Page 52 of The Alpha Wolf's Bullied Bride

“What else am I supposed to do, Flynn?” I sigh heavily, batting my eyelids like the wings of a butterfly. “You picked me as your mate, but I don't have any real purpose here.”

Flynn's eyes grow dark with anger as that seemingly sets in. “Purpose?” he asks, low, almost growling at me. “You think you don't have a purpose here?”

I shake my head warily, too fearful of the sudden intensity of his eyes.

He huffs as he takes a step back, taking hold of my hand. “Come with me,” he instructs in that firm voice belonging to his innate Alpha wolf. “It's time you learned the truth.”

Curiosity mingles with my confusion as I follow Flynn out the door and into the backyard. He drops my hand and takes a step back, glancing at the mountain before he says, “You deserve that much.”

Chapter 18 - Flynn

She deserves so much more than just the truth, I'm aware of that. Right now, it's all I can offer her after tonight has given me a taste of what it's like to lose her.

I couldn't handle it. The thought of losing my mate forever had me doing the unthinkable—declaring the death penalty on a Blood Moon wolf.

If not for Lila and her forgiving nature, Cynthia would be dead by now. It's inspiring to see how compassionate Lila is, and how sweet her nature and heart really are.

I don't deserve her, yet I've been fated to her.

Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and invoke my wolf, a deep sense of longing setting into my heart. It's a yearning to see her face, so I open my eyes again.

A faint bray escapes my wolf lips, and I nod in a gesture toward my back. Though we don't share the mind link, Lila seems to understand my wordless command as she takes a cautious step toward me.

I lower my giant form and wait until she's securely on my back, a wave of relief flowing through my veins when her fingers card through the thick hairs of my wolf's fur. With her thighs latched against my ribs, I carefully rise to my full height on all four paws, glancing at her curious eyes before setting out in a steady trot.

In wolf form, my sharper senses catch every little tick of hers…each breath, each sigh, each gasp of marvel as I carry her toward the south side of Zafra.

When we near the shallow dam behind her cabin, I slow my steps and lower my wolf to allow her to step off. She doesso warily, and I can feel her trepidation as if it's a tangible manifestation in the air surrounding her.

The body of water she swam in when she was younger is significant to the troubles I caused in the past. Two years ago, the day before I left for the mountains, I'd found her at the water's edge, gazing at her own reflection.

Now that the surface glitters with the integrity of the moon's silver light, I can finally admit to myself that it was my inner wolf who led me here that day. I didn't know back then what I was searching for except for fresh air.

Only to find Lila alone out here, when she whispered the word “mate” to me.

I'm not sure how much she knows yet, but even being disconnected from any hope of an inner wolf, Lila knew it before I did.

With my wolf head hanging bashfully, I shift into human form and slowly rise, reaching out and taking her hand to lead her to the edge of the water.

“Flynn…” she whispers, but I press a finger to my lips to hush her.

Only we've reached the exact spot where I found her that day two years ago do I stop and turn to face her. My breath catches in awe at how ethereal her beauty is, her round face and creamy cheeks magnified by the Moon Goddess's torch tonight.

Fate.

That's what this is. All of it. From the moment I was born, my destiny had been written out for me. The only struggles I've ever faced were the demons of my own conjuring; from my inability to let go of Finch's death and trying desperately to walk in his shoes to denying the magnetizing pull toward Lila eversince I received my wolf, I realize I've only suffered because of the path I chose.

Taking both of Lila's hands in mine, I look down into her eyes and make a silent oath to myself to never have to wrestle against the inevitabilities in life.

I take a deep breath to strengthen my resolve before speaking up. For an Alpha, I shouldn't be afraid of the leap I'm about to make. But it will change the trajectory of our lives—all our lives, if everything goes as I've planned.

“Do you remember this spot?” I ask Lila, watching the way she glances at the body of water and shivers. She nods slowly as she gazes forlornly at the sparkling surface, her eyes tearing up.

A pang of guilt grips my heart, extending into my fingers as I squeeze her hands gently. This prompts her to look up at me again, her throat working as she gulps.

“I know that what I said that day hurt you deeply,” I admit earnestly. “And I want you to know that it destroyed me whenever I thought about it when I was gone.”

“Is—” she gulps again. “Is that why you came back and picked me…?” Her voice falters, as if it's being carried in the soft breeze that passes us.

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