Page 6 of Bullied Pregnant Mate

Bae shrugs. “She’s not loyal to him, either. The wild wolves will betray him just as fast as they turned on us.”

“So, what are we here to talk about?” Kyle asks. “If you’re looking for drinking buddies, we were just wrapping up.”

“That’s not why I’m here,” Bae answers. “We’ve decided to make another match between the witches and wolves. Most of the pack is of one mind, but a few are still wavering, and we want our position to be secure. The witches are back for good, andthey have our support. The best way of showing this is to have another ceremony.”

“With the power boost that comes from marrying a witch, I’m amazed the whole pack isn’t clamoring for a witch wife,” Jack comments.

“That’s my point,” Bae says. “They aren’t. Most of them want more information about it. How it works, why it happens, are there side effects, that type of thing.”

“And making a match is the best way of doing that,” Kyle says, nodding.

“So, who are we looking at?” Jack asks. “You’re here to discuss a new partnership, and you want our opinion, right?”

“Correct,” Bae replies. “And I’m looking at him right now.”

Silence falls around the table. I look up, suddenly realizing I’ve been miserably staring at my own hands all this time. When I see Bae’s amber eyes focused on me, a powerful chill runs down my spine.

“Me?” I ask, pointing at my own chest.

“You,” Bae answers firmly. “It’s time to step up, Jenks.”

“No,” I mutter, shaking my head. “I’m not ready for this. You can’t trust me to make a stable partnership. I’m the loose cannon, remember? I can’t settle down, no way.”

“That’s exactly why I’m choosing you, Jenks,” Bae says, his voice hard. “I know you want to contribute to the pack and that you’re carrying some guilt since the attack. I’m giving you a chance to prove yourself, to take a position of worth in the pack.”

“I’m the serial bachelor,” I retort, trying for a light tone. “I barely stay still, and I’m always up to wild antics. I’m the worst possible man for the job.”

I fuck up everything I touch. Just ask my mother.

“Jenks,” Bae says, “consider this for a full minute before you try to weasel out of it. You’re a direct relation to our luna, and you had close ties with Silverton. If you make a match with a witch, it will be a statement to the whole pack of our solidarity and commitment.”

I could redeem myself… I could do something truly useful with my life.

I drum my fingers gently on the table, my mind racing. The idea of being married terrifies me, but so does the idea of living alone, being utterly useless and practically cast out.

And there’s only one girl I ever really wanted to marry… though I fucked that up, too.

“What are you thinking?” Jack asks.

I nod slowly, feeling more confident by the second. “You’re right, Bae,” I say. “I think this could be good for me.”

“Excellent!” Bailey announces. “I was hoping you’d see the sense in it. I’m proud of you, Jenks.”

“Thanks,” I reply, nodding hesitantly. “I want to do something for my pack, something to support us and help us heal. I think this is a good opportunity to do it. I appreciate you offering this to me.”

I’ll think this through a bit, and maybe talk to the girls while we get comfortable making a match. Then I can redeem myself with this marriage and my ongoing support of the alpha and inner circle.

“Great! Let’s go!” Bae says, standing up. Jack and Kyle stand up, too, but I just sit there stupidly, staring up at them.

“Go where?” I ask. “What?”

“The wedding is tomorrow,” Bae answers. “And the witches are having a meeting right now to choose your bride.”

“Now?” I ask, shocked.

“Yes, now,” Bailey says, smiling. “I know it’s sudden, but this is how it’s done. You’ve agreed, and by the time we get to the bakery, the witches will have decided as well.”

“They’re deciding right now?”

---