Page 4 of Her Bully Alpha (Honeycomb Valley Alphas #1)

I wanted to hit something. But I kept my cool as I walked down the hallway and left the building. My fists grew tighter as I made it outside, and I ground my teeth together as I walked to my car. I could taste blood in my mouth from biting my cheek so hard.

I hated everything about this. And Jay! God, he just agreed! Announcing how we would be married so quickly. I should have punched him.

I opened my car and got inside, slamming the door shut once I was seated. I took a deep breath in.

"FUCK!" I yelled loudly, raised my hands, and pounded onto the steering wheel. "Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"

I felt the rage simmer over, and I swallowed and took another deep breath. I closed my eyes and gripped the steering wheel tightly. I felt my nails bit into the leather.

Once I felt I had my anger under control, I started my car and made my way out of the parking lot. I chewed on my cheek, replaying it over and over in my head.

I hated how good he looked. He was wearing a dark gray suit that went well with his complexion. He had his black hair combed back neatly, and his dark gray eyes took my breath away. He looked as cool and unapproachable as he had when we were younger. He had hardly aged. His jawbone was more prominent, and he had high cheekbones; otherwise, he looked like the young man he used to be.

But he was a man now, no longer that teenage boy that I had a simple crush on. No, he was hot enough to wet a woman's underwear just by walking by.

And I hated it. I hated how my eyes watched him and how I scanned him when he entered. He was built, and he looked so fucking sexy.

I shook my head. It was wrong. This entire thing was wrong. There was no way in hell we could make this work. I hated him, and I would never get over the past. I would never move on, and certainly never enough for us to actually have a child.

I was thriving and had grown so much from who I used to be. I wasn't just going to take this lying down. I was going to keep my life the way it was, no matter what.

As I pulled into my house, I knew Jay was going to make this all change so quickly, and I had no doubt in my mind he was going to show up ready to move everything. But had no idea who he was dealing with.

I smirked as I slid my shoes off and walked into the kitchen. I was going to drag this out, and rather than pack everything up, I was going to take my sweet time and remember everything. I was going to reminisce over everything.

I looked around my kitchen, taking in the meals and friends I had over. I remembered painting the walls a month after moving in, stepping into the paint, and spilling it all over the tile floors. I couldn't help but chuckle, remembering the panic because I had no idea how I was going to clean it up.

I walked over to my wine rack, grabbed a bottle, and popped the cork. I might as well drink, drink to what future I would have had here.

I poured myself a glass of wine and leaned onto the counter, looking into the living room. The couch and lounge chair I bought together. They were my first big purchase. I had strung up various pieces of artwork, and my photo wall was of trips I had taken.

I took a sip of my wine and sighed.

I'd lived in this house for five years, and it was full of things. I had laughed and cried in this house. I had painted and stripped the floors. I had wallpapered the bathroom and bought a new vanity. I had torn out walls and put up sheet rock. I did it. I mastered this mess and made it my home.

I glanced over at the makeshift office I created near the back of the living room. I had found some old wood and sanded it down, making a makeshift desk. There were plants strung up, and my office chair was pushed in.

The room glowed in the natural light and warmed the space. I went with a boho vibe when I put everything back together.

I took another sip of my wine and walked over to my bedroom. My room was warm, with a four-post bed and a matching dresser. I had lived sleeping on a blow-up mattress for almost six months before I bought a used bed online. The bed set was purchased just a year ago when I decided it was time to upgrade.

I looked down, running my toes onto the carpet, and glanced at the photos of my family on the wall. My mother smiled so sweetly in the pictures, and even though my father was a little rough, he still looked so happy. Henrik and I were still young in it, looking like the world was perfect, and maybe, at that time, it was.

So much had changed. Sometimes, I wished I could turn the clock back and go back to when things were simple. Back before, I realized how different everyone else was and how ordinary I was. Back when everyone was still alive.

I should probably start packing things up. Or at least go through things and mark what was fragile. The last thing I needed was to come home to someone going through my stuff and finding something precious broken.

I paused when there was a knock at my front door. My stomach flipped, and I scowled, feeling the hair on my body rise.

I walked over to the front door and peeked out of the peephole. Sure enough, Jay stood there with his arms crossed, tapping his foot. He looked uncomfortable as he looked around the neighborhood. I didn't fit in. Everyone who lived here was middle class, and he was clearly richer.

I didn't live in a fancy part in town, but it wasn't terrible. My neighbors were nice, and everyone was respectful. The thought of leaving made me sad. I loved this place.

I scowled and unlocked the door, pulling it open. I raised an eyebrow at him. "How the hell did you figure out where I live?"

Jay scowled as he looked past me towards the inside of the house. "You haven't packed?"

I crossed my arms, hating how he just ignored my question. It was only a couple of hours ago that this happened. He couldn't be serious about me packing things up already. "How did you know where I lived?"

Jay looked at me. "I have ways. I'm an Alpha, after all."

"So you invaded my personal privacy," I grumbled, leaning onto the door frame. "Is that the life I get to look forward to?"

Jay rubbed at his face and sighed. "As much as I would love to argue, we don't have time. We are on a tight timeline as it is."

"You can't be serious," I said. "We can't get married like this. There are so many things we have to discuss and figure out. We hardly know each other."

"And we can do that after you move." He looked back to my living room. "You haven't packed anything….and….is that a bottle of wine?"

I internally cringed, but I wouldn't let him talk down to me either. I was a grown woman.

