Page 25 of Bullied Pregnant Mate (Silver Meadows Wolves #7)

I’m drifting in a warm, comfortable darkness, wrapped in safety and heavy with sleep. The world around me feels soft and fuzzy, and gentle sounds lull me into a stupor.

Am I dead?

As sensation returns to me, I realize the last thing I remember is seeing the love of my life being betrayed by his family. The pain of that moment echoes through me, penetrating my soul.

No. Poor Jenks! No, not again!

Even though I was afraid for a moment that he’d betrayed me, my heart knew it couldn’t be true. The pain in his eyes and the terrible loss in his soul told me everything I needed to know.

And I stood by him, just like I promised—right to the end.

I struggle a little, trying to regain some feeling or thought, but it’s like swimming in heavy, dark clouds. I can barely move, and my thoughts are floating just out of reach.

Maybe I am dead.

The thought causes me more pain. Jenks has suffered enough in his life, and he shouldn’t have to lose me, too.

Then I remember my daughter.

I reach for her, as I so often have over the last couple of days. I can’t sense her light or feel her heartbeat. Panic fills me, banishing the clouds of pain and disorientation.

Wake up!

“Wake up, Alisa, please wake up.”

Jenks!

As I struggle to rise, I can feel his hand on mine, holding on to me and not letting me drift away. I cling to that sensation and follow his love, letting it bring me out of the darkness.

“Jenks,” I murmur, finally opening my eyes. The room is warm and bright, with very soft, wavering light.

I’m in a hospital!

“What happened?” I ask, struggling to sit up. “What’s going on?”

“It’s okay, just rest,” Jenks says, putting a hand on my chest and gently pushing me back down. “You really scared me.”

“I’ll lie down, but tell me what the hell happened? The last thing I remember is seeing Brad and Jerry coming after you. How did we get here?”

“You don’t remember calling the witches?” he asks, kissing my hand. “You saved us. The whole coven came, and Bae, and the others. We won.”

“What happened to your father?”

“I don’t know,” Jenks shakes his head. “I beat him, I know that much. Bae hunted down and killed a lot of their fighters when they refused to retreat, but I honestly don’t know what happened to Jerry.”

“Your brother? Brad?”

“Same story,” he says grimly. “No clue.”

“Things are starting to come back to me,” I whisper, rubbing my head. “Jerry said they had wolves locked away in dungeons.”

“Yeah, he did,” Jenks replies. “But we have more important things to worry about right now. How are you feeling?”

“Okay, I guess. Tired. I’m not hurt.”

“What happened?”

“I’m not sure. I guess I just passed out.”

There is a moment of silence, and I know I should tell him about the baby. I’m struggling to find the words when he wraps both his hands around mine and squeezes gently, closing his eyes and shaking his head.

“I’m just so, so happy to see you open your eyes,” he says, looking up at me. “You scared me so much. I couldn’t believe I put you in danger, and we so very nearly didn’t come out of it, and then you collapsed, and—”

“Jenks, it’s okay.”

“It’s not fucking okay! I should have known they were going to fuck me over. I let my emotions get the better of me, and I fucked up as badly as I possibly could. I put you in danger, I betrayed my pack… you need to know, I didn’t intend for any of this to happen.”

“I know, Jenks, I do—”

“No, I have to apologize properly,” he almost moans. “I saw the look on your face when Jerry came at us. You were afraid that I betrayed you, and I need you to know I would never do that.”

“I know, Jenks. I was just scared for a moment. Not just for myself, but—”

“I should never have put you in that position! I shouldn’t have risked your life. There is no excuse for what I’ve done.”

“Excuses? Maybe not, but you had a good reason. No one is perfect, Jenks. I know you were just hurting, and hoping you could find your family.”

“No, listen,” he implores me. “Really listen. I love you. I love you more than anything in this world, and I can’t lose you. I will never put you in harm’s way, ever again.”

Tears fill my eyes, stinging as they pour down my cheeks. For the first time ever, Jenks is completely laid bare before me, with his heart fully open and nothing hidden.

He has accepted himself, all his flaws and his strengths, and he wants to be better.

“Jenks—”

“Alisa, I’m sorry,” he says, holding my hand tightly. “I’m so, so sorry. Please forgive me.”

Tears continue to pour down my cheeks as my heart fills with love. I’ve truly never been as happy as I am in this moment.

“Jenks, I have something to tell you. I’ve been trying for, like, the last ten minutes, but you won’t let me get a word in.”

“Did you really want to interrupt a speech like that?” he asks, chuckling.

“No, not at all, but my news is pretty important.”

“Oh.” Jenks’s eyes go wide, and he looks like he’s preparing himself to get shot down.

“It’s a good thing you’ve told me all this,” I say very seriously.

“Okay, why?”

A big, stupidly happy grin spreads across my face.

“Because we’re going to have a baby, and it’s good to know I’m not the only one who’s totally, hopelessly in love!”

Jenks stares at me for a second, his eyes wide. Then he lets out a little shout and throws his arms around me, barely hugging me, as if he’s scared he might break me.

“It’s okay, you can squeeze me. I promise the baby won’t pop out.”

“Don’t do that to me,” he mutters. “I don’t know anything about this stuff, and I could almost believe you.”

“Okay then, I won’t tease you. Much.”

“Please, do,” he whispers. “Tease me forever, for the rest of my life.”

Jenks leans in, and our lips touch. The kiss is soft and gentle at first, turning deep and hungry as the energy between us weaves back and forth, becoming stronger as we share it.

This is the most powerful magic I’ve ever known—and this magic is love.