Beaufort Creek Shifters (10 book series)
The Alpha’s Forced Mate Chapter 16

Veronica

"He's just so irritating," I hissed into the phone. "And hot. And sexy. And handsome. And-ugh! Someti

I nipped the inside of my cheek.

Carrie sighed into the phone. "Kill him?"

My heart stammered. "Your words, not mine."

"Have you tried maybe I don't know-letting things flow a little bit?"

I shook my head. "Why would I do that?"

ust want to...to..."

"Because you won a mate trial and now you're living with the guy. He clearly wants you, Veronica. Don

want him too?"

"I can't believe I'm talking about this with you."

She laughed. "You're the one who called me, remember?"

"Yeah, well..." I glanced around my impressive suite. Such luxury belonged to better creatures than me don't exactly have anyone to talk to here." "Is his mother still acting weird?"

I sighed. "No, she's been fantastic. She's been very motherly."

My stomach growled. But it wasn't hunger that made the organ twist up. I frowned while walking brisk "Hey, Carrie?" I said shakily. "Yeah?"

"Let me call you back."

Once I'd tossed my phone aside, I sprinted into the bathroom and fell to my knees in front of the toile porcelain.

rd the bathroom.

gag prompted me to hurl more contents from my stomach. I puked until there was nothing left, until I was dry-heaving while clutching the perfectly white I had to admit that being sick in a nice place was much better than being sick in a crummy place. Old be damned, this was a better home for me to lose my mind in. After flushing the toilet, I stood up slowly and hovered over the sink. More bile seemed to be making, up, but it wouldn't appear, leaving me crying weakly as I clung to the counter. Tears burned track marks on my cheeks. A horrible pain had crept into my chest.

Was this ever going to end? Maybe Blake was right. Maybe I was just dragging my feet instead of making a decision. Without anyone to talk to-about everything-I was left picking up the pieces of the puzzle by myself. It was hard to do without an extra brain as a sounding board.

I wasn't exactly as brilliant an assassin as I'd originally thought.

Standing here, useless, with nothing to show but a damn wound in my shoulder and scar tissue lining my side. Blake would see it eventually. He would know. And then he would turn me away like he would have from the start if I had told him the truth. But we couldn't be mates based on a lie. It couldn't be based on lust either. And the more I tried to hide it all from him, the more I was going to suffer.

Nausea forced me forward. I squeezed my eyes shut while pushing through the pain, trying to keep myself from losing any more of my stomach. There wasn't anything left. Why did my body want to get rid of more?

I dropped to my knees and flung open the cabinet. There had to be some kind of nausea medication hiding in here. Something would give me relief. It was impossible to concentrate when my body rejected every meal I put into it.

A pink and white box fell from one of the medicine baskets. The sight of it was enough to make my heart stop entirely.

It was a pregnancy test.

Of course-that would be my luck, wouldn't it? I'd given up my virginity to the first guy I'd ever had feelings for-true feelings-and he'd knocked me up. It would make everything worse. After my outburst at breakfast the other day about kids being annoying little jerks, it would make me look like a total hypocrite.

Not that it was my fault.

I shook my head while lifting the box from the ground. I'm just curious. That's all.

But it didn't matter what I tried to tell myself. As I straddled the toilet and held the stick between my thighs, all I could think about was how disappointed Raymond would be. And what would Melvin think?

My eyes bulged. If he's even still alive right now.

A knot formed in my throat as I took the test. I set it on the counter and finished my business, avoiding eye contact with my reflection as I washed my hands. If I couldn't see the test, then it didn't exist.

But that wasn't how this worked. I knew that. Everyone did. I was just fooling myself into believing that my problems weren't as big as I thought.

Fear trickled into my arms and stung the muscles as I dried my hands. The sea turtles, the indigo light kissing the horizon, and the softest voice in the entire world-that was all I could sense at the moment. What would my mother think of this? Was Dad watching my every move? Were they disappointed in me too?

Two minutes later, my heart had become a wrecking ball. My chest caved like a building getting demolished. It was demolition derby inside my body and it was all because of that stupid pink stripe in the positive box.

