Page 20 of Bullied Pregnant Mate

My heart sinks as I realize this work is going to take me away from Alisa. I just want to spend time with her, try to make up for all the pain in our past.

How can I convince her I’m not the same guy I was before when I’m not even there? She’s going to think I don’t care.

I open my mouth to protest, but then I see the glow in Bae’s eyes as his wolf rises. He’s not asking me as a cousin or friend. He’s telling me, as the alpha, that I have to do this.

Deep down, I know I’ve avoided pack duty for far too long. Going to help Sam in Silverton got me off the hook for a while, but now that I’m back, there’s really no excuse.

Holding a party—or a funeral—at my place isn’t enough. I have to work and show my pack I’m committed to our new course.

“Okay, Bailey,” I answer with conviction in my voice. “I’m on it. Just say the word.”

“Good man,” Bae says.

He turns to the others to begin to schedule ongoing rotations of pack members. I try to pay attention, but pretty soon, their voices become a swirl of noise I can’t make out.

All I can think about is Alisa, and how I finally have a chance to show her how I really feel. But now pack business is going to take me away from her.

Chapter 7 - Alisa

Even though Jenks said he’d clean up, I rinse the dishes, stack everything in the dishwasher, and get it started. I want something to keep my hands busy while I try to quiet my thoughts.

It works for a short while, but once the kitchen is tidy, I end up standing at the back doors, staring out across the deck and into the forest. Even though the scene is breathtakingly beautiful, I’m barely paying attention to the snow-dusted trees and dramatic cliffs.

I can’t hide from him in his own house. So long as he understands how I feel, I can be civil to him. It’s just hard.

Forgetting what he did to me is impossible. Years of torture can’t just be erased, and I’ve never forgiven him. Still, I don’t want this to be hell for either of us. And if he’s trying, so should I.

Breakfast was nice. I never expected party-boy Jenks to work so hard at anything—ever.

I was surprised when he asked me to go shopping later, but appreciative. It’s a sign that he really wants me to feel comfortable here. And after last night, I needed to hear it.

Was he being a jerk, like years ago, or was he just locked in an old pattern, clumsily forging his way into this new relationship? He might not know any other way of interacting with people.

A twist of anxiety flickers through my guts. I’m so attracted to him, it would be easy to make up colorful excuses for his behavior and believe them. He might be the same nastybully from high school, attempting to make nice for his pack, but barely restraining himself from his true nature.

The ugly thought sours my mood, and I turn away from the windows, not even sure where I’m going. I stop by the home theater—a spacious room with four rows of comfy seats facing a wall-sized screen. Even though I love movies, it feels kind of wrong to sit in here by myself.

When I get to the den, I wander up and down the bookshelf, not finding anything that really grabs my attention. When the doorbell rings, my relief is so strong, I get goosebumps.

Thank fucking God.

I hurry out of the den and up the hall to the front door.

It’s funny, I had the thought I couldn’t hide from him in his own house—but the place is so huge, I probably could.

When I open the door and see Gina, Amanda, and Lucy, I hurl myself into their arms, squeezing everyone in a four-way group hug.

“I’m so glad to see you!” I exclaim, my voice muffled by somebody’s hair.

“It can’t be that bad,” Amanda replies, untangling herself. “It’s only been one night.”

“You should have seen my house after one night with Peter,” Lucy says with a low whistle. “It was pretty devastating.”

“So I heard,” Amanda answers with a grin and a wink. “And that all turned out okay.”

“Come in, please,” I say, grabbing Amanda’s hand and practically dragging the girls inside. “I can’t thank you enough for coming over, really.”

“I wanted to make sure you were settling in,” Gina replies. “It’s important that Jenks is committed to his role in the pack.”

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