Page 33 of The Alpha's Forced Pregnant Mate

“There is,” a deep, familiar voice said from behind. I turned to see Julian, looking well-rested but understandably wary when he looked Laura’s way. “I found out she’s basically homeless and offered her one of the empty cabins if she agreed to train you in return.”

“Train me?” I echoed, not understanding.

“In witchcraft,” he clarified. “If you’re going to be running around all over the place with a target on your back, you might as well know how to use your power to the best of your abilities.”

“How do you know she’s even capable of training me?” I asked, curious. “She really agreed to do it knowing that I have barely any witch blood?”

Julian nodded his head, glancing over my shoulder at Laura before looking at me. “Yes, and I believe her. She just wants a safe place to stay.”

“So do we,” Laura snapped, taking a step forward. “Which you haven’t exactly provided so far.”

Julian met her eyes, and I saw his jaw tic slightly. “I know you don’t trust me, Laura, but I want you to know that you’re free to go whenever you want. If you leave, I’ll make sure the other pack members won’t bother you or follow you.” He turned back to me. “Just give it a chance, Whitney. You don’t lose anything by trying.”

“Fine. I’ll let her ‘train’ me, but in return I want you to leave us alone unless it’s about the demons.”

He frowned, looking displeased, but nodded. “That’s fair. I’ll leave you alone for now.”

I turned to Laura and arched my eyebrows at her, and she looked unhappy but sighed. “Okay. Thank you for your hospitality.”

Julian smiled slightly. “Of course. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a pack to run.”

He walked off without another word, and Laura sighed loudly. “I really don’t like him. There’s something shifty about him.”

“You think everything is shifty…but yeah, I agree,” I said with a laugh. “Come on, let’s see what this witch can teach me. It might be fun.”

***

It was harder for Julian to give us space than I originally thought, and when it became clear that I wasn’t going to stay in his cabin with him, he became broody and grumpy. I don’t know when I gave him any indication we would be acting like true mates now,but hope springs eternal, I guess,I thought to myself.

Two days later, Julian announced that he had to leave the cabins for a night to complete a big weapons delivery, and while it left a sour taste in my mouth, I didn’t complain. It wasn’t like I expected him to quit his job immediately.

Training with Erin was going about as well as my new mating—which is to say it sucked. Erin was young and while she clearly had some talent, she was also an amateur and had never trained anyone before.

The day Julian left, things came to a head. I was in Erin’s cabin while Laura read a book, sitting against a wall. She refused to leave my side now, even for my admittedly boring witch training.

I hated to admit that Julian was on to something because even with how amateur Erin was, I could feel a connection with the magic she tried to teach me that was a lot stronger than I expected. But still, it felt just out of my reach, and after three hours of trying to get me to meditate, Laura and I had both had enough.

“Let’s call it quits for today,” she said, giving me a sympathetic look when I winced and rubbed my temple. “I think you’ve got enough of a headache without this.”

“Yeah, okay,” I muttered, standing up slowly. My head swam and I felt nauseous. What was wrong with me?

“Maybe tomorrow will be better,” she said, trying to be encouraging. “I’m sure you just need more practice.”

I tried to smile, but I felt too sick to bother. “Sure, maybe.”

Laura sighed softly. “You go lie down, I’ll make you some food.”

I nodded and headed back to the cabin, letting myself inside and plopping down on the couch. I felt so exhausted, even though all I’d done was sit on my ass and try to focus my power. It had been almost impossible. I could feel it bubbling up under the surface, but I couldn’t grasp it and use it like Erin did.

The thought of food made my stomach turn, and I sighed softly and closed my eyes. I knew I should eat, but I was afraid I’d puke it all back up. Maybe I was sick.

I didn’t remember falling asleep, but I must have dozed off because I woke to Laura shaking my shoulder gently.

“Whit? You okay?” she asked, peering down at me with a worried expression.

I blinked slowly, then sat up and smiled at her. “Yeah, fine. What’s up?”

“I brought you some dinner.” She held up a plate of pasta and a cup of broth. “And some medicine, if you want.”

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