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

I 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’s exactly like that,” I reply. “You offered me up for marriage. To the alpha. Which I think would be something worth mentioning to me before I came back from my little sabbatical, don’t you think?”

I’d gone on the sabbatical to get away from East Hills and all its suffocating dynamics, and I’d taken my time coming back. Now, here I am, not even five minutes into my return, and they’ve already got me halfway down the aisle with a man I’ve never met. Typical.

My father finally looks up, his cheeks red and mouth pulled tight in that way that says he’s desperate to say something but knows better. After a long pause, he speaks. “Izzy… you know it wasn’t an easy decision. But it was the only way we could stay.”

Stay? I blink, confused. “What do you mean ‘stay’? Why wouldn’t we stay?”

My mother sighs, finally looking at me with a mix of shame and exasperation. “Your father… he had a bit of trouble with the finances.” Her voice drops to a whisper, like if she says it quietly enough, it won’t be as awful. “He… well, he used pack funds to pay off some gambling debt.”

My mouth drops open. “Are you kidding me?”

“Look, it’s not like I meant for it to happen, Izzy,” my dad mutters, still not meeting my eyes. “It was a few bad decisions, I’m not proud of it, and I’m making amends, but we had to keep our place in the pack. They didn’t kick us out, but…” He trails off, looking utterly defeated. “They offered to… work it out. With a favor.”

And here I am, the favor.

“So you thought,” I say slowly, the words coming out in a flat monotone as I stare between the two of them, “that the best way to work off Dad’s debts was to marry me off to the alpha?”

“It’s not exactly ‘marry off,’ “ my mother protests, looking helplessly at my father as if he’ll magically save her from the hole they’ve dug. “It’s an arrangement. One that keeps us all secure. They needed someone from a pure bloodline, and we can offer them that. And you’ll be fine, darling. You’re stronger now, and you’re so much more confident than you used to be.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to keep my voice steady. “Thanks, Mom. But this isn’t about my confidence. It’s about you deciding my future without asking me.”

She has the grace to look guilty. “I know. I do. But you have to understand, Isadora, this is the best solution. We were worried sick, thinking we might lose our place in the pack.” Her voice softens. “This way, you’re helping us all stay safe.”

Her words land heavily in my chest. Helping others has always been my Achilles’ heel. I’ve spent most of my life doing what I could to keep everyone else comfortable, even if it left me feeling empty and exhausted. Apparently, my parents know this a little too well.

I look at my father. “And you’re okay with this?”

He doesn’t respond right away. His fingers drum on the table, and he keeps his gaze trained on a spot somewhere in the middle distance. “I hate it,” he mutters finally. “I hate that it’s come to this. But I don’t know what else to do. We owe them, Izzy, and they want… well, they want loyalty.”

Loyalty. Right. Because nothing says loyalty like getting sold off like a prize lamb to the slaughter.

I glance at my siblings, who’ve been sitting silently at the table, shifting awkwardly in their seats. One of my little sisters, Janelle, who just turned twenty-one, looks ready to vanish into thin air. I don’t blame her. This is probably the last thing she wanted to witness. And then our middle sister, Lianne, gives me an encouraging smile, but it’s more nervous than reassuring.

Lianne clears her throat as if she’s been waiting for a moment to speak up. “Izzy, maybe this is a good thing? You’ve always kept to yourself, even before your trip, and maybe this is a chance to… I don’t know… be part of the pack?”

Be part of the pack. Like that was ever the problem. The funny thing is, I came back to be part of it, to put myself out there and show them I wasn’t the same awkward girl who used to hide behind books and avoided every pack gathering. But it doesn’t take long to remember why I kept to myself back then. Being the quiet one just made me an easy target for people like Alec and his friends.

I give Lianne a look, but she shrugs, glancing away. “I mean it,” she insists. “You’re back now. And this could be good. If anyone can handle a situation like this, it’s you, Izzy.”

“Glad you have such faith in me,” I mutter. “So, does the alpha have a name? Or am I just going to be paraded out and married to a faceless stranger?”

My parents exchange a glance, and I get the sinking feeling that they’ve planned exactly that: an arranged wedding with zero details.

“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 mother looks relieved, and my father’s shoulders slump as if a weight’s been lifted. My siblings glance at me, sympathy mingling with something else I can’t quite read. It doesn’t matter. I’ve already made up my mind, too.

As much as it irritates me, as much as it feels like I’m sacrificing my future to bail out my father’s mistakes, I can’t walk away. My family needs me, and like always, that’s enough to keep me rooted here.

My mother’s voice is soft as she says, “Thank you, Izzy. I know this isn’t easy. But you’ll see. It might turn out well.”

I snort. “I’m not holding my breath.”

“Well,” my father cuts in, sounding more hopeful than he has all evening, “The alpha’s a strong leader, they say. Dedicated. Loyal. He’ll take care of you.” He gives me an awkward smile. “Who knows? Maybe you’ll surprise each other.”

I don’t bother replying because I don’t believe that for a second. I know what I’m getting into. The life of an alpha’s mate isn’t about romance or love; it’s about duty. And I’ve already spent a lifetime swallowing down my own wants for the sake of others.

