Page 16 of Bully Alpha's Pregnant Mate

I step beside her. “I’ll admit, I didn’t know you had this in you. Where’d you learn so much about traps, anyway? I can’t imagine you picked all this up in the short time you were on your little vacation.”

She gives a little shrug, glancing toward the tree line. “Well, when I was younger, I used to spend most of my time in the East Hills library. Not much else to do for a kid who didn’t exactly have friends knocking on her door.”

There’s a note of something unreadable in her voice—something I recognize but doubt she’d want me acknowledging. “I remember you were the library’s most loyal patron,” I comment. “But what, you went through all the books?”

She smirks, glancing at me like I’m missing something obvious. “Every single one. Got to a point where I’d finished all the novels and local history, so I moved on to whatever else was left—including a lot of reading on security systems, traps, and a few other… less conventional topics.”

I chuckle. “Not the average girl’s reading list.”

“No. But I was never exactly average, was I?”

I chuckle again, nodding in agreement. “Fair point. I can’t see you sticking to book club reads. But you must’ve done more than just read about them—those techniques you showed me were sharp.”

Her gaze flicks downward. “Once I got to Ironclaw, it felt like the research had a purpose. They take security prettyseriously, but seeing how they protected their pack taught me a lot. They’re advanced—high-tech, adaptable. Even their alphas aren’t above training the way the rest of the pack did. I wanted to learn more, so I did.”

I sense something more there—another reason she buried herself so deeply in learning about security. Something about the way her jaw tightens and her eyes take on that guarded look makes me wonder just what prompted her to dive so deeply into protecting herself.

“Did you feel like you had to know it?” I ask, my voice softer. “Like you’d be safer in Ironclaw if you knew those things?”

She pauses, and I don’t miss the flash of surprise crossing her face before she hides it. “Alec, I was fine,” she replies, waving me off as if it’s nothing. “I didn’t spend my nights trembling in some alleyway. I’m a big girl, believe it or not.”

I take a step closer, holding her gaze. “I do believe it. But it doesn’t mean I won’t ask. I’m the alpha, remember? Looking out for the pack is in my blood.”

She holds my stare, lips pressing into a line like she’s holding back from saying something biting. But then she just shakes her head with a half-smile. “Your concern is noted, Alpha. But I was fine. I’ve moved past the days of being the quiet, nerdy girl everyone liked to shove around.”

I feel that pang of guilt again, realizing just how much she had to change because of what people like me—peopleexactlylike me—did to her. But more than that, I can’t ignore the sense of pride that surfaces seeing her now, confident and capable. The way she carries herself, the fire in her gaze, the way she commands a situation—it’s not something you can fake.

I clear my throat, hoping to shake off the tension lingering between us. “Well, here’s to the grown-up, high-tech, trap-master version of Isadora.” I hold up my hand, trying to offer a truce, or maybe just an acknowledgment of how much things have changed. “Glad to have you on the team.”

She raises an eyebrow but lifts her hand, meeting mine in a firm handshake. “Don’t get too used to it. I’m not planning on setting up traps for East Hills every day.”

I smirk. “I can make it worth your while.”

Her gaze sharpens, and I catch a hint of a challenge there. “Nice try. I already know you’re probably just saying that to get me to finish the job.”

I tilt my head, keeping my tone light. “Fine. I’d still offer, though. Want to get a drink? The least I can do after all your expertise.”

She doesn’t miss a beat before whipping her head from side to side. “I’m busy. Already have plans.”

“Is that so? Here I was, thinking you’d cleared your schedule for more enchanting alpha company.”

She gives me a sarcastic little smile, tilting her head. “Sorry, Alec. I’m not one of your admirers lining up for a date. Besides, I’ve already had enough of your charm to last a lifetime.”

There’s a sting to her words, but I can’t help how my gaze falls to her lips, remembering our kiss at the wedding. It had caught me off-guard—how real it had felt, how right it had felt. But if she also noticed the heat between us, she doesn’t show it now. Her eyes stay cool, locked onto mine, daring me to take a step back.

“Well,” I say, forcing a casual tone, “maybe another time. You know where to find me.”

She offers a curt nod. “Don’t hold your breath, Alpha. But thanks for the assist today.”

Isadora turns, heading down the path back toward the house, leaving me standing there with the faint scent of her lingering in the air. The distance between us may be growing with each step she takes, but something tells me this is just the start.

Watching her disappear into the trees, I can’t help the small, unexpected smile that creeps onto my face. As much as she’d deny it, we make a damn good team.

Chapter 8 - Isadora

Job-hunting shouldn’t be this hard, right? I’ve covered half the town, plastered on a smile at every place that’ll listen, and still… nothing. Luna or not, nobody’s hiring.

The town square buzzes with life as I navigate through it. Honestly, I’ve missed this—the small-town charm, the shopkeepers who still know my name, the feeling of a community. But apparently, job prospects are on the endangered list here, and I’m beginning to wonder if this whole thing was a ridiculous idea. I mean, it’s not like Alec can’t afford for me to take my time. But I’d rather pull my own weight, thank you very much.

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