Page 92 of The Alpha's Bullied Rejected Mate

“Like those things were actually supposed to hold me. Please.”

The circle erupted with laughter again.

Even Athena giggled, her head tilting back slightly as she glanced sideways at Marcus with that mischievous sparkle in her eyes—the one that always said I told you so without saying a word.

He was stunned. She wasn’t joking when she had told him that half of the witch population knew how to break free from the cuffs.

Marcus arched a brow at the group in disbelief.

“Wait… hold on,” he said slowly, looking around at the gathered witches. “Every witch here knows how to break through magic dampeners?”

The laughter died down just a bit as several witches turned to look at him, blinking in quiet surprise. A few exchanged glances.

“Well, yeah, mostly,” one witch finally responded with flame tattoos curling up her neck.

“Except me,” a younger witch piped up, raising a hand. “Because I don’t need to break through them. I can use my magic with them on.” She shot a smug smile and added with a wink.

The group laughed again, and Marcus had to lean back a little to process the realization. His eyes went wide, then he shook his head as if trying to recalibrate everything he thought he knew.

He was stunned. His eyebrows were still halfway to his hairline.

Athena nudged him with her shoulder. He shot her a wary look, still baffled.

“You’re telling me all this time you could’ve broken out whenever you wanted?” he questioned in shock.

“She is a powerful witch. She could have broken out, reprogrammed them, and left you a thank-you note on the wall.”

The red-haired witch screamed, and more laughter erupted from the group.

The scene before him could have been plucked straight from his childhood—the soft glow of lanterns, the shared meal, the circle talks while the young ones danced and played, and the laughter that vibrated through the air.

Something deep and aching stirred in him.

Home. He had forgotten what it felt like.

Home was everything he had lost and everything Athena had never truly known.

His throat tightened at the memories. And now… he wanted to build it again.

With her.

And in that silence, he made a quiet vow to himself.

He would take them back to Moon Ridge as his family.

And he would fight tooth and claw to make the pack see them as such.

Even if it meant burning the old ways down.

When the gathering finally began to fade, laughter giving way to gentle yawns and murmured goodnights, Athena stood and gathered Riley into her arms.

The little boy was fast asleep, his cheek pressed to her shoulder, mouth parted in the soft, open trust of deep slumber.

“Let me,” Marcus said quietly, already reaching out. “I want to walk you home.”

She hesitated for a moment before nodding, letting Marcus carefully lift the sleeping boy from her arms.

When they reached their cabin, Marcus waited as she opened the door, then carried Riley inside with careful steps. The kid’s room was dim, lit only by the faint lantern glow from outside, and Marcus moved slowly as he laid Riley down on the bed.