Page 11 of The Alpha Wolf's Bullied Bride

Cynthia and her friends had a ball mocking her even in her absence, while all I could do was pretend to find humor in their jokes. Truthfully, I wished I could make up for it, but I left Zafra without seeing Lila again.

While our time in training and preparation to serve the pack has turned us into true men, it’s fostered a profound change in how I will choose to lead the pack. The day I rejected Lila, I was still a boy in my mind. It was that foolish, immature boy that bullied her out of fear of tainting my image in the pack. Now, as a fully developed male werewolf ready to take leadership of the pack, I won’t stand for anyone’s ruination in Blood Moon.

Especially Lila’s. I might never be able to explore my true feelings to find out if there’s a real reason for being drawn to her—without a wolf, her claim that I was her mate holds no weight. A true Alpha-blood can’t be mated to a wolf-less werewolf. Still, the least I can do is stop Cynthia from bullying my best friend’s sister.

It’s only the regret of what I did to her that threatens to chew me up and spit me out, a feeling I can’t afford now that a threat to werewolves hangs over Blood Moon. If I’m meant to step into my role as Alpha, I can’t afford the distraction of an Omega that might ruin the image I’ve worked hard to uphold. Living in Finch’s shadow has taught me that mistakes can’t be made.

I am my pack’s future, and my family’s only hope to continue the Lycoan legacy.

Chapter 3 - Lila

“I can’t believe she did this to you.” Valerie clicks her tongue while she wraps the bandage over my chest. I wince when she pulls tighter to seal it below my armpit. When she’s done, she steps back with her brows furrowed in deep concern.

“You were right about her, Val,” I say regretfully. “Cynthia hasn’t changed at all.”

Valerie shakes her head as she tentatively wraps her arms around me, careful not to put too much pressure on my chest. “Cynthia has changed. She’s turned into a monster.”

I sigh as Valerie steps back and offers me the herbal tea she prepared. To say that I’m relieved to have my best friend nurse my injuries would be an understatement. After not listening to her suspicions about Cynthia’s motives, I was surprised when she visited last night.

I guess that’s what best friends are for. Even when we’re mad at each other, we can never stay apart for too long.

“I hope you’re planning on telling Miles about this,” Valerie says sternly as she watches me sip the tea.

I shake my head, allowing the warm brew of aiding herbs to soothe my throat as I slip a dress over my head before saying, “No. He doesn’t need to know about any of this.”

Valerie sighs disappointedly. “I know that you’re worried that it’ll ruin his friendship with Flynn, but Cynthia’s getting out of hand. Your life is in danger, Lila.”

I take another sip of herbal tea, deliberating my choices. I’ve always been able to hide the abuse from my brother, not wanting to give him the full details of what I’ve been through. It would only mean that I’d have to tell him that his best friendis the worst of my abusers, his vile words in front of his female admirers causing them to further taunt me.

Truthfully, I might have been able to stay invisible if it wasn’t for Flynn. Because he’s the Alpha’s son, the pack’s attention went wherever his flowed, and it always ended with him berating me in front of the others.

The only time I'd been safe was when Miles was around. That’s the only reason I look forward to the return of the Blood Moon special ops soldiers. Once my brother is back, I’ll dodge Cynthia’s bullets while steering clear of Flynn, using my brother as my shield.

“I’ll be fine, Val,” I assure her with a smile, reaching for her hand. “I have you and Miles to protect me.”

“It’s not enough, Lila,” she sighs. “It would be if you had your wolf abilities.”

“I’m almost nine years out of the running,” I chuckle nervously. “I’ve tried everything, Val. Maybe I was born without one.”

Valerie shakes her head fervently. “I refuse to believe it. We have to try again.”

I purse my lips, disheartened by what happened the last time I tried to connect with my inner wolf by seeking answers from the Moon Goddess. I didn’t get a dream or clear sign; instead, I was led toward greater ruin when I mistakenly called Flynn my mate.

How stupid could I have been? All the incessant ringing in my ears muddled my mind and had me believing that a foolish childhood crush could mean more—something as important as the mate bond between a male and female werewolf.

I’d forgotten, for a moment, that I didn’t even possess a wolf. How could the future Alpha of Blood Moon be my mate? I’m destined to be a spinster. Ever since that moment of foolishness, I’d given up the quest to actively seek out my inner wolf and turned my attention to toughening up my human mind.

I know it does me no good when this body is still vulnerable to attacks like Cynthia’s hot soup spill, leaving burns that now have to be nursed over twenty-four hours later.

“What’s left to try, Val? There’s nothing in the Grime that points to my condition. Wolf-less werewolves aren’t supposed to exist in Blood Moon.”

Valerie shrugs. “That only serves to prove that you do have a wolf.”

“What if I’m a rare phenomenon in Blood Moon? You did say I was different.”

“Not in that way, silly,” she rolls her eyes.

“Yeah, I know,” I giggle tersely. “Still, there’s no record in the Grime that points to a werewolf being disconnected from their inner wolf. Maybe Omegas like me were not important enough to record.”

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