Page 46 of Bully Alpha's Pregnant Mate

I bite the inside of my cheek, trying to brush it off. “Well, he’s been busy, okay? And it’s just different now. We’re in an arrangement. He probably just feels obligated.”

Lianne rolls her eyes. “You are so unbelievably thick sometimes, Izzy. This isn’t ‘obligation’ talking. You’re practically all he talks about, and the way he looks at you? If that isn’t being crazy about you, I don’t know what is.”

I laugh, waving them off. “You two are the ones that are crazy. Look, if he were that smitten, he’d say something, wouldn’t he? He’d… do more.”

Janelle raises a brow, crossing her arms. “Define ‘more,’ because bringing you tea, practically quarantining the packhouse so you don’t get disturbed, and calling us every hour for updates is already above and beyond in my book.”

I can feel my cheeks heating up as I glance away. “He didn’t really call you every hour.”

“Oh, yes, he did,” Lianne chimes in, all too happy to rub it in. “He even asked if we could make sure you didn’t lift a finger,even if you tried to guilt-trip us into letting you get up. The guy knows you too well.”

I sit there, frowning, unable to come up with a good retort. Because, okay, yes, Alec has been more attentive than I ever would have expected. And, yes, he’s gone out of his way to keep me from burning out. But that doesn’t mean he’s head-over-heels or anything. He’s just taking our arrangement seriously. That’s all.

Janelle nudges me with her elbow, smirking. “Admit it. He cares about you, Izzy, and not just because of this whole alpha and luna thing. He’s got it bad.”

I roll my eyes again, shifting under their combined scrutiny. “Alright, maybe he’s a little… invested. But it’s not like he’s serenading me under the moonlight or anything. You two are blowing this way out of proportion.”

“Oh, please,” Lianne laughs. “He’s practically serenading you with how much he’s been doting on you. And since when are you so oblivious, anyway?”

I open my mouth to protest again, but Janelle cuts me off with a dramatic sigh. “Look, we’re not saying he’s going to start writing sonnets or anything. But Izzy, you don’t see the way he looks at you when you’re not watching. And trust me, that’s not the look of a man bound by obligation.”

I bite my lip, feeling an unwelcome flutter in my chest. “Fine. Maybe he’s just a little softer lately. Maybe he’s trying to make things better after, you know, years of being a royal pain.”

Lianne snorts. “I think we’ve moved beyond ‘making things better’ and into ‘my sister’s got herself a lovestruck alpha’ territory.”

I shake my head, feeling the heat creeping up my neck. “You two are reading way too much into this.”

Janelle shrugs, a smirk playing on her lips. “Maybe. Or maybe you’re just in denial because you’re scared it’s real.”

I open my mouth to protest, but the words stick in my throat. Because what if they’re right? What if Alec actually does care more than I’ve let myself believe? And if that’s true… what then?

Before I can start spiraling, Janelle nudges me with a grin. “Relax, sis. We’re not saying you have to plan a future or anything. Just acknowledge it. Let yourself see what’s right in front of you.”

I sigh, a reluctant smile tugging at my lips. “Fine. I’ll try to keep an open mind. But don’t expect me to start swooning.”

“Oh, we wouldn’t dream of it,” Lianne teases, laughing. “But maybe Alec will surprise you. He seems to be good at that.”

I glance away, unable to shake the little flutter in my chest. Because despite my best efforts, my sisters have a point. Maybe Alec isn’t just being dutiful. Maybe, just maybe, he’s genuinely invested in the two of us.

Janelle stands up, grabbing the empty soup bowl with a triumphant grin. “Good talk, sis. Glad we cleared that up.”

I roll my eyes, laughing. “You’re both impossible, you know that?”

“Yeah, but we’re also right.” Lianne smirks, ruffling my hair as she heads toward the door. “And if you don’t believe us, just watch how he is with you next time you’re together. You might surprise yourself. We’ll be right downstairs if you need us. Get some sleep.”

They leave me alone with my thoughts, and as much as I hate to admit it, I can’t shake the little thrill that rises at the idea. Because if Alec really does care, maybe there’s more to this whole “arrangement” than I thought.

My stomach turns suddenly, that familiar, nauseating lurch hitting me like a wave. I’m halfway to the bathroom before I even have time to process what’s happening, barely making it before I’m doubled over, gripping the sink as the last remnants of soup and tea make a not-so-elegant reappearance.

“Oh, yikes,” Janelle’s voice echoes from the doorway, wincing as she peeks in. “That didn’t sound pleasant.”

Lianne appears right behind her, sympathy plastered all over her face. “Definitely not just a little bug, Izzy.”

I groan, wiping my mouth and taking the water Janelle holds out. “It’s probably just something I ate.”

They exchange a look that, frankly, makes me want to throw up all over again.

“Or…” Lianne begins, her tone way too amused. “It could be something else.”

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