Page 21 of Fat Forced Mate

"No." Ruby's grip tightens. "Your options are to face these trials with your head high, proving everyone wrong about you, or to let them win. To let them break you like they almost did five years ago."

The words hit like a slap. She's right—I ran once before. Let their cruelty drive me away from everything and everyone I loved. Built a new life because I couldn't face the ruins of the old one.

"I'm not that girl anymore," I whisper.

"No, you're not." Ruby's smile holds fierce pride. "You're stronger now. Wiser. And your magic..." She gestures at the still-rattling vase. "It's different. More focused. They can't hurt you the same way they did before."

Unless they already have. Unless Nic's touch this morning, his devastating nearness, has already cracked the armor I spent five years building.

"He's different too," I find myself saying. "Nic, I mean. There's something... I don't know. Heavier about him. Like he's carrying more than just the Alpha title. I keep catching myself thinking maybe he grew up, and then saying, ‘To hell with that idea’. But…”

Ruby's expression turns knowing. "You still care about him."

"I—" The denial dies in my throat. What's the point in lying to the one person who saw exactly what his rejection did to me? "It doesn't matter how I feel. He made his choice five years ago. The pack will always come first."

"Maybe." Ruby stretches her legs out, considering. "But maybe the pack needs exactly what you are—someone willing to challenge the old ways. To prove that being different doesn't mean being weak." She pauses. "And maybe Nic needs that too."

I snort. "Right. Because the mighty Alpha Blackwood secretly wants his mate to be a hybrid who can't even shift."

"His wolf seems to want you." At my startled look, she grins. "Oh,please, the whole pack saw how he reacted when Melissa tried to bully you yesterday. That wasn't just Alpha protection. That was pure possessiveness."

Before I can argue, a wave of exhaustion hits me. I've barely slept since receiving the summons, and this morning's magical outbursts didn't help. Ruby notices immediately.

"You should rest. The trial won’t take them long to set up—they’re saying it’ll be tomorrow morning now—and you'll need your strength."

"I can't sleep here." But even as I say it, my eyes grow heavy. "Every time I close my eyes..."

I don't finish the sentence, but Ruby understands. She pulls a small sachet from her pocket—lavender and chamomile, with a hint of something deeper. Dream herbs. The scent reminds me so strongly of my shop that it makes my heart seize. "Here. It'll help."

"You're the best friend I could ask for." Tears prick my eyes. "I've missed you so much."

She hugs me again, fierce and protective. "Get some sleep, witch-girl. Tomorrow, you show them exactly what a hybrid can do."

After she leaves, I clutch the sachet to my chest and finally let my eyes close. The herbs work quickly, pulling me down into dreams filled with amber eyes and burning touches and the memory of how Nic's voice used to sound when he whispered my name like a prayer.

Abruptly, I’m there in his cabin again, five years ago. Moonlight streaming through windows that would shatter hours later when my magic exploded in response to his rejection. Butin this moment, his hands are gentle as they trace my curves, his voice rough with want.

"Perfect," he whispers against my skin. "You're perfect, Luna."

I arch into his touch, magic sparking between us. "Nic, please..."

"Mine." His wolf eyes glow amber in the darkness. "Say you're mine."

"Yours. Always."

The scene shifts, blurring into this morning's confrontation in his office. My feet are under me again, and my knees aren’t shaking, but it’s a close thing. I can feel a heat in my core I can’t acknowledge for fear of what it would do to me.

His body presses me against the desk, but this time, there's no interruption. His lips crash into mine, desperate and claiming. Papers scatter as he lifts me onto the desk. My legs wrap around his waist, pulling him closer. Magic crackles between us like lightning.

"I never stopped wanting you," he growls against my throat. "Never stopped—"

I jerk awake, gasping, magic surging wildly enough to rattle the windows. Dawn light creeps through the glass, painting the room in shades of rose and gold. The dream herbs' sachet has fallen to the floor, its protection spent.

For a moment, I let myself feel the phantom sensations—Nic's hands on my skin, his voice in my ear, the solid heat of him against me. Then, I force it all away. I can't afford these distractions. Not today.

The trial awaits.

A knock announces the arrival of my "escort"—two young enforcers I don't recognize, both radiating that particular mix of disdain and uncertainty the pack reserves for hybrids. They lead me through the pack house's winding corridors, past paintings of previous Alphas who all seem to watch my passage with judging eyes.

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