Page 39 of Bully Alpha's Pregnant Mate

I nod, setting my jaw. “They won’t get another chance. We’ll set up extra posts around here, make sure we have eyes on this spot 24/7 until we know exactly who’s testing us.”

Kai exchanges a look with Quincey, her eyes glinting. “Consider it done.”

We spend the next hour circling back through the northern edge of the woods, making notes on weak points and other areas that could use more coverage. By the time we make it back to the main territory, I’m feeling the exhaustion start to settle in, but it’s nothing a bit of adrenaline and a strong cup of coffee won’t solve.

Quincey claps me on the shoulder as we head back toward the central grounds. “Take a break when you can, Alec. Even alphas need sleep.”

“I will,” I lie, knowing full well I won’t be resting anytime soon.

Kai gives me a smirk, reading me like a book. “Sure you will. We’ll believe it when we see it.”

With a final nod, I watch them head back toward the patrol’s headquarters. But even as they leave, I feel the weight of this responsibility settle a little heavier on my shoulders. There’s no way I can rest, not when the pack’s safety is on the line.

As I continue my route through the forest, I keep my senses sharp, tuned to every rustle of leaves, every distant call of birds. Whatever’s lurking out here, it won’t get the jump on us. Not while I’m on watch.

By the time I finish my last patrol, I feel like a shell of myself. Days have blended into one endless routine of patrols, emergency meetings, and back-to-back shifts with little more than adrenaline to keep me going. Quincey, Kai, every member on border duty—they’ve all been giving it everything they’ve got. Even then, it doesn’t feel like enough.

Every time I close my eyes, I see the attack replayed, the panic in the eyes of those who trusted me. I can’t shake the weight of it, and no amount of strategy meetings or reinforcements seems to make it any lighter.

When I finally get back into town, hoping for a quick bite to eat, I see Isadora standing outside the house, arms crossed, her expression somewhere between concerned and determined. The moment her ocean blues lock with mine, I can feel her silent demand cutting through every excuse I have.

“You need rest,” she declares before I can get a word out. Her tone brooks no argument, but I still try to muster one.

“Isadora,” I begin, trying to sound half as in control as I feel I should be, “I can’t just walk away now. There’s too much at stake, and I—”

“No.” She steps forward, and her hand closes around mine as her eyes search my face. “You’ve done enough, Alec. More than enough. But the pack needs you strong, not exhausted. Please. Just come inside. Take a break.”

I shake my head, running a hand through my hair, barely able to hold back my frustration. “You don’t get it, Isadora. I’m supposed to be their alpha. Their protector. And I’ve failed. Someone got hurt—seriously hurt—and I can’t just leave them like that.”

“Alec,” she says quietly, her gaze not letting up. “You’re a shifter, yes, but you’re also human. You’re not some invincible leader who can be everywhere all at once. And even if you were, you’ve given everything to this pack. They know it, I know it. You’re holding yourself to a standard no one else expects you to meet.”

My throat tightens as her words settle. I let out a shaky breath, feeling the frustration and guilt that have been festeringall week threaten to break free. “I should’ve done more. They depended on me, Isadora. And I wasn’t there when it mattered.”

“Stop it,” she demands, and the fierceness in her voice catches me off guard. “You did everything you could. One attack doesn’t define your entire leadership, and it sure as hell doesn’t make you a failure. You need to stop carrying all of this alone.”

I search her face, wanting to argue, to tell her that she doesn’t understand the weight of this responsibility, but the unwavering resolve in her expression stops me. She doesn’t look like she’s going to let this go, and a part of me—one I’ve tried to ignore—feels relieved.

I sigh, letting some of the tension drain as I finally let her lead me inside. The warmth of the house feels strange, almost unfamiliar after spending so many nights out patrolling in the cold. I can barely remember the last time I sat down, let alone felt a sense of peace.

We settle onto the edge of the bed. For a moment, she just sits beside me in silence with her hand on my shoulder, steady and grounding. I didn’t realize how much I needed that touch until it’s there, anchoring me to the present.

“I know you feel responsible,” she comments as her fingers trace soothing patterns along my back, “but you’re not in this alone, Alec. You have people around you who care, who want to help. You have a whole pack that trusts you.”

I close my eyes. The exhaustion is pressing down even heavier, making it harder to hold onto the guilt and frustration I’ve carried since that attack. “I don’t want to let anyone down. Not after everything this pack has already been through.”

“You won’t,” she says softly, and there’s a quiet confidence in her voice that somehow makes me believe her. “The pack knows what you’ve done for them. My family…they’re grateful to have you here. They’ve seen everything you’ve sacrificed.”

“Family…” The word barely makes it out, feeling strange on my tongue, like it belongs to someone else. For years, I’ve kept that part of myself locked up, figured it was just me, Jade, and the pack. That was all I needed. But being here, surrounded by Isadora’s family and their compassion and care over the last few days, it’s like stepping into a world I’d convinced myself I’d never need again.

“Your family has treated me better than I deserve,” I say, the admission slipping out before I can stop it. And it’s true. Her mother has fussed over me like I’m one of her own, her dad’s quiet nods carry a surprising depth, and her sisters treat me like a person, not just the alpha. All these small, unremarkable gestures—a book recommendation, a shared meal, a casual shoulder clap—they hit me in ways I haven’t let myself feel in years.

“They care about you, Alec, and you do deserve it,” Isadora says. “They see how hard you’re fighting for all of us. They want to make sure you’re okay.”

“It’s strange,” I admit, not even trying to hide the rough edge in my voice. “I haven’t really had this since…” I trail off, swallowing hard. “It’s been a long time. I thought I’d gotten used to being alone since my parents died when those rogues attacked Starfire Hollow. I got used to it after my sister was banished for her magic, and it was just me left in my old pack. And then here I am, having dinner with your family, and it’s like a reminder of everything I didn’t realize I’d been missing.”

Her hand tightens around mine, and she looks up at me with an understanding that goes deeper than words. “Youdeserve to have people in your corner, Alec. You’ve given so much. Now it’s time for you to let others support you, too.”

For a moment, all I can do is stare at her, taking in the sincerity in her eyes, the warmth in her touch, and the quiet strength that seems to wrap around me like a protective barrier. I’ve never let myself rely on anyone before, but with her, it feels right.

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