Page 29 of Bullied Pregnant Mate

Even though I have no idea how to face Alisa this morning, I’m still looking forward to it. There’s an awkwardness in me, now that I’ve seen her naked. I don’t really know how to act, but at the same time, I just want to talk to her, and be with her.

When I walk past her door, it’s closed. I can’t hear any noise from inside. I tiptoe past, not wanting to disturb her.

I’ll let her sleep in and have a nice breakfast ready when she wakes up.

In the kitchen, I get started on the pancakes and put the coffee on. Humming quietly to myself, I make an effort to be quiet so I won’t wake Alisa with a careless clash of pans on the stove.

I’ve always found cooking to be soothing, and I love doing it to give people pleasure. Often, at my all-night parties, I’d juststart throwing together pancakes and omelets at three in the morning, and then my huge dining area would be full of drunk, half-passed-out friends.

Those were the days, huh? Everyone’s too grown up for that now.

Maybe I should grow up, too.

Before I get a chance to really contemplate that idea, a terrified scream rips through the silence.

I don’t even think, I just sprint towards the sound. Only at this moment do I realize that the big sliding doors leading out to the deck are wide open.

It’s Alisa! She’s outside!

I shift mid-run, hurling myself down the long deck by the pool. I see Alisa running towards me, leaping up the back steps and charging towards the house. She sees me, and her face immediately crumples with relief.

Don’t stop running! Get behind me!

As if she can hear my thoughts, Alisa keeps going. I hear her footsteps thudding on the wooden deck behind me as I leap down the steps into the backyard.

There are two wolves coming right at me, and I don’t hesitate for a second. I hurl myself at the one closest to me. We hit the ground in a pile of wrestling limbs and flashing teeth.

We roll across the grass, twisting around each other like snakes. I try to snap my teeth shut on his throat, but I’ve never been in a fight before, and the other wolf stays out of my reach. I start to feel very uneasy as I realize he could have gotten me several times, but he doesn’t make any direct attempt to injure me.

What the hell is going on?

I pull back from the other wolf, bounding away a few steps before I turn and face them. I expect the second one to charge me, but to my shock, he keeps his distance.

Both of them stare at me, and I recognize the big, black wolf I saw last night.

They can’t be Ancient Ones. They aren’t big enough. But I don’t know them.

Again, the familiar scent drifts to me. It’s maddening, almost recognizable, but I’m sure I’ve never encountered it before. I raise my head and sniff, trying to get more information. The moment I move, the other two turn and bolt into the forest.

I’m so shocked that for a moment, all I can do is stand and watch them go. I’m drawn to follow them, but more than anything, I need to find out if Alisa is okay.

If they’ve hurt her…

I turn and bound back to the house, running faster than I ever have in my life. When I reach the back door, I see her sitting at the table with her head in her hands. Fear floods through me.

She’s hurt!

I shift as I walk through the door, crossing the distance to her in three long strides. I put my hand on her shoulder gently.

“Alisa, are you alright? Come on, let’s take you to the hospital.”

“No, no, I’m okay,” she says. “Just completely out of breath.”

She looks up at me, and her beautiful pale eyes widen in shock. “Jenks, I’m not hurt, but you are! Oh my God, these wounds are bad! We have to get you some help.”

“I can barely feel it,” I say dismissively. “Besides, I’m a shifter. It will heal soon enough.”

I’m actually in a fair bit of pain since I’ve never really been wounded or been in a fight, but I don’t want Alisa to worry.

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