Page 22 of Bully Alpha’s Pregnant Mate (Starfire Hollow Alphas #2)

The old meeting hall in Glory Town feels more imposing than usual, and I blame the circumstances. This isn’t my first time here, but it’s definitely the first time I’m standing at the front, under the scrutiny of alphas and council members, all of them here to hear out my idea. Everyone finds their place, and I don’t miss the wary looks darted my way.

Alec’s hand rests at the small of my back, grounding me with a steady warmth. I can feel the strength behind that touch, the silent encouragement to step up and own the moment. You called them here, Isadora. Time to show them why.

The alphas—Alec of East Hills, Damien of Starfire Hollow, and Gray of Red Arrow—are seated at the long council table. They’re watching every movement and listening to every word with varying degrees of interest.

Damien has his arms crossed, his expression skeptical. He looks over me as if dissecting every piece of my plan before I’ve even laid it out. Gray leans back, waiting for me to prove that calling this meeting was worth the trouble.

As the background conversation from the audience behind me dies down, Alec gives me a slight nudge. “They’re all ears, Isadora. Show them what you’ve got.”

I take a deep breath, step forward, and begin. “Thank you all for coming here on short notice. I know this isn’t the usual approach to a threat like this, but we’re not dealing with usual circumstances.” I let my gaze move across the room, meeting each alpha’s gaze, as well as the council members who sit scattered along the sides. “If we’re going to protect our packs, we can’t just react to attacks. We have to take the fight to them.”

“And how do you suggest we do that, exactly?” Damien asks.

My heartbeat quickens, but I keep my tone steady. “By using the demon we’ve captured to locate the portal it came from. We’d release it and follow it, track it from a safe distance, and—hopefully—find the portal that’s allowing these creatures to get through. This could be our only real shot at finding it before more demons slip through and get the jump on us.”

Gray leans forward, clasping his hands on the table. “And you plan to lead this mission yourself?” His voice is level, but there’s a note of concern in it that I wasn’t expecting.

“I would be the one following it the closest,” I reply, projecting confidence even as nerves gnaw at my stomach. “I’ve been studying demon behavior, and I’ve worked on setting up traps strong enough to hold them. I wouldn’t ask anyone to take on a risk I wouldn’t face myself.”

The room is quiet for a beat, and I can feel the weight of their scrutiny as they assess the proposal. Damien’s eyes narrow, and his lips press into a thin line. “So, let me get this straight,” he says. “You want us to let this creature loose, hoping it’ll lead you to its origin? And if it turns back and decides to attack instead?”

I swallow, but Alec’s hand, still resting at my back, reassures me. “Then we’re prepared to handle it,” I reply. “Our shifters will maintain a safe distance, ready to redirect it if necessary. This isn’t about confronting it directly. It’s about using its instincts to lead us to where it came from.”

Gray’s gaze moves to Alec. “You support this idea?” There’s a hint of challenge in his tone, as though he’s testing Alec’s judgment as much as mine.

Alec nods without hesitation. “I do. Isadora’s put a lot of thought into this, and she has the skills and knowledge to back it up. This isn’t a risk we’d take without preparation.”

Damien still doesn’t look convinced. “And how are you planning to ensure everyone’s safety if this ‘tracking’ gets out of hand?”

I draw in a steadying breath. “We’ll have a series of safe points along the route. If the demon strays too far off-course or if things start looking dangerous, we’ll fall back to these points and regroup. This way, we’ll keep the risk contained.”

Damien exchanges a skeptical glance with Gray. “You’re betting on a lot of ifs here.”

“If we don’t take action, the risks remain the same,” I counter, meeting his gaze head-on. “We’ve already seen that waiting doesn’t work. We need to find this portal and close it. And right now, this is our best chance to do that.”

Gray shifts in his seat. “And if we agree to this, what exactly do you need from us?”

“Support,” I say simply, but my words carry the weight of what that truly means. “We need the resources to carry this out safely. Backup if things get out of hand, and the freedom to act without delay.”

For a moment, there’s silence. The room feels heavy with the weight of their consideration. Finally, Gray nods, though his expression remains guarded. “Alright, Isadora. You’ve got Red Arrow’s support.”

Damien’s gaze softens, if only slightly, as he gives a begrudging nod. “And Starfire Hollow’s. Jade has had nothing but good things to say about you. I trust her judgment.”

A thrill of relief and excitement surges through me, but I keep my expression steady, nodding to Damien and Gray in turn. “Thank you,” I say. “I promise I won’t let you down.”

As the meeting disperses, Alec leans close to whisper, “You did it, Isadora.”

I let out a shaky breath, and a smile tugs at my lips. “I can’t believe they agreed. I thought they’d tear the whole plan apart.”

“They saw your conviction,” he murmurs. “And they believe in you.”

As the council members file out, Alec and I linger in the now-quiet hall. The tension that’s been coiling in my chest finally loosens as I let out a long, relieved breath. I feel a warmth in my cheeks as I look up at him, a sense of accomplishment blooming. A mix of disbelief and thrill that’s hard to shake.

“Thank you for… everything,” I say, my voice softer now that it’s just the two of us in the nearly empty hall.

His eyes meet mine, holding a rare intensity. “I didn’t do anything you couldn’t have done yourself,” he replies, though there’s unmistakable pride in his voice. “You’ve got this, Isadora. I’ve never doubted that.”

He reaches for my hand, his fingers closing around mine in a comforting grip, and we step out into the cool night air. As we make our way back to the house, the sounds of the town fade into the quiet of the forest path. The stillness around us feels grounding, and for the first time all evening, my pulse slows as my nerves begin to settle.

