Page 18 of Bully Alpha’s Pregnant Mate (Starfire Hollow Alphas #2)

The lake is glowing with a soft, silver-blue sheen under the twilight, and the air is filled with the scent of pine and mossy earth. But let’s be real—my mind isn’t on the scenery. It’s on Alec, who’s holding my hand in that firm, familiar way, like he’s not letting go tonight, no matter what.

We’ve discovered some paw prints near where our patrol unit was attacked, so we can breathe a little easier knowing it’s not demons this time. Rogue wolves, we can handle, so the tension has eased back just a bit, meaning we can finally take a moment to relax.

“Picnics aren’t exactly your style, are they?” I tease Alec, giving the setup a once-over as we settle on the blanket he’s spread out by the water’s edge.

It’s… cute, I’ll give him that, but there’s a distinct air of Alec’s classic approach—meaning he probably Googled “what to bring on a date picnic” about ten minutes before picking me up. A wine bottle and two mismatched glasses sit off-kilter on the edge of the blanket, looking dangerously close to tipping into the grass. There’s also a random assortment of snacks: a jar of olives (really?), a wedge of cheese with no knife to cut it, some berries tumbling around in the bottom of a paper bag, and—because apparently, he’s ignoring all picnic norms—a handful of energy bars tossed in as an afterthought.

I raise an eyebrow, my lips quirking into a smile. “I mean, this all looks very you. Olives and protein bars? Going for high-end and functional, are we?”

He shoots me a look that’s equal parts amused and a little embarrassed. “Hey, olives have a high mineral content. And energy bars… they’re packed with nutrients.” His grin is a little sheepish, but he plays it off with a casual shrug. “Besides, who needs typical picnic food? Figured I’d keep you guessing.”

“Guessing is right,” I say with a laugh, reaching for the bag of berries. But even as I tease, I can’t deny the charm of his thrown-together effort, the way he’s somehow managed to turn a chaotic assortment of snacks into something that feels like… us.

“I know the last few days have been…” He pauses, weighing his words. “Hell, I know I’ve been busy, and that things haven’t been easy since the attack.” He reaches for my hand and brushes his thumb over my knuckles in that way he knows gets my pulse going. “But tonight, I wanted to make sure you know that I’m here. For you.”

It’s hard not to feel the weight of his words. Alec may be an infuriating mix of arrogance and charm, but this? This is different. Sincere. I glance down at our hands, and my stomach does an annoyingly hopeful flutter as I try to stay in control.

“Thanks, Alec. I get it. You have a pack to run, people to keep safe.”

Alec leans closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “But tonight, my priority’s you.”

The words are simple but land with so much force. Suddenly, I’m not sure what to do with all this… warmth.

He pours us each a glass of wine, then pulls out a small box wrapped in delicate tissue paper. I raise an eyebrow, instantly suspicious.

“Oh no,” I mutter. “If it’s a charm bracelet, I’m jumping in the lake.”

He laughs, that low rumble that I hate to admit does things to my nerves. “Open it and see.”

I take the box, peeling back the tissue, and gasp softly. Inside is a delicate necklace—a slender, silver chain with a tiny, intricately crafted moonstone pendant. It catches the fading sunlight and glimmers with a soft, bluish sheen that feels like something pulled from a fairytale. My chest tightens despite myself, even as I try to brush it off with sarcasm.

“Wow,” I say, holding it up. “Did you hire a personal shopper for this?”

“Thought about it,” he replies, smirking. “But figured it was better if I picked it out myself.” He leans in to put it on me, and his fingers graze my collarbone as he fastens it around my neck, his touch lingering longer than necessary. “Figured it’d suit you.”

For a second, his fingers stay at my neck, warm and steady, before he pulls back, and I’m left feeling more than a little disoriented. I force myself to look away, taking a long sip of my wine to refocus.

““You really went all out,” I comment. “What’s the catch?”

“No catch.” He grins, leaning back on his elbows, looking maddeningly relaxed. “I’ve got this whole night planned, actually. Think you can handle it?”

“Please,” I scoff, rolling my eyes. “I can handle anything you throw at me.”

He leans in, lowering his voice. “Is that so?”

Heat flares in my cheeks, but I keep my expression cool, giving him a challenging look. “So, what else is on this master plan of yours?”

In response, he pulls out a small box of chocolates—homemade, from the looks of them—arranged neatly in a row. He offers them to me with a dramatic flourish.

“Chocolates?” I laugh. “Really, Alec? What, are you pulling tips from some ‘Romance for Beginners’ manual?”

He pops one into his mouth with a deliberate slowness that’s both infuriating and—dammit—alluring. “One bite, and you might just change your mind.”

I raise an eyebrow, reluctantly reaching for one. It’s surprisingly good, dark and rich with just the right hint of bitterness, the kind of flavor that lingers. I look over at him, trying to hide how impressed I am.

“Alright, not bad.”

“Not bad?” He looks scandalized, and I can’t help but laugh as he lets out a dramatic sigh. “Tough crowd.”

