Forced Plus-Size Mate (Silver Meadows Wolves #6)

Chapter 6 - Body

The kiss shocks me, quite literally. I wasn’t expecting her to lean in and kiss me first. When her lips touch mine, electricity crackles through my blood, clashing against my bones. Goosebumps spread across my skin. The sensation is so powerful, I feel like every hair on my head is standing on end.

When Amanda pulls away, her eyes are wide with fear.

It’s like the kiss shocked her even more than it did me.

I try to take her hand, but she slips away from me, following Jen into the main room. As soon as we get inside, I see Decker and his crew sitting at the end of the bar. Bae and Rider head straight for them, but I follow Amanda to the long tables where pack and family are all waiting.

“There you are!” Carla greets, getting up to give Amanda a hug. “You really came back to town and didn’t visit me?”

“I was getting around to it,” Amanda answers bashfully. “I left so suddenly, I didn’t know if you’d want to see me.”

“Oh, sweet girl,” Carla says, shaking her head. “Nothing you could ever do would make me stop loving you. I’m just glad you’re safe.”

I stay a few paces away, feeling a bit left out of the family reunion. I knew that Amanda’s mom was a pretty absent parent; it was the reason we usually hung out at her house. I didn’t know that Carla had stepped in as a surrogate.

But I should have known. Carla is everyone’s mom. She adopted every stray kid at school.

It’s something I only heard about but didn’t experience. My parents were the opposite of absent. They were in my face every day about grades and football.

“Son!” a voice cries out. “You performed the ceremony without us?”

Speak of the devil.

“Yes, Mom,” I mutter, turning around. “It was up to Bae, not me.”

My mother is wearing a perfectly tailored dress, far too fancy for Shelley’s. Her golden curls are tossed casually but deliberately over her shoulders. Light makeup enhances her pretty features.

“I’ll just offer congratulations,” my father says, giving my hand a firm shake. “And say hello to the bride, since we never got to meet her beforehand.”

The table behind us has fallen into complete silence. Amanda turns around slowly, the smile fixed on her face completely false, practically painted on.

“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Andrews,” she says politely. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Father looks completely blank, but I see my mother’s hand tighten on her wine glass as her eyes narrow.

“It’s you,” she mutters. “Aren’t you the daughter of that… that, uh…”

“You mean Arlene’s daughter?” Carla says, standing up and putting her hands on Amanda’s shoulders. “I know, the poor woman had a lot of trouble before she finally left town, but look at what a lovely young woman her daughter has become!”

The two women stare down, my mother and Carla glaring at each other in a battle of wills. Finally, my mother blinks and looks away.

“My glass is empty,” she says, waving it in the air. “I’m off to find some champagne. Might as well make the most of it.”

“I need to speak with Bae,” my father says, heading towards the bar.

There is no point in telling him that Bae is too busy to talk to him. My parents think everyone on earth exists to serve them. Even me.

I turn to my new mate. “Hey, Amanda, I’m sorry—”

She pulls away from me as I reach for her hand and sits down next to Carla. There isn’t a spare seat for me, so I just stand there awkwardly.

“I know it was short notice,” Carla says, “but I managed to bake a simple cake and some other goodies. Shelley is out the back right now, barbecuing ribs and steak as well.”

“You do too much for me, Carla,” Amanda says.

Carla gives her a hug. “Nonsense, my girl. Now, you officially are family, but you have been to me since the first day I took you in.”

Even though I’m not related to Carla directly, my connection to Bae in the pack makes me a blood brother to Bae, Jack, and Gina. It’s no surprise to me that Carla is welcoming all of us into her family, and it gives me hope that it will improve my situation with Amanda.

I reach for Amanda’s hand again, grazing her skin with my fingertips. She flinches and pulls away, shooting me a stern look. I back up a few steps, shocked by the hostility in her eyes.

I don’t deserve her kindness, but I thought I might at least get a chance to explain.

There is a bit of commotion at the back doors while Shelley and the crew bring out trays of meat and salad, followed by a triple-stacked cake, iced pink and white. Amanda makes a sound somewhere between a gasp and a laugh.

“A simple cake?” she says. “Carla, I was expecting a simple buttercream cake or—”

“It was nothing,” Carla says with a little wave.

“Yes, nothing,” Derek mutters. “She got up at four to start baking each layer of nothing .”

“Hush, dear,” Carla says, sipping her wine. “You don’t know what I was doing this morning.”