By the time we reach the house, the sense of relief is heady. Alec’s hand doesn’t leave mine as he pushes open the door. Once inside, he lets out a long breath, giving me a look filled with warmth and something else—something deeper, almost reverent. My stomach flips as I feel myself flush under his gaze.

“I just hope this actually works,” I comment.

He tilts his head, and that same warm, faint smile lifts his lips as he studies me. “You know it will. I’ve seen what you’re capable of.”

There’s so much sincerity in his words that it catches me off-guard, and before I can think twice, I pull him down into a kiss. It starts soft, but the emotion behind it—relief, gratitude, excitement—rushes forward. I press closer, letting it deepen as I wrap my arms around him.

He pulls me in flush against his chest. His embrace is strong and steady, holding me like he’s afraid to let go. In that moment, everything else fades away, and it’s just us, wrapped up in a promise we’re only beginning to understand. When he slips his tongue past my lips, a soft moan escapes me. I let him part them further, letting him explore every inch. His hands trail up the sides of my waist, leaving a trail of fire across my skin, and my hips instinctively grind into him.

He pulls back for a moment, and when his gaze meets mine, it sends a rush of heat straight to my core. He runs a hand through his hair, and I watch as the muscles in his arm ripple beneath the sleeve of his shirt.

“Isadora,” he says, his voice low and raspy, “you don’t know what you do to me.”

I give a little smile. “Why don’t you show me?”

With that, the last of his restraint crumbles. His eyes flash silver, and a low growl rumbles from his chest. He closes the gap between us, his hand wrapping around the back of my neck. The force of his kiss takes my breath away.

As he backs me against the wall, I let him take control. His tongue delves into my mouth, claiming me with a ferocity that has me melting into him. His body is solid and warm, pressing against me. Every inch of him is pure muscle.

He breaks the kiss, trailing hot, wet kisses down the column of my throat. I whimper as he finds a particularly sensitive spot. He growls, and the vibration makes my nipples tighten and ache.

He pulls my shirt over my head, and his hands move to the button of my slacks, making quick work of the zipper. As he slides them down, his gaze never leaves mine. The heat in his eyes is overwhelming.

Alec backs me up until my knees hit the back of the couch. Then he spins me around, laying a hand on the center of my back and bending me forward until I’m supporting myself on the cushions. He drags his index finger down my spine, and then his hand comes down in a light slap against the flesh of my ass.

I gasp and then let out a low groan.

“Fuck,” he growls, running his fingers along the seam of my panties. “You’re so wet. Do you want me to fuck you, Isadora?”

“Yes,” I whisper.

“Good girl,” he purrs. “Now stay there. Don’t move.”

He trails his fingers lightly over my pussy, and I can feel the wetness coating his fingertips. “Look at you,” he whispers. “You’re practically dripping.”

I feel him tug my panties to the side, and a moment later, his tongue laps a long, slow stroke over my slit. I gasp and then bite down on my lower lip, stifling a moan. He groans, and the vibration makes my legs weak.

“You taste so good,” he murmurs. “So sweet.”

His tongue continues its exploration, licking and probing. Soon, I’m trembling, clutching the couch cushions. When he wraps his lips around my clit and sucks, stars dance behind my eyelids. I cry out, and then his tongue dips into me, plunging deep, and I buck my hips, pressing against his face. He lets out a grunt of approval and continues, his tongue moving faster, driving me toward the edge.

I’m panting, sweat beading on my brow, when his fingers slide between my thighs, circling and teasing my entrance. I cry out, desperate for more.

“Tell me,” he orders.

“Please,” I pant.

“What was that?”

“Please, Alec,” I beg.

“You want more?”

“Yes,” I whine.

“How badly?”

“So bad.”

“I don’t think you want it badly enough,” he growls.

“No, please, please, I need—”

“You need what, Isadora?”

“Fuck…”

“Tell me what you want,” he demands.

“Your cock.”

“My what?”

“I want your cock, please,” I whimper.

He chuckles, and the sound is dark and delicious. “Well, since you asked so nicely,” he murmurs.

There’s a pause, and then, finally, I feel his thick head at my entrance. He presses forward slowly, allowing my body time to adjust.

“Oh, fuck,” I whisper.

“Yeah, you like that?” he breathes.

“Yes,” I pant.

“You want me to fill you up?”

“Yes, yes, please.”

He grabs my hips, pulling me back, impaling me on his length. I cry out, and his grip tightens. He sets a relentless pace, his thrusts deep and powerful. His hips snap forward, filling me again and again, and my whole body is aflame. I can’t hold back the moans that pour from my lips.

He wraps his hand around my throat, pulling me up and flush against him. The angle changes, and he hits a spot inside me that has me seeing stars.

His movements become harder, faster, and his free hand finds its way to my clit, circling and stroking. The combination of his hand, his cock, and his words is too much. The pressure builds until I fall apart, screaming his name as the orgasm overtakes me. He continues pounding into me, prolonging the wave of pleasure.

“God, Isadora,” he growls. “I love watching you come.”

After another minute, his thrusts become erratic, and he spills inside me.

He turns me around and kisses me, his tongue moving in tandem with mine. Pulling back, he rests his forehead against mine. His eyes meet mine, full of adoration and wonder.

“Isadora,” he whispers. “That was… you are…”

“Magnificent,” I finish.

He laughs, his face lighting up. His hands cup my cheeks. “You’re incredible,” he says. “And not just because of this.”

But I have to break eye contact as he says it. With everything that’s happened, I haven’t had a chance to tell him about the baby. And right now, I’m not feeling brave enough.

I push the thoughts away and pull him into a soft, sweet kiss, relishing the taste of him, the smell of him, the feel of his lips on mine.

He wraps his arms around me, and we sink down onto the couch, wrapped in each other’s arms, content and spent. Everything else can wait.

For now, this is all we need.