Page 49 of Bullied Pregnant Mate

A snow bank crumbles under my paws, and I yelp as the small avalanche cascades down a steep slope. I can’t get a foothold anywhere and end up crashing into a huge rock with a pile of snow on top of me. For a moment, I just stay still and pant, my muscles quivering with exertion and fear.

They might want me to help them infiltrate. Even if I don’t agree, they could get information from me, and I’d be putting everyone in danger.

I know this is the main reason I can’t trust my supposed half-brother and father. It would be devastating to us if any wolves from Decker managed to get close. It’s already bad enough that we have family conflicts, such as Sam and Lena, as well as our suspicion that Decker has several of his wolves locked up simply for supporting peace.

What do I want? If this is true, do I want to get to know them?

These questions pain me, and I start kicking my way out of the fallen snow. By the time I struggle free, I’m bruised and trembling with exhaustion. Without even paying attention to where I’m going, I turn into the woods and start running again.

My mind is blank as I pace downhill, all my focus on the physical exertion of running through the snow. When theground flattens out around me and I finally look around, I realize I’m in my own backyard.

I made my way home.

As I walk towards the house, I shift back into my human shape, feeling so tired that it’s hard to hold my body up. I stumble several times, and as I get near the door, I collapse on one knee.

Jesus Christ, fucking get it together!

“Jenks!” I hear Alisa cry out. “Oh my God, Jenks, are you okay?”

She comes running from the house with a big trench coat, wrapping it around my shoulders and bending down to look into my face.

“I’m okay,” I croak.

“No, you’re not!” she scolds me. “Come on, come inside. I’ll make you something warm to drink.”

I stagger to my feet, letting her lead me inside. The gentle pressure of her hands soothes me, and I’m touched by her concern. I can tell by the look she’s giving me she wants to ask a million questions, but to my surprise, she doesn’t pry.

“Here,” she says, putting a steaming mug in my hands. “It’s some hot water and lemon. It will warm you up.”

“Thanks,” I mutter, wrapping my fingers around the cup. As the warmth seeps into me, I start to realize how cold I am and snuggle into the jacket a bit more.

“Do you want something to eat?”

“No, I’m fine,” I answer, my stomach lurching at the idea of food.

“You need to eat something,” she insists, bringing me a couple of plain biscuits. “Just to keep your blood sugar up.”

When she puts her hand on my forehead, my whole body responds with a wave of warmth. It’s as if she lit a fire inside me, regulating my temperature with her touch.

“You should go to bed soon,” she says. “It really feels like you’ve had a rough time and need rest.”

“Yeah,” I agree, still sipping the tea. My energy is coming back, but I still feel shaky, and I have a few bruises from the fall on the slopes.

Alisa gives me a firm hug. “Is there anything you need?”

The question rings through me, striking my bones and returning the chill to my blood.

I don’t want to be weak. I have to stand on my own… but I also need someone on my side. I don’t know how to let her in, but I’m trying.

“Alisa… will you stay in my bed tonight?”

Doubt flashes across her face, and her clear, crystal eyes look troubled. Immediately, I want to take the question back, but I hold my tongue.

I need to know how she feels, and I also need to stop deflecting and putting up walls.

“Okay, Jenks,” she finally says. “I can do that. It doesn’t mean it will be a repeat of yesterday, though.”

“Of course not,” I say quickly. “I wasn’t even thinking of that. I just don’t want to sleep alone.”

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