Page 52 of The Alpha's Bullied Mate

“Then I’ll do my best to earn your trust, Luna. I swear, whatever it takes.”

“Thanks,” Mica said awkwardly.

It had been so long since she and Elin had been friends. They’d never go back to the relationship they once had—not that Mica wanted that relationship. Looking back, she could see that they were friends mainly because of happenstance. They were neighbors, so they spent time together because there was nobody else around.

Elin had had all the power in their friendship. Mica had been clingy, desperate to keep one friend in the pack. Then, when everyone started to talk about Mica and Hayden getting together, as though it was destined and nobody had a choice in the matter… well, Mica hadn’t realized how much Elin liked Hayden.

Her friendship with Tess was built on a much more even footing. They had a better understanding of each other than Mica and Elin ever had. Perhaps, now, she and Elin would be able to navigate the situation and find a way to be friends again.

“Can I ask how things between you and Hayden are?” Elin asked. Her cheeks went pink as she asked, and she looked as though she was bracing herself to be shouted at.

Mica had the opposite reaction. She collapsed backward on the bed, tears pricking her eyes. “I love him.”

Elin was quiet.

“I love him so much. I keep thinking this must be a dream, but now he’s off to fight Monroe, and it’s become a nightmare. If anything happens, I can’t even help!”

“If…” Elin’s eyebrows knit together. “I don’t understand. He’s in a challenge fight. Nobody can interfere.”

Mica sat back up and glared at her. “Maybe not. But I’d be able to stand there, with him. I’d be able to understand why all this is necessary. I’d be able to take wolf form and tear out Monroe’s throat if—”

Elin stared at her as though she was spouting utter nonsense.

“I don’t doubt Hayden’s strength,” Mica snapped. “It has nothing to do with doubting him and all about me! How am I supposed to protect anyone when I can’t even protect myself!”

As she spoke, the pieces snapped into place. It was exactly what she hadn’t known how to tell Hayden. She was weak, had always been weak. Running away was the only thing she could do to save herself and her baby, and even that might now be enough.

But something else dawned on her as she sat there.

Even if Hayden didn’t win this fight, even if Monroe beat him… she wouldn’t change the choices that brought her to this moment.

Elin’s gaze softened. “I see. But I think you might overestimate how much power a wolf would give you. All of us are bound to the Alpha. Sometimes I think you’re the lucky one, that you aren’t.”

The door flew open. Mica jumped to her feet, her hands raising instantly. Adrenaline flowed through her as she readied herself to fight whoever was attacking. Tess skidded to a stop, her eyes widening when she saw Elin. They soon narrowed with suspicion, but she ignored Elin and turned to Mica.

“Your mother is awake,” she blurted breathlessly.

Mica clutched the front of her baggy shirt, her mind racing. Awake! It made her knees weak. But was it a coincidence that she woke now when Hayden was out at the challenge fight?

The challenge fight.

Maybe Echo knew something that she could use to help Hayden. She rushed past Elin and Tess, racing for the convalescence room. Echo was still lying in bed, but she was propped up somewhat by the pillows around her. Her skin was grey and she looked ill, but her eyes were brighter than they had been for months.

“Mica,” Echo said. Her voice cracked.

“Mom!” Mica carefully put her arms around her mother, hugging her. She felt stronger somehow, but still fragile. Mica leaned back, searching her face. “How are you feeling? Do you remember anything?”’

Guilt and pain flashed over Echo’s face. “Everything.”

Mica winced. She tried not to think about the implications of that… especially with Ryder lying still and quiet next to them. His breathing was even and deep, and the heart monitor indicated he was doing well. There might be a slight flush in his ears, but otherwise, the bandage on his neck indicated any damage.

Beneath that bandage was where the real damage lay. The fever was getting worse if he was starting to show signs of being flushed.

A shudder ran down Mica’s spine. She pushed that aside as she focused on her mother again. “That means you know what the demons want with this territory, doesn’t it? It means that you can help us know how to defeat them.”

Echo’s jaw worked. “I think so. The demon did his best to keep me out of his head. But I fought back, hoping to find something that I could use to free myself or warn you.”

Mica took both her hands. “I know you did. Now. What did you learn from him? What do they want? Is it about establishing a foothold here?”

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