Page 8 of The Alpha's Forced Bullied Mate

“Really? Is that so?”

He swept his hand to my lower back and pulled me close, shocking me into freeze mode. Everything I learned since leaving West Virginia left me as quick as my resolve. Whatever personal training I’d accomplished in the gym was gone. I was a helpless teenager with round cheeks and chubby assets, including my bottom. I was back to being that dorky girl who got compared to fat animals.

My lower lip plumped up. Pouting never worked, but in moments like this when my rage was beyond comprehension, I couldn’t stop my lip from doing it. Hector honed in on my mouth like it was the only thing he came to look at by showing up unexpectedly at my door.

I shivered. “How…?”

His fingers climbed my spine, straightening my posture and knocking the wind right out of me in both a metaphorical and physical sense. Those glittering blue-violet eyes kept my focus, forcing me to tune everything else out.

“It seems you don’t,” he whispered. “But that’s fine. You’re strong. That’s what our pack needs.”

I snapped back to reality. “Yourpack rejected me.”

“Well, they didn’t exactly reject you so much as they—”

“Made fun of me for falling for your ruse.” I pressed my hands to his chest, but he didn’t budge. “You hurt me, Hector. A lot. Or did you forget so easily?”

He frowned as his eyes drifted to my throat. I got the feeling he was zoning out mentally into the past rather than trying to sneak a peek at my tits. “I didn’t forget. I’m sorry.”

Now, it was my turn to frown. “What did you say?”

He pulled me into a heavy embrace, one that spoke volumes to the remorse he felt. This wasn’t good. I didn’t want him to apologize. I had packed my rage and disappointment into a neat little box with a nice label and everything. I wrapped it in brown paper, tied it with string, and buried it.

But with this hug—with his abrupt appearance—he was forcing me to dig that box out of the rough earth and expose it to the light. There was nothing in there now except a fully decayed heart. Why was he trying to torture me like this? Why was he making me look at it?

I managed to push him off and turned away, minding the edge of the carpet so I could get across the room. I covered my mouth while fighting back tears.

“I’m sorry,” he repeated. “I want to make it right.”

I turned to him with angry tears blurring my vision. “This is just another joke.” My gaze flew over his shoulder as I sniffled. “Come out, Clifton. I know you’re hiding out there.” Though I tried, I couldn’t keep my voice steady.

I was cracking open like a fragile egg.

“He’s not with me.”

I glared at him. “He’salwayswith you.”

Hector shook his head. “Not today. He’s preparing your parents for your arrival.”

My heart sank to the pit of my stomach. “I’mnotgoing back to that prison with you.”

“I’m afraid you don’t have much of a choice, Cherry Pie.”

“Stop calling me that.”

He smiled tightly, and I could see him hiding so much more there, things that were too impossible to be true. Was that a hint of desire I saw twinkle in his eyes, or was he just satisfied with my new and improved curvy form matched with some confidence? “I’m alpha now. I was elected last night by the very Gods that mind our magical world even while demons clawed our protected land. Which means one thing.”

With wide eyes, I stepped back. “No… Don't tell me you…”

Oh Goddess, the way my heart fluttered at thethoughtof what Hector was about to say. Now, he was letting the smile widen to brighten his features and eyes as he approached me casually.

“You know the rules, Faye Lynne.”

I shook my head. “I can’t. I won’t.”

“It’s pack law.”

“That’s not my pack anymore.”

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