Page 29 of The Alpha's Forced Bullied Mate

A few days after managing to control my inner wolf, I met with Faye’s parents in the private wooded area next to my home. She hadn’t tried to run yet and there weren’t any demon attacks, but I didn’t trust leaving her alone, so I had Cliff stay behind to keep an eye on his sister. The common banter before I left was that I’d given Faye a babysitter—which wasn’t too far off from the truth.

If anyone could stop her from leaving, it would be Cliff, even though she secretly resented him. Their body language told me that there were many things they needed to discuss. I hoped it went well as I sorted out the details of the mating ritual with her parents.

Sara smiled pointedly at me whenever she made a joke like she was specifically looking for my approval. I did my best to be polite about everything, but truthfully, I was hung up about the way they had treated Faye a few days ago. Though the woods were thick, there were plenty of paths that would lead to the center between the gated wall and my home. There, we wouldset up a campfire and a torch with privacy screens for whatever might happen between Faye and me if I caught her.

Not if,I thought.When.

My mind felt like it was receding into the shadows. Simon clapped a hand on my shoulder with a friendly smile, holding up a map marked with the paths that could be taken to the encampment. “It’s not like she can run very fast.”

Irritation came over me then, inspiring me to shake his hand off. “You don’t know that for sure. You haven’t seen her in seven years.”

Sara laughed lightly. “Alpha, with all due respect, my daughter has always been a fantastic liar. She’ll make anyone believe anything.”

My jaw tensed as I cracked the knuckles of my right hand by tightening my fingers into a fist. “She has no reason to lie about her physical health or capabilities.”

“I’m sure you’ve noticed by now that things get rather…” Simon exchanged a cautious look with his wife. “…windy.”

“I’m not bothered by her talents,” I admitted. “I understand now why she doesn’t want to be in the same room as you.”

Sara looked mournful. “I’m sorry. What did you just say?”

“Your daughter doesn’t want to be near you right now.”

She rested a hand over her heart in a dramatic show of sorrow as her eyes filled with emotion. It was either well-rehearsed or she was having trouble trying to determine how upset she should look. “Well, that’s downright rude. We raised her. Why wouldn’t she want to be around us?”

“Because you’re being rude about her weight,” I snapped, “and as your commanding alpha, I’m not pleased with your behavior. She’s my mate. When you disrespect her, you disrespect me.”

This time, Simon was the one to appear sad. Red spots blotched his forehead that he dabbed with a handkerchief from his pocket. He coughed a couple of times before shaking the map open, then folded it neatly into a rectangle. “Perhaps she does look healthy…”

“Sheishealthy,” I stated confidently. “She’shappywith her appearance. She’s done more for herself than you ever did. I’m proud she’s going to participate in this ritual, and I expect your happiness—or you’ll be pushed off the organizing committee.”

Sara pleaded with wide eyes, barely speaking above a whisper, “Sir, you can’t mean that.”

I inspected my hand, noticing the dents where my nails had dug into my skin. “I do mean it.”

“We’ll do our best,” Simon promised, “for the new alpha. We can’t let you down.”

He nodded to his wife, who obediently nodded. After a sigh, I gave them each an approving look, something that Adrian had recently taught me to do after discovering that I wasn’t exactly the hugging type. Pack members often sought favor with their alpha. Each alpha had their own way of expressing comfort to affirm that favor, whether it was by shaking hands, touching shoulders, or hugs.

And seeing as physical touch was weird for me, I chose to give an approving look instead, to fill my vision with the love and care that my members needed. Though Simon and Sara were pissing me off, I managed to get them to back down, to agreeto behave better. I rewarded them with comfort. Now, they had to deliver on their promise, or they wouldn’t continue to receive comfort.

It was basic psychological conditioning at this point. Shifters who lost favor with their alphas ended up getting shunned by the pack, and that usually led to a long and painful death riddled with starvation and struggle. While it would be impossible to kick out a long-standing couple like the Spears, they wouldn’t continue to live a cushy life with my disapproval hanging over their heads.

When the silence ended, Simon bowed his head. “With all due respect, Alpha, we should walk Faye through the steps of the ritual, so she knows what to expect.”

He had a point. But I wasn’t keen on making Faye do any more than she was already doing. I toggled between doing the instructions myself and giving her parents a chance to prove they could behave with their daughter. My mental debate didn’t last long as I walked to the house and collected both Cliff and Faye from the living room.

On the porch, Faye crossed her arms over her chest. She was wearing a sporty crop top and a pair of loose-fitting high-waisted blue jeans with a studded belt threaded through the loops. Pink tennis shoes poked out from the flared hems of her pants. It made me grin to look her over, to see her comfortable in her style, and to look damn good at wearing it, too. Her blonde hair hung around her shoulders in stylish waves that resembled a beachy look.

“I see thrifting with your brother went well,” I commented.

She blinked a few times, peered down at her outfit, and then stood up straighter. She propped her right hand casually onher hip. “Yeah, well… I’m surprised I found the right size in that dingy bin you guys have in the community center.”

I gestured to the jeans. “I can take you into town some time to get newer clothes.”

She looked at me. “No. It’s fine. I like these. I mean…” She shrugged. “I could use some leggings since you won’t let me go home.”

“I just can’t risk losing you.”

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