for Amanda’s room, expecting the worst. Fear collides with fury in my chest, leaving my mind crystal-clear as my body throbs with adrenaline.

What if Decker’s pack has come for her?

I’ll kill anyone who touches my mate!

When I get there, she’s lying in bed, but she’s not peacefully asleep. The blankets and sheets are twisted around her body, and she’s thrashing around, moaning and crying out.

She’s having a nightmare, too.

“Hey, Amanda. Wake up.”

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