Page 20 of Bully Alpha’s Pregnant Mate (Starfire Hollow Alphas #2)

“Is it really necessary for you two to hover like this?” I ask, trying to keep the exasperation out of my voice as I pull the blanket over my knees. Janelle and Lianne exchange a glance before leaning in closer, each armed with a water bottle and what appears to be enough soup to feed a small army.

“Necessary? Definitely,” Janelle quips, plunking down on the bed beside me. “Alec’s orders were pretty clear—rest, hydrate, and don’t let you up for anything except to pee.”

I groan, rubbing my temples. “Since when did Alec’s word become law?”

Lianne raises a brow, settling onto the other side of the bed. “Since he’s practically your full-time caretaker now. I mean, honestly, Izzy, how are you not seeing it? The man’s completely wrapped around your little finger.”

I let out a snort. “Oh, please. He’s just taking care of his wife. Any decent man would do that.”

“Right.” Janelle’s grin widens. “And I’m sure that’s why he’s hovering over you like a mother hen, losing sleep and bossing us around like we’re his backup medical team.”

I roll my eyes, leaning back against the pillows. “He’s just protective because of this whole demon and rogue shifter chaos we’ve had going on. It’s not like he’s crazy about me. He’s doing what he thinks he should do.”

Lianne lets out a dramatic sigh, giving me a look as if I’m the densest person alive. “Honestly, Isadora, how are you not seeing it? He’s a big, bad alpha, sure, but he’s been fretting over you like you’re made of glass since this whole thing started. That’s not just any kind of care, either. It’s prime-grade obsession.”

I open my mouth to argue, but Lianne cuts me off, holding up a hand. “Remember last week? When he was overworking himself to the bone but still took time to check in on you every chance he got?”

“Okay, maybe,” I admit begrudgingly, feeling a bit warm under their combined stares. “But he was also dealing with rogue shifters and demons. It makes sense he’d be on edge.”

“Right,” Janelle says, stretching the word out. “And bringing you lunch from your favorite place in town every day was also just a standard alpha duty, I’m sure.”

I bite the inside of my cheek, trying to brush it off. “Well, he’s been busy, okay? And it’s just different now. We’re in an arrangement. He probably just feels obligated.”

Lianne rolls her eyes. “You are so unbelievably thick sometimes, Izzy. This isn’t ‘obligation’ talking. You’re practically all he talks about, and the way he looks at you? If that isn’t being crazy about you, I don’t know what is.”

I laugh, waving them off. “You two are the ones that are crazy. Look, if he were that smitten, he’d say something, wouldn’t he? He’d… do more.”

Janelle raises a brow, crossing her arms. “Define ‘more,’ because bringing you tea, practically quarantining the packhouse so you don’t get disturbed, and calling us every hour for updates is already above and beyond in my book.”

I can feel my cheeks heating up as I glance away. “He didn’t really call you every hour.”

“Oh, yes, he did,” Lianne chimes in, all too happy to rub it in. “He even asked if we could make sure you didn’t lift a finger, even if you tried to guilt-trip us into letting you get up. The guy knows you too well.”

I sit there, frowning, unable to come up with a good retort. Because, okay, yes, Alec has been more attentive than I ever would have expected. And, yes, he’s gone out of his way to keep me from burning out. But that doesn’t mean he’s head-over-heels or anything. He’s just taking our arrangement seriously. That’s all.

Janelle nudges me with her elbow, smirking. “Admit it. He cares about you, Izzy, and not just because of this whole alpha and luna thing. He’s got it bad.”

I roll my eyes again, shifting under their combined scrutiny. “Alright, maybe he’s a little… invested. But it’s not like he’s serenading me under the moonlight or anything. You two are blowing this way out of proportion.”

“Oh, please,” Lianne laughs. “He’s practically serenading you with how much he’s been doting on you. And since when are you so oblivious, anyway?”

I open my mouth to protest again, but Janelle cuts me off with a dramatic sigh. “Look, we’re not saying he’s going to start writing sonnets or anything. But Izzy, you don’t see the way he looks at you when you’re not watching. And trust me, that’s not the look of a man bound by obligation.”

I bite my lip, feeling an unwelcome flutter in my chest. “Fine. Maybe he’s just a little softer lately. Maybe he’s trying to make things better after, you know, years of being a royal pain.”

Lianne snorts. “I think we’ve moved beyond ‘making things better’ and into ‘my sister’s got herself a lovestruck alpha’ territory.”

I shake my head, feeling the heat creeping up my neck. “You two are reading way too much into this.”

Janelle shrugs, a smirk playing on her lips. “Maybe. Or maybe you’re just in denial because you’re scared it’s real.”

I open my mouth to protest, but the words stick in my throat. Because what if they’re right? What if Alec actually does care more than I’ve let myself believe? And if that’s true… what then?

Before I can start spiraling, Janelle nudges me with a grin. “Relax, sis. We’re not saying you have to plan a future or anything. Just acknowledge it. Let yourself see what’s right in front of you.”

I sigh, a reluctant smile tugging at my lips. “Fine. I’ll try to keep an open mind. But don’t expect me to start swooning.”

“Oh, we wouldn’t dream of it,” Lianne teases, laughing. “But maybe Alec will surprise you. He seems to be good at that.”

I glance away, unable to shake the little flutter in my chest. Because despite my best efforts, my sisters have a point. Maybe Alec isn’t just being dutiful. Maybe, just maybe, he’s genuinely invested in the two of us.

Janelle stands up, grabbing the empty soup bowl with a triumphant grin. “Good talk, sis. Glad we cleared that up.”

