Page 14 of Bully Alpha’s Pregnant Mate (Starfire Hollow Alphas #2)

Tonight, East Hills has gone all-out with the celebration—streamers strung between trees, tables packed with food, and more string lights than I knew the pack owned. Music thumps from speakers near the bonfire, and the rhythm blends into the laughter and voices. It’s a perfect backdrop for the mingling of our three packs: East Hills, Starfire Hollow, and Red Arrow.

There’s a familiarity to the faces around me, but tonight, people seem to treat me less like the luna and more like any other pack member. It’s almost like old times again.

A friendly face appears out of the crowd—Eva, a pack member I vaguely remember from high school. She’s somehow even chattier than I recall, clutching my arm as she drags me toward the drink table.

“Isadora!” she exclaims. “There you are! We’ve barely seen you all night.”

“Pretty sure I’ve only been here for ten minutes,” I laugh, trying not to trip over a few clumps of grass as she practically hauls me forward.

Eva grins, all enthusiasm and energy, and her short black curls bounce with every step. “Well, it’s about time. Look, you have to try Ian’s punch. He thinks he’s some kind of mixologist now, but it’s honestly the most drinkable thing here.”

I raise an eyebrow, amused. “Is that a compliment to Ian?”

“Barely,” she deadpans, rolling her eyes. “But hey, it gets the job done.”

The punch turns out to be surprisingly good. Eva and I stay by the drink table, catching up while people pass by, nodding and stopping to chat for a few minutes. I feel surprisingly at ease, a feeling that’s only grown over the past few days.

Slowly but surely, I’m starting to get used to all of this. It’s my pack, after all, even if sometimes it feels like Alec’s position casts a bigger shadow than I’d like to admit.

Quincey joins us after a few minutes, grinning like he’s got a secret as he hands me a beer and clinks his own against it. “There she is! Already being subjected to Eva’s drunken chattiness, I see?”

Eva smacks him playfully on the arm. “Chatty? I’m showing her the ropes. Someone has to make sure she enjoys the party.”

“And I’m grateful for it,” I tell her, taking a sip of my drink and smiling. “Besides, it’s nice to see so many faces from East Hills. I’ve been so focused on helping Alec and Jade that I’ve barely had a chance to get acquainted with everyone.”

Eva brightens, waving over two more East Hills pack members I haven’t met yet. “Then let’s fix that! Isadora, meet Thomas and Lily. They’re basically the brains of the whole East Hills patrol operation these days. Seriously, if you ever need a route mapped or a scouting report, these two are your people.”

Lily, a petite brunette with amber eyes and an easy smile, reaches out to shake my hand. “Good to finally meet you, Isadora. We’ve heard a lot about you.”

“All good things, I hope?” I ask with a smile, shaking her hand.

Thomas chuckles, and his dark eyes crinkle at the corners. “Well, mostly. Quincey likes to exaggerate a bit.”

Quincey raises his hands in mock innocence. “Hey, I only told them the truth—that Isadora’s already our favorite luna, and that she’s probably secretly tougher than Alec.”

“You’re really pushing it,” I tease, laughing, but warmth spreads through me as I take in their friendly faces, their unguarded acceptance. It’s moments like these that make the title, the responsibilities, the whole package feel… worth it.

As the evening unfolds, we settle into easy conversation, drifting between groups of pack members who all seem eager to chat, share stories, and let me in on what East Hills has been up to since I left. There’s a comfort in their company, a history that doesn’t need explaining. I realize I’m laughing more, engaging without thinking too much about how to keep up appearances, just genuinely enjoying their stories and the familiar teasing that comes with old friends.

After a while, we join a crowd near the bonfire, where Kai, who I know mostly from when we were teenagers, is telling some elaborate tale about a mishap on the training grounds. Her animated gestures and dramatic reenactments have everyone doubled over with laughter, and I find myself caught up in the easy atmosphere, surprised at just how…right this feels.

“You didn’t even see the look on Alec’s face,” Kai says between bursts of laughter. “He was trying to be all serious, telling us to ‘assess the situation,’ and then Quincey here, being the genius he is, steps right into a bear trap.”

Quincey grins, unfazed. “Hey, that was only because someone, and I won’t name names—” he glances pointedly at Kai “—distracted me.”

The group laughs harder, and I glance around at the familiar faces, feeling like maybe I’ve finally found my place here. It’s not just about Alec or the title of luna; it’s this—being part of the community, sharing in its quirks and humor and support.

“Having fun?” a voice says from beside me, and I turn to see Nate, one of the younger patrol members who’s recently joined the pack. He has a casual, easygoing vibe and an expression that says he’s noticed my gradual transition from outsider to part of the crowd.

I give him a genuine smile. “Yeah, I actually am.”

He raises his drink in a toast. “Here’s to many more.”

I clink my glass against his, feeling lighter than I have in weeks, the tension from the last few months easing in a way I hadn’t expected. It’s a good night. A rare one, even.

But then, just as I’m starting to feel completely relaxed, completely at home, I sense a presence behind me, familiar and unmistakable, cutting through the warmth of the evening like a cold wind.

