Page 22 of Alpha Bully

"You know what?" Charlie finally speaks up, placing a hand on my shoulder to try and calm me down. "We’re done here," he says, his voice like ice.

“Well, you can’t blame us,” a woman steps forward. “The situation with the rogues was bad enough, now it’s even worse with more and more coming. All because of them.”

“And you think insulting a small child helps? You think that’s deserved?” Charlie snaps. I look on in shock and relief.

The woman looks suitably cowed, but a man also steps forward. “The girl is an issue, though. Her magic is what’s brought the rogues here,” he mutters. “Now, I’ve always liked you, Charlie, but you know your family ain’t right, and this just proves it. Whoever that kid’s father is, he’s evil. And she’s to blame for bringing us all more trouble.”

My heart shatters, and Harper, not fully understanding the words but sensing this is growing serious, cuddles into my side. I can feel Charlie’s rage building as the crowd parts, and Callum steps forward.

“What the hell,” he growls. “I’ve made my position on this clear, and we do not bully women and children in this pack.”

“We defend our pack,” the man snarls back, “we always have. You need to decide if you’re going to defend us from what they bring. The child has already shown her magic can harm us.”

I knew someone would eventually mention what happened with Sam, but I’m seething over how it’s being portrayed. I straighten my spine, ready to defend her, but Callum is already speaking. “She’s not the only child with magic, fool. It’s no different from the families we have all over the island.”

“We don’t know that,” the man replies, and murmurs of agreement follow from the crowd. “There is darker magic; without knowing where she comes from, we just don’t know. Maybe the rogues want her because she has dark magic.”

“There are spells that can check,” a woman calls out, and my blood runs cold. They want tocheckHarper to see if she has dark magic?

I spin around to face the crowd, “No one is touching my daughter. She is—”

“You’d say anything,” the woman scoffs. “I bet you don’t even know who her father is.”

A ripple of laughter goes through the crowd, and my face burns. I see Charlie has dipped his head and Sara looks concerned at where this is heading. I can’t even bring myself to look at Callum, but it’s Harper’s wide-eyed fear and confusion that completely undoes me.

“Mama?” she asks, tears pouring down her face at the animosity surrounding us.

“Exactly,” the man says. “She could have mated with a warlock or anyone. She’s a—”

“Callum,” I say, my voice trembling but clear. “Callum. He’s Harper’s father. It’s his magic. It’s your own pack’s magic that you admire so much. So, leave my daughter the hell alone.”

I scoop Harper up, trying to ignore the absolute uproar that ensues, and rush her from the hall. I can feel Sara’s presence behind me, and I sense Callum trying to stop me, but I push straight past. I can’t even bring myself to look at him, knowing I’ve just blown his world up in front of everyone.

Chapter 14 - Callum

It’s his magic.

Her words echo around the room, but I can barely concentrate on what else is being said.

The room feels strangely silent but incredibly loud all at once. Everything moves so quickly, and I realize the deafening sound is simply the blood rushing in my own ears as I stare at the crowd, which appears as dumbstruck as I feel. But I know I can’t show it. I can’t show weakness, and I can’t be seen to be blindsided by this, not after the dissent that has been plaguing the pack.

Straightening my spine, I roll my shoulders and focus on the scene in front of me. Ava doesn’t look at me, but Harper does, her eyes wide with fear and confusion. The hall is a riot of incredulity now, and she is right in the middle of it. My heart breaks as tears fall down her face. She shouldn’t be hearing all this, but I don’t blame Ava. The ridiculous finger-pointing and faux concern in this pack has been toxic ever since Ralph’s days. The rogues are an increasing problem, but the pack’s longstanding dislike of anyone they deem to be an outsider or not good enough is what drives the issue.

The pack never thought Ava was good enough. And they were turning that same sentiment on Harper.

I open my mouth to say something, but Ava is already moving. She scoops Harper up and rushes through the crowd. No one stops her; despite the uproar, she appears to have shocked everyone into submission for at least a moment. My eyes remain fixed on Harper’s terrified face, and I reach out to try and stop Ava, but she shrugs me off and keeps going, Sara following close behind. My instinct is to follow, too, but as I turn, I see Byron’s face, and his intent is clear; I need to get a grip on this situation first. Now.

I can almost hear Ralph scoffing from hell as I face this down. I turn back to the crowd, and they eye me cautiously. “Enough,” I growl, quieting the crowd. “I will deal with this.”

I turn to leave, but a familiar figure steps forward. “You’ve been lying to us,” Jake taunts. “You knew the child was yours. Is Ava your mate? Where’s she been? Why hide it?”

“Ashamed of that wolf,” someone mutters from the back of the crowd.

I want to tell them to fuck off, and I know my silence speaks volumes, but I don’t know what to say. Yes, I was ashamed; I never claimed her because I knew they’d never accept her wolf. The pack decided long ago she wasn’t good enough for them. But as I stand here now, I see how stupid that is. Why isn’t she good enough? Because her wolf is weak? The strength she’s shown as a mother completely eclipses that.

“I didn’t lie,” I grind out. “I didn’t know.”

A murmur gathers around the room until Jake scoffs. “As if she wouldn’t tell you. Being the alpha’s child guarantees acceptance. I call bullshit.”

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