Page 8 of Bully Alpha's Secret Baby

I nod slowly, almost without realizing it. I may not understand why or how, but one thing is clear: Jade is exactly what my pack needs. She’s powerful. And I need her back.

Without thinking, I jump to my feet with my decision made. “You’re coming back with me.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. You’re coming back to Starfire Hollow. You’re going to help the pack.”

She blinks, and for a split second, I think she’s going to laugh. Her lips twitch, but then her expression hardens, and the air between us thickens.

I can see the defiance building in her eyes, but I don’t care. I’m not leaving here without her.

Chapter 2 - Jade

Damien Lucas has a lot of nerve.

I cross my arms and glare at him from across the table. The firelight flickers in the cabin, warming the room in a way that seems far too cozy for the kind of conversation we’re having. He’s standing there like he owns the place—like he still owns me—and I can’t decide if I want to punch him or laugh in his face.

“You’re coming back with me,” he says again, his voice dripping with that arrogant, commanding tone that used to make me swoon.

Of course, that’s how he thinks this is going to go. He orders, I obey. Just like old times, right?

Not a chance in hell.

“You really think I’m just going to drop everything and waltz back to Starfire Hollow because you said so?” I say.

“You don’t have a choice, Jade. I saw your vision. You’re powerful. You could help the pack—help save people. Or are you really going to sit here, hiding out in the middle of nowhere, while shifters keep dying?”

“Need I remind you that I’m here because youbanished me, Damien?” I clench my fists, doing my best to stay calm, but it’s not working. “And you think dragging me back there is the solution to whatever crisis you drove the pack to? After everything that happened? After you—” I cut myself off before the words I’ve buried for three years come spilling out. He doesn’t deserve to hear them. He doesn’t deserve anything from me.

But Damien just stands there like he didn’t destroy my life three years ago. “You’re coming back, Jade. Whether you like it or not.”

Oh, I like it all right. I like it so much, I could scream.

Before I can tear into him with the words I’ve been holding onto for years, a tiny voice from the hallway makes my blood run cold.

“Mama?”

My heart stops. No. Not now. Please, not now.

I whirl around just in time to see Penny stumble into the room, clutching her stuffed wolf and rubbing her eyes sleepily. She’s wearing her little purple pajamas with the stars, and her dark hair is sticking up at odd angles. My heart feels like it’s being squeezed in a vise.

Damien’s entire body goes rigid behind me. I can feel his gaze shift from me to Penny. Oh no. I can sense the shock rolling off him in waves, and I don’t even have to look at him to know what he’s thinking.

My daughter toddles over to me, holding up her arms, and I scoop her up without thinking, pressing her close to my chest like that’ll somehow shield her from what’s happening. My heart is hammering so loudly, I’m sure Damien can hear it.

“Mama, who’s that?” Penny mumbles, pointing her chubby little finger toward Damien.

I don’t answer her. I can’t. My mouth is too dry, and panic is clawing its way up my throat, threatening to choke me. I hadn’t prepared for this. Hadn’t even considered the possibility that Damien would show up here, demanding I return to the pack, and see her.

There’s a long, tense silence, and when I finally muster the courage to glance at Damien, his face is unreadable, which shouldn’t surprise me. Starfire Hollow’s alpha, always in control. Just like his father.

“I didn’t realize you had a kid,” he comments. His voice is lower now, less commanding. Almost cautious. “I—” He pauses, and I can see him piecing it together in his mind, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looks between me and Penny.

“I—” I stammer, my throat tight. “Yeah, well… I do.”

He tilts his head, studying me like I’m some puzzle he’s determined to solve. “Who’s the father?”

I swallow hard, but before I can answer, Penny wriggles in my arms, her tiny fingers grabbing my hair. “Mama, I’m hungry.”

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