Page 11 of Fat Forced Mate

"Politics." I laugh harshly. "You sound like Nic. He was always talking about that stuff.”

"Nic was wrong." The words surprise both of us. James runs a hand through his hair—a nervous gesture he inherited from Dad. "The way they treated you... the way I let them treat you... it wasn't right. He’s my friend, and I’m loyal to him, but I can admit it.”

I blink back sudden tears. "Little late for that revelation."

"Maybe." He takes another step closer. "But things are different now. The pack is changing. And Luna..." His voice drops. "There are things you need to know. About Mom and Dad."

My chest tightens. "What about them?"

He looks uncomfortable. “There have been rumors. About how they died. I don’t know much, but… if… if you were to end up staying, it might be dangerous—”

I speak over him. “I’m not staying. They’d have to kill me before I stayed.”

James’ brow furrows. “Luna, please—”

"Well, well. Look who's slumming with the half-breed."

The mocking voice makes me stiffen. Melissa Blackwood saunters toward us, flanked by her usual sycophants. TheAlpha's little sister has always been beautiful in a sharp, cruel way—all perfect, long limbs and predatory grace. Everything I'm not.

Once, years ago, we were classmates. She made my life hell, and it didn’t even seem like it took her much effort. Now, she probably works directly for the pack authorities, probably filing the Council’s paperwork. It must be a cushy life, I find myself thinking resentfully, the weight of years spent working gruelling hours to keep my business afloat feeling particularly heavy today.

"Melissa." James's tone carries a warning, but she ignores it.

"Lay off, Jamie, it was just a joke."

My brother frowns. He hates being called Jamie.

But Melissa kept talking before he could correct her. Her smile shows too many teeth. She leans around my brother to peer at me as if I’m some kind of insect, small and gross. “Still hiding behind your big brother, Lulu? Some things never change. Still can't fight your own battles without a real wolf to protect you?"

My magic stirs, responding to the threat, but it feels sluggish. I’m exhausted, I realize in a rush. Stressed and exhausted and… helpless, if she decides she wants to hurt me. Would James even defend me? Against the Alpha’s sister? Unlikely. I’m on my own.

I shuffle out from behind James, ignoring the warning look he casts me.

"I don't need protection," I say, proud that my voice remains steady. "I'm not hiding. Let’s not act like children, please."

"Not up for some fun?" She circles me slowly, subtly. A lioness with narrowed sights on a lone antelope. "Then why run away for years? Why only come back when forced? There were rumors you’d died, you know, after—”

"That's enough." James moves to intervene, but one of Melissa's friends—a massive enforcer named Derek—steps in his way.

"Pack business, Morgan," Derek growls. "Stay out of it."

"I built a life," I tell Melissa, trying to ignore how they're boxing me in. "A successful one. Without pack charity or family connections. I own a business, I live by my own means. If you think I care even a little about the happenings of Silvercreek anymore, your world must be very, very small.”

“Youbuilt a life?”she laughs. "Playing witch with your little herbs and potions? How cute." Her hand shoots out, grabbing my arm hard enough to bruise. "You're back in the real world now, half-breed. Time to remember your place."

I try to summon my magic, to defend myself the way I have before. But it sputters and dies like a flame without oxygen. Not enough gas in the tank. I can do nothing. I can’t defend myself—I’m seventeen again, tears in my eyes, running as laughter echoes around me, frantic, desperate to leave, leave, leave—

"Let her go." The command cracks through the air like a whip.

I whip my head around. Dominic stands at the edge of the garden, power rolling off him in waves. His eyes burn amber, his wolf close to the surface. For a moment, he looks so much like his father—the old Alpha in one of his rare displays of temper—that everyone freezes. It’s the first time I’ve seen him truly look like the leader of this pack.

Melissa's grip loosens. "Nic, we were just—"

"Release her." His voice drops lower, more dangerous. "Now."

She lets go and steps back, though rebellion flashes in her eyes. "You can't seriously be defending—"

"Careful." The word carries enough threat that even Derek backs away. "She's a lottery candidate. Under pack protection. We shouldn’t do this. You should know better.”

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