Pregnant, I thought. With my enemy's baby. Can this get any worse?

I slumped to the ground. What was I supposed to do now?

While dread worked its way through my system, I reviewed my situation. Hiding in the bathroom wasn't going to do anything for me. Wandering the estate wouldn't do much either. At some point, Raymond would realize that Melvin had never come home and that Blake isn't dead. Raymond was going to send his people. I had to prepare.

My mind raced as I rushed into the bedroom. A tank top and jeans sat on the dresser. I yanked them on and donned my army jacket, grabbing my phone to take with me as I explored. The library was just around the corner. If I searched long enough, I was sure to replace blueprints of the property. It would give me a good idea of how to get out-and maybe even when I could get out.

No one roamed the hallways as I made my way to the library. Inside, the decadent scent of books and pine cleaner put me at ease, guiding me to a series of shelves in the back of the gigantic library that seemed to hold a lot of history about Beaufort. There were likely floor plans and blueprints among the collection.

As I perused the books and documents, I sensed a shift in the air. My right ear twitched, and my awareness honed in on the shadow drifting over the bookshelf to my right. The scent of him smacked me in the face. Patchouli. Who in the world could that be?

I clapped the book in my hands shut. "Hi, Blake."

"Nica," he whispered, "so glad you could join us."

"That's not encouraging, you know." I flipped around and leaned against the counter, drilling him with my eyes-in more ways than one. "You don't have to be sarcastic."

"The same can be said of you."

I huffed with irritation and tried not to focus on his eyes. Or his rugged hands. Or the bulge of his jeans. But gods be damned, I was a pregnant woman and my hormones were all over the place.

And one of the only things on my mind was hunger. All kinds of hunger.

Blake stepped toward me with a curious countenance. "You seem...different."

"I shouldn't."

"But you do."

I looked away. "Stop playing games with me, Blake."

"Don't deflect."

"Don't tempt me."

The words flew from my mouth before I could stop them. Don't tempt me. Why? Because I wouldn't be able to resist him?

I think he knew that. I think he was distinctly aware of how different my energy felt. No one could deny it, not even me. But I was going to do my best to try.

I met his gaze. "Not another step."

"Or what?"

"I'll scream."

He looked hurt. "Nica, I'm not going to hurt you."

"It's not that. It's..."

Oh gods, I wanted him. The more I denied it, the worse it became. His pace slowed, but he managed to close the space between us without much effort. He caressed my cheek and smoothed his thumb over my skin, eliminating whatever barrier prevented me from accepting his affection.

Didn't he know this was pointless? All the research his mother had done-that he'd done as well-weren't they aware of my past? That I was just a trained killer? A skilled con artist?

But none of that seemed to matter when he was touching me. Fate had woven her fingers between us and created an intricate web, one I knew I wouldn't readily escape. It was evident in the fact that I'd had every opportunity to run-and hadn't done it. His thumb forced my lips to part. Once again, I was caught on a precipice, entangled by the way his words and his body commanded me. No one else had this type of control over me. What made him so special? What gave him the right to jolt me into action? And why did it make me want to give him everything?

Bashfulness fell away as I slurped his thumb into my mouth. A brief flash of surrender appeared in his eyes that turned into cold stone, hardening the icy blue like vicious glaciers floating in the frigid abyss of the ocean. His eyelids weighed heavy as I sucked his thumb deep into my mouth, straining to contain the litany of moans waiting to be released.

That look was utterly infectious. What else did he like?

My hand found his bulge, cupping it possessively while I relinquished some of his thumbs. He drew the digit away and then plunged it back into my mouth, groaning as I slid my palm over his growing erection. My knees buckled when I heard the clink of his belt coming undone.

Thoughts whirled through my head like a hurricane. This man was the father of my child, but I refused to tell him about it, choosing instead to keep him at arm's length even though I was failing magnificently at that right now. Just how long did I think I could lie to him? It only took three months for most people to start showing a pregnancy bump.

He would notice sooner with us living in such close proximity.

He gripped my chin. "Stop thinking."

I spat out his thumb. "You can't read my mind."

"Don't sass me, sweet rose."

"Don't call me that."