“Well, that’s the truth,” he agrees. “I rarely do.”

Chuckles flow around the table, and I feel completely left out. I back away slowly, heading for the bar. My father is sitting near Bae and the others, but clearly, he’s not part of the group.

A hanger-on, now and forever. Observing the action, but never part of it.

When I was named one of Bae’s inner circle, my parents thought it would mean elevation to their pack status. Their bitterness has only gotten worse over the years as they’ve found themselves more and more excluded from all the important decisions.

As I approach, I see Dad turn towards Bae with a determined expression.

Here we go. He’s about to make a fool of himself.

“Bailey,” father says, in an attempt at a commanding tone. “I truly must speak with you, urgently.”

Goddamn, he sounds pathetic.

“I am involved with important business, right now,” Bae says, with annoyance. “I’ll speak with you later.”

“I must insist,” dad goes on. “This is my son’s wedding, after all.”

Bae sighs and rolls his eyes, taking a moment to center himself before he turns to face my father. He sees me standing nearby and raises an eyebrow. I just shrug, lifting my hands in a helpless gesture.

“What can I do for you, Robert?” Bae asks, patiently.

“My son has been a member of your top circle for many years now. We thought this would mean inclusion for us, but so far, we have been neglected. Today, my son does his duty at your bidding—sacrificing himself in marriage to a woman far beneath him—and his mother and I feel this gives us a right to speak on council.”

Bae stares at father, a steady, impassionate gaze.

“Why?”

Mother appears, as if the very idea of being on council conjured her.

“Because we are the ones paying the price,” she hisses. I see her stagger slightly and I realize she’s already drunk.

“Delia,” Bae says, turning to acknowledge her. “This is not a sacrifice for Body. It is a great honor.”

“I cannot see how—” mother starts, but Bae cuts her off.

“I have had my fill of you two interfering in pack business,” he says, firmly. “Body has proven himself with loyalty and effort, the two of you have done nothing to earn a position in this pack. Leave us alone now, and do not interfere in the future, or I will have you thrown out.”

Mother pales, gripping her glass as she stares at Bae. Father stands up and takes her arm.

“Come on, dear. Let’s not trouble alpha Bailey any more today.”

As he turns to guide her away, he turns around and points at me.

“This isn’t over!” he hisses. My stomach does a little flip as I imagine what he might have planned for me in the future, but at least they’re leaving.

As if I didn’t have enough trouble today. It seems like almost everyone wants to trash my wedding.

By the time I turn back around, Decker and Bae have their heads together, talking in hushed voices. Rider is next to Bae with a dark look on his face. Decker’s three supporters are standing back a little, looking ready for a fight.

“Do not ruin this day for my friend,” Bae tells Decker firmly. “Or his bride. Body has been in my inner circle since high school, and he has the right to a true mate.”

“I agree,” Decker growls. “Which is exactly why he can’t marry that woman. He has a wolf mate, I’m sure of it. You could choose one of our she-wolves—”

“Decker,” Bae cuts in, “Our packs have been mingling for some time now, and another match has not presented itself.”

“This is an insult!” Decker snarls. “I would oppose the joining of any wolf to a witch, but this is one of your most trusted wolves, one with leadership responsibilities. He should wed someone from our pack, or even New Hope. It will keep relations between wolves strong and bind the packs together.”

“Don’t bring my pack into this,” Rider cuts in. “Jen has decreed we accept the witches, so we do. In my pack, we listen to our elders.”

“I am an elder,” Decker growls. “And I’m telling you, this is an abomination. The witches will take over, they will rule the mountain, and our power will dwindle.”

“Oh, dear,” a confident voice cuts through Decker’s rant. Jen pushes into the circle, one hand held high as she kinks her pinkie finger.

“Is someone having iddy-biddy issues?” she asks. “Don’t you measure up?”

Decker’s face flushes bright red and he lunges at her. Jen doesn’t falter, glaring at him with her pale eyes.

“Take me on, pup,” she taunts. “I dare you.”

“I would,” Decker swears. “Don’t think I won’t.”

“Calm down,” Bae says, waving his hands. “Please, everyone just calm down. We can work this out.”

“I doubt it,” Decker replies. “But I will take myself and my men from here now, as a gesture to you of good faith. I will talk to you about this soon. I may be prepared to concede that one marriage need not break our bond.”

