Page 73 of The Alpha's Forced Bullied Mate

Sara glanced at Simon, and then at me, and then turned back to her daughter. “I don't know what you mean.”

Faye gave me a concerned look for a second as if she was asking permission to speak openly. I nodded for her to continue. If we were going to heal any of our family ties, we had to speak candidly with each other.

Faye turned to her parents. “I overheard you the other day when you were talking about me. It was rude and selfish. You’re just cozying up to me because I’m the alpha’s mate.”

Sara looked at the ground between them. “I see. I don't suppose I made a very good impression.”

I was surprised to see her react that way. Simon appeared guilty as well, reaching out for his daughter to comfort her. “We're sorry you had to hear that. We're as confused as you are right now. I suppose that was your mother’s way of finding the positives.”

“We're not sure how to act,” Sara admitted.

Faye held her dad’s hand. “Can’t you just act like my parents?”

My throat tightened up with a medley of emotions at what I was seeing unfold. Sara and Simon took their daughter intotheir arms and held her while she quietly cried. My parents were confused but came over to offer solidarity, both of them placing a hand on Faye’s shoulder along with myself and Cliff.

We all stood in this strange-looking little circle, trying to get along with each other in a way that wasn't spoken. And finally, for once, for maybe the first time in our lives, we were truly succeeding.

Chapter 24 - Faye

I had never seen such a beautiful afternoon in my entire life. I stood at the edge of the woods in a white dress that had a long train with leaves caught in it. Kylie stood to my left, holding a single flower.

Rhiannon had made the bouquets for the wedding, and she had done an incredible job. Especially with the arch that was threaded with tons of peonies. I had nearly forgotten about the ones at home. They still hadn’t withered. That was some kind of magic.

Hector was standing with Fred at his side, the two surrounded by a crowd. Many of the girls were fawning over Fred.

Kylie touched my shoulder. “Hey, we haven't talked in a while.”

I offered her a polite smile. “I know. I'm sorry. I meant to, but I kept getting busy.”

“I'm glad that you invited me even though we haven't been talking.”

I looked at my best friend, seeing how much she missed me and feeling it in myself as well. I took both of her hands in mine. “Listen, I'm really sorry I didn't get back to you. It's been hard trying to settle my life here and trying to figure out what I truly want.”

She nodded. “I can definitely understand that kind of feeling.”

I smiled. “I know you can. You're the first person I would have talked to about it all with, but…”

I traded another glance with Hector, which put butterflies in my tummy and soothed my soul. I felt brave enough to turn back to Kylie and continue, “But I didn't agree with the way that you spoke to us. I didn't like how you doubted me.”

She hung her head. “It's my job as your best friend to make sure you're safe, isn't it?”

I squeezed her hands. “Yes, it is. That's true. I just wanted to make sure that you knew it really bothered me when you told me I had Stockholm Syndrome.”

She tearfully looked at me. “I'm sorry for that. I can tell that you're really happy and I want you to be happy. I'm just going to miss you.”

With a shuddering sigh, I yanked my best friend into a hug and buried my face in her shoulder. The cool October breeze wrapped around us, seeming to comfort us in the wake of my reception. When we parted ways, Fred came up and took his mate under his wing. He held out his hand to me. “Congratulations.”

I smiled and sniffled while shaking his hand. “That's the most receptive you've ever been.”

He gave me a cool smile and then nodded to Hector. “You've got a decent mate over there.”

I laughed. Yeah, “I think he's a keeper.”

“We'll miss seeing you around,” Fred added. “Promise to write?”

I nodded. “You got it.”

Hector stood next to his parents. A crowd had formed between us as I spoke to Kylie and Fred. When I was ready to go back to my husband, I stepped toward the crowd. It partedlike the Red Sea for Moses. I walked between the marked path, moving between celebratory pats on the back.

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