Page 60 of The Alpha's Bullied Mate

Mica shivered. “What happens now? If Monroe is dead, does that mean the archdemon is trapped again?”

“Possibly. The demon wasn’t strong enough to take anyone else, being trapped as he was. Now that Monroe is dead, he no longer has an anchor in this world. He yielded because I was going to defeat him, and he didn’t want to lose his host.”

“But the beast-demons attacked him,” Mica murmured.

Hayden shook his head. “They sensed his weakness. And if it’s one thing demons don’t tolerate, it’s weakness.”

Mica nodded. That made sense. “But it’s over, right?”

“Not entirely. I still have work to do to seal the demons out from Bluebell Valley. But once we’ve hunted down the rest of the beast-demons in the forest, then yes.” He didn’t look at her as he spoke, his gaze distant.

Was he angry with her because of their fight?

“Hayden… what I said before—”

“What did you say?” he cut her off, his voice harsh.

Mica flinched away from him. He was still angry. It made her falter, but she took a deep breath and nodded once to herself. It would take time for him to forgive her for what she said. She understood that.

“I’m sorry for it,” she said. “I didn’t mean it like how it sounded. I love you, Hayden. I was just afraid of losing the one good thing that has happened in my life.”

His eyes finally flickered to her. His expression softened slightly. With one hand, he cupped her face. “We will talk about this later, Mica.”

Later.

Mica nodded, the knot in her chest easing slightly. The rest of the pack gathered around, though a good group of them hovered near the edges, glancing uneasily at each other. They were all wolves that had been staunch supporters of Monroe as the Alpha. But as the rest of the pack all knelt and bowed their heads toward Hayden, this group did as well.

She glanced to where Spencer still cradled Monroe in his arms. His three daughters lingered nearby, as though they thought they were obligated to comfort their father but didn’t want to.

Hayden got to his feet. “I am the Alpha. No challenges to my position will be accepted until after the demons have been eliminated from the territory and the damage done by them has been fixed. Those of you who don’t wish to accept me as your Alpha may stay and work with the pack until such a time when challenges will be opened, or you may leave. I will not tolerate any dissension in the meantime.”

Mica stood next to him, wishing she had something to say to help ease the pack’s nerves. This was a massive attack at an inopportune time.

It was only now that Spencer lowered Monroe back to the ground. He wiped his eyes and staggered to his feet. Mica tensed, thinking he was going to come charging at them. Instead, he lowered his gaze to the ground.

“As you are now our Alpha,” he said, sounding like he hated every word coming from his mouth, “will you be taking a proper wolf as your mate now?”

Mica bit her tongue to keep from snapping. Really? Was he going to start pushing for Hayden to abandon her now? Of all the things to do! But… but what if he was right—

Stop it,she told herself sharply.Hayden told me he wanted me. That’s not going to change.

Even as she wrestled with the doubt of her own worth, Hayden’s arm snaked around her waist. He pulled her tight into his side as he lifted his lip, snarling silently at Spencer. The fury on his face made Mica’s heart beat faster, though not from fear.

“Mica is my mate,” he growled. “She was raised in this pack and knows more than most what is needed to fix it. If you ever disparage her again, I will react accordingly.”

Spencer glanced up, his expression clouded with doubt. But he quickly bowed his head again. “Whatever you say. Alpha.”

The final word was spat out like he was chewing on glass. When he turned toward his daughters and gestured for them to join him, they lifted their chins and headed to where Tess and Elin stood instead.

Mica hardly noticed. She gazed up at Hayden’s handsome face, warmth flooding her. He had stood up for her against Spencer… yes, she was his mate now but up until this moment, she had doubted if he truly wanted her. Despite everything they shared, despite every word of assurance he’d shared.

But this? It was in front of the entire pack. Years ago, he’d rejected her in front of everyone. And now, he was accepting her.

“Maverick, get Finn and Ryder to the city hospital,” Hayden ordered. “And anyone else who was badly injured. If they are going to have the chance to survive this, we need to act quickly.”

“I’ll get my van,” another of the wolves volunteered.

Hayden nodded to him, dropping his arm from Mica’s waist. He quickly moved through the crowd, giving orders for how they would all proceed.

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