I roll my eyes, laughing. “You’re both impossible, you know that?”

“Yeah, but we’re also right.” Lianne smirks, ruffling my hair as she heads toward the door. “And if you don’t believe us, just watch how he is with you next time you’re together. You might surprise yourself. We’ll be right downstairs if you need us. Get some sleep.”

They leave me alone with my thoughts, and as much as I hate to admit it, I can’t shake the little thrill that rises at the idea. Because if Alec really does care, maybe there’s more to this whole “arrangement” than I thought.

My stomach turns suddenly, that familiar, nauseating lurch hitting me like a wave. I’m halfway to the bathroom before I even have time to process what’s happening, barely making it before I’m doubled over, gripping the sink as the last remnants of soup and tea make a not-so-elegant reappearance.

“Oh, yikes,” Janelle’s voice echoes from the doorway, wincing as she peeks in. “That didn’t sound pleasant.”

Lianne appears right behind her, sympathy plastered all over her face. “Definitely not just a little bug, Izzy.”

I groan, wiping my mouth and taking the water Janelle holds out. “It’s probably just something I ate.”

They exchange a look that, frankly, makes me want to throw up all over again.

“Or…” Lianne begins, her tone way too amused. “It could be something else.”

I narrow my eyes, not liking where this is headed. “Something else like what?”

Janelle crosses her arms and purses her lips in a knowing smirk. “Like a bun in the oven.”

I stare at her, feeling my stomach flip for reasons that have nothing to do with nausea. “A bun in the… what? You think I’m…?”

“Pregnant?” Lianne finishes for me, arching an eyebrow. “I mean, it’s a possibility, isn’t it? You’re married to Alec, and unless I’m reading you both wrong…”

My heart skips a beat, and a flurry of emotions swells up faster than I can organize them. Happy? Worried? Terrified? Yes, to all three.

“I don’t know,” I admit, feeling unsteady. “I hadn’t… I mean, with everything that’s been going on, it just never crossed my mind.”

“Maybe it should,” Janelle states. Her gaze is filled with an excitement that makes my heart twist. “Alec would be over the moon, don’t you think?”

I let out a shaky laugh, not even sure how to respond. “It’s Alec. I have no idea how he’d feel. But…” I pause, feeling a strange flutter of hope, “maybe?”

Lianne squeezes my shoulder. “There’s only one way to find out, Isadora. Don’t you worry, we’re not going anywhere. Alec specifically asked us to stay with you, remember?”

Janelle nods, already grabbing her jacket. “I’ll just run to the store and grab a test. Lianne will stay with you while I’m gone. Sound good?”

I manage a small nod. “Thanks. Really, you two… I don’t know what I’d do without you right now.”

Janelle winks as she heads out. “You’d probably be dealing with this all alone. So good thing you’ve got us.” She closes the door behind her, and the house falls into a tense silence.

Lianne sits beside me on the bed, resting a hand on my shoulder in silent support, though I can feel her curiosity practically buzzing in the air. My stomach twists—whether from the thought of a possible pregnancy or the flu-like symptoms, I’m not sure. Either way, waiting feels unbearable.

It’s not long before Janelle returns, a bag clutched in her hand. “Here you go,” she says, handing over the box with a reassuring smile. “We’ll be right here. Take your time.”

I head to the bathroom, my heart pounding and my stomach churning even more. After I open the package, I follow the instructions, barely able to keep my mind from spiraling. Minutes stretch out, heavy and slow, each second feeling like an eternity. Finally, I glance down and see the result.

Positive.

I stare at the test in stunned silence. A strange mixture of joy, disbelief, and something raw and tender rushes through my body. For a moment, I rest my hand on my stomach, letting the reality of it sink in. A baby. Alec’s and mine. It’s so much more than anything I’d ever planned or expected.

“Wow,” I whisper to the empty bathroom. A shaky smile breaks through despite my confusion. But almost as quickly as the warmth spreads, worry surfaces—Alec. How will he react? I know he cares for me, but this… this is far beyond any mere “arrangement.”

My thoughts scatter when a sudden, shrill alarm blares from the edge of the property. One of the traps! My heart jumps into my throat, and my instincts kick in as I rush back into the bedroom and grab my sweater from the foot of the bed. Janelle is gawking at us both, but Lianne is right beside me.

“I’m coming with you,” she announces, already pulling on her boots. There’s no time to argue, and honestly, I’m glad to have her there.

We step outside, and the night air, biting and cold prickles at the back of my neck. The alarm continues to wail, drawing us both toward the dark outline of trees marking the edge of the property. Lianne stays close, her footsteps matching mine as we move toward the trail leading to the trap I’d set up just last week.

As we approach, I can see it—caught in the bonds of magic and reinforced steel—is a creature unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I’ve heard the stories from when they attacked a couple years ago, but seeing it in person is something else entirely.

Its eyes are a molten, seething yellow, and its skin is covered in black scales. Giant horns protrude from its head, cracked like burning embers. Wisps of smoky black tendrils seep from its body, curling into the night air before they vanish.

Lianne tenses beside me, and her hand hovers near the knife at her side. “Is that…?”

“A demon,” I answer, feeling through my mind for my wolf, though I have no clue how much good she will do against something like this.

The creature thrashes, snarling as it strains against the magical bonds. I watch, my pulse racing as it tests every bit of reinforcement I’d woven into the trap using the runes I acquired with the Ironclaws. Each of its jerking movements causes the steel and magical bindings to strain and creak.

Lianne glances at me with wide eyes. “You… you caught it.”

The trap worked. We caught the son of a bitch. But now for the million-dollar question: what the hell do we do with it?