"Jay, you have to realize how quick this is. I have a life, and I'm sure you do too. We can't just get married without thinking how it changes everything."

Jay frowned at me. "I'm making sure we are doing what the Council asked."

I rubbed my eyes. "I understand that, but…"

"I already got our wedding set for tomorrow. So, we need to get your stuff packed up and moved."

"What?" My mouth dropped open, and I stared at him in shock. How the hell did he manage that? "How is that even possible?"

He shrugged. "The courthouse will run one for us early in the morning. I called around and found your wedding dress. They will have it ready before the wedding. While you've been here sipping on wine, I was figuring things out."

I felt like someone had punched me in the gut. This was not how I would want it. It wasn't how anyone would want it. No one wanted to be told they were getting married the following day in a dress they didn't pick out.

"I can't believe you."

He shrugged. "I told the sales associate to make sure it would fit. So, it should look good on you."

I felt anger burn in the back of my throat. He wasn't even listening to me. "Wow, you're still the biggest walking piece of shit that lives, aren't you?"

Jay was a little thrown by this, and his eyes widened slightly, but they quickly narrowed on me, and he curled his lip. "I'd watch what you say, Sam."

"Or what?" I tilted my head. "I'm getting married to you, quite literally, with no choice, so there isn't much more you could do to fuck my life up."

"There are a lot of things that I can screw up for you."

I stepped closer, narrowing my own eyes on him. "Is that a threat, Jay?"

"No. I'm simply stating you are acting like I've ruined your life."

"You have!" I snapped back. "This does ruin my life!"

He scuffed. "Because you will have to move out of this shack into an actual house? Or because you have a boyfriend and have to break the news? I know you don't have a man, so this isn't that terrible. This is an upgrade for you."

"Did you just call my home a shack?" I ground my teeth together, feeling the insult. "Excuse me for enjoying the simpler things in life than sucking off the teet of my folk's money for a living. You're only an Alpha because of who your folks were."

He leaned closer. "And look what you happened to be."

I wanted to slap him. "I'd certainly rather be me than have to be you. I earned what I had, at least."

His face went dark, and we were just inches apart from each other. I could see just how gray his eyes were, and I had to admit they were beautiful. They reminded me of a stormy sky right before the rain broke free.

"Get your shit packed up. I already have a truck on the way."

I took a step back. "The wedding isn't until tomorrow, so I don't need to go to your house. I can stay in my own shack and enjoy my own space."

"This isn't up for debate, Sam. You and I are going to be married tomorrow, and that changes everything."

I nodded, knowing that. Everything would change tomorrow, but as for today, well, I was still me.

I nodded my head. "You're right. Tomorrow. But as of right now, this moment, I'm me. I'm not your wife. I'm not your property and won't be told what to do. So, you can go home. I will see you tomorrow at the courthouse for our wedding."

I grabbed the door and slammed it shut. I leaned on it and took a deep breath in, feeling my heartbeat quicken.

I looked over my place, hating how he insulted it. Sure, I didn't live in a fancy home, but this was mine. Everything was picked carefully and arranged accordingly.

I walked over, taking another swig of my drink before I glanced outside my window, taking in Jay and getting in a large truck. I rolled my eyes. "Of course, he'd drive that. He lives in cash. He probably fucking showers in it."

I downed my wine and turned to my stereo, flipping it on. I turned the volume up, letting the music fill my house. I was going to dance and drink my night away.

I was packing when I heard the knock on my door. I glanced over my shoulder, hearing the lock unlock as my brother stepped into my house. He was the only one with my key in case of an emergency.

I was on the floor packing up my photo albums when he stopped and glanced at me. He frowned, crossing his arms as he looked at me. "Why didn't you call me and tell me what happened?"

I frowned, wondering how he had found out. Had Jay called him and told him? Or had word traveled around already about our wedding tomorrow?

"Before I answer that, how did you find out?" I grabbed my glass of wine, which was pretty much gone.

He scowled as he slipped his shoes off and walked into the living room. He sat down on the couch and sighed. "I have ways."

I glared at him. "Jay told you?"

He shook his head. "No, I had a meeting with the Council. They told me."

My eyebrows went up. "Did you get paired as well?"

He shook his head. "No, but they were looking." He waved a hand at all my albums. "You're packing already? Doesn't that seem quick?"

I snorted. "I wouldn't really call this packing. I should be, but I've had almost an entire bottle of wine. At this point, I'm reminiscing over everything."

Henrik was quick for a moment before he leaned closer to me. "Jay may be a lot of things….but he isn't a monster, Sam."

Maybe not to him. They were both Alphas, meaning they were equals, but me. I was below Jay, and he knew it. He made that very clear. He was calling the shots and making everything happen, and I could do nothing to change that. I just had to go along with it. I had to do it in the past, and now I am going to be married to it.

"I'm fine," I tell him, giving him a smile.

He frowned. "Why didn't you tell me?"

I shrugged. "It happened really quickly. I just got the letter yesterday. I went from enjoying my life to being married in just two days. Not a lot of time. Besides, I know you're busy."

"But yet, you called me when you bought this house. You call me all the time. And you don't call me to tell me this. I could have done something."

I frowned because as badly as I wanted to believe that, I knew it wasn't true. Jay was right. The Council calls the shots, and what they say goes. "You know there is nothing either of us could do to change this." I pulled myself up and forced a better smile. "I'm fine. Honestly, this could be worse." I could be pregnant with Jay's kid.