A comfortable silence falls between us as we settle back, watching the fading sunset cast a golden shimmer over the lake. The air is cool, laced with the earthy scent of moss and wildflowers. For a moment, the weight of the past week, the attacks, the pack’s tension—it all fades away, replaced by this simple, quiet peace.

“So, a necklace, wine, homemade chocolates,” I say. “What, is this some kind of apology tour?”

Alec chuckles, shaking his head. “Can’t a guy take his wife out without it being an ‘apology tour’?”

I give him a side-eye, barely holding back a grin. “I mean, in our case, I think it’s safe to say you’ve got a few things to apologize for.”

“Fair.” He nods, looking down with a faint smile. “Guess I did put us on the wrong foot back then. But I’m trying to make up for it.”

There’s a quiet intensity to his words that makes my heart stutter, but I try to play it cool. “You know it’s going to take more than a date by the lake to make up for years of being a complete jerk, right?”

He lets out a soft laugh, his eyes meeting mine with a sincerity that leaves me feeling dangerously vulnerable. “Yeah, I know. But I’m in it for the long haul, Izzy.”

The words hit me harder than I expect, and I look away, trying to ignore the hopeful flutter in my chest. Because this is Alec, and there’s a part of me—however small—that wonders if this is all just temporary. If someday the old Alec, the cocky, inconsiderate guy I spent years avoiding, will reappear.

But right now, with the lake stretched out in front of us and Alec sitting beside me, his eyes soft and steady, it’s hard to hold onto that doubt. So I lean back, letting myself enjoy the moment, the quiet intimacy that feels like a promise.

He shifts closer, his hand finding mine. His thumb brushes over my knuckles in a slow, deliberate rhythm. “Tell me something,” he says, his voice low, almost hesitant. “What would you have been doing right now if things had gone… differently?”

It’s not the question I expect, and I look over at him, surprised. “Differently? You mean, if we weren’t… this?”

“Yeah,” he replies, watching me with a focus that’s almost unnerving. “If I hadn’t… well, if I hadn’t been such an ass, and we hadn’t ended up in this arrangement.”

I think about it, about the life I’d envisioned before all of this, the plans that had once felt so solid but now seem hazy, like a faded photograph. “I don’t know,” I admit. “I never really had a plan in place for when I got back from my sabbatical. But now it’s hard to imagine doing anything else.”

He nods, his gaze turning thoughtful as he looks out over the lake. “Guess that makes two of us. So…why did you go on that sabbatical in the first place?”

I shift a bit before responding, “I realized I’d been a people pleaser all my life. Always trying to meet everyone’s expectations, always trying to fit in, especially after… Well, you remember how things were when we were younger.” I pause, searching his expression before continuing. “I felt like I didn’t know who I was outside of my family and the pack. I wanted to find some control, some sense of self that was entirely mine.”

“And the sabbatical gave you that.”

“Yeah. Learning about security systems, how they work, managing equipment—it made me feel… stronger. Like I was finally in control of something, after years of feeling pushed around and, well, powerless.”

“I get that, maybe more than you’d think.” He gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “For what it’s worth, I think you did exactly what you needed to.”

“I think so, too,” I agree.

We sit there in a comfortable silence, the world around us dimming as the stars begin to appear, faint pinpricks of light against the deepening sky. And for a moment, I let myself believe in this—this warmth, this connection that feels too real to be a trick, too genuine to be anything but the truth.

“So,” he murmurs, his voice breaking through the quiet, “do you think I’m winning any points yet?”

“Hmm.” I pretend to consider, tapping my chin thoughtfully. “Maybe a couple. But you’re going to have to work a little harder if you want to make a dent.”

He grins, that familiar cocky gleam in his eyes that’s equal parts infuriating and charming. “Oh, I’ve got plenty more tricks up my sleeve, don’t you worry.”

“Now that sounds like a threat,” I quip, but the banter is light, the teasing warmth between us growing more intense with every second.

He leans in, his gaze dropping to my lips. My pulse quickens despite myself. “Only if you want it to be.”

Before I can respond, his mouth is on mine, warm and sure, and any snappy retort I might have had slips away. His hand cups my face, his thumb brushing over my cheek in a way that’s both possessive and tender. I feel myself melting into him, letting go of all the doubts and fears I’ve held onto for so long.

By the time we pull back, we’re both a little breathless. He presses his forehead to mine, his eyes dark and intense as he looks at me.

“Ready to head home?” he asks, his voice rough, barely above a whisper.

I nod, unable to find my voice. He stands, helping me up before gathering the remnants of our picnic with a speed that tells me he’s just as eager as I am to get back.

The walk back is a blur. Every step is charged with anticipation, and if it wasn’t for everything we have to carry, I’d probably have shifted and booked it. By the time we reach the house, my pulse is racing. He opens the door, leading me inside. As soon as we’re through the doorway, he pulls me close, his mouth finding mine again in a kiss that’s deeper and more intense than before.

I press against him, my hands tangling in his hair as his arms wrap around me, holding me close. Every thought, every worry fades away, replaced by the warmth of his touch and the quiet promise in his kiss.

