Page 14 of Bullied By the Alpha Wolf

When I looked back up at him, Kaiden’s expression was inscrutable. He wore a familiar mask of stoic harshness. It was apparently a skill all alphas learned, because I’d seen both Jet and Eli do the same.

“I’m going to need something more to go on, Kit. My pack needs information. Their safety is at stake.”

“That’s great, and you know what, so is mine. I’ve been running for too long. I just want to go back to my own people since I’m so clearly not wanted in wolf society.”

He scoffed. “I think you’re being a bit harsh. You can’t judge all wolves by what Eli might have done. We don’t like him, either.”

I chuckled, but there was nothing humorous about it. “Who says I was talking about Eli?”

Kaiden’s mouth fell open slightly, and I noticed him back-peddle just a step. He frowned, tilting his head down as his jaw went so tight it looked like he might crack a tooth. It was odd to see him fighting back a response. I was used to the guy absolutely tearing into me. What was stopping him now?

“That was a long time ago, Kit. This is an entirely new situation. Do you think that you could—”

“What? Put the past behind me?” I raised my brows, not backing down now that I’d found some of my confidence again. “No. I don’t think I can.”

Now, the stepping backward had shifted into an invasion forward. I could see the flicker of that old desire to say something terrible light behind Kaiden’s eyes. He could say whatever he wanted. I was used to his treatment, and he did have a point. Eli was a lot worse than he was.

“I know I wasn’t…I was a dumb kid, Kit. It’s been twelve years.”

Kaiden looked frustrated and over the conversation. You know what? Good. But I’m not stopping. It’s about time he realized what he was like back then.

“So I’m just supposed to be over it? You were beyond horrible to me. Do you really not realize what you were like?”

He shook his head, holding up his hands like he was surrendering. “Kit, this isn’t the conversation I wanted to have. We need to discuss—”

“I don’t give a shit what you want. And we need to discuss how, at the very least, you owe me an apology. But frankly, that’s not enough. I should be asking for retribution payment. That’s what you wolves call it, right? When you need to tuck your tails between your legs and make up for your bullshit?”

“Kit.”

My name was barked out, and wolf or not, I could sense the rage there, the command for me to back down. But again, I wasn’t a wolf, and I wasn’t being silent anymore. It had been years, but it had also been years of bullying at his hand. Eighteen of them.

“You constantly picked on me!” I screamed. “You shoved me. You tripped me. You snapped my fucking bra. But all that was nothing compared to that day.”

His eyes went wide, and I could see the realization strike him. Kaiden knew precisely what I was talking about, but he was going to listen to what I had to say.

“You made me think you liked me. You stood there, with your dumb wolf scent, on my fucking birthday no less, and you let me believe you were going to kiss me. Before pointing out yet again that I was a fat, non-wolf that was miles beneath you. I ran away because of what you and Grayson did to me.”

The room was dead silent as Kaiden gaped at me. My chest heaved as I tried to breathe around my latent fury. I’d said my piece, sure, but my heart still ached. I still felt alone and useless and trapped in his fucking house.

I’d never talked about what went down that day. I didn’t think about it if I could help it, and still, after all this time, it hurt like he’d just said the words to my face. I remembered it so vividly—Kaiden inches away from me, his lips so damn close, and the way he smirked at me. I’d actually believed he was flirting for a second.

“Kit, I…”

“Oh, now you can’t talk, huh? Sure.” I glared, my eyes burning as I fought against tears. “You told me to leave, Kaiden. You told me to get out because I wasn’t one of you.”

The alpha stepped forward, his finger pointing accusatorily. “I didn’t want you getting…ugh!”

He tossed his arm down, his eyes rolling closed as his head tipped up to the ceiling. Kaiden raked a hand through his hair, making the black locks tumble into his equally black eyes. When he looked at me again, I could see a burn behind his own eyes, and my stomach clenched.

Is that...regret?

“I was eighteen and stupid, Kit. I didn’t have any idea how to be a wolf or man. Everything had just been so…confusing. I’m sorry for what I said back then. I know Grayson is, too. I wish I could take all the words back and be this version of myself the entire time, but—”

“But you can’t, because that’s not how life works.” I sighed. “They're really pretty, those words you’re spouting, but you’re still keeping me locked up like a prisoner, so excuse me if I don’t think you’ve changed all that much.”

“I want to keep you sa—” Kaiden frowned, rubbing his hand across his stubble as his head hung low. “You’re a human, as you’ve pointed out. I’m a new alpha, as you’ve also pointed out. And I don’t have the trust and obedience of this group of wolves yet. Their old alpha was an asshole. And yes, before you say it, I know. Asshole alpha, surprise, surprise.”

My mouth fell open. Asshole alphas weren't surprising to me, as Kaiden guessed, but that wasn’t the part of his words that I was focusing on. No, what I was zeroing in on was that first bit, the bit that made Kaiden’s eyes shine with determination as he looked at me with…I didn’t know what, or at least I didn’t want to examine it too hard.

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