Page 26 of Alpha Bully

Ralph ruled this pack with fear and mind games, happy to pit wolves against each other to save themselves. Looking back, the blood tournaments, encouraged rejections, and pack dynamics weren’t about who wasbest,it was about keeping folk scared. Better to turn on someone else than have the pack turn on you.

Despite not wanting to be anything like Ralph, it looks like I continued in the same vein. Strength, power, and control. The pack above all. Those were the mantras I bought into as well. And look at what it cost me.

Does that mean the pack is ready to accept Ava? I’m not so sure; those roots run deep. More to the point, is Ava willing to accept the pack? Her walls are up so high, I’m not sure she’s even going to try. The attacks and raids on property continue along our borders and she seems set on staying for now, but she’s been researching opportunities on the mainland, even eyeing a scholarship with housing at the college. She was set on a whole new life with Ava before coming here, and although we’re reconnecting and I’m keen to rebuild that bond, it doesn’t seem to be enough to change her mind.

I meant what I said to Ava: I’d never separate her from Harper, and I’ve been her dad all of two minutes, while Ava has done it all. But I don’t think I can let them go, either.

My wolf is demanding I lock this down, tell her she can’t go, tie her to me, and never let her go. He’s riding me hard, wanting to declare his mate, and I’m having to do everything to hold that part of me back. I know I risk losing her completely if I push it. I want her to want to stay. But if it comes to it, I don’t know what I’ll do or how my wolf will react.

I want to show her I’m serious about her having a fresh start in the pack and being accepted. I want to show her it could work. That’s why I’m doing something I didn’t think I’d ever be doing—inviting my brothers back to the house, into my pack, to introduce them to my daughter.

I’m determined to show Ava that I’m ready to accept her, no matter how strong her wolf is or what the pack says.

Charlie and Sarah are already here, along with Byron and a couple of the other betas. They fired up the BBQ out back, and Ava spent the morning preparing food before disappearing to get Harper ready. I know she’s nervous; I can feel it rolling off her. With our bond growing stronger every day, I can sense how tense she is, even though she’s trying to hide it from Harper.

I step out onto the porch to wait and hear the crunch of gravel as Tristen pulls up first. Aiden follows right behind, and I figure they must have met up when Tristen passed through Aiden’s pack. They’re both slightly smaller than me, but catching up fast as they mature into their alpha roles. We all have the same dark hair and eyes that remind me so much of our father. However, I think Aiden takes after our mother the most with the lightest coloring of the three of us.

Tristen steps forward first, his blue eyes studying the house with a mix of surprise and curiosity. “Wow, Callum, this place has really changed. Looks good.”

“Thanks,” I reply, feeling a rush of pride. It was their childhood home, too, after all, but it’s been mine since the packs were split, and they’ve never seen the changes.

"How's the pack?" Aiden asks as he steps inside.

"They've been good," I reply, leading him into the kitchen. “A lot of angst over the rogues. Some of the farms on the outer ridge have said they’ve seen higher numbers encroaching on the pack."

“That’s what we’re hearing, too,” Tristen nods. “They’re getting bolder, and it’s all centered on your pack. We thought it was coming our way, too, but it seems all the focus is here. You sure it’s about Harper?”

Aiden gives a low whistle and slaps me on the shoulder, “I still can’t believe we’re here talking about your kid. Where is she, anyway? I want to meet my niece.”

I can’t help the smile that crosses my face at the thought. “She’ll be down in a minute,” I say. “But yeah, I’m sure it’s Ava and Harper they’re looking for. I know she ain’t the only kid with gifts, but it’s just too much of a coincidence. They’re not stopping, either.”

Aiden shakes his head. “Makes no fucking sense. Rogues have been living on the fringes for years. Why start causing trouble over a kid?”

“It’s only going to get them smacked down,” Tristen agrees.

This is what troubles me the most. We’re so busy fighting fires and trying to contain these attacks we haven’t figured out why they’re happening. “Let’s shelve this conversation until we’ve got some food in us,” I mutter as Charlie and Byron walk in from the deck to greet my brothers.

We stand around reminiscing about old times, studiously avoiding mentioning Ralph so as not to crush the mood. I know Aiden won’t tolerate much talk about our father, especially being back in the house. He looks visibly relieved to see it all looking so different, and I see him start to relax as Byron hands him a beer. Despite being the youngest, Aiden always hung around with Tristen’s and my friend group, constantly trying to keep up. Now we’re all grown, and I see the affection between my betas and my youngest brother is as strong as ever.

Suddenly, I hear the sound of footsteps on the stairs, and then Ava appears in the doorway, holding Harper's hand tightly. My heart swells seeing them together; Ava looks radiant in a blue dress, and Harper is adorable with her riot of blonde curls.

Tristen immediately walks over, offering Ava a smile before kneeling down in front of Harper, his eyes wide with wonder. “Hey there, little one. You look just like your mom with all that pretty hair,” he says softly, reaching out to tuck a stray curl behind her ear. “I’m your Uncle Tristen.”

Aiden crouches down on the other side of her, giving her a playful wink. "Hello there, kiddo! You must be Harper. Your dad’s been telling us so much about you."

Harper smiles but shrinks back behind Ava’s skirt, and I have to remind myself it wasn’t too long ago she was living in fear with Ava’s captors. I step forward, crouching down, too. “All right, don’t let these goons scare you. They’re my brothers, and they just wanted to come by and show you some of their magic. Is that okay?”

Ava chuckles, and I realize she knows what I’m doing. Harper is obsessed with her gift, and as soon as she realizes my brothers have it too, she reappears, more confident this time.

“I hear your gift looks a lot like mine,” Aiden tells her, a fireball appearing in his hand.

I slap his arm. “Not in the house.”

Tristen laughs before summoning a gust of wind and blowing Aiden’s fire out, causing Aiden to feign outrage and make Harper laugh. My brothers look pretty proud of themselves as Harper rushes outside with them to show them what we’ve been working on. I wince as tiny sparks fly before she’s even out of the kitchen. I have a feeling her gift is going to cost me repairs at some point.

I turn to Ava, who looks nervous. "Are you okay?" I ask, pulling her close. She hugs me tightly, her eyes closed, as she takes a deep breath against my chest and nods. “Let’s get outside and have some food. Keep an eye on our little firecracker.”

We walk outside to find my brothers showing off their magic to a captivated Harper. Aiden lights a small bonfire in the fire pit with his fire while Tristen creates a tornado that spins around them, making everyone gasp except for Harper, who claps and laughs, dancing on the spot. Growing up, our gifts were never used for fun. Ralph was always strict on ensuring our gifts were seen as raw power, not silly games. Watching Harper’s innocent joy at my brother’s antics feels refreshing. I can’t even remember the last time I saw my brothers at ease in this meadow behind the house we grew up in. Maybe never.

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