Page 80 of Bullied Pregnant Mate

I want to protest, but the pressure of her hand in mine gives me no room for argument. With a simple touch, she tells me she will stand by my side in front of this—and any challenge—we may face.

“Approach, Jenkins,” Bailey says.

Hearing my full name makes me flinch a little.Only my mother calls me Jenkins.

Not long after Alisa got out of the hospital, my mom called. She had spoken with Carla and found out everything that had happened. I’d never heard my mother’s voice so broken, and in that moment, I understood how hard it had been for her to hide the truth from me.

I thought I was protecting you, Jenkins. My sweet baby Jenks. I didn’t want your father to ever find you. Now I realize I put you in danger. If you had known about him, none of this would have happened.

New warmth grows in my chest as I remember her promise to visit soon, to meet Alisa and our baby when she arrives. I can feel how difficult it is for her to return at all.

Mother feels like she’s made so many mistakes, she can’t possibly atone for them all.

I know exactly how she feels.

I stand in front of the table, facing my judges. Carson looks absolutely livid, while the others wear mostly neutral but stern expressions.

“Jenkins, you stand before the pack elders and alphas today to answer for the crimes of withholding information, failing at your assigned tasks, and endangering your pack. Do you dispute any of these charges?”

“No, Alpha Bailey,” I say, trying to force my voice above a whisper. “I dispute nothing.”

Bailey’s eyes widen a little, but he recovers his stern tone and expression.

“As yet, we have few details about the events that led to the standoff at Ophir. I’d like you to tell us, in your own words, what happened to cause this incident. Start at the beginning, please.”

I look around the table and see watchful, expectant faces. Only Carson looks angry, and that gives me some hope.

Carson always looks angry.

“It was my first patrol, several weeks ago,” I begin meekly. “I was struggling because I am not well-bonded to my wolf, and I’ve never been conditioned to physical activity. I was tired, and my senses weren’t as sharp as they could have been.”

It sounds like I’m making excuses!

“I caught a strange scent,” I continue. “When I came out to the first ridge, I saw a wolf I didn’t know. The scent seemed familiar, even though I’d never seen him before. When he didn’t attack me, I returned home. I was very tired and didn’t think much of the incident.”

“You are aware you should have made a report?” Rider asks, his voice hard.

“Yes, Alpha Rider. I am fully aware. I failed in my duty, and I was punished swiftly for it. The next morning, this wolf and one other attacked my wife on my own property.”

Gina moves behind Bae, a look of disappointment settling over her face.

It’s worse than her being angry with me. I almost wish she would yell, scream, and call me a fool.

Alisa squeezes my hand, and it gives me strength.

“The black wolf and his companion attacked Alisa in my yard,” I say. “I fought them and drove them off. It appeared that they had slipped through patrols.”

“That area was your responsibility, Jenkins,” Nate reminds me harshly. He’s much younger than me, but his conditioning to the harsh ways of the mountain have tempered him so much, he carries a weighty presence.

“I am aware,” I say. “If I had completed my patrol and reported the incident, they would not have gotten through.”

“And even though there was an act of violence, still you did not report,” Carson snaps. “The Decker wolves are a direct threat to us, and to the witches, who we have only just welcomed back into the pack.”

“Yes, Carson,” I answer. “I agree with every single word. I did report at the meeting the next day.”

“That doesn’t excuse anything!” Carson barks. “You failed in your duty at the first instance!”

“Carson, enough,” Bailey growls. “Please, Jenks, go on.”

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