Page 46 of Bullied Pregnant Mate

“I sure can,” I answer, hugging her back. “I’m so glad you came over. Jenks is out on patrol, Body.”

“I know,” Body replies. “I’m supposed to be joining him. I can track his scent up the mountain, don’t worry.”

“Was he supposed to wait for you or something?” I ask, wondering if Jenks just wanted to get out of the house to avoid a potentially confronting conversation.

He’s exposed himself to me now. That might soften him up… or it might force his defenses back into place.

“No, Bae wanted him to go straight out,” Body answers. “He wants me out a little later, as a rear guard. We have a grid set up, trying to catch the new guys and see what they’re up to.”

“Okay,” I say. “So long as Jenks is doing the right thing. He’s really trying to do his best.”

“We know,” Body says, smiling. “I’ll head out, if you guys want to hang out and chat.”

“We definitely do,” Amanda laughs, holding up a bag of goodies from the bakery. “Let’s go get comfy in the den and catch up!”

Body goes down the hall, heading for the back deck. Amanda grabs my hand and hurries me into the den, where we get comfy on the big, soft couch.

“This place is great,” Amanda says, looking around. “I’ve always loved it. Body has a nice house, but Jenks’s place is truly extravagant.”

“Yeah, it’s nice,” I say distractedly.

“You don’t sound too enthused. Are you okay?”

I rummage in the bag for a donut and quickly stuff a glazed chocolate one in my mouth so I don’t have to answer. Amanda smiles, grabs a treat for herself, and watches me with wide, expectant eyes.

“What?” I mumble around the mouthful of donut.

“I’m just here to listen, Alisa. I think you should unburden yourself, because it’s pretty obvious you’ve got something to discuss.”

“Is itthatobvious?” I sigh.

“Well, I think anyone would notice you’re worried, but it’s especially easy for me to read your aura.”

I smile softly. “It’s silly, but sometimes I do forget that you’re a master witch.”

She shrugs. “I’d prefer not to be called that, but okay.”

“None of us have the skills that you do, so it fits.”

“Alisa, you’re deflecting.”

I roll my eyes a little. “Okay, okay.” Putting my donut down, I blink a few times and let out a big, deep breath. “Jenks bullied me pretty badly in high school,” I begin.

“We know,” Amanda says quietly. “Most of the school witnessed it. You can open up to me, Alisa. I’ve lived a similar story.”

“It wasn’t just that he was mean. I became so self-conscious about what he said to me that I couldn’t express myself. I chose different clothes, kept my head down, changed the tone of my voice, everything. I just wanted him to leave me alone. I tried to disappear.”

“Oh my God, Alisa,” Amanda gasps. “I thought you were just naturally shy. I didn’t think it had anything to do with Jenks.”

I shrug and sigh. “Well, now you know. I’m aware that you were bullied, too, as well as some of the other girls, but it didn’t seem to stop you from expressing yourselves. In fact, for some of you, it seemed to make you more determined to be who you really are.”

“Yes,” Amanda agrees, nodding. “It really didn’t change me. It hurt me, for sure, but I never wanted to bend to fit anyone else’s idea of what I should be.”

A tear threatens my eye, and I wipe my cheek irritably. “I don’t know what I could have been if it wasn’t for Jenks looming over me in high school,” I mutter. “It’s hard to forgive him for that.”

“I understand,” Amanda says. “I do. It must have been a shock to find out you’re marrying him. I’m guessing you went along with it to protect your sisters in the coven?”

I nod miserably, the tears finally brimming up and spilling down my cheeks.

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