Page 10 of The Alpha's Bullied Mate

“There are three types of demons that we’ve encountered,” Hayden continued as though Mica wasn’t about to have a breakdown, “the beast-demons like that one there. Aura-demons are capable of possessing and controlling living beings, and archdemons are also capable. Archdemons are the most powerful and can command the other types of demons. They also have various powers we haven’t been able to map entirely.”

“And why’s that?” Mica’s mouth asked without her input.

“Because we only encountered one before.”

He shifted slightly in his seat, and Mica wondered what had happened in that encounter. Then she decided she didn’t want to know. If demons were invading this place, she wanted to get as far away as possible.

“This is why I need you as my mate,” Hayden said. “I need to overturn Monroe so I can root out the demons and stop them from taking over the world.”

“What?” Mica whispered. She was finished taking care of his injuries now, his blood staining her clothes. But her hands remained resting lightly on his back, her heart hammering.

Hayden stood, testing his range of motion. Then he strode to the edge of the clearing and grabbed his clothes. The muscles of his back and ass pulled taut as he pulled on his pants.

“I never wanted a mate,” he said over his shoulder.

Especially me,Mica thought.

“Since I have to have one, you’re the easiest to pick. Your feelings haven’t changed that much, have they?” He turned back to her, buttoning his pants. The arrogant smirk on his face made Mica want to rip off all the bandages she had so carefully put on him in the first place.

Hayden eyed her, then chuckled.

Irritation spiked through her. “And just what is so funny?”

“You. Don’t pretend like you’re not thrilled I’m no longer rejecting you.”

Mica’s hands balled into fists. She pulled in a deep breath, steadying herself. “But you’re still rejecting me. You said it yourself. You only picked me because I’m the easiest woman in the pack. You don’t want me as your mate. I’m just convenient.”

Her stomach clenched. Why was it so disappointing to hear it aloud? It wasn’t as though she wanted him… Maybe she had once, but those days were long gone. He had destroyed her self-confidence once before. She wasn’t going to let him do it again.

“The easiest woman in the pack?” Hayden’s eyes glittered in the light thrown off from her cell phone. “Are you saying you’ve let all the young bucks plow you?”

Mica’s cheeks darkened. Part of her wanted to explain what she really meant, but what did it matter to him. She lifted her chin and glared at him.

“Maybe I have. It’s none of your business either way. But if you want a virgin mate, find someone else,” she added sweetly.

He didn’t answer.

Good! Maybe that meant he didn’t want her anymore. Even though that thought was almost as painful as hearing the first time he rejected her, it was for the best.

She grabbed her pack and wiped her hands off on a shirt inside. “Go find yourself a mate, then, Hayden. I’m leaving. The demons are your problem, not mine.”

Chapter 6 - Hayden

Hayden could understand Mica’s reluctance to stick around a place that was rife with demon possession. But the presence of the beast-demons meant he could no longer be gentle with Mica.

“We don’t have time for these games,” he told her harshly. “You’re coming home; we’re to be mated, and then if you still want to leave, I’ll arrange for you to get out of Bluebell Valley territory until after we’ve taken out the demons.”

Mica shook her head.

“Your stubbornness is getting wearisome,” Hayden told her.

She backed up a step. For a second, he thought he might see real fear in her eyes. But then her foot brushed against the demon’s claws. It reared up so quickly that Hayden didn’t have time to react before it slammed into Mica, sending her flying.

Hayden leaped on the beast. He wrapped his thick arms around its head and twisted sharply first one way, then the other, until it went limp again. He threw down the creature in disgust, then turned to find Mica.

She still lay crumpled on the ground. Hayden’s wolf whimpered as he hurried forward. Blood caked her hair. It blended in with the color, but Hayden could smell it. She had hit her head on a rock when the demon flung her away. Hayden quickly laid his head on her chest. Her breathing was soft and even. Her heartbeat was loud. Faster than it ought to be, but not too fast for the situation they were in.

“Mica?” he said, cupping her face in his hands.

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