Page 3 of The Alpha Wolf's Bullied Bride

“Because your brother is leaving, Lila,” Valerie reminds me, her stern tone startling me into a gasp. She ignores my reaction and proceeds to scold me. “You were born from two werewolves. You can’t remain wolf-less forever. It’s impossible.”

“What do you suggest I do, huh?” I snap back at my best friend. “The ritual I found in the Grime was pointless. The Moon Goddess doesn’t want to speak to me, let alone gift me with a wolf.”

Valerie sighs, silently following me into the living room where I pick up the broom and begin sweeping. Without warning, she grabs the wooden handle of the cleaning tool and huffs.

“Show the Moon Goddess that you’re determined and capable of connecting with your inner wolf,” Valerie declares sternly, clutching the broom with both hands as she glares at me with contempt. “Get out of your head, go out there”—she nods toward the front door—“and show the Moon Goddess that you won’t take no for an answer.”

“It’s not like she’d given me a definitive 'no,'” I protest. I haven’t received any sign from the Moon Goddess that She accepted my blood sacrifice of the rabbit.

“Lila!” Valerie aims the tip of the broom handle between my eyes.

Despite how ridiculous she looks right now, wielding a broom like a weapon against me, I can’t help but relent.

Truthfully, I’m tired of constantly feeling weak around the members of the pack. If only I could connect with my inner wolf, I wouldn’t dread being alone. Without Miles for Goddess-knows how long, I have to do whatever I can to protect myself.

“Fine,” I concur, straightening my shoulders and nodding. “I’ll do whatever it takes to connect with my inner wolf.”

“That’s my girl!” Valerie proudly declares as she drops the broom and slips her arm through mine. She leads me through the door, proudly marching into the woods.

I don’t have to ask where we’re headed as we cross the marshes behind the Hargis cottage. The path leading to the willow weeping over the small body of water in the clearingsouth of Zafra is a road less traveled, forged only by our footsteps ever since we were children, sneaking out here whenever the other Blood Moon wolves were nowhere to be seen.

The crystal water that pools in the earth’s natural indent glistens with a golden hue across the surface, my fingertips tingling with the sudden urge to dive right in. The pond is only full in spring, when the sun isn’t scorching enough to lap up the rainfall, creating the perfect pool for us to swim in. Valerie removes her arm from mine and then turns to face me.

“I’ve formulated a plan,” she begins, propping her hands on her waist as if she’s about to lecture me. “You’ll have to quiet your mind and—” Valerie sighs then, lifting a hand to defeatedly slap her forehead. “I almost forgot…I have kitchen duties,” she says apologetically. “Dorothy will have my neck if I’m late again.”

I grit my teeth in recognition of her fear. “Go ahead, Val. I don’t want you to get into any more trouble because of me.”

“Come on,” she nods her head in the direction of the woods. “I’ll walk you home.”

I glance at the shimmering surface of the body of water, its gentle ripples beckoning me to stay back and take a moment to be by myself. I shake my head, offering Valerie a smile.

“You go on, Val. I think I’m gonna stay here for a little while.”

“You sure?” she perks up a brow. “I mean, will you be okay?”

I chuckle nervously, taking a look around to scan my surroundings. The vast empty space of the clearing feels safe enough for me to be outside by myself. Though I’m fearful ofbeing ridiculed by the members of the Blood Moon Pack, I see no danger right now.

I’m free to be my wolf-less self for now.

“I’ll be fine,” I assure my best friend. “I just need some time alone.”

“I promise we’ll pick up where we’ve left off. I think my plan will work this time.”

“I can’t wait to hear all about this great plan,” I admit, because truthfully, I know I need to find a way to uncover my inner wolf. For the sake of my own preservation in this pack, where being the wolf-less, overweight Omega has caused more suffering than sympathy for my condition.

Valerie winks before turning and disappearing through the woods, leaving me all by myself on the outskirts of Zafra’s picturesque forest. I sigh as I turn my attention to the serene body of water, hitching up my skirt to squat at the edge.

Taking a deep breath, I soak up the scent of trees and earth as I dip my hand into the water. The temperature is cool enough to douse the worries I have about Miles going away.

My only consolation is that Flynn Lycoan, the future Alpha of Blood Moon, will be gone, too. After facing the brutality of his vicious taunts for many years, I can only hope and pray that his departure will mean better pastures ahead with my current standing in the pack.

It’s only because the others have heard him mock me that they’ve joined in on his smear campaign. It’s a wonder that my brother hasn’t caught wind of how Flynn treats me.

Or that my heart hasn’t caught wind of it, either.

I scoff under my breath, the foolishness of my long-standing crush on Flynn being the bane of my existence. Perhapsit’s because I’m a female werewolf who innately senses the imposing presence of the male future leader. That’s the only explanation I have for feeling drawn to Flynn despite how horribly he treats me.

It doesn’t help that Flynn is the most broodingly handsome male in the pack. It’s not like I can help being attracted to him. I’m a female, and the other females our age swoon and worship the ground he walks on. I might not fit in because of my condition and because I’m not as stunning as a runway model, but at least I can say that I share the sentiments of the other females in the pack.

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