He slips a finger underneath the thin strap of my dress and eases it off my shoulder, trailing kisses along my neck and collarbone, and a shiver runs through me. I can feel his smile against my skin as he moves lower, his hand sliding over the curve of my waist.

With any other man, I’d wiggle away. Find a way to redirect the attention away from the less-than-perfect parts. But here, with Alec, I can’t deny the thrill I get from the way he’s touching me, like there’s nothing and no one else that matters.

My dress is a floral, flowing number that was meant to be a casual summer outfit but now feels sinfully sexy as it slips off, pooling around my ankles. His hand roams over the exposed skin, and the sensation is intoxicating.

“God, you’re beautiful,” he breathes, and his words send a rush of heat through me.

“You’re not so bad yourself,” I murmur, reaching for his shirt and tugging it off, revealing the sculpted muscles underneath.

The lines and planes on this man’s body are enough to make a girl weak in the knees. And the way he’s looking at me now? It’s enough to make anyone’s head spin. I reach out, tracing a finger along his jawline, across the stubble that’s grown there the last few days, and his eyes darken. He leans down, kissing me deeply, and the feeling is like a drug, making me forget everything else.

I melt against him, reveling in the heat of his skin against mine, and the air crackles with a mixture of need and desire.

“Upstairs,” he murmurs, his lips finding the hollow of my throat.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak, and the next thing I know, he has thrown me over his shoulder and is carrying me up the stairs two steps at a time. My stomach swoops with every movement, and he swats my ass, eliciting a delightful squeal.

By the time we make it to the bedroom, I’m practically trembling with anticipation. He tosses me onto the bed and climbs on top of me, his mouth hot and demanding. His hand slips under the band of my underwear, his fingers finding their mark.

My hips buck, and a low moan escapes my lips as he works his magic, stroking and caressing until I’m a writhing mess beneath him. His lips close around my nipple, and I gasp, arching my back.

“Alec,” I manage, my voice coming out as a strangled plea.

“Yes?” he asks, his tone innocent even as his hand continues its wicked exploration.

“I need you,” I gasp, and the words tumble out before I can stop them.

His eyes meet mine, and there’s a flash of something that might be surprise or maybe satisfaction. Then his hot mouth is on mine.

Every nerve is alive, every touch sends sparks shooting through me. He peers up at me just a moment before he begins his descent, and the sight is enough to leave me panting. His mouth is warm and insistent, his tongue deftly working its way across my body. My legs quiver and clench around him, desperate for more.

“Please,” I whimper.

He chuckles, his breath tickling my skin. “Patience,” he says, his voice husky. “I’m just getting started.”

And with that, he dips his head lower, his mouth and tongue working their magic. My body responds instantly, arching and bucking as waves of pleasure wash over me. My hands clutch at the sheets, and I bite my lip to keep from crying out.

Alec’s tongue swirls and flicks, and my body convulses. He slides a finger inside me, and I see stars. I’ve never felt anything like this—the intensity is almost too much.

He adds another finger. The pressure builds, coiling tighter and tighter.

“Oh, god,” I gasp, and then the wave crashes over me, sweeping me away in a flood of ecstasy.

Alec keeps his pace, drawing out the pleasure until I’m a shuddering mess, limp and sated. He finally releases me, and I collapse onto the bed just long enough to catch my breath.

I yank him up and crash my lips against his. He’s rock-hard, and his cock presses against my abdomen, sending another surge of desire coursing through me. I reach down, taking him in my hand and stroking slowly. He groans, his eyes closing briefly.

“Fuck,” he mutters, and the word is barely audible.

“That’s the idea,” I say, rolling on top of him.

He grips my hips, his hands tightening as I work at his belt, sliding his pants and boxers off. His cock springs free, and I take him in my hand, pumping slowly before I raise myself up and guide him inside me, inch by agonizing inch. The sensation is exquisite, and my body shudders as he fills me completely. The pressure is almost unbearable.

“Oh, god,” I groan, the sound animalistic, primal.

I sink down onto him, taking him fully, and then I ride him, savoring the sensation of him filling me. The room fills with the sounds of our lovemaking. Our bodies move together in a frenzied rhythm as I rock my hips, chasing the high. My breasts bounce, and he reaches up, kneading them and pinching the nipples.

The sharp sting of pain only adds to the pleasure. My pace increases, a delicious heat building between us. I throw my head back, and a strangled cry escapes my lips.

“I’m close,” I breathe.

He nods, his grip on my hips tightening. “Me too,” he gasps.

“Don’t stop,” I beg, the words coming out as a hoarse plea.

He begins moving with me, slamming into me. The pressure builds, cresting and crashing. I cry out, the orgasm ripping through me, obliterating all thought. My body shudders as the room spins.

He gives a final thrust and explodes, filling me with his release. His hands clench around my hip bone. “Oh, fuck!” he growls.

For a moment, we lie there, spent and satisfied. The world narrows to this moment, this place, and nothing else.

As the fog clears, I’m aware of his arms wrapped around me, his heart beating against mine, and I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt this content.