Page 62 of The Alpha's Bullied Mate

Hayden ground his teeth and slumped into a nearby chair. The demon’s knowledge filtered through his mind like sunlight through trees. At some points, things seemed to come through in a bright burst, but for the most part, the demon held it back. All Hayden knew was that he planned to destroy the stele and kill the possessed wolves.

They had all been locked away. It wouldn’t take much for Hayden to convince the rest of the pack that there was no saving them. All he had to do was persuade Mica to share with him how she pulled the demon out of Echo… and then, when he madea big display out of trying the ritual again, have something go awry.

Then their blood will be spilled, and their sacrifice will give me the means to create a form of my own. Oh, you’re a decent enough specimen for a wolf. But I prefer to sculpt a fresh body based on my own specifications.

Hayden let out a heavy sigh.And then?

The transfer of my soul to my new body will kill you. Your torment will be over. It’s rather kind of me, don’t you think?The demon laughed.

Fucker. I’ll find a way to stop you.He growled low in his chest, but it was as though there was a barrier between him and his wolf; he couldn’t feel it.

How will you stop me when I’m in your head?

Hayden had no answer. How was he going to defeat the demon? He and the team had faced an archdemon only once before, and it hadn’t had this level of control. And now, with Finn out of commission, he had nobody who could know he was possessed. How long until Finn recovered and would be back?

What makes you think the half-demon will survive? He was trampled and gored. Every second his heart still beats is one second closer to when it stops. You can’t stop me, Hayden. Nobody can see what’s happening with you.The demon yawned, sounding bored.I have all the time in the world.

Hayden’s heart sank. He had no idea of who else might be possessed, either. Had any of his team been taken? Who else in the pack would know him well enough to see the change in his behavior?

Would his behavior even change?

Sitting here in despair wouldn’t help. It would only make the demon’s hold on him stronger. He couldn’t just give up! So long as he was breathing, he could fight. Gather intel. Like—

Zealuv.

Hayden clenched his hands.So that’s your name?

My name? No. You can call me Zealuv anyway.

It was the first time he’d known a demon to claim a title that wasn’t stolen from their host. He lifted his hand to run his hand through his hair—but it didn’t move. It remained on his lap. His fingers unclenched, and the muscles through his body loosened the tension. A cold feeling swept through him like ice water dripping down his spine.

He snarled, reaching for his wolf. The barrier between them grew opaque. Zealuv laughed in his mind. That nightmare feeling grew stronger as Zealuv stood, stretching his arms over his head.

No matter how hard Hayden fought, he couldn’t break free. It was as though he was being cut off from his own body. With a start, he realized that was exactly what was happening. Possession was more than sharing his body with another being. Zealuv was literally rewriting his nervous system, cutting him off. That’s why he felt so cold… his nerves were being turned away from his brain.

The door opened, and Maverick came into the house. His arm was in a sling, and a nasty cut trailed the length of his face. His shoulders slumped, and he swayed on the spot.

There was no red aura around him. Relief washed through Hayden. He could see who was possessed—not that it did him much good. But at least he’d know which of his team was still free.

“Alpha.” Maverick nodded toward him. “Mica sent me to check on you.”

“How long has it been?” Hayden asked.

Maverick nodded to the window. The light was pale grey. “You’ve been here all night. She’s worried for you.”

How sweet,Zealuv mocked.

“Tell her I’m fine.”

“She says if you don’t come home, she’s going to come here and drag you back,” Maverick said. A fond smile crossed his face. “You certainly chose a spitfire, Hayden. I think she’ll try it, too.”

She would. Hayden started to smile, but the coldness through his body stopped him.She’s my mate because she’s your mate, and now I am you.With how he was rapidly losing control of his own body, how could he protect Mica from Zealuv? His heart remained steady, his body not responding to the distress he found himself in.

“Hayden?” Maverick asked.

“Bring her here,” Hayden said, his voice monotone. “I don’t need for her to start weakening my position. The pack expects an Alpha’s mate to listen to him, not the other way around.”

Maverick seemed surprised but bowed his head again.

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