Page 44 of Bully Alpha's Secret Baby

“Then tell me,” I challenge, stepping even closer. “Tell me, Jade. Don’t shut me out.”

Her eyes flicker with something—pain, maybe anger. But there’s something else there, too. Something raw that she doesn’t want me to see.

“Why are you doing this?” she whispers, her voice breaking. “Why can’t you just let it go? I told you, I don’t feel that way anymore.”

The lie hangs between us, heavy and suffocating. And before I can stop myself, I reach for her, cupping her face in my hands. Her breath catches, and for a second, she doesn’t move. We just stand there, inches apart, the tension between us crackling like electricity.

“I don’t believe you,” I murmur, brushing my thumb against her cheek.

Her lips part, but no words come out. She’s trapped in the moment, just like I am, and I can feel the pull between us. The magnetic force that’s been building for weeks, months, maybe even years.

And then, in one fluid motion, she closes the distance between us.

The kiss is fierce, all fire and desperation, like we’re both afraid of what would happen if we stop. Her hands tangle in my shirt, pulling me closer, and I groan against her lips as the heat between us intensifies. Everything else fades away—the years ofhurt, the distance, the walls she’s built around her heart. Right now, it’s just us, tangled together in this moment that feels both inevitable and terrifying.

I back her up against the counter and slide my hands down to her waist, gripping her ass. She gasps, arching against me, and it takes every ounce of willpower I have not to lose control right here, right now.

But then, just as quickly as it started, something stops me in my tracks. A small voice in the back of my mind—the one that’s been telling me to slow down, to do this right—finally breaks through the haze.

I pull back, breathless, resting my forehead against hers. “Jade…”

She blinks up at me, and her chest is heaving. “What?”

“We can’t,” I whisper. “Not like this.”

Confusion flickers in her eyes. “Why not?”

“Because I want to do this right,” I murmur, brushing a stray strand of hair away from her face. “I want to earn your trust again. For real. Not just because of some heat-of-the-moment thing.”

She stares at me for a long moment. And then, slowly, she nods, like she understands what I’m saying, even if she doesn’t want to admit it.

I step back, giving her space to breathe. “Come on.” I offer her a small smile. “Let’s focus on something else.”

“Like what?” she asks, her voice still a little shaky.

“Your magic,” I suggest. “You’ve been avoiding it, but I think you should practice. And I’ll be there with you. Every step of the way.”

She hesitates, and her eyes search mine for any sign of doubt. But I’m serious. If we’re going to move forward, if we’re going to fix what’s broken between us, it starts with trust. It starts with me being there for her, not just when it’s convenient or easy, but when it’s hard. When it’s real.

“Shifters despise magic,” she points out.

“Maybe,” I reply, “but it’s part of who you are, which means I need to embrace it. I meant it when I said the packs need you. I need you.”

Jade swallows, then nods again. “Okay. But you better not laugh when I mess up.”

I chuckle as the tension between us eases slightly. “I won’t. Promise.”

As we stand there, I know one thing for sure—this is just the beginning. We’ve got a long way to go, but I’m not going anywhere. I’m here. And I’m going to prove it.

Chapter 16 - Jade

Magic practice with Damien is definitely not at the top of my list of things I thought I’d be doing today. In fact, it wasn’t even in the top thousand. But here we are, standing in the middle of the field behind his cabin, and I’m about to bare one of the most vulnerable parts of myself in front of the last person I ever imagined would see it.

I take a deep breath and fidget under the weight of his gaze. He’s watching me like he always does—intense, focused, like nothing else in the world matters except whatever’s happening in this moment. It’s unnerving, especially when I know exactly how much I’ve struggled to control my magic in the past. I’ve never had anyone around to teach me, given my parents never even told me I was part witch, so I’ve been figuring this out on the fly.

I don’t need an audience for that.

“Are you sure about this?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady as I glance over at him. He’s standing there, looking completely at ease in his jeans and t-shirt, like this is just another day for him. “Positive,” he replies. “You’ve got this, Jade. I’m not here to judge. I just want to help.”

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