The Alpha’s Bullied Mate (Bluebell Valley Wolves #1)

Chapter 32 - Hayden

The hurt and confusion in Mica’s eyes haunted Hayden as his body shuffled through the archdemon’s plans. It was as though he was in a nightmare, where he knew he was dreaming, but unable to change events. This was more vivid; everything was in perfect clarity, and he could choose a handful of his actions, but the demon loitered there, blocking him from doing anything to reveal its presence.

Hayden couldn’t even speak out loud to himself when alone. No, the demon wouldn’t let that—it was aware that someone could be lingering nearby who might overhear.

What do you even want? He asked as he laid the plans back on Monroe’s desk.

I would think that was fairly obvious.

What do you want from me specifically?

The demon laughed. The pack likes you more than Monroe. It will be easier to convince them to do what you say. Or at least, what they think you say. It’s a rather elegant solution, don’t you think?

Hayden ground his teeth and slumped into a nearby chair. The demon’s knowledge filtered through his mind like sunlight through trees. At some points, things seemed to come through in a bright burst, but for the most part, the demon held it back. All Hayden knew was that he planned to destroy the stele and kill the possessed wolves.

They had all been locked away. It wouldn’t take much for Hayden to convince the rest of the pack that there was no saving them. All he had to do was persuade Mica to share with him how she pulled the demon out of Echo… and then, when he made a big display out of trying the ritual again, have something go awry.

Then their blood will be spilled, and their sacrifice will give me the means to create a form of my own. Oh, you’re a decent enough specimen for a wolf. But I prefer to sculpt a fresh body based on my own specifications.

Hayden let out a heavy sigh. And then?

The transfer of my soul to my new body will kill you. Your torment will be over. It’s rather kind of me, don’t you think? The demon laughed.

Fucker. I’ll find a way to stop you. He growled low in his chest, but it was as though there was a barrier between him and his wolf; he couldn’t feel it.

How will you stop me when I’m in your head?

Hayden had no answer. How was he going to defeat the demon? He and the team had faced an archdemon only once before, and it hadn’t had this level of control. And now, with Finn out of commission, he had nobody who could know he was possessed. How long until Finn recovered and would be back?

What makes you think the half-demon will survive? He was trampled and gored. Every second his heart still beats is one second closer to when it stops. You can’t stop me, Hayden. Nobody can see what’s happening with you. The demon yawned, sounding bored. I have all the time in the world.

Hayden’s heart sank. He had no idea of who else might be possessed, either. Had any of his team been taken? Who else in the pack would know him well enough to see the change in his behavior?

Would his behavior even change?

Sitting here in despair wouldn’t help. It would only make the demon’s hold on him stronger. He couldn’t just give up! So long as he was breathing, he could fight. Gather intel. Like—

Zealuv.

Hayden clenched his hands. So that’s your name?

My name? No. You can call me Zealuv anyway.

It was the first time he’d known a demon to claim a title that wasn’t stolen from their host. He lifted his hand to run his hand through his hair—but it didn’t move. It remained on his lap. His fingers unclenched, and the muscles through his body loosened the tension. A cold feeling swept through him like ice water dripping down his spine.

He snarled, reaching for his wolf. The barrier between them grew opaque. Zealuv laughed in his mind. That nightmare feeling grew stronger as Zealuv stood, stretching his arms over his head.

No matter how hard Hayden fought, he couldn’t break free. It was as though he was being cut off from his own body. With a start, he realized that was exactly what was happening. Possession was more than sharing his body with another being. Zealuv was literally rewriting his nervous system, cutting him off. That’s why he felt so cold… his nerves were being turned away from his brain.

The door opened, and Maverick came into the house. His arm was in a sling, and a nasty cut trailed the length of his face. His shoulders slumped, and he swayed on the spot.

There was no red aura around him. Relief washed through Hayden. He could see who was possessed—not that it did him much good. But at least he’d know which of his team was still free.

“Alpha.” Maverick nodded toward him. “Mica sent me to check on you.”

“How long has it been?” Hayden asked.

Maverick nodded to the window. The light was pale grey. “You’ve been here all night. She’s worried for you.”

How sweet, Zealuv mocked.

“Tell her I’m fine.”

“She says if you don’t come home, she’s going to come here and drag you back,” Maverick said. A fond smile crossed his face. “You certainly chose a spitfire, Hayden. I think she’ll try it, too.”

She would. Hayden started to smile, but the coldness through his body stopped him. She’s my mate because she’s your mate, and now I am you. With how he was rapidly losing control of his own body, how could he protect Mica from Zealuv? His heart remained steady, his body not responding to the distress he found himself in.

“Hayden?” Maverick asked.

