Page 54 of The Alpha's Forced Pregnant Mate

"Not a fight," the wolf said. "Just talk. Come on."

I was surprised that Julian would agree so easily, but after a brief hesitation, he rose from his place and followed the Red Canine, who led him over to a small group of men gathered under a tree. I watched as Julian was pulled into the middle of the group, and they began to talk in low voices.

"What's that about?" I asked Laura, who was sitting beside me.

She shrugged, her face unreadable. "Guess we'll find out soon enough. I'm going to go hover and see if I can pick up any of what they're saying."

When it was just Saul and I, I went to stand, hoping to do the same as Laura and prevent any altercations between the two Alphas if they arose, but Saul stopped me with a single word. "Sit."

I sat.

The intimidating-looking witch leaned forward, speaking in a low voice. "You've got to tell him you're pregnant."

"Who says I'm pregnant?" I asked, trying to play dumb.

"Please. You don't need a spell to know that you're knocked up."

"How did you know?" I hissed.

Saul smirked. "I didn't, until just now."

"Fuck," I muttered.

"I already had a suspicion. I've always been able to tell you had a slight magic gift, but it felt different. What are you going to do?"

I shook my head. "I have no idea. I haven't told anyone yet, besides Laura. I've barely had time to process it myself."

"He needs to know," Saul said, his voice firm. "It's not fair to either of you to keep this a secret. He might have been more careful and less reckless if he knew."

"No…he wouldn't."

Saul huffed a laugh. "Yeah, okay, you're right. But still. You're telling him. Now."

I glared at him, my anger rising. "I don't need you telling me what to do. I'm perfectly capable of making my own decisions."

He didn't back down. "Yeah, and those decisions almost got you killed today."

The words hit me like a slap in the face, and I stood up suddenly. "You can't talk to me like that. I'm not a child."

Saul rose slowly, and I had to admit, he was scary. He was tall and lean, and there was a certain power that radiated from him. He looked at me with narrowed eyes. "You're right. You're not a child. But you are acting like one. Stop being selfish and tell your mate the truth. The baby is fine, by the way. The sedative was harmless."

Relief washed over me. “Oh, thank—"

"Tell him. Now. Or I will." He looked over to the group of wolves, but Danny and Julian were standing apart from the others now. "Oh, and your bitch friend stole my truck. You owe me a favor."

Chapter 20 - Julian

Facing Danny was like facing my own demons, and at first, we simply stared at each other. I'd never gone so long without seeing him, and I'd never seen him look at me with such pure, unadulterated hatred.

He was dirty from the fight but not nearly as much of a mess as I was. His wolves moved around us, trying to give us space while also keeping an eye on their Alpha in case he needed them. It hit me then how much they considered me an enemy, and what they thought I was capable of, as if I was going to attack Danny right then and there after his pack had come to my aid.

Finally, one of us spoke. It was Danny. "It's past 7 am."

I huffed a single, humorless laugh. "Yeah, well, extenuating circumstances and all."

"Right," he said. "You're fucking welcome, by the way. Now give me one good reason I shouldn't break your neck right here and now for what you did to my mate."

My chest burned at his threat—one I knew he would carry out—but I held my ground. I was not going to beg for forgiveness. That wasn't who I was. I'd explain myself if he gave me the chance, but I'd be just as happy to fight him if that's what he really wanted.

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