Page 8 of Bully Alpha’s Pregnant Mate (Starfire Hollow Alphas #2)

Job-hunting shouldn’t be this hard, right? I’ve covered half the town, plastered on a smile at every place that’ll listen, and still… nothing. Luna or not, nobody’s hiring.

The town square buzzes with life as I navigate through it. Honestly, I’ve missed this—the small-town charm, the shopkeepers who still know my name, the feeling of a community. But apparently, job prospects are on the endangered list here, and I’m beginning to wonder if this whole thing was a ridiculous idea. I mean, it’s not like Alec can’t afford for me to take my time. But I’d rather pull my own weight, thank you very much.

I’m turning the corner past the bakery, eyeing a possible “Help Wanted” sign, when a familiar voice cuts through the street noise.

“Oh my gosh! Isadora?”

I nearly groan. That chirpy, fake-sweet tone could only belong to one person.

I plaster on a polite smile, turning just in time to see Molly Walker—the high school queen bee from Starfire Hollow turned grown-up menace—grinning as she struts toward me, her heels clicking obnoxiously against the pavement. She looks… well, the same as ever. Blond curls, tight dress, a look that practically screams, Don’t you wish you were me ?

I almost keep walking, but her high-pitched laugh halts me.

“It’s been ages, hasn’t it?” Molly says.

“Yeah,” I manage, trying to keep my tone neutral. “Long time.”

She tilts her head, eyes narrowing slightly as she studies me, like she’s looking for a flaw, something to nitpick. “I heard the big news. Congratulations on snagging Alec.”

There it is. The “congratulations” sounded almost genuine until I caught the gleam in her eyes.

I force a tight smile. “Thanks. It was…unexpected.”

“Oh, I’ll bet.” She lets out another tinkling laugh, one that sounds about as real as the tan she’s sporting. “I mean, out of everyone, it’s you! Never thought Alec would go for…” She trails off, sweeping her eyes over me from head to toe, judgment practically oozing out of every pore. “For someone so… grounded.”

I swallow the instinct to snap at her. “Guess things change.”

Molly crosses her arms, leaning in just a bit too close. “Alec always did have a thing for… projects. I’m sure you’ll keep him entertained, for a while at least.” She grins, clearly enjoying herself. “But I wouldn’t get too comfortable. You know Alec… he gets bored easily.”

A surge of irritation boils in my chest, but I keep my face blank. This is exactly what she wants, to get a reaction. I won’t give her that satisfaction.

“Molly, it’s sweet of you to worry,” I say, forcing calm into my voice, “but I think we’ll be fine.”

Her smile only widens. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll do your best. But you know, Alec has… tastes. And let’s just say I doubt a little library mouse like you will keep him interested long.”

“Library mouse.” The nickname I thought I’d left behind long ago rears its ugly head again, and I feel the familiar sting of insecurity. I take a deep breath, reminding myself that I’m not that shy girl hiding behind novels anymore.

She continues, unbothered, her gaze flicking to the shop window beside us, where our reflections stare back. “I mean, you’re adorable, really,” she says, adjusting a stray curl. “But don’t you think it’s a little bit of a stretch for Alec?”

It takes everything I have not to roll my eyes. “Not really,” I lie through my teeth. “He seems pretty happy.”

“Oh, sure.” Molly waves a perfectly manicured hand as though she finds the very idea amusing. “For now. But trust me, sweetie, being with an alpha is challenging. And when he realizes… well, let’s just say you might find him slipping back into old habits.” Her lips curl into a knowing smile, her eyes gleaming with delight. “I mean, alphas need excitement. And if I remember right, you were never much of a thrill.”

The words hit harder than I’d like to admit, dredging up old insecurities. I’d hoped, foolishly maybe, that people like Molly would have moved past this kind of cruelty, but here she is, still going strong. I square my shoulders, refusing to give her the satisfaction of seeing me rattled.

“Molly, I think I can handle my own marriage, thanks.”

She lets out a soft laugh, tilting her head like she’s observing a curious animal. “Oh, I don’t doubt you’ll try. But sweetie, the things alphas need? It takes a bit more than a wedding band to keep them interested.” Her gaze flicks pointedly down the street, where a few pack members are gathered. “Trust me, he’ll come around. Eventually.”

There’s something in her voice, a hint of something maliciously hopeful. And I realize, with sudden clarity, that Molly isn’t just in town to rattle me. She’s waiting for me to fail— no, expecting me to fail. And she’s traveled all the way here from Starfire Hollow to see it happen in person.

I force myself to breathe, reminding myself that Alec’s past with Molly is just that—past. But her words have struck a nerve, and I can feel that old doubt surfacing. Memories of feeling insignificant, of being dismissed.

I clear my throat. “Well, lucky for me, I’m not the same girl I was back then, and Alec’s not the same guy, either.”

Her smile falters just a fraction. “You really believe that, don’t you?” she asks, her tone laced with condescension. “Well, I guess there’s no harm in a little hope. Just… don’t say I didn’t warn you when reality hits.” She gives a mock-sympathetic pat to my shoulder. “Some of us just aren’t meant for this world, Isadora. But hey, at least you’ll have a nice story to tell.”

She saunters off, leaving her words hanging in the air, thick and heavy. I stare after her, a mixture of anger and frustration bubbling inside. As much as I hate to admit it, she’s struck a chord. Her words aren’t just petty jabs; they’re reminders of the insecurities I thought I’d buried.

The truth is, I seriously doubt Alec has changed much, but I suck in a breath, refusing to let her get to me. She doesn’t know me. She has no idea what I’ve been through, how hard I’ve worked to be here. And Alec… well, he’s a different story. But I won’t let her shake me.

