Page 7 of Fat Forced Mate

"Mine," he growls again, and I believe him with every fiber of my being. Believe this means something real, something lasting. His wolf howls as we move together, and for once, I don't feel broken or wrong or less-than. I feel whole.

"Nic," I gasp as pleasure builds between us. "I need—"

"I know, darling. I've got you." His rhythm speeds up, one hand sliding between us to draw me closer to the edge. My magic sparks and swirls around us, creating patterns of light in the darkness.

Hours later, tangled in his sheets, I trace the tattoo over his heart—the intricate pack symbol he'll carry as future Alpha. In the firelight, the black lines seem to move, telling stories of legacy and duty. Of birthright.

"I love you," I whisper, thinking he's asleep. The words feel like both a prayer and a curse.

His arms tighten around me. "Luna..." There's something in his voice, something that should warn me. A hesitation. A fear. But I'm too happy, too complete in this moment to hear it. Instead, I press closer, breathing in his scent, pretending this night can last forever.

"We'll find a way," he murmurs into my hair. "I promise."

The next night, he breaks my heart in front of the entire pack.

"Luna?" Ruby's voice pulls me back to the present. "Where did you go just now?"

I blink away the memory, my skin still tingling with phantom touches. "Nowhere good."

"Mm-hmm." She eyes me knowingly. "Would this 'nowhere' happen to involve a certain Alpha and his cabin in the woods?"

"Ruby!"

"What? The whole pack might like to pretend that never happened, but I remember how you looked that summer. Like you were glowing from the inside out." She reaches across to squeeze my hand. "You deserved better than how it ended."

I swallow hard. "It doesn't matter now. Ancient history. I’m long since over it."

"Sure. That's why your magic just made every book on the romance shelf fall over." She nods toward the mess of fallen paperbacks. "Want to talk about it?"

I shake my head, and I know she’ll respect that. "Tell me more about what's changed. People have mentioned problems at the borders. And no matter its outcome, surely the lottery won’t stabilize matters.”

Ruby's expression turns serious. She sets down her cup and moves to check that the store's front door is locked. When she returns, her face is carefully neutral.

"There have been... incidents. Wolves disappearing from neighboring territories. Whole packs finding their borders compromised. The Council's been trying to keep it quiet, but..." She hesitates. "It reminds me of the stories. About what happened to your parents."

My throat closes up. "Ruby..."

"I know, I know. But Luna, the patterns are similar. The way the attacks seem targeted, strategic. And now, suddenly, they're reviving the lottery after fifty years?" She leans forward, voice dropping. "Something's coming. The pack feels it, even if most don't understand what they're sensing. There's this... tension in the air."

She's right. I've felt it since I arrived—an electric undercurrent that makes my magic restless. "Why now? Why bring me back after all this time?"

"That's what I've been trying to figure out." Ruby rises, pulling a leather-bound journal from her private collection. "I've been researching the lottery's history. Did you know it was originally created as a response to some kind of threat? The records are vague, but they talk about 'dark forces' that feed on pack discord."

I take the journal, recognizing the elaborate script. "These are Elder Victoria's notes?"

Ruby grins. "Being the pack's primary book supplier has its advantages. People forget I exist until they need something rare. And they definitely forget I can read the old languages." Her smile fades. "Luna... be careful. Whatever's happening, you're somehow important to it. I can feel it."

A howl echoes from the forest—the signal for an upcoming pack meeting. My stomach churns. I'll have to face them all soon, endure their stares and whispers. "I should go prepare."

Ruby hugs me tight. "You're stronger than them. Don't let them make you forget that again. And once it’s over, you’re home free—and I know you’re happier out there than here."

I squeeze her back, grateful beyond words for this one true friendship in a den of wolves. "I've still missed you, Ruby. Nothing could change that."

"Missed you too, witch-girl. Now go show them what you've become."

Instead of heading straight back to my assigned quarters, I find myself walking toward the forest trail. The woods have always been Silvercreek's heart, ancient pines standing sentinel over generations of pack life. The path is well-worn, with dappled sunlight playing over fallen leaves. My magic hums contentedly here, away from judging eyes.

I pause at the edge of Shadow Creek, where Nic and I used to meet in secret. The water still tumbles over moss-covered rocks, eternal and unchanged. How many nights did we spend here, planning a future that could never exist? How many promises did we whisper, thinking love could overcome pack law and tradition? The path winds through stands of ancient pine and maple, their branches creating ever-shifting patterns of light and shadow. Here and there, younger trees grow in clusters—planted by new pack members during their claiming ceremonies. I pass the twisted oak where Nic first kissed me, its bark still bearing claw marks from where his wolf got excited and forgot to stay contained.

---