Page 57 of The Alpha's Bullied Mate

With a slow breath, she loosened her hold on the salt. “I still don’t want him facing off against an archdemon without knowing it. So, Elin, you’ll go tell him. He needs to know if he doesn’t already.”

Elin nodded. She stepped back, still watching Mica as though she was afraid Mica might bolt for the gate anyway.

“Let’s go back inside,” Tess urged. “I’ll draw up a nice relaxing bath. You’ll see. Hayden will be back before you know it.”

Mica started to step back but stopped. An awful feeling gripped her heart, making her stand still. Though Tess continued to try to urge her inside, Mica remained unmoving. This was it. Where her cowardice really showed through—the fear of trusting herself.

All her life, she’d been told that she couldn’t understand. She was raised to doubt herself. Echo didn’t mean to; it was just a byproduct of living in a pack like this. One that treated women as lesser, and being human? Oh, that was even worse. She had hardened herself and built armor out of their words. If she was weak and a coward, then how was she supposed to stand up for the pack?

But was she really so weak? Or was it just an excuse she’d used to stay huddled in her comfort zone all these years?

“No,” Mica murmured to herself. “No! I’m not letting you make me doubt myself. This has nothing to do with me being human. I’m going. And you will not stop me!”

Chapter 30 - Hayden

Monroe’s tail swished back and forth, threads of red light weaving through his fur. Hayden bristled, catching the movement. That tail was broken and useless just moments ago. Was the demonhealingMonroe’s body? Or was the body already dead, and the demon was still somehow managing to puppet it?

You’re tough, I’ll give you that,the voice in his head purred.I like that. It’s no fun breaking someone without spirit. Do you know how easy it was to take this one? I’d grown used to the Alphas of Bluebell Valley being weak. If you had challenged Monroe instead of running off to join the special ops, I might never have gotten such a foothold as I already have.

Hayden sprang at him, but even as they clashed, the deep chime of the gong rang out. Monroe easily disengaged and winked before heading back to his side. Hayden had to resist the urge to jump on his back. No doubt he would see it coming.

One of Hayden’s paws was bleeding heavily, leaving a trail in the dust behind him. He felt as though every inch of him had been raked over a bed of nails. How much more of this could he take? He limped back to where Finn waited for him. The fight was tearing through his last reserves, but he wasn’t going to give up.

Something had to change, though. He needed his team’s help.

Do you really think they can save you, Hayden? It’s too late. I have what I want. You can keep fighting, but it won’t do you any good.

Hayden let out a soft snarl. If this damn demon would just shut up for five fucking seconds, he might figure out what to do. He got to where the team waited on shaking legs. His body was taking one hell of a beating.

As soon as he shifted to human form, he growled, “They know.”

Finn handed him fresh water. “Know what?”

Before Hayden could answer, the screeching of car tires made him look up. Mica, clutching an old white pail in her arms, jumped from the car. Elin and Tess were quick to follow her. They tried to pull her back, but she snarled, sounding almost wolf-like, and shoved them back.

Hayden repressed a snarl of his own. Even though his thoughts were consumed with wanting to see her, he didn’t want her to see him like this!

“Stop her,” he breathed.

Finn strode toward Mica. She yanked the lid off her pail and grabbed a handful of the glistening white powder inside.

“I have salt,” she cried, holding up her handful of salt. Her red hair whipped around her, fanning in the wind. She looked like a warrior queen. “You can’t say that I need to protect myself as a reason to kick me out. Hayden—”

Finn stepped up to her, blocking her view of him. They murmured to each other as Hayden washed the blood and sweat from his body. The pack was restless now. They weren’t giving the same enthusiastic howls of support. This was all taking far longer than they anticipated, making them nervous.

And Mica…

She was putting herself in danger by being here.

Fuck, all he wanted to do was rush to her. Pull her curvy, soft body into his arms and collapse into a bed. Feel her warmth against him, knowing that she was safe and alive. It was all he wanted. But that wasn’t going to happen—and it never would again, unless he finished this.

Ah, love,Monroe sneered in his head.It’s such a… strange concept. I used to think that love was just a way that you mortals maintained your populations. But it makes you all so weak, it can’t possibly be more useful than just straight fucking.

Hayden gulped down a mouthful of water, emptying his thoughts. He closed his eyes, working to block out all the sounds and smells around him. Mica was still arguing with Finn, trying to get him. But her voice faded to the background. He was trained for this. He was strong, and demons could only do so much.

This time, he’d tear Monroe’s fucking throat out.

You are so right. It’s time for this little dance to end.

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