Page 19 of Bullied Pregnant Mate

She doesn’t look up, just nods. I’m a frothing mess of anxiety as I get dressed and head back to the kitchen.

“Okay, I’m heading out,” I announce.

“All good,” she answers, still focused on finishing her pancakes.

“I’ll see you later.”

“Looking forward to it,” she says, waving goodbye with a little smile. I impress that moment of happiness into my memory as I leave the house, letting it give me hope.

It can work, I know it can. This is progress. We just need time.

I drive over to Shelley’s. The small parking lot out back is almost full. An entirely new kind of anxiety sings in my blood. This is the first time I’ve ever attended an official pack meeting.

Can’t say I’m looking forward to any of this. Boring at best, hard work at worst.

I try to push down my doubts as I enter the back door. Seeing Carson, Bae, Jack, Kyle, and Rider at the table brings my anxiety back in full force.

What am I getting myself into?

“Jenks, good to see you,” Bae says, gesturing for me to sit at the end of the table. “Thanks for coming.”

“Just doing my duty,” I answer, trying to make a joke. It falls flat, and nobody laughs.

Damn, I’m on a hot streak today.

“Okay, everyone. You all know why you’re here,” Bae begins. “There have been no outright attacks, but the woods are anything but quiet. Nate says the wild wolves are always watching us, and Decker is keeping a heavily armed perimeter.”

“We’ve got full security at New Hope,” Rider says. “But we’re not seeing much out there.”

“You don’t have any witches,” Jack points out. “It’s them they’ve got beef with.”

“Yes,” Bae agrees, nodding. “I’d appreciate it if you could extend your patrols into our territory, if it doesn’t thin out your perimeter.”

“Can do,” Rider agrees. “We aren’t taking any action?”

“Not directly,” Bae says, shaking his head. “I don’t want a war.”

“You may get one, whether you want it or not,” Carson says softly. “We haven’t heard a whisper about the Ancient Ones for over fifty years. If they are out running now, it’s only a matter of time until they attack.”

“What are the Ancient Ones?” I ask, cutting in without meaning to. “I’ve heard rumors flying around, but really, we know nothing.”

“I don’t want a panic,” Bae says firmly. “That’s need-to-know information. The only thing I want the rest of the pack to do is report sightings to me. Any larger-than-normal pawprints, a particularly strong, pungent smell, or signs of incredibly big, messy kills.”

“Like what?” I ask. “Any wolf might make a mess while hunting.”

“These things can disembowel a moose easily,” Bae says, his gaze hard. “And a lot of the time, they won’t even eat it.”

I want to ask more questions, but from the expressions on the others’ faces, it won’t do me any good. I press my lips together and try to just listen.

Never my strong point.

“We need you to participate on patrol, Jenks,” Bae says. “You know the area around your cabin better than any of us, and that’s where they’ve attacked before. I want full details from you daily, do you understand?”

“Yes,” I answer, holding in my questions with difficulty.

If the Ancient Ones are out there, shouldn’t I be prepared for it?

“I know you haven’t had much experience with patrol, and it’s more dangerous these days than it’s ever been. You will be backed up by an experienced pack member until you can manage, okay? It’s time to step up and do your duty, just like everyone else.”

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