Page 11 of Cruel Alpha Bully

I stepped back and folded my arms. “I didn’t realize bedding the bride was still a thing here. Were we supposed to do it in front of the pack elders?”

The blush that spread across his cheeks was a beautiful thing to see. He grinned at the idea, and I found myself grinning back.

“As alpha, I’m sure I could reinstate it. Confirmation of consummation doesn’t sound like a bad thing.”

It was too early in the morning, he was too good-looking, and I was wearing a wedding dress. I wasn’t thinking straight at all.

“Consummation itself sounds pretty good,” I muttered.

Bae went very serious and stepped closer to me, reaching for my hand. “Then what are we waiting for?”

Even though I craved that hungry look in his eyes, the idea of fully exposing myself to him and being rejected all over again awakened terror in my soul.

“Don’t count on it,” I whispered, stepping away. “I’ll get my stuff.”

“See that you do,” Bae shot back.

“Don’t worry, you don’t have to put me on a leash!” I cried, no longer worried about not waking up anyone else.

“Doesn’t mean I won’t,” I heard Bae mutter very softly.

Since then, the situation between us has been frosty, to say the least.

I stare absently out the window, the beauty of the nearby forest completely lost on me. My inner turmoil has eclipsed anything I feel for the world around me. I still don’t even know my own emotions towards the entire situation.

At night, when Bailey and I lay down to go to bed together, the tension in the air is palpable. I can feel him beside me, almost as if he’s a glowing, red-hot ember. I’m so careful not to touch him, even to brush up against him accidentally. I know if I do, my body will ignite, and my passion will overcome common sense.

Maybe that’s exactly what I want.

The sharp twist of fear and pain returns to my chest. Bae doesn’t really want me; he made that clear years ago. He just has to deal with this now because I’m his fated mate.

There’s no way I’m going to settle for a pity fuck.

I set my cup down on the counter loud enough to make a loud clunk. I’m done sitting around this place with nothing to do. Today, I’m going out to find a job.

It was very difficult to call my friends in Denver and tell them I wouldn’t be returning. I arranged for the few possessions I had in my apartment to go to storage and terminated my lease. Quitting the club was hardest. I had a lot of friends there, and fans.

Maybe someday, I’ll be able to play again.

I didn’t think we had much of a live music culture in Silver Meadows, but if not, I might work on starting one. In the meantime, though, I just want to keep busy and make myself useful.

Bae leaves fairly early every day to work at his sports store and gym, and is always away all day. He doubles as a personal trainer as well as manager of the retail store. It means we haven’t had much time to talk, except for short, mostly awkward conversations over dinner or breakfast.

He hasn’t suggested that I should work, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to sit around here and do nothing. I also have to have some kind of income. I’m not sure if Bae expects me to pay my way, but it’s important for me to be independent.

I finish my coffee and get changed, choosing a nice skirt and blouse that don’t look too formal. I scrolled around on my phone while I drank my coffee, but this is still such a small town, and there aren’t many job offerings online.

Since I’m without a car, I get a cab to the main street and start cold-canvassing face-to-face. I go through a couple of cafés, the souvenir shop, and the bookstore, chatting with the managers and emailing them a copy of my resume.

I had forgotten what it was like being in a small town. Almost everyone knows my name and remembers me. A few people offer condolences for Grandma. Most people, even if they aren’t related to the pack, seem happy to have me home.

Anyone who didn’t know me before now knows me as the alpha’s mate. The attention embarrasses me a little but also reminds me that I have a responsibility to be a good, kind leader.

I swing by the bakery for a milkshake and donuts, planning to head to the other side of town after a quick snack. While I’m hanging out in the gardens, enjoying a creamy, triple chocolate shake and sugary, crisp donuts, I hear someone call my name.

Turning around, I see Jill walking towards me. My temper spikes a little. I still can’t forgive her.

“Gina!” she says enthusiastically. “How nice to run into you! How have you been?”

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