Page 35 of The Alpha's Fated Bond

I chuckle, but it’s an angry sound.

“You just can’t stop defending her, can you? She spat at me, Alex. No sensible person does that. And you keep referring to her as a child. She looks to be a few years younger than me, if even that. She’s not a child. She’s an adult. And if you start treating her like one, maybe you’ll understand why her actions are not acceptable. But it’s fine. She’s your problem, not mine.”

“Do you have to be so harsh?” The irritability in his tone is hard to miss. “She lost her parents—”

“So did I,” I say quietly. “Do you see me spitting at people?” Alex is silent, and I continue. “Not to compare trauma or tragedy or loss, but I would say that I have been dealt a pretty bad hand in life. I don’t claim to know what Hilda went through, but I can guarantee that she was protected by you. You shielded her from everything. So don’t give me the excuse that she lost her parents. From what you’ve told me, most of the people in your pack lost their parents. Including you.”

His arguments are falling apart, and Alex stops talking. It’s my turn to feel frustrated now. I don’t want Hilda to come between us. I don’t want to talk about her or have her intrude on our private time. But Alex can’t seem to stop bringing her up. Does he expect me to agree with him and declare Hilda to be some sort of saint?

Is Hilda someone I’m going to have to contend with for the rest of my life?

These thoughts are troubling.

The fact is that she will always be a part of Alex’s life. If I approach her with such an aggressive attitude, Alex will start having a problem with me very soon. I have no plans to let that girl walk all over me, but maybe I can try to take the high road. First, though, I need to make something clear to Alex.

“I know she’s important to you, Alex,” I begin carefully. “While I stand by what I said, that her interest in you is more than just familial, I’m not telling you to cut ties with her. But I am telling you to remember that I am your mate. And I expect to take precedence in everything. You wanted me to communicate with you, so I am. I consider Hilda to be a threat to our relationship. I find her attitude toward me deplorable. And if you were smart, you would try not to bring her between us.”

My words may sound harsh, but ultimately, I need Alex to know where I stand. My wolf is not happy with him defending another female. My human side is not pleased that he treated the fact that she spit on me so lightly. But I’m trying not to let my anger get the best of me.

When Alex doesn’t say anything for a long time, I want to turn around and go back to the village. My heart hurts. I don’t like this situation. It feels like I’m the only one fighting for this relationship, while he is busy defending the woman trying to get between us.

“That’s not what I’m doing.”

When Alex speaks, I realize I must have been thinking out loud.

He comes to a stop and sets down the bag he’s carrying. Turning to face me, he says, his tone serious, “I understand what you’re saying. I’m not happy with what Hilda did today. But there’s no way I’m favoring her over you. I meant what I said, Sophia. No one takes priority over you.”

An uncomfortable expression crosses his face. “Let’s say I do believe that Hilda has romantic feelings for me. That doesn’t change anything. I don’t look at her that way, and I never will. And you know that. The only way she’s going to come between us is if you let her. For me, you are the only one.”

He sounds almost resigned. “And you’re right. What she did was unacceptable. Even if she was angry, she went too far. I was hoping that, as you became more visible in the village, she would get used to you. I’m not sure about that now. I’m not blind. I did sense the hostility from her toward you. I’ll deal with it. I won’t let Hilda come between us as long as you do the same.”

I study him, feeling oddly tense.

That’s it? There’s not going to be any shouting or fighting?

I thought he would be angrier with me. I was sure he would defend Hilda till his very last breath. But he agreed with me so easily.

A small chuckle leaves me, and I cover my face with my hands.

“What is it?” Alex asks, concerned.

I lower my hands and give him a shaky smile. “Is this what healthy relationships are supposed to look like?”

He catches on to what I’m saying and grins nervously. “I suppose so. I much prefer that we talk things out rather than get angry with each other.”

I silently agree. I know the topic of Hilda is going to come up between us again, but as long as Alex and I work on strengthening our own bond, I think we should be alright.

Alex looks around before taking a step back and letting out a sharp, loud whistle. A moment later, I hear two whistles from opposite sides.

“What’s going on?” I asked, wary.

“It’s a sign that we’re alone, and not being followed,” Alex tells me. “We can shift here.”

“Shift?” I ask uncomfortably. “You didn’t say anything about shifting.”

Alex catches the reluctance in my voice and says firmly, “You have to keep shifting, Sophia. The more you do, the more natural it’s going to feel. Avoiding it isn’t the answer.”

Scowling at the light scolding, I close my eyes and allow my wolf to come forth. While it is easier this time, as he said it would be, the shift is still slow. As for Alex, he shifts within the blink of an eye.

---