Page 5 of Bully Alpha's Secret Baby

But the real problem? The pack will never accept her. Not now. Not after this. And if they find out about the magic—if they find out I’m tied to her—it won’t just be her life on the line. It’ll be mine, too.

If I don’t tell them what I know.

I head straight to my father’s house. He’s the current alpha, and he needs to know what’s going on. As much as I hate the idea of turning Jade in, I have no choice. If I don’t act fast, this could spiral out of control.

My father listens in silence as I tell him everything—about Jade, the magic, the glowing light. His expression doesn’t change, but I know what he’s thinking. He’s been around long enough to know that witches bring trouble. And Jade… she’s no exception.

“We have no choice,” he says finally. “She has to go. The pack will never accept her now.”

My stomach twists. I knew this was coming, but hearing it out loud makes it real. Jade is being banished.

“Is that really necessary?” I ask, even though I know it is. “Can’t we just… help her?”

“Banishing her will keep the peace,” my father says, his tone final. “It’s the only way.”

I nod, even though every part of me wants to scream. This is how it has to be. Jade has to go, or the pack will never be safe.

But as I walk out of my father’s office, I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve just made the biggest mistake of my life.

Chapter 1 - Damien

Three Years Later

Being alpha isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Today, like most days, I’m staring at the reports stacked on my desk, the irritation building with every passing second. Shifters are dying, and no one knows why. Or at least no one’s willing to admit it. The neighboring packs are tossing accusations our way, like we’ve forgotten how to run our own territory. Meanwhile, I’m here trying to keep this whole damn situation from spiraling into chaos.

The worst part? I can’t shake the feeling that we’re missing something huge.

I push the papers aside and glance out the window. Giant redwoods surround my cabin, dense and quiet. Peaceful, unlike the compound back at the pack’s main grounds in the city. Out here, I can breathe. No noise, no pack members hounding me to fix every tiny problem. Just me and the trees.

If it were up to me, I’d spend all my time here, away from the tech company our pack owns and operates, away from city life. I handle as much as I can remotely, but there are still days when I’m dragged into the city to play alpha and CEO. The slow pace of life out here suits me better. It’s where I can think.

I roll my shoulders, trying to loosen the tension that’s been clinging to me like a bad rash. Alec, my best friend and the guy who should be standing beside me as beta, has been distant for months now. The fact that he turned down the beta position when I took over still doesn’t sit right with me. He’s been avoiding me, and no matter how many times I’ve tried to ask him why, I get the same vague answers.

A knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts, and I already know who it is. “It’s open.”

Alec steps in, and his expression is closed off, just as it’s been ever since Jade left. His eyes flick to the mess on my desk before landing back on me.

“You’re still hiding out in here?” He crosses his arms and leans against the doorframe like he’s been dragged here against his will. “Can’t keep avoiding the city forever.”

I snort. “You’d avoid it, too, if you had to deal with the crap I do.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Like I don’t already?”

“Could’ve fooled me.” I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest to mirror his posture. “You’ve been pretty scarce lately. Not exactly jumping in to help.”

Alec’s jaw tightens, and for a second, I think he’s going to snap back. But instead, he walks over to the window and starts staring out at the trees, just like I was a few minutes ago. He’s quiet for too long, and it sets my wolf on edge.

“What’s going on with you, man?” My voice comes out sharper than I mean it to, but I’m done tiptoeing around this. “You’re not yourself.”

He doesn’t respond right away. Just keeps looking out at the forest like the answers are hiding somewhere between the trees. When he finally turns to face me, his expression is guarded, and I can tell he’s trying to figure out how much to say.

“I’m just dealing with some stuff, Damien. It’s nothing to do with the pack.”

“If it’s not about the pack, then what the hell is it about?” I ask impatiently. “We’ve got people dying, Alec. This isn’t the time to go off the grid.”

He rubs the back of his neck and shifts from foot to foot. “I know. I’m not trying to disappear, but—”

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