“We… don’t know exactly,” my mother admits. “The alpha is new. Not from East Hills originally, but apparently, he’s here to strengthen the alliances. All we know is that he’s… reputable. Comes from a good family.”My jaw clenches. “A good family,” I repeat. “Well, that’s a relief. And when exactly am I expected to go through with this… arrangement?”“Soon,” my father says, a note of finality in his voice. “The elders want it done quickly. They’re eager to, uh, solidify things.”Solidify things. Great. Just what every girl dreams of.My mother reaches out with a pleading look in her eyes. “Please, Izzy. I know this is a lot to ask, but—”I shake my head. “No, don’t ask. You’ve already made the decision.” I let out a slow breath, crossing my arms. “Fine. I’ll go through with it. If this is what it takes to keep our family safe, then that’s what I’ll do. But just know…” I lower my voice, making sure they hear every word, “you better hope this alpha’s as good as you think he is.”My mothe
IsadoraI knew returning home would be a headache, but I wasn’t expecting it to be this kind of headache.“Mom, you want to run that by me one more time?” I’m standing in our cramped, overly warm kitchen, holding onto the counter for dear life as I stare at my mother, who’s suddenly developed an intense interest in the toaster on the counter.She wrings her hands, avoiding looking at me. My father clears his throat from his usual spot at the table. My mother may be the one pacing, but he’s the one I’m watching. He’s always been quieter, a little too good at deflecting, and right now, he’s looking everywhere but at me. It’s annoying.“It’s not exactly like that, darling,” she says, giving me a tight smile that I recognize as her patented “calm down, everything’s fine” look. It never works.“Oh, I think it’sexactlylike that,” I reply. “You offered me up for marriage. To the alpha. Which I think would be something worth mentioning to mebeforeI came back from my little sabbatical, don’t y
“So, he told you?” she asks me, her voice a little too smug.“Apparently, you all decided this was the best way to welcome me,” I reply dryly.She rolls her eyes. “It’s an honor, Alec. They wouldn’t ask this if they didn’t believe you were the right one to lead.”Quincey snorts. “‘Honor’ isn’t exactly the word I’d use.”Kai shrugs, glancing between us before her eyes land on me. “Look, we’ve had strong alphas, but never one from outside the pack’s direct bloodline. They’re looking for assurance that you’re fully committed to East Hills, that you’re as much one of us as any other alpha before you.”In the clearing below, the pack is sparring, honing their reflexes and instincts against one another. It’s as much ritual as training, a show of strength and readiness. A few of the pack members look my way, cautious and assessing. I can feel the weight of their expectations on me as clearly as I can feel the damp chill in the air. They’re waiting to see if I can fill this role, this respons
I’m forced to marry the bully of my youth.My family owes the pack money. They offer me as the new Alpha’s bride to pay them back.The Alpha agrees because he needs an arranged marriage to secure his position.He used to torment me. Now all I can do is become his forced bride and carry his baby.I never fit in. I was always the bookish introvert who got bullied and mocked.I returned to my hometown to pick up my life and fulfill my duties to the pack.If I’d known he’d be the new Alpha, I would have stayed away.And if I’d known I’d be forced to marry him, I would have run to the ends of the world.He tells me I have no choice but to be his mate, or he’ll get my family shunned.But I’m a big girl now. I’m no longer the quiet nerd he used to push around.And yet late at night in his bed, he reduces me to the vulnerable, helpless girl I once was.And as shame floods me once again, he makes me his and uses me for his own purposes.Can my bully Alpha be the baby daddy I dream of?*****ch
Epilogue Cont'd*****“The one where you’re pretending not to be worried.”She huffs, but her lips curl into a small smile. “I’m not worried. I’m just… cautious.”“You don’t have to be. Not tonight.”She looks up at me, and for a moment, the weight of everything we’ve been through lingers between us. But then she smiles, that soft, genuine smile that makes my heart stutter in my chest.“You’re right,” she murmurs. “Not tonight.”I lean down, brushing my lips against hers. She tastes like honey and wildflowers, and I can feel the magic thrumming beneath her skin. She melts into me, wrapping her arms around my neck, and the feeling of her body pressed against mine sends a shiver down my spine.I want to stay here forever, just the two of us. No demons, no magic, no responsibilities. Just us, together, like this.When the tongue brushes against mine, I deepen the kiss, losing myself in her. Her hands wander, slipping under my shirt, and the feeling of her fingers against my skin makes me
Epilogue - DamienSix months later, and I’m still trying to get used to how different everything feels. And how everything feels right at the same time. It’s hard to believe that after all the chaos, after all the demons and battles, we finally have some peace. Even if it’s just temporary.Jade’s standing across the room, talking to Alec and a few others from the East Hills pack. Her eyes are bright with laughter as she tosses her brown hair over her shoulder. The sight of her, looking so vibrant and alive, still hits me in a way I wasn’t prepared for. She’s been through hell, but here she is, standing tall and confident.Catching me staring, she raises an eyebrow and gives me that look. The one that says, “Are you going to come over here and join the conversation or just keep ogling me from across the room?”I smirk and lift my beer in a mock toast before taking a swig. Alec’s official alpha ceremony is in full swing, and the packs are celebrating like there’s no tomorrow. It’s well-