Page 71 of Bully Alpha's Secret Baby

“Just talking about you, of course,” Alec says with a smirk.

“Should’ve known,” Jade grumbles. “Can’t leave me alone for five minutes without you two plotting something.”

I laugh, pulling her closer. “What can I say? You’re always the topic of conversation.”

“Flatterer.” She swats my chest lightly, but her smile softens as she looks up at me. There’s something in her eyes that tells me she’s thinking about everything that’s happened. Everything we’ve been through.

I lean down and press a quick kiss to her temple. “You okay?”

She nods, though I can see the flicker of uncertainty beneath her bravado. “Yeah. Just thinking.”

“I can smell that,” Alec teases. “Don’t strain yourself.”

Jade flips him off with a grin, and I can’t help but chuckle. “Careful, Alec,” I say. “She could still probably take you down, magic or not.”

Alec snorts. “I’d like to see her try.”

I feel Jade’s body relax against me, but I know her well enough to sense when something is weighing on her. She’s still thinking about her powers, still worried about the portal she’s convinced exists. She doesn’t say it, but I can see it in the way her gaze flickers to the edge of the clearing like she’s waiting for something to leap out of the shadows.

“We’re good, Jade,” I murmur, low enough that only she can hear. “Nothing’s happening tonight.”

She meets my eyes, and for a second, I see the doubt flash across her face. Then she nods. “I know. It’s just… I don’t think this is over.”

“I know you don’t,” I say softly. “But we’ll handle it. Whatever comes next, we’ll deal with it.”

She lets out a slow breath, leaning her head against my chest. “Yeah. I know.”

Alec clears his throat, clearly sensing the shift in the air. “I’ll leave you two alone. I’ve got a pack to officially lead, after all. Think I’ll take my niece with me, too, so she isn’t subjected to this.”

Jade and I both smile at that, watching as Alec makes his way back to the center of the celebration, where the rest of the East Hills pack is gathered. There’s a warmth in the air tonight. A sense of unity that hasn’t been there in a long time.

“You ready to get out of here?” I ask, turning back to Jade.

She raises an eyebrow. “Sneaking out of my brother’s alpha ceremony? Classy.”

I shrug. “He’ll survive without us for a little while.”

She grins, and there’s that spark of mischief again. “Lead the way, Alpha.”

We slip through the crowd quietly, making our way toward the edge of the woods where the trees offer more privacy. The sounds of the party start to fade as we walk deeper into the woods, and the tension in my shoulders begins to ease. It’s strange being out here, away from the chaos. For the first time in a long time, it feels like we can breathe.

We reach a small, secluded spot near the riverbank, and I pull her close, tilting her chin up to meet my gaze. “You’ve got that look again.”

“What look?” she asks, though there’s a playful lilt to her voice.

“The one where you’re pretending not to be worried.”

She huffs, but her lips curl into a small smile. “I’m not worried. I’m just… cautious.”

“You don’t have to be. Not tonight.”

She looks up at me, and for a moment, the weight of everything we’ve been through lingers between us. But then she smiles, that soft, genuine smile that makes my heart stutter in my chest.

“You’re right,” she murmurs. “Not tonight.”

I lean down, brushing my lips against hers. She tastes like honey and wildflowers, and I can feel the magic thrumming beneath her skin. She melts into me, wrapping her arms around my neck, and the feeling of her body pressed against mine sends a shiver down my spine.

I want to stay here forever, just the two of us. No demons, no magic, no responsibilities. Just us, together, like this.

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