Page 20 of Alpha Bully

“Jake,” I begin, “I understand you have some concerns about our current situation.”

Jake steps forward, looking around at the others as if searching for support. “You should step down as alpha,” he says simply. “You can’t handle it.” A few of the others nod in agreement behind him,

“We need someone stronger on this,” I hear from toward the back of the group.

I can feel the heat rising in my chest, but I don’t let it show. This is what I need them to see. “You’re right,” I say, voice steady and cold. “You want someone stronger? You want someone who will make sure the pack is safe?” I step forward, closing the gap between us. “Someone who knows how to hunt rogues and won’t back down from a fight?”

My betas growl in agreement behind me, their loyalty clear. Jake's eyes dart around before he looks away, embarrassment coloring his cheeks. He knows he can't win a direct challenge, not after losing every sparring session we’ve ever had so badly.

"You've already got it," I continue, “because I'm not going anywhere. Our pack is in danger, and we're going to fight back. Together. Jake’s a damn fool if he thinks he has the inside track on this. We are narrowing down the key players and their routes. We’ve stopped their routes from the mainland, and we’re close to identifying exactly who we need to stop to end this. They’re not organized; they never have been. Whoever is propping them up is who we need to eliminate.”

“Are you with us or against?” Byron growls to the small group that is flanking Jake.

Many instantly bow their heads, others mutter amongst themselves, but no one makes a move against me. Instead, they begin to ask questions about the plan, how we’ll handle things, and our next steps. It feels good to be united again, even if only for a short while.

The meeting disperses, and we begin to walk back along the trail. Jake lingers to the back of the group, but as the path branches out, I fall back and stop him in his tracks. “What about you, Jake?” I ask, leveling him with a stare, “You wanna help, or do you just want to be another problem for me to solve?”

A few other wolves hang back, waiting to hear his answer. It’s one thing for him to be compliant in the group, but I need to know this dissent isn’t going to spread. The look of fear in his eyes tells me he knows exactly what is at stake. His throat bobs as he dips his head. “Just let me know how I can help.”

I nod. “Byron here will set you up on patrol. Be a part of it rather than bitching from the sidelines, okay?”

He nods, and we all continue back toward town, discussing strategy and scouting missions for the upcoming week. I’m glad this didn’t end in a challenge. I’m glad I didn’t handle it like Ralph would have—instant death.

"What about Ava and Harper?" someone asks, almost taking me by surprise as we approach the main square. "Do they stay or go?"

I look over at the group as they stare back at me. Without hesitation, I reply firmly, "They stay."

I see the questions lingering in Byron’s eyes, too, as I nod and turn away toward my own house, but I won’t be drawn into it. I can’t. Delving into that topic would mean having to talk about the things I cannot bring myself to admit. My feelings for Ava, the bond. A bond I cannot accept with such a weak wolf and outcast. It’s a damn mess, but as long as I just focus on doing the right thing, protecting a woman and child, I can buy myself time to deal with the rest.

I close the door behind me and lean back against the frame, suddenly feeling exhausted by my own thoughts. I should be happy. Dissent quashed and a challenge avoided. Why do I feel so uneasy? My wolf feels more anxious now than it did out in the forest. I think he would prefer a fight with ten wolves over the emotional torture of being so close to who he wants and yet knowing he can’t keep her.

I hear the sound of footsteps and look up to see Ava coming slowly down the stairs. I’m not sure she realizes that the light behind her illuminates her curves and causes her flimsy nightgown to become almost translucent. My wolf growls, determination flaring as I push away from the door and stalk toward her.

She pauses on the step, uncertainty flashing in her eyes. “H-how did it go? Are you okay?” she stammers.

I nod but don’t stop, taking the steps two at a time until I stop in front of her. Without a word, I pull her toward me, no words, just passion. Her breath hitches as we crash into each other, and her arms wrap around my neck. I kneel on the stairs, pulling her toward me until she’s practically resting on my knees, one hand running down her back while the other cups her ass.

The cool wood of the steps under my hands feels good against my skin, grounding me as we move together in sync. The scent of her hair, mixed with fear and desire, is intoxicating. I consider taking her to my bed, but I know I won’t make it. Instead, I lift her slightly, spinning her around so her hands and knees are on the stairs, her ass pushed out toward me, and I press against her from behind.

Her eyes widen as she feels my hard length through our clothes, but doesn't say anything. She knows what this means. I nip at her earlobe gently before trailing kisses down her neck and collarbone. She trembles under my touch, and I hear a soft sound of pleasure escape her lips. My hands roam over her body possessively as my tongue dips into the hollow of her neck, sending a shiver down her spine.

I pull my cock free from my pants and groan as I feel her wetness against my hard flesh. With one swift motion, I lift her nightgown up over her ass. I slip my hands underneath to cup her cheeks, spreading them wide apart. She gasps in surprise as I thrust into her from behind, burying myself deep inside of her as she struggles to grip the stairs.

The stairs creak under our movements as I fuck her right there on the stairs. Her gasps and moans fill the silent house as she rides me, meeting every motion with equal force. It’s raw and primal, a claiming that I think we both need right now. We’re moving together in perfect harmony, completely lost in the heat of the moment.

I brace myself over her body and reach around to run circles over her clit. Ava’s fingers dig into the wood of the steps as she tenses beneath me and climaxes hard. I remove my hand and clamp it over her mouth to muffle her screams, but I don’t stop pounding into her tight heat. I’m unable to hold back any longer. The feeling of her walls contracting around me is almost too much for either of us to handle, and I grip her hips like a vice as I pump my cum into her.

When I finally still, we stay locked together on the stairs for a few moments, me buried inside of her and us both trying to catch our breath. Part of me just doesn’t know what to say. I look down at her, her nightgown ripped slightly, her hair mussed. She turns slightly, and I see her beautiful face properly. Her cheeks are flushed, and her lips look so soft that I want nothing more than to kiss them again. She looks like an angel, and I’ve just fucked her on the stairs like an animal, with Harper sleeping only feet away.

I lean back and smooth her gown. “I’m sorry,” I say, “I shouldn’t have done that.”

Hesitation flickers across her face, but she just nods. “I understand,” she says, pushing herself up and taking a few steps toward her room. “I, um, I’d better check on her.”

I watch her go, aware that this is the second time she’s run off after we’ve had sex. Correction: after I’ve jumped her. I pull my pants back up and sit on the stairs for a moment, contemplating the fact I may have told the pack she’s staying, but it appears staying near me is the last thing she wants to do.

Chapter 13 - Ava

Sitting with Harper on the window seat, I help her correct some of the letters we’ve been practicing. Sara brought over some coloring books with numbers and letters a few days ago, and it’s been a joy to see how quickly she’s taken to it. Sarah also mentioned the playgroup in the pack hall, but I can’t even bring myself to consider it, even though Sara said there’s been a real softening in the pack since Callum confronted the troublemakers.

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