Page 17 of Bully Alpha's Pregnant Mate

I’m turning the corner past the bakery, eyeing a possible “Help Wanted” sign, when a familiar voice cuts through the street noise.

“Oh my gosh! Isadora?”

I nearly groan. That chirpy, fake-sweet tone could only belong to one person.

I plaster on a polite smile, turning just in time to see Molly Walker—the high school queen bee from Starfire Hollow turned grown-up menace—grinning as she struts toward me, her heels clicking obnoxiously against the pavement. She looks… well, the same as ever. Blond curls, tight dress, a look that practically screams,Don’t you wish you were me?

I almost keep walking, but her high-pitched laugh halts me.

“It’s been ages, hasn’t it?” Molly says.

“Yeah,” I manage, trying to keep my tone neutral. “Long time.”

She tilts her head, eyes narrowing slightly as she studies me, like she’s looking for a flaw, something to nitpick. “I heard the big news. Congratulations on snagging Alec.”

There it is. The “congratulations” sounded almost genuine until I caught the gleam in her eyes.

I force a tight smile. “Thanks. It was…unexpected.”

“Oh, I’ll bet.” She lets out another tinkling laugh, one that sounds about as real as the tan she’s sporting. “I mean, out of everyone, it’s you! Never thought Alec would go for…” She trails off, sweeping her eyes over me from head to toe, judgment practically oozing out of every pore. “For someone so… grounded.”

I swallow the instinct to snap at her. “Guess things change.”

Molly crosses her arms, leaning in just a bit too close. “Alec always did have a thing for… projects. I’m sure you’ll keep him entertained, for a while at least.” She grins, clearly enjoying herself. “But I wouldn’t get too comfortable. You know Alec… he gets bored easily.”

A surge of irritation boils in my chest, but I keep my face blank. This is exactly what she wants, to get a reaction. I won’t give her that satisfaction.

“Molly, it’s sweet of you to worry,” I say, forcing calm into my voice, “but I think we’ll be fine.”

Her smile only widens. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll do your best. But you know, Alec has… tastes. And let’s just say I doubt a little library mouse like you will keep him interested long.”

“Library mouse.” The nickname I thought I’d left behind long ago rears its ugly head again, and I feel the familiar sting ofinsecurity. I take a deep breath, reminding myself that I’m not that shy girl hiding behind novels anymore.

She continues, unbothered, her gaze flicking to the shop window beside us, where our reflections stare back. “I mean, you’re adorable, really,” she says, adjusting a stray curl. “But don’t you think it’s a little bit of a stretch for Alec?”

It takes everything I have not to roll my eyes. “Not really,” I lie through my teeth. “He seems pretty happy.”

“Oh, sure.” Molly waves a perfectly manicured hand as though she finds the very idea amusing. “For now. But trust me, sweetie, being with an alpha is challenging. And when he realizes… well, let’s just say you might find him slipping back into old habits.” Her lips curl into a knowing smile, her eyes gleaming with delight. “I mean, alphas need excitement. And if I remember right, you were never much of a thrill.”

The words hit harder than I’d like to admit, dredging up old insecurities. I’d hoped, foolishly maybe, that people like Molly would have moved past this kind of cruelty, but here she is, still going strong. I square my shoulders, refusing to give her the satisfaction of seeing me rattled.

“Molly, I think I can handle my own marriage, thanks.”

She lets out a soft laugh, tilting her head like she’s observing a curious animal. “Oh, I don’t doubt you’ll try. But sweetie, the things alphas need? It takes a bit more than a wedding band to keep them interested.” Her gaze flicks pointedly down the street, where a few pack members are gathered. “Trust me, he’ll come around. Eventually.”

There’s something in her voice, a hint of something maliciously hopeful. And I realize, with sudden clarity, that Molly isn’t just in town to rattle me. She’s waiting for me to fail—no, expecting me to fail. And she’s traveled all the way here from Starfire Hollow to see it happen in person.

I force myself to breathe, reminding myself that Alec’s past with Molly is just that—past. But her words have struck a nerve, and I can feel that old doubt surfacing. Memories of feeling insignificant, of being dismissed.

I clear my throat. “Well, lucky for me, I’m not the same girl I was back then, and Alec’s not the same guy, either.”

Her smile falters just a fraction. “You really believe that, don’t you?” she asks, her tone laced with condescension. “Well, I guess there’s no harm in a little hope. Just… don’t say I didn’t warn you when reality hits.” She gives a mock-sympathetic pat to my shoulder. “Some of us just aren’t meant for this world, Isadora. But hey, at least you’ll have a nice story to tell.”

She saunters off, leaving her words hanging in the air, thick and heavy. I stare after her, a mixture of anger and frustration bubbling inside. As much as I hate to admit it, she’s struck a chord. Her words aren’t just petty jabs; they’re reminders of the insecurities I thought I’d buried.

The truth is, I seriously doubt Alec has changed much, but I suck in a breath, refusing to let her get to me. She doesn’t know me. She has no idea what I’ve been through, how hard I’ve worked to be here. And Alec… well, he’s a different story. But I won’t let her shake me.

I turn away, shaking off the encounter as best I can, though her voice still echoes in my mind. I have a job to find, a life to build here in East Hills. Molly can cling to her petty games if she wants, but I’m done with them.

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