“Bring her here,” Hayden said, his voice monotone. “I don’t need for her to start weakening my position. The pack expects an Alpha’s mate to listen to him, not the other way around.”

Maverick seemed surprised but bowed his head again.

Oh, are we going to discipline her? Zealuv laughed.

Determination swept through Hayden’s mind. He might not be able to warn anyone or stop Zealuv’s plans, but there was one thing he could do. And that was to get Mica out of here and far away. He was not going to let the archdemon make her his prey!

And you think you can stop me? Zealuv taunted. I, however, can stop you.

Hayden ground his teeth, control of his body restored, at least for now. You have better things to do than to worry about Mica. She’s inconsequential to your plans. Besides that, if anyone notices something off about me, it’s her. So no, you’re not going to stop me.

Mica would get out of here.

He went to the window and stared out. Zealuv was oddly quiet but he didn’t ponder too much on that. The question was, how could he get Mica to leave? She would refuse if he told her to go to the city. She called herself a coward, but she’d come racing to the challenge ground with nothing but a bucket of salt!

No. She was no coward. She wasn’t going to leave, not unless he gave her a good reason to. Without being able to tell her that he was possessed, how could he convince her to go? Maybe Zealuv was quiet because the archdemon was waiting for him to figure that out on his own.

The door opened again. The familiar sound of Mica’s feet padded across the wooden floor. And that was when he realized what he had to do. There was one way to make her leave him. And that was to break her heart.

She loved him. She’d stay for him. Unless… unless he gave her every reason to leave.

His heart ached at the thought. But as Mica drew nearer, he hardened his resolve. If this was the only way to protect her, then he would do it. Nothing was more important than her safety. If Zealuv was going to take Bluebell Valley, then at least Mica wouldn’t be here to watch it. She wouldn’t be here when the others figured out what was happening and tore him to pieces.

“Hayden?” Mica’s hand rested on his arm. “You look exhausted. Come home and get some rest.”

Hayden pulled away from her. He hardened his expression as he turned to her. She gave him a small smile and leaned forward to kiss him. His skin crawled at the idea of Zealuv being able to experience the feel of her lips. He quickly sidestepped, making her stumble slightly. Instinctually, he grabbed her elbow to steady her. But when she reached for him again, he dropped her arm and moved from her path.

“I don’t need you to try to mother me,” he said coldly. “I told you that I had things to do. I don’t need you running around acting as though I can’t take care of myself.”

Mica’s eyes widened. She dropped her hand. “I’m sorry. It’s just that you’re injured and—”

“And what? You think I’m too weak to handle it?” he snapped.

Mica shook her head. “No. Not at all. It’s just me being overly concerned. Were you able to get some sleep, though?”

Her concern pricked something inside of him. Fuck! What was this? They had just found each other. He hadn’t even told her he loved her. Why hadn’t he told her that? He loved her strength and resilience. He loved the way she could stand so tall and proud, despite everything that happened to her. He loved the way her eyes flamed when she was angry. He loved the softness in her mouth when she was reaching out to him.

Mica had gone through hell. Even when she was telling him that she was a coward and begging him to run away with her, how could he blame her? This pack had put her through hell and yet she stayed. She asked him to save Elin. she worked with him to take care of the wolves who came to him for protection.

She owed them nothing. Yet, even though the pack’s treatment of her should have killed off any compassion she had, she was still the strongest woman he’d ever met. And now he would never be able to tell her that.

“I just told you not to fucking mother me,” he snarled, a growl deep in his chest. The pain at his own words ripped through him, but he pushed on. “Are you fucking stupid?”

Her eyes widened further. “Hayden!”

“Apparently, you are,” he said. The words were bitter on his tongue, but he hardened his resolve.

This was, for her sake, her protection.

It’s also a lot of fun, Zealuv said. I love a good bit of drama. Maybe you should hit her…. or I should. It’ll look the same to her either way.

Hayden snarled again, momentarily distracted from his plan. Fear spiked through him. Zealuv had already proven that he could take full control of Hayden’s body already, albeit only in brief spurts. What if he did worse than his threat?

Something in his expression must have changed. Because the shock faded from Mica’s face. Instead, concern took its place.

“Something’s wrong. What happened? Is this still because of our fight?” She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I love you, Hayden. I love you so much, and I couldn’t get over my own fear. Everything has been so confusing and hard. But I love you.”

“That’s very nice,” Hayden answered, making his voice colder than ever. “But I don’t love you, Mica. I never did. I never will.”

She fell back a step, her mouth dropping open. “Hayden…”

“You were a means to an end. A pleasant means, sure.” Hayden shook his head, making himself smile even as he watched her heartbreak, and his broke with hers. “But that’s all you are. Something to fuck and parade in front of the pack.”