Page 4 of His Bullied Fated Mate

I just had to make it through the next two years. I had no idea how I was going to break the news to them, but I didn't want them to know. Not until they had to.

“I'm grateful for everything you and Mom have done for me.”

His hand rubbed at my head. “You don't need to be grateful for us loving you. You're our daughter.”

The space fell quiet again, and I chewed on my cheek. I wished things were different. I wished I were just like them so I could belong.

Chapter 1 - Riley

“Happy Birthday!”

I looked up from my desk to find Troy standing in my office doorway. His dark brown hair was combed back, and he gave me a charming smile that I knew the girls fawned over. He looked exactly like he had when we were in high school.

“Nothing says happy birthday like a meeting with my council members,” I grumbled, tossing some papers down.

“The perks of being Alpha.” Troy walked in. He swung into a chair and leaned back. “Do you feel old yet? You’re officially twenty-four. You look old. Maybe you should retire.” He smirked as he said the words.

My life hadn’t changed since I took over as Alpha when I turned twenty. My life had revolved around the pack and trying to take care of it. As if being Alpha wasn’t enough, we had an entirely different issue on our hands.

“You're an asshole.”

He laughed as he gave me a shrug. “You have plans besides the meeting?”

I shook my head. I wasn’t really in the mood to celebrate my birthday. With everything going on in the pack and the council up my ass, I just wanted to be left alone.

“Oh, come on, go out for a beer at least.”

“Is that beer with you?” He is the only person who would understand the pressure I was under.

“I guess it depends on how late your meeting runs.”

I rolled my eyes, knowing that Troy was likely in Riverville to visit his parents. He came in weekly to have dinner with them and stay in touch.

“Why don’t you join us for dinner?” Troy asked. “Maybe it will help with your grumpiness.”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t want to impose.”

“You wouldn’t be. Come on, join us. My mom's making her meatloaf.”

Before I could answer, Thalia knocked on my door. She was the council's secretary. She always seemed to pop up at the worst time.

“Yes, Thalia?” I sat up a little straighter, worried she was about to tell me someone else was at the infirmary, or so other bad news.

“I was told to grab you for the meeting.” She offered a smile. Thalia was a petite, sweet woman, and I wondered how she managed to work with the council members, given their unkindness.

I pulled myself up and looked back at Troy. “I’ll let you know.”

He waved a hand. “Text me.”

I left him in my office and headed down the hallway with Thalia. She walked a step behind me, and I pushed the door open to the council’s room. There were four of them in total: Jasmine, Dean, Laura, and Kelly.

We normally have five, but Cathy stepped down a few months ago, and they hadn’t filled her spot yet. I wasn't sure if they were ever going to, but that was the last thing on our minds. They had more important things on their hands.

All of them were older, with gray hair. Jasmine was short while Laura was tall. Dean had a full beard and mustache, while Kelly was clean-shaven. They were all wearing crisp attire while they waited.

I shut the door behind me and took my seat across from them. The meeting room was small with a rounded table. There were pictures of past council members lining the walls behind them that just made them seem even more powerful. It was like all the council members were staring at you during these meetings. There were no windows, no other doors besides the one behind me.

“Glad you made it.”