Page 50 of Bully Alpha's Pregnant Mate

I swallow, but Alec’s hand, still resting at my back, reassures me. “Then we’re prepared to handle it,” I reply. “Our shifters will maintain a safe distance, ready to redirect it if necessary. This isn’t about confronting it directly. It’s about using its instincts to lead us to where it came from.”

Gray’s gaze moves to Alec. “You support this idea?” There’s a hint of challenge in his tone, as though he’s testing Alec’s judgment as much as mine.

Alec nods without hesitation. “I do. Isadora’s put a lot of thought into this, and she has the skills and knowledge to back it up. This isn’t a risk we’d take without preparation.”

Damien still doesn’t look convinced. “And how are you planning to ensure everyone’s safety if this ‘tracking’ gets out of hand?”

I draw in a steadying breath. “We’ll have a series of safe points along the route. If the demon strays too far off-course or if things start looking dangerous, we’ll fall back to these points and regroup. This way, we’ll keep the risk contained.”

Damien exchanges a skeptical glance with Gray. “You’re betting on a lot of ifs here.”

“If we don’t take action, the risks remain the same,” I counter, meeting his gaze head-on. “We’ve already seen that waiting doesn’t work. We need to find this portal and close it. And right now, this is our best chance to do that.”

Gray shifts in his seat. “And if we agree to this, what exactly do you need from us?”

“Support,” I say simply, but my words carry the weight of what that truly means. “We need the resources to carry this out safely. Backup if things get out of hand, and the freedom to act without delay.”

For a moment, there’s silence. The room feels heavy with the weight of their consideration. Finally, Gray nods, though his expression remains guarded. “Alright, Isadora. You’ve got Red Arrow’s support.”

Damien’s gaze softens, if only slightly, as he gives a begrudging nod. “And Starfire Hollow’s. Jade has had nothing but good things to say about you. I trust her judgment.”

A thrill of relief and excitement surges through me, but I keep my expression steady, nodding to Damien and Gray in turn. “Thank you,” I say. “I promise I won’t let you down.”

As the meeting disperses, Alec leans close to whisper, “You did it, Isadora.”

I let out a shaky breath, and a smile tugs at my lips. “I can’t believe they agreed. I thought they’d tear the whole plan apart.”

“They saw your conviction,” he murmurs. “And they believe in you.”

As the council members file out, Alec and I linger in the now-quiet hall. The tension that’s been coiling in my chest finally loosens as I let out a long, relieved breath. I feel a warmth in my cheeks as I look up at him, a sense of accomplishment blooming. A mix of disbelief and thrill that’s hard to shake.

“Thank you for… everything,” I say, my voice softer now that it’s just the two of us in the nearly empty hall.

His eyes meet mine, holding a rare intensity. “I didn’t do anything you couldn’t have done yourself,” he replies, though there’s unmistakable pride in his voice. “You’ve got this, Isadora. I’ve never doubted that.”

He reaches for my hand, his fingers closing around mine in a comforting grip, and we step out into the cool night air. As we make our way back to the house, the sounds of the town fade into the quiet of the forest path. The stillness around us feels grounding, and for the first time all evening, my pulse slows as my nerves begin to settle.

By the time we reach the house, the sense of relief is heady. Alec’s hand doesn’t leave mine as he pushes open the door. Once inside, he lets out a long breath, giving me alook filled with warmth and something else—something deeper, almost reverent. My stomach flips as I feel myself flush under his gaze.

“I just hope this actually works,” I comment.

He tilts his head, and that same warm, faint smile lifts his lips as he studies me. “You know it will. I’ve seen what you’re capable of.”

There’s so much sincerity in his words that it catches me off-guard, and before I can think twice, I pull him down into a kiss. It starts soft, but the emotion behind it—relief, gratitude, excitement—rushes forward. I press closer, letting it deepen as I wrap my arms around him.

He pulls me in flush against his chest. His embrace is strong and steady, holding me like he’s afraid to let go. In that moment, everything else fades away, and it’s just us, wrapped up in a promise we’re only beginning to understand. When he slips his tongue past my lips, a soft moan escapes me. I let him part them further, letting him explore every inch. His hands trail up the sides of my waist, leaving a trail of fire across my skin, and my hips instinctively grind into him.

He pulls back for a moment, and when his gaze meets mine, it sends a rush of heat straight to my core. He runs a hand through his hair, and I watch as the muscles in his arm ripple beneath the sleeve of his shirt.

“Isadora,” he says, his voice low and raspy, “you don’t know what you do to me.”

I give a little smile. “Why don’t you show me?”

With that, the last of his restraint crumbles. His eyes flash silver, and a low growl rumbles from his chest. He closes the gapbetween us, his hand wrapping around the back of my neck. The force of his kiss takes my breath away.

As he backs me against the wall, I let him take control. His tongue delves into my mouth, claiming me with a ferocity that has me melting into him. His body is solid and warm, pressing against me. Every inch of him is pure muscle.

He breaks the kiss, trailing hot, wet kisses down the column of my throat. I whimper as he finds a particularly sensitive spot. He growls, and the vibration makes my nipples tighten and ache.

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