Page 39 of The Alpha's Forced Bullied Mate

Me, him, me again. I studied the figures gathering around the fire to collect the kebabs and other delicious morsels.I’m still worried about the other shoe dropping.

When I finally removed my doe mask, the cheers around us intensified. My heart skipped a beat as the women finished pampering me. After they left, I turned to see Hector getting much of the same treatment from his group of men. I watched him joke with his friends, hold eye contact, nod every so often. He demanded a certain respect with his gaze alone, crystallized eyes sweeping in my direction whenever the ritual was referenced.

He looked happy.

The doe mask was planted in the middle of the table, embedded in green leaves. Sticks were piled around the doe mask like kindling. I half-expected them to light it on fire, but then they left it as it was like a beautiful centerpiece dashed witha few roses that I presumed Rhiannon had brought from her garden.

Daria came up to congratulate us on our successful mating. People spoke so quickly, so fast and excitedly, that it was hard to keep up with any conversation. I felt like I was being bounced from one person to another, yet I hadn't left my chair at all. As soon as my stomach rumbled, a plate of food appeared in front of me. When I felt overwhelmed, Hector took my hand. When I needed quiet, the crowd parted to allow me room to myself to recover.

I didn't understand this connection that I had suddenly formed with the people around me. They were all so receptive to my needs without me having to say a word. This was completely unheard of, especially in my previous pack. Communication was so important between people. And I learned how to manage my relationships by speaking up for myself.

But here, right now, that wasn't necessary. I turned to Hector, too curious about this new experience but completely unable to put it into words. He squeezed my hand as he looked at me as if to say he was baffled as well, or maybe he was just trying to offer a sense of comfort to what was going on. Everything felt so chaotic, like it was exploding all at once. And at the same time, it felt like there were pieces falling into places that I didn't know existed.

Above our heads, the sky swarmed with gray clouds. It blotted out the moonlight, enhancing the darkness the shrouded us. Hector wrapped a protective arm around my shoulders as he leaned into my side.

I leaned forward while setting my drink aside. “Demons.”

Hector scanned the area. “They’re not attacking. Yet.”

“What do we do?”

A couple of sparks erupted above like miniature fireworks. Glittering pearls rained from what appeared to be a sphere that appeared with just the right angle of light.

Hector sighed. “That won’t hold for very long.”

“How long do we have?”

“Another month. Maybe.” He focused on me. “Do you think you could fix that for us?”

I felt stunned by his question. “You want my help.”

“Megara doesn’t want to come back.” He rolled his shoulder casually but looked up at the sphere around the party with a less-than-casual expression. “I think she’s jealous I mated with you.”

I shook my head. “I don’t care who that is,” I lied, “or why she’s jealous,” I continued to lie, “and I don’t know what else I can do,” I lied again.

I was just made of lies tonight.

“I trust your power,” he said. “You can try tomorrow. We’re not in danger right now.”

A hollow screech echoed distantly. My eyes shot to the forest, the very same that was guarded by a giant wall. How eerie it was to know that danger lurked beyond such thin veils. He was right—the barrier wouldn’t last more than a month longer. That meant I had to hit the books.

I noticed my parents across the party, the way that they hovered as if they wanted to approach. My brother stood next to them, acting as some kind of diplomat to the situation. My heart raced as I watched them approach. I felt like I was about to get another lashing about the way I ran, how maybe I was too fat to outrun my mate, or I was too slow, or I didn't exercise enough.

Anxiety gripped me. Then I felt my strength double. I puffed up my chest, ready to defend myself with my mate this time. I was ready to give them all a piece of my mind and prove to them once and for all that I was more than just a blob of fat. I was a woman with feelings and a good heart.

But I didn’t have to do any of that.

For the first time in several years, my mother took my hand and held it gently in hers. She didn't squeeze my knuckles like she used to whenever I was in trouble. She didn't try to dig her thumbnail into my palm as a quiet way to tell me to shut up in public places. She just held my hand. She just looked down at me, tears in the edges of her eyes, holding a flute of champagne, holding her breath.

She mumbled incoherently, choked, and then sniffled.

I leaned toward her and said, “What?”

She took a shaky breath, knelt, and held her glass out to me. “Welcome home.”

My throat clenched up. I felt like I was trying to swallow a mouthful of cotton for a second. All I could do was clutch her hand. I felt Cliff touch my shoulder, and then I felt Hector touch my upper back. My father awkwardly shuffled close by, seeming like he didn't know where he belonged.

You belong here, I thought.

---