I can see all kinds of arguments in Bae, but he simply nods. “We will talk soon. Thank you, Decker.”

The guys turn to leave, and I hurry back to the main table. The last thing I want is to get roped into a discussion about the validity of my marriage and the future of wolves and witches.

I’d like to know if my marriage is going to work first.

I grab a chair on my way over and push myself into the corner of the table so I can sit next to Amanda. She doesn’t look at me, even when I take her hand.

Warm currents seem to be passing between us, light, glittering waves of sensation that swish back and forth in time with our hearts. Even though she is ignoring me, I know she feels it, too.

I just don’t know what it means. Is this magic?

Bae and Rider join us, and for a short time, everyone forgets their troubles. A few toasts are held, short speeches are made, and finally, cake is passed around.

It’s silly, but I’d forgotten how Amanda was such a big part of everyone’s lives. I always thought she was just mine, but all of these people love her, too.

So why did she leave? Why did she run out on us?

I start to feel very uncomfortable as I realize I already know the reason.

The party wraps up, and we head out the front to my truck. Amanda doesn’t look at me, just walks in front of me with her head held high.

“Amanda, I—” I begin.

“Yes?” she asks, regarding me with her steady, firm gaze.

“Nothing,” I mutter, getting in the truck and starting it up. I wait for Amanda to get buckled in before I put the car in gear and pull out of the lot.

I weave through the streets, taking the road out of town.

“Where are we going?” Amanda asks.

“Oh, I live out of town. It’s a little cabin I bought for myself with some of my inheritance.”

“Oh, yeah,” she says. “I forgot how rich your parents are.”

“Well, actually, the money is from my dead uncle, and my parents still haven’t recovered from the fact that I spent it all on a beat-up, old cabin and not on college.”

She frowns. “You didn’t go?”

I shrug. “I had pack responsibilities that were far more important.”

“Oh,” she says. “Okay.”

We drive the rest of the way in silence, though it’s not quite as awkward as it was before.

Maybe we can find that old spark. We got on so well. I’ve never felt so close to anyone, before or since.

The dirt driveway bounces us around a little as I navigate through the thick trees, which give way to a wide, sweeping circle of gravel in front of the house. Amanda lets out a chuckle once the house comes into full view.

“Old, beat-up cabin?” she says pointedly.

“Well,” I say, grinning. “I may have made some improvements.”

“It’s interesting,” she says, getting out of the truck. “It’s old but new at the same time, and it doesn’t even clash.”

“Even though the old-world charm of the place is still intact, I made modern improvements to make it more comfortable,” I explain. “Wide, covered decks, fully equipped bathrooms, and a modern kitchen were put in not long after I bought it.”

“So, you’ve got running water, then?” she asks, grinning.

“I sure do. There’s even a hot tub out back.”

“No way!”

“Serious way. Not even lying.”

Amanda giggles as we walk towards the house, and my heart soars.

It really looks like she’s going to give me a chance!

I unlock the door and let her go in before me. She looks around appreciatively.

“It’s nice,” she comments. “Where will I be staying?”

“The bedroom is just down there,” I say, pointing.

She narrows her eyes. “ The bedroom? As in, only one?”

“Well… yeah,” I reply uncomfortably. “That’s where my bedroom is. Where else would you sleep?”

Amanda crosses her arms across her chest, glaring at me. “I'd rather sleep in the yard than next to you, Body!”

I sigh. “Why?”

“You know why!” she snaps. “Don’t think that I’ve forgiven you.”

“But…” I stammer. “We just… I mean, I felt like you were okay with this. With me.”

“Okay?” she repeats, almost shrieking. “I am not fucking okay! I lost my magic, I let my witches down, and I had to crawl back into this town on my belly, begging for help. Then, if that wasn’t bad enough, I find out that if I want to help my coven and myself, I have to marry you!”

“Is that so bad?” I demand, barely able to push the words through my throat. “Is being with me really the worst thing?”

For just a second, I see her falter. Her eyes soften, and her lip trembles, but the moment is gone before I can even be sure it was there.

“I’m here because I have to be,” she says. “Just like you are. Let’s do each other a favor and not forget that. Now, where am I sleeping?”

“There’s a spare bedroom down the hall,” I mutter, pointing.

Amanda turns and flounces away, gathering up her long, silken blue skirt as she hurries from the room.

Good thing I didn’t have high hopes for my wedding night.