His hand slid to my throat and applied the slightest pressure. I yanked open his jeans and procured his cock, challenging him with a swift stroke. The way he bucked into my hand made me flutter with confidence. Two could play this game. He wasn't the only one who had power here.

But he might be the only one who could wield it properly.

The firm pressure of his fingers shifted to a curious grip. He swept his thumb over my main artery, pupils dilating as he observed the way it beat erratically under my flesh. While he wet his lips, I tugged on his c**k.

Could he tell I was a novice?

He met my gaze, stunning me with just a simple look. And that was how I knew I would get swept away. Every time he looked at me, I would lose control. I was helpless to his charm.

And somehow, I loved how much he could take control of me.

I squeezed the head of his cock and whimpered when a bead of arousal dribbled over my finger. While rubbing the fluid over his shaft, he slid his hands beneath my top, plucking my breasts slowly from their hiding places. Cold air flushed my skin with goosebumps as his warm fingers circled my nipples, hardening them to nubs.

The more he touched me, the more I responded, losing focus on what I was doing. What was I doing, anyway?

His cock bounced in my palm.

"What's wrong, Nica?" he teased huskily while lightly pinching my nipples. "Are you distracted?"

I mewled as arousal soaked my slit.

A devilish grin grew over his lips, digging into his cheeks. It made him look crazy-or absolutely nuts with desire. I wasn't sure which.

Shivers raced down my spine as his eyes drifted south. I knew what he was thinking. It was on my mind, too. The pheromones in the air couldn't possibly lie. Nothing could stop the way we were racing toward each other.

And our collision would blast us to pieces if we weren't careful.

Who cares? I thought as I struggled to take off my jeans. I want him so badly.

Clothes flew in every direction. He cupped my bottom and hoisted me up, planting me on the counter with a heavy thump. Books and papers sprawled to the ground as he nestled between my legs. His cock parted my slit, the head colliding with my c**t and jolting my core.

A shuddering moan turned into a ragged scrambling for words. Hushed whispers and soft sighs filled the space between us as he dipped the head of his cock into my entrance. He tilted my chin and forced me to look up at him as he sank inside me. Those blue orbs burned furiously, daring me to look away.

Would I? Could I?

Heat rushed to my center as his arms swarmed my back. One slow thrust turned into another, pressure mounting in seconds as he split me open. A small pinch echoed in my core, relenting as he pumped into me, fervent thrusts breaking away whatever self- consciousness I had about my performance.

I didn't need to worry about things like that. He was in control. I could follow his lead.

And I would follow him just about anywhere.

An alarm wailed in the back of my mind. That was ridiculous. Why would I follow him when all I wanted to do was escape? Get out of Beaufort and get rid of whatever was growing inside me. That was the plan. That was my only option.

He nuzzled my main artery, teasing it with a light nip. The whimper he drew from me alerted my senses, putting me on the very edge of release. I clutched his shoulder. I arched into him. I tangled my fingers into his hair. And then, I snapped.

My eyes disappeared as my body shuddered violently. His thrusts broke me, sending a tsunami of pleasure rolling through my body. It wasn't over until it was over. And even then, I was overwhelmed by the aftershocks gripping me. A mural of angels on the ceiling caught my attention. Blake stroked my stomach and my thighs, lips carving a path in every direction possible. He paused at my breast, exhaling over my nipple. It stood at attention immediately.

His breath hitched. "We should get you back to your suite."

I frowned. "What? Why?"

"I have a meeting with my security team soon," he replied as he sat up. "Let's get you dressed."

Anxiety gathered in my gut. All my clothes were on the floor-every single one of them. My eyes fluttered to Blake, who seemed more drunkenly content than anything. While sliding my hand innocently over my scar, I slid from the counter and watched him dress me. Every careful motion eased my tension. By the time he was done, I wanted him again, my slit throbbing just to feel his fingers or his tongue or his cock. He traced my jaw, planted a light kiss on my lips, and nodded toward the door. That silent instruction was all I needed from him.

And if that was all I needed, then maybe I could do this. Maybe I could stay with him, have his child, be his mate. Maybe he could protect me.

It was just a matter of telling him the truth.