I turn around, and there she is: Molly, looking like she’s stepped out of some designer catalog, every inch of her radiating that same practiced confidence she’s wielded for as long as I’ve known her.

Her eyes meet mine, and her smile is as polished as ever. Too polite, too deliberate. The kind of smile that says this conversation will be anything but friendly.

Molly’s smile sharpens as she steps closer, and her eyes sweep over me with a look that’s equal parts amusement and disdain. “Well, if it isn’t East Hills’ most surprising luna. I suppose Alec couldn’t resist the novelty,” she purrs, her voice dripping with condescension.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes, keeping my expression as neutral as I can. “Nice to see you, too, Molly. Or it would be if we didn’t have to do this little act every time we’re in the same room.”

She lets out a cold laugh, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “Oh, I’m not acting, sweetie. Just pointing out the obvious. I mean, really, everyone’s wondering how long this… arrangement will last. Alec gets bored so easily; you must know that by now.”

I take a deep breath, ready to fire back. “Believe it or not, Molly, people change. Just because you’ve stuck to the same tired routine doesn’t mean the rest of us have to.”

Her smile turns saccharine, as fake as the crystals on her dress. “Change? Maybe. But a tiger can’t change its stripes. Eventually, Alec will see what I see—that you’re just a passing phase.” She shrugs before she adds, “Enjoy it while it lasts, dear.”

“Stripes, phases—do you even hear yourself?” I snap back, refusing to let her dig her claws in any deeper this time. “Your insults are as stale as the fake smile you’re trying to wear.”

But she doesn’t back down, leaning in like she’s letting me in on a secret. “Oh, but I know him, Isadora. I know his type. And trust me, once he’s had his fill of… this”—she gestures at me, eyes glinting with superiority—“he’ll move on. Maybe sooner than you think.”

The words sting, I won’t lie. But before I can respond, a warm, solid arm slips around my waist, pulling me close.

Alec.

He gives Molly a polite, humorless smile, one that’s dripping with barely concealed annoyance. “Actually, Molly, I’m exactly where I want to be. I’ve found what I was looking for. And in case it wasn’t clear, I’m not going anywhere.”

Molly’s face falters, and her bravado slips just slightly, but she recovers quickly. “Is that right? Well, let’s see if you’re still so sure in a few months.”

Alec’s grip on me tightens. “I don’t think you heard me, Molly. I’ll never grow tired of Isadora.”

The way he says it, like it’s a fact written in stone, sends a thrill up my spine. I feel a surge of heat at his defense of me. He’s not just standing by my side; he’s staking a claim, making it clear to Molly and anyone within earshot exactly where his loyalty lies.

But Molly, persistent as ever, isn’t done. She lets out a soft, disbelieving chuckle. “Oh, Alec, don’t be ridiculous. You’re always looking for the next thing, the next challenge. This little domestic act won’t keep you happy forever.”

I step forward, finally fed up, shrugging out of Alec’s hold but only to put myself directly between him and Molly. “Listen, Molly. I know you’re desperate to cling to whatever fantasy you’ve built about Alec and your importance in his life, but it’s time to let go. Grow up. Move on.”

She narrows her eyes, and the false sweetness drains from her face. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” I say. “The only person who seems desperate here is you. Alec isn’t some prize to keep fighting over. You had your chance, and you lost it. So stop trying to create issues where there are none. And for once, try not to be the problem in the room.”

For a moment, Molly’s expression goes blank with shock, like she wasn’t expecting me to bite back. To be fair, I never really have before. Then her lips press into a thin line, and her gaze hardens with a simmering resentment.

“Fine,” she says tersely. “Enjoy your little fantasy while it lasts.”

With one last icy glare, she turns on her heel and strides away. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. My pulse is still pounding from the rush of adrenaline.

Alec steps close again with a grin, tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Well, that was impressive. I think you might’ve finally scared her off.”

I shake my head as my own smile creeps up despite myself. “She needed to hear it. And maybe I needed to say it.”

His eyes soften as he reaches for my hand, entwining our fingers with a gentle, possessive squeeze. “For the record, I meant what I said. I’m not going anywhere.”

I glance up at him, catching the sincerity in his eyes, the promise behind his words. My heart does this strange, unsteady flip, and I can feel the heat in my cheeks, a mixture of relief and something much more dangerous.

Without thinking, I give his hand a tug, pulling him a step closer. “I think I’ve had enough of this party.”

“Oh?” His eyebrow quirks, amusement glinting in his gaze as he leans down, voice dropping low. “And what exactly would you rather be doing, Luna?”

I meet his eyes, letting the moment linger, letting him see every intention written in my expression. “Take me home, and I’ll show you.”

The corner of his mouth lifts into that wicked smirk that sends heat racing through me. Without another word, he nods, guiding me through the crowd and out into the cool night air. Every step quickens my pulse. Anticipation hums in the space between us, a promise of what’s to come when we’re finally alone.

Tonight, there’s no hesitation. No walls, no lingering doubts.

Just us, and the thrill of what’s waiting at home.