Page 37 of Bully Alpha's Pregnant Mate

Dad looks at me, hesitating before he finally says, “One of our patrols got attacked. They’re hurt… badly.”

I inhale sharply, feeling a slow, sinking dread settle over me. He doesn’t have to say anything more; the news is enough to pull every thought back to Alec, to the nagging worry that maybe something’s happened to him, too.

“Was it Alec?” I can barely force the words out, my throat tight.

Dad’s face softens. “No. Alec’s alright. He’s still out there, making sure everyone’s safe.”

I release a shaky breath, and though the relief is immediate, it doesn’t fully ease the anxiety gnawing at me. Alec may be unharmed for now, but I know him—he’ll take this personally and blame himself no matter how much he’s already done to protect the pack.

An hour later, the knock at the door is soft but commanding, and I don’t even need to look to know it’s him. I feel his presence even before my mom opens the door, and then he’s there, filling the entryway with his steady, familiar presence.

Alec’s gaze sweeps over the room before landing on me, and for a second, his expression softens. But I can see the weight in his eyes, something heavy behind those gray stormy orbs.

“We’re on full lockdown,” he announces, addressing my parents. “Patrols are doubled. Scouts will be out all night, watching the perimeter.”

My father nods, giving him a look that’s somewhere between understanding and grim approval. “Good. Whatever this is, Alec, you’ll let us know if there’s anything we can do?”

Alec nods once, and though he’s putting on his alpha face, I know him too well to miss the subtle tension in his stance, the way his hands are clenched just a little too tightly. He’s holding up a wall, keeping everyone calm, and I know he thinks he needs to shoulder it alone.

I take a small step forward. “Alec,” I say softly, and when he looks at me, there’s exhaustion in his eyes that wasn’t there this morning. “Are you alright?”

He tries to give me a reassuring smile, but it’s thin and doesn’t reach his eyes. “I’m fine,” he answers a little too quickly. “Just handling things.”

Without thinking, I reach for his hand, threading my fingers through his, a silent promise that he doesn’t have to bear this alone. “You’re not fine. And you don’t have to be, not here. We’re your family.”

He lets out a breath, and his shoulders drop just a fraction. For a moment, the mask slips. I can see the vulnerability there, the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. He’s trying so hard to be strong for everyone else, but I know that look. He’s shaken, probably even blaming himself.

“It’s just…seeing one of our own like that.” His voice drops to barely a whisper, rough with guilt. “We did everything we could to protect them, and still…” He trails off, and his eyes cloud with frustration and something darker.

I squeeze his hand. My heart breaks for him. “Alec, this isn’t your fault. You’re doing everything you can. You can’t be everywhere at once.”

He meets my gaze, his expression desperate as if he’s hoping I’ll somehow have an answer or a way to make this easier. “Sometimes it doesn’t feel like enough, Izzy. No matter what I do, there’s always something waiting just around the corner.”His hand tightens around mine. “It’s like I’m constantly fighting shadows, and I’m always a step behind.”

I tighten my grip, grounding him in the only way I know how. “Then we’ll just keep going until we’re not. Whatever it takes, Alec. We’ll get through this together.”

He stares at me, and for a second, the tension eases, replaced by a glimmer of relief. I can see he’s letting himself believe it, letting himself trust that he’s not alone in this.

My dad steps closer, clearing his throat. “If you need anything, anything at all, we’re here, Alec. This is all of us fighting, not just you.”

Alec nods, his voice stronger now. “Thank you. For now, stay here, keep watch. I’ll make sure you’re updated on any changes.”

There’s a murmur of agreement from my family, but my gaze stays on Alec. He’s trying to be the alpha, to stand strong, but I see past it to the vulnerability he keeps hidden from everyone else. I’m the only one he lets close enough to see it.

As he turns to leave, I take a step forward, reaching out to catch his arm. He pauses, glancing back, and for a moment, it’s just us, the world falling away as we stand in the silent understanding that’s been growing between us.

“Be careful,” I whisper.

Alec gives me a small smile, softer this time, letting down his guard just enough for me to see the man beneath. “Always,” he murmurs, reaching up to brush a strand of hair from my face. His touch lingers in a silent promise.

And then he’s gone, slipping back into the night with a final glance over his shoulder. I watch him until he disappears from sight, feeling the quiet resolve settle over me.

Whatever comes next, we’ll face it together.

Chapter 17 - Alec

By the time the sun’s barely up, I’m already elbow-deep in managing what feels like the world’s longest to-do list. The unprovoked attack on one of our pack members a few days ago hasn’t just rattled everyone—it’s shaken my patience down to its foundation. There’s this relentless, insatiable need to get everything locked down and fortified so everyone knows they’re safe. So I know they’re safe.

“Still with me, boss?” Quincey’s voice breaks through my thoughts as he steps in, holding a steaming mug of coffee in each hand. He hands one to me, eyebrows raised. “Because I don’t think that coffee machine has had a chance to cool in the last twelve hours.”

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