Page 22 of Bully Alpha's Secret Baby

He stands up and walks around the desk to stand in front of me. I’m tense, ready for a fight, but he just claps a hand on my shoulder. “Just don’t screw it up this time, man. Jade’s been through enough.”

I nod, feeling the weight of his words settle over me like a damn anvil. “I won’t. But listen, there’s something I need to ask you.”

Alec raises an eyebrow, but he doesn’t say anything. He just waits for me to go on.

“I want you to be my beta.”

There. It’s out. The words land between us, and I wait for the reaction. The thing is, Alec’s been my right-hand since we were kids. When I took over as alpha, he was the obvious choice to stand beside me. But after everything that happened with Jade, after the way I handled things… well, let’s just say our relationship hasn’t exactly been running smoothly. Now that she’s back, here’s hoping we can move forward.

“I don’t know, man,” he grumbles. “You really think I can just jump back into that after everything?”

I swallow hard. “Look, I know I screwed up. I know I made a lot of bad calls, especially with Jade. But things with the other packs are going to get worse before they get better, and I need someone I can count on beside me. I don’t trust anyone else the way I trust you.”

Alec watches me for a long moment, and his brown eyes search mine for something. Trust, maybe. Forgiveness. I don’tknow. But whatever he’s looking for, I hope to God he finds it, because I’m not sure how much longer I can keep everything together on my own.

“I’ll think about it.”

It’s not a yes, but it’s not a no, either. I’ll take what I can get.

“Thanks,” I say. “That’s all I can ask for.”

For the first time in what feels like years, Alec gives me a small, almost reluctant smile. “Good. Now get out of here. Some of us have real work to do.”

I snort. “Yeah, sure. Sitting behind a screen all day? Real tough job, Alec.”

He flips me off, but there’s no venom in it. It feels like the ice between us has finally started to thaw.

But as I leave the office and head back to the cabin, one thought keeps nagging at the back of my mind.

Fixing things with Alec was the easy part.

Fixing things with Jade?

That’s going to be a whole different beast.

If I want to make things right with her, I need to do more than just offer empty words. I need to show her that I’m serious—about her, about Penny, about everything. And what better way to start than with a gesture that proves I’m paying attention?

Jade’s always been fiercely independent. She doesn’t need me swooping in and fixing things for her. But that doesn’t mean I can’t do something small. Something thoughtful to show her that I’m trying.

By the time I’m back in my truck, the plan’s already taking shape. A date, and not a “let’s talk about the pack” kind of thing. No, something more personal. Something for her and Penny. Something simple but meaningful.

I pull out my phone and start making a list of everything I need. Flowers, obviously. A nice dinner. Something Penny will enjoy, too. Maybe a picnic by the lake? Yeah, that’s more their speed. Jade’s never been one for fancy restaurants and candlelight, but she’s always loved the outdoors.

Hell, we used to sneak out to the lake all the time when we were younger, back when things were simpler. Back when I wasn’t an alpha with a million responsibilities weighing me down, and she wasn’t the witch everyone was scared of.

Maybe a little trip down memory lane is exactly what we need.

My mind is buzzing with the details. This is going to be perfect. Or at least as perfect as it can be under the circumstances.

As I drive back toward the cabin, I feel a sense of purpose settle over me. For the first time in a long time, I’m not just reacting to the chaos around me. I’m making a plan. I’m taking control.

Jade and Penny deserve better than what I’ve given them so far. And I’m going to make damn sure they get it.

Chapter 8 - Jade

The date Damien planned was… nice. Nice in that way you don’t want to admit out loud because then it becomes real, and who needs that complication? I mean, dinner by the lake under the soft glow of the sunset with Penny giggling while throwing pebbles into the water was sweet. But relaxing? Not exactly.

It’s hard to let go of years of resentment, mistrust, and anger in one evening, no matter how pretty the setting is. I wanted to be present, to appreciate what Damien was doing, but every time I caught myself smiling, my brain screamed, “Don’t forget what he did!” So, no, there were no fireworks, no magical moment where everything clicked, and we fell into each other’s arms. But it was… nice. I guess that’s a start.

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