But if this is what it takes to keep my family safe, I’ll do it. I’ve faced worse things in life than a marriage to a stranger.

“Guess I’ll be getting a crash course in pack loyalty,” I say dryly, and head toward the stairs.

I can hear my mother call after me, her voice anxious but relieved. “Isadora… thank you.”

I don’t look back, just lift a hand in a half-hearted wave. I know they’re grateful, but that doesn’t make this any easier to swallow.

***

I should’ve known the new alpha would live in a house so grand, it looks like it’s been ripped straight from some Gothic fairytale.

“Are you kidding me?” I grumble as we pull up the drive. I take a moment to look over the sprawling estate, complete with stone walls, manicured hedges, and a fountain in front that’s entirely too dramatic. Lanterns line the gravel path, and with the armed shifters patrolling the grounds, the whole place radiates this kind of…untouchable authority.

My mother fidgets beside me once she climbs out of the car, smoothing down her coat as if that’ll somehow make all of this more reasonable. “Izzy, I know this is a lot,” she says. “But please… try to make a good impression.”

I give her a sidelong look. “Make a good impression? That’s what you’re worried about?”

She bites her lip, glancing away. So, yeah, she’s definitely worried about more than impressions.

A towering guy opens the front door, nodding us inside. The entryway gleams with marble floors and crystal chandeliers. I’d bet my entire savings that the rugs lining the floor cost more than our house. As we’re led down a hallway filled with dark wood paneling and old, expensive artwork, I can practically feel the place pressing in on me. For the first time in a long time, I feel small.

But I square my shoulders and keep my expression blank. I’m not about to let some over-the-top mansion intimidate me.

After what feels like a mile of polished floors, we stop in front of a set of tall double doors. My heart pounds as the doors push open, and there, standing in the center of the room, is the alpha himself.

And he’s the last person I ever expected to see.

Alec Thornton.

My stomach twists as memories crash in—those long summers when he’d visit, the years of feeling like I’d never fit in, all courtesy of one smug, infuriating guy: Alec. He was the golden boy from Starfire Hollow, swooping in to remind me of everything I wasn’t.

And every time he was here, he found a way to make an already rough existence just a little bit worse. At least he wasn’t around during the school year; I had enough bullies then, but none quite as awful as Alec.

His cousins tortured me enough during the school year, with their snide remarks and pointed stares that followed me everywhere. But when Alec showed up, it was like they had a ringleader. We made amends as adults, and I honestly haven’t held it against them in years, though a part of me is still wary now that he’s back. After all, what’s to stop them from slipping back into their old ways?

I remember one summer, when I’d finally worked up the courage to join a pack run, only to find Alec and his cousins blocking my path, smirking like they owned the place. I turned around and left before they could say a word, but the humiliation burned for days.

And standing here now, he’s somehow even more intimidating. He’s filled out in all the right ways—tall, broad-shouldered, every inch of him exuding power. His face is sharper, more defined. His black hair is a little unruly, falling over his brow in a way that shouldn’t work but absolutely does.

Those gray eyes of his are still sharp enough to cut, but there’s something darker there, something that looks like a storm brewing beneath the surface. And when the light catches them just right, they flash silver, a chilling reminder that he’s as lethal as he is beautiful.

The scar slashing through his left brow just amps up the “danger” vibe he’s got going. It’s like life dared him to take a few hits, and he came out the other side stronger, unfazed. He’s solid, built like he’s spent every waking moment training to take down anything stupid enough to cross him.

And as much as I hate to admit it, it works. Every inch of him is alpha, in that maddeningly effortless way he’s always carried himself. Confident, steady, like he owns the ground he’s standing on.

I try not to think about the fact that his wolf—the massive, silver-streaked creature he shifts into—is rumored to be one of the largest in our territory. Or that even just standing there, calm and quiet, Alec somehow manages to make the room feel smaller. And it’s infuriating, because as much as I’d love to dismiss him, every glance pulls me in, reminding me exactly why he’s always been trouble.

The man is a god brought to life

I can’t decide if I want to punch him or run out of the room.

Beside me, my mother clears her throat, giving me a gentle nudge forward. “Isadora, this is Alec… the alpha.”

I force myself to move, to breathe, to hold myself together under his scrutiny. But it’s hard to ignore the traitorous flutter in my chest, the way some ridiculous part of me can’t help but notice how his jawline flexes or how absurdly broad his shoulders are. He’s taller than I remember. Stronger, too, with a look in his eyes that feels both familiar and entirely new.

For a brief, infuriating moment, I wonder if he recognizes me. If he remembers the way he used to make me feel, like I was always two steps behind, always some joke he was in on that I wasn’t.

But that was then. I’m not that girl anymore, and I’m certainly not about to let him see even a hint of the nerves twisting in my stomach.

He watches me, and I lift my chin, determined to look just as unruffled. If he thinks this arranged marriage is going to turn me into his compliant little mate, he’s in for a rude awakening.

Because the only thing more shocking than finding myself face-to-face with Alec Thornton again is realizing that even after everything, some part of me can’t deny just how striking he is.

But he doesn’t need to know that. And he never will.