I turn away, shaking off the encounter as best I can, though her voice still echoes in my mind. I have a job to find, a life to build here in East Hills. Molly can cling to her petty games if she wants, but I’m done with them.

I manage to shake off the residue of Molly’s words as I continue down Main Street, though her smug smirk and thinly veiled jabs still linger, annoying as ever. She has no idea who I am now—or so I remind myself with every step. Still, a spark of satisfaction hits when I spot a chalkboard sign outside the local bookshop:

Help Wanted: Part-Time.

A bookstore! I could practically cry with relief. Growing up, I must’ve spent half my life finding sanctuary between the shelves and all their worlds tucked inside paperback covers.

The bell chimes as I push open the door, breathing in the familiar smell of paper and coffee from the café in the back. And despite everything, a smile tugs at my lips.

“Hello?” I call out, scanning the rows of bookshelves and displays, each one more enticing than the last.

A middle-aged woman with gray-streaked hair pops her head up from behind the counter. “Welcome! Can I help you?”

“Yes,” I say, trying not to sound desperate. “I just saw the Help Wanted sign. Are you still looking for someone?”

She perks up immediately, smiling as she straightens. “Oh, wonderful! We’ve had a few people apply, but most haven’t been… well, you know. Not many people around here know their Tolstoy from their Tolkien.” She chuckles. “But if you’re interested, I’d love to chat.”

She ushers me over to the counter, and as we start talking, I feel my spirits lift. This place is perfect—the rows of shelves, the small reading corner, the way the light filters in through the old windows. I can already imagine myself here, surrounded by books and doing something that actually feels right.

Just as she’s explaining the hours, the bell chimes again, and I catch a glimpse of someone entering. “Sorry, one sec,” she says, glancing up.

I freeze as a familiar figure steps through the door—tall, with that easy confidence that still annoys me as much as it used to. Alec. Great.

He meets my gaze and grins, a look that’s equal parts mischief and challenge. “Isadora,” he drawls, strolling over with that infuriating smirk. “Fancy seeing you here.”

“Likewise,” I say wryly. “Are you here to buy a book on charm, or just here to ruin my day?”

The woman behind the counter chuckles, oblivious to the tension simmering between us. “Oh, he doesn’t need to buy anything. He owns the place.”

My eyes snap to Alec, narrowing. “You… own this bookstore?”

“Surprised?” He looks pleased with himself. “Picked it up a couple of years ago. My niece loves to read, so I figured why not give her a whole bookstore to browse?”

Of course. Alec Thornton, not just the town’s alpha, but now apparently the benevolent patron of bookworms everywhere.

I roll my eyes, trying to ignore the wave of disappointment crashing over me. “So, let me guess… this means my job prospects here just hit rock-bottom?”

“Oh, you want the job?” He laughs, folding his arms. “Now, now, don’t be dramatic. Who says I won’t hire you?”

“Oh, please.” I level him with a glare. “You’d probably make it a condition that I wear some ridiculous ‘Alec’s Biggest Fan’ t-shirt while I’m here.”

He pretends to consider it, tapping his chin. “Actually, that’s not a terrible idea.” Then he grins, his gaze holding mine with that infuriating confidence that always manages to get under my skin. “But no, I think I’ll make it simpler.”

I arch an eyebrow. “Simpler how?”

He leans in, dropping his voice just low enough that the woman behind the counter won’t hear. “Go out with me. One date. And the job’s yours.”

I let out a disbelieving laugh, taking a step back. “You’ve got to be kidding me. We’re married, Alec. Why do you care so much about a date?”

“Come on.” He shrugs, feigning innocence. “I’m making things easy for you. Your job hunt is officially over.”

Something in his tone—it’s playful, sure, but there’s that undercurrent of challenge there, too. It’s like he’s daring me, testing me. And thanks to Molly’s little “pep talk” earlier, I’m already wound tight. I’ve had just about enough of being pushed around for one day.

“Fine,” I say, surprising even myself. “One date.”

His eyes widen a fraction. I’ve clearly caught him off-guard. He didn’t expect me to agree so fast. “That’s… great.” He recovers quickly, his smirk reappearing. “Tomorrow night?”

“Sure,” I reply. “Just don’t expect me to fall for your charm.”

He chuckles, stepping back. “Wouldn’t dream of it.” But as he glances over his shoulder, I catch that familiar gleam in his eye. He thinks he’s won this round. Well, he’s in for a surprise.

As Alec saunters off, probably more pleased with himself than he has any right to be, the woman behind the counter watches him go with an amused smile on her face.

“Quite the catch, isn’t he?” she says.

“Sure,” I mutter, turning back to her. “If you’re into that whole infuriating, smug, alpha thing.”

She chuckles, handing me a stack of papers with the hours and job requirements. “Well, whatever he is, it’s obvious he thinks the world of you. Why else would he come in here so often lately?”

I frown. “Lately?”

“Oh, yes. Ever since the wedding.” She winks, her tone filled with that conspiratorial warmth older women seem to love. “Usually, he just stops by every month or so, but lately? At least once every couple of days. He mentioned something about the new luna having a love for books. I think he expected to find you here eventually.”

I feel a blush creep into my cheeks. It’s not like I didn’t know Alec could be persistent, but hearing it from someone else… it’s different.

“Anyway,” she says, patting my hand, “I’ll see you tomorrow? First day on the job?”

I nod, swallowing my irritation and the flutter of something else I can’t quite name. “Yeah. First day.”

As I leave the store, job secured and an unexpected date on the horizon, a sense of determination fills me. Alec Thornton may think he’s calling the shots, but tomorrow night? I’m the one who’ll be holding all the cards.