Page 2 of Alpha Bully

“But, we…” I started, tears beginning to form in my eyes.

Callum stepped closer and leaned in. “No one would believe I was sick enough to actually fuck you. So just fuck off, yeah?”

I heard one of his brothers say he couldn’t believe Charlie was such a great wolf, coming from our weird family. Someone else muttered that it was damn strange I’d show up like this; they were almost embarrassed for me hanging around like the pack idiot.

I turned and tried to hold my head high, but I barely made it back onto the road before the tears began to fall, with heavy sobs that almost drowned out my wolf’s pained howl. Something broke inside me as I walked that familiar pathway toward my dilapidated childhood home. As I heard the familiar sounds of my parents screaming at each other from inside, I kept going right past the house and into the forest.

I kept on walking as the evening set in and night fell. I walked and walked and walked until I could no longer feel my feet, and my dress had torn on more branches than I could count. The bond with Callum burned my soul, and my wolf’s protests died to a whimper as we both acknowledged the truth.

That was happiness, being with Callum, and we would never have it again.

I honestly believed that was true until eight months later when I held my beautiful baby daughter, Harper.

But, although Harper has brought my soul back to life, we will never be safe if we remain held captive in the forest like this. The demons in my head may belong to Callum, but the real ones outside this flimsy door are the ones I need to protect Harper from.

Chapter 1 - Ava

My fingers burn as splinters tear the skin, but I don’t stop; I swing the axe, splitting the wood. I throw the logs onto the stack and reach for another. I dare not stop because I don’t know when Harper will wake from her nap, and the Collinses were clear about what would happen if I failed to complete my duties again today.

Subconsciously, I begin to rub my wrists where the shackles from last time were fastened so tightly, I swear I can still feel them. I was chained outside in the rain as punishment while Harper cried and cried for me inside, and Mr. Collins screamed at her to be quiet. He made it clear it won’t be long before she is punished, too.

How could anyone threaten a small child?

I swing the axe more forcefully this time at just the thought of anyone touching Harper. There's a cracking sound as the axe head flies off the handle, vanishing into the thicket. I freeze, my heart racing.

Oh no, oh no, oh no, I think frantically.

I drop to my knees and start to dig through the dirt with my bare hands, desperately searching for the axe head. The Collines will…will what? My mind reels at the possibility of what they might do to Harper or me if I’ve messed up and ruined the only good axe.

Suddenly, my fingers brush against smooth iron among the fallen leaves and twigs. Relief washes over me like a tidal wave as I fix the axe head back on its handle.

Footsteps crunch on the driveway gravel behind me, and I whirl around to see Mr. Collins striding toward me with an unreadable expression on his face.

"Well, well, well," he says, his voice cold and laced with malice. "It seems you're not as useless as you seem."

I swallow hard, trying to keep the fear from my face. "I-I'm sorry, sir," I stammer. "It won't happen again."

“Finish up here and then sort that noisy kid out,” he snaps. “The missus says she’s been fussing, and it’s annoying. You know we’re only helping you out. We don’t have to be so nice about it.”

My heart drops; I hadn’t heard Harper from out here over the wind and the sound of chopping wood. The knot in my stomach only grows as I consider what Mrs. Collins might do if Harper is annoying her. Not for the first time. I wish I had my wolf. I wish I were stronger so I could save us both. Harper is so small and fragile. The meager amount of food the Collins provide is barely enough to keep us alive, and it’s killing me to see her so thin. She should be thriving and growing much faster.

He smirks nastily at me before turning and walking away toward the house without another word. I see Mrs. Collins come out, and they both walk away down the driveway. I watch them go with a mixture of relief and trepidation. I need to get these logs put away so I can check on my daughter. At least Harper is safe for now with them out, but what about tomorrow? And the day after that?

I stand up shakily and continue stacking wood, trying to push down the terror that threatens to swallow me whole. All I can think about is getting out of here with Harper before it's too late. Before they hurt her. But where would I even go?

The thoughts consume me as I quickly pile the logs into the store, making sure not to leave any mess and put the axe away properly. My fingers tremble slightly as I try to rush the process. Finally, when it's done, I hurry to the house. My heart is pounding in my chest as I silently open the door and peek inside.

The cabin is empty. The living room is silent; no sign of any movement from upstairs, either. I creep toward our room carefully, trying not to make any noise as I push open the door in case she’s fallen asleep again. She was awake through the night, so I knew she’d need to sleep today. When I peek my head around the corner, I see her cherubic face, red from crying but still smiling at me when she sees me. She holds out her arms for me to pick her up, and I do so gratefully, hugging her tightly against my chest as I breathe in her sweet baby scent.

Her little body feels warm against mine as I gently rock her back and forth while humming a lullaby under my breath to soothe her tears. "Shh…it's okay now," I whisper softly against her hair. “Mommy's here."

We sit on the floor together near the window where sunlight streams in, casting golden hues across our skin. Harper turns to me, her amber eyes flashing pure gold for a moment. As her emotions cascade, I rock her back and forth, and she begins to chatter happily. Eventually, she wriggles free from my arms and begins to totter around the room with her teddy. Her childish laughter warms my heart, and for the briefest moment, I try to imagine this is just another room in a home of our own. A safe home.

I stare at her in wonder. How can a child still be so happy in this environment? For a moment, I wish I had a fraction of her innocence left. She’s still giggling when I notice the familiar sparking around her hands.

Struggling to my feet, I scramble toward her, “Harper, honey? Come here,” I whisper, beckoning her to me soothingly.

She laughs and toddles toward me, but the sparks continue; if anything, they’re growing more explosive. The Collins never go far from the property, and I know the flashes of light will be visible outside the cabin. The first time Mrs. Collins witnessed Harper's developing powers, she threatened to get a witch to bind them. I can’t let her see them again.

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