Lies and Ultimatums

Lily sighed deeply, in despair. "What happened to pull out? What happened to condom! Why did no babies till the formal mating ritual when he marks you in front of the whole tribe! What happened to protection! You did not use protection?"

The face of Flora burnt, and she nodded. Yes... we... we had not used protection. I... he was my mate." She kept lying. She was unable to inform Lily the truth. Not yet. Not ever.

Lily folded her arms and scowled. We must inform your mother, Flora. She has to know about this. This you can not do yourself.

Flora's stomach sank. She had hoped to delay that conversation as long as she could. Lily... maybe... maybe I can speak to her later? I just--"

"No," Lily said firmly. It is not something you can escape. She will discover sooner or later, and had better tell her now.

Flora had not yet answered, when the door was knocked on. It was opened by Lily, and Mrs. Bennett stood before her. Her hands were clasped together, her forehead scowled, and her eyes glaring with anger.

"What's happening here?" Mrs. Bennett stormed in. It was a voice that had the weight of motherhood behind it, the sort of voice that causes Flora to shrivel.

Flora swallowed hard. "Mom... I... I need to tell you something..." She shook at her voice, and glanced at her hands. "I'm... I'm pregnant."

Mrs. Bennett stood still a moment, her mouth agape. Then her eyes narrowed. "Pregnant? And who--who is the father?"

Flora gulped as her voice did not rise. "It's Ryan."

Mrs. Bennett's eyes blazed. "Ryan?" Good, that way all that drama of leaving him in the presence of the official mating ceremony is over. You are bear my baby, my mate child.

But mother, he does not -" Flora attempted to argue, but Mrs. Bennett was not finished. Do you know the value of mates, Flora? To a woman wolf, getting a good mate is not merely a matter of heart, but life, family, pack! And you lose all that, on account of some idiotic whim?

Flora blushed, and her guilt and fear rose up within her. "Mom... I don't want him as my mate mom. I do not want a cheating liar as my partner.

The voice of Mrs. Bennett was high-pitched with anger and frustration. "No, Flora. It is not only about what you want. This child... this child will make right your wrong. It will tie you up to one who is accountable, to one who is fit!

Flora shook her head, and panicked. "No, Mom. I... I do not want this to be repairing anything. I don't want Ryan. I do not want to have a forced... forced relationship.

The eyes of Mrs. Bennett were dangerously narrowed. "You think you get a choice? You don't! This is what you must do as a female wolf. You will do what's expected. You will return to Ryan and take charge of this child!

"I--" Flora's voice broke. "I can't. I don't love him. I never wanted this."

"You'll get reunited with him!" Mrs. Bennett screamed, and her voice reverberated on the walls. "Whether you like it or not! You will take back to him and correct this!

Flora's heart pounded. She was going to speak, but Lily came forward, and with a strong hand laid upon her shoulder. "Mom, calm down. Flora didn't ask for this. She's scared. She's figuring things out. We'll handle it."

Mrs. Bennett gave Lily the glare of a razor. "You are only twenty, Lily! Keep off, and do not think your views are superior to custom and duty!

"I'm the alpha's daughter!" Lily fluttered her eyes in anger. "And I will speak my mind! Flora does not have to remain with a cheater simply because she is pregnant! Ryan does not deserve her and neither does this child!

Flora opened her eyes, and relief and fear filled her. She didn't know what to say. She had imagined her mother lecturing, scolding or even forcing her, but Lily standing up so... it gave her a little ray of hope.

The nostrils of Mrs. Bennett flared. "Enough! You will admire your mother, Flora. You will get what you have to do, or you will get the results of your carelessness!

Her hands trembled and Flora shook her head. "Mom... please. I can't go back to him. I... I don't love him. I can't..."

"You don't get to decide that!" Mrs. Bennett barked. "This is not about love. This is about duty. And your duty is clear. You will be reunited with him, and you will do the right thing by the child!

Flora's throat tightened. She was about to open her mouth to argue, but she could not find any words. The insistence of her mother was like a load of lead and stifling. She might have experienced some feeling of panic and a whirlwind of fear and uncertainty brewing up in her chest.

The hand of Lily squeezed once more. We will work it out some other way, Flora, she said, very softly, yet sternly. I promise. Just... breathe."

Flora drew a shaking breath, attempting to put herself about, but the strain within the room was choking. She was thinking of the child, Ryan, and how she had been thrown into an impossible situation. The truth about Marcus was still in her heart and this made another layer of fear.

And in that instance, when her mother was screaming, Lily was protecting her, and the reality of the pregnancy was pressing its weight on her, Flora knew that her life was going to change forever. She did not understand how she could live through it, but she understood the fact that she had to defend herself, her decisions, and her unborn baby not to be dragged into something she did not want to do.

You will meet him again and he will officially mark you with a few months in the mating ritual. That was the end of what Mrs. Bennett said.

Is she able to carry the seed of another and mark it with another?