Page 28 of Brutal Alpha Beast (Roseville Alphas #2)

The pack has been pitching in and bringing us meals, but tonight, Danielle decides that she wants to cook.

We’ve been recuperating for the past few days, spending most of our time sleeping, which I tried to avoid, but the battle with the shadow monsters has truly taken its toll.

As soon as we got back, I instructed Aaron to get a doctor to check on Danielle and the baby to make sure they are okay.

Luckily, they’re fine, but the doctor prescribed her some medication and a lot of rest.

Spending three whole days doing nothing but lie next to Danielle and hold her, for Ellis, the Alpha leader, is a nightmare, but for Ellis, her husband and biggest fan, it’s a dream come true.

“It’s ready, she calls!”

I come downstairs, moving quickly—relieved to feel my strength returning.

I smile.

The smell is mouthwatering.

Spread out on the table is a rack of lamb, potatoes, and sauteed greens.

“Wow,” I say.

She smiles at me with that bewitching look that could have whole packs falling to their knees.

“I used magic to help speed things along a little, but ta-da.”

I lean over and kiss her cheek.

“I thought I lost you, you know,” I tell her. “When the water came flooding through, and I couldn’t see. For a second, I thought I lost you both.”

I bring my hand to her stomach, to our child.

I feel so much love for our baby already.

“But you didn’t,” she says. “Somehow, we figured that whole thing out.”

She leans against me.

“Honestly, the whole thing feels like a fever dream now.”

I hold her tighter. “Good,” I respond. “Let's keep it that way. A nightmare, in our past.”

“But it wasn’t all a nightmare,” she says, her voice buttery and smooth.

“No.”

Her lips are inches away from mine, plump, sweet, and I can’t help but bend down to meet them with mine.

I kiss her as I hold her in place against the kitchen counter. Her mouth feels like home. My wolf is starting to rise, and I feel hungry, and she kisses me back with force.

But then I remember that she’s recuperating. I stop.

“Let’s eat your delicious food,” I say.

She’s cooling down her breathing, running a hand through her perfect head of curls.

“Yeah,” she says. “And once we’re done, I want to give some leftovers to Monroe.”

***

It feels good to get out and walk. I have an urge to shift and run, but the doctor told me that I also have to cool it for a little while.

It sucks. It feels like going against my nature, but I have more than just myself to worry about being healthy for now.

Danielle is carrying a box of leftovers in her hands, and I keep her steady with my arm hanging loosely around her back.

It’s hard to go too long without touching each other. I constantly want her in my arms and by my side. And I know that she’s strong, that she hates feeling weak. It’s not just to protect her—it’s to be close.

I’ve never been a touchy guy. Then I re-met Danielle.

Once we arrive at the coven, the atmosphere is better than it’s been in a while. Witches are out chatting, walking the grounds, drinking, and laughing. There are fairy lights everywhere, and the faint sound of folk music circulates through the space.

Some of the witches come to greet us, and it’s good to see so many smiling faces.

“How are you both?”

“Danielle, you look amazing.”

Danielle laughs. “I don’t feel it, but I’m getting there.”

She spends some time catching up with her friends, and soon, Penelope joins, flashing me a knowing smile.

The head witch has grown on me. I consider her a friend.

“It’s good to see you back on your feet,” she says.

“It feels good to be back. How are the warriors over here getting on?”

“Healing,” she says. “And on your end?”

“Healing, too,” I respond. “I want to say thank you for your help. As allies, you’ve pulled through.”

Penelope tilts her head a little, nodding in agreement. “As you have. We couldn’t have done this without you.”

“Okay,” I frown. I keep my voice hushed, careful not to disrupt the light vibe of the space and of Danielle, who’s laughing with her friends beside me.

“But the fact that this is the second time makes me think this isn’t the end.

That was a fragment of Willow’s heart. What if there are other fragments elsewhere? ”

“I’m sure there’s more,” Penelope says thoughtfully. “And we’ll be prepared for that time when it comes.”

“Right,” I respond. “But maybe we can prepare in advance, so that we’ll have an advantage. This time was close, too close.”

Penelope’s mouth widens into a subtle grin, and she steps forward, placing one hand on my forearm. “Little word of advice, Alpha, you gotta take the rare moments of calm when they come. They're what we go through all the trouble for.”

She cranes her neck over at Danielle, who’s glowing. She’s right.

Danielle’s my life’s purpose now.

After a little while, we head over to Monroe’s cabin.

I’m having bad flashbacks of a knife almost being jammed into my chest, but once Monroe opens the door and wraps Danielle into a hug, I forget all about it.

“Oh, Danielle. Words can’t even-”

“Shh,” she hushes, “I’m just glad you’re okay. And we’ve bought you food.”

“Thank you,” she sighs. Then she looks over at me. “I’m sorry for almost killing you, Ellis. Both of you. Gosh, all the memories are slowly coming in drips, and I can’t even believe that my body could do those things. It’s awful.”

“It’s nothing,” I say. “I sent your ass to sleep with that dreamroot.”

“Good!” She exclaims. “Please come inside.”

We enter, and Danielle begins heating up the food. The place looks significantly messier than the last time I saw it.

“How are you getting on?” Danielle asks.

“Not great,” she says, and I notice a slight hobble in her walk. “I don’t know what that evil bitch Willow did to me, but she took a lot out of me. I’ve never felt this crap before. It’s like my whole life source has been drained.”

Danielle darts me a concerned look.

“Have you not been getting better?”

“Not yet,” she says, shaking her head. “And I appreciate the food, but I can’t keep much down at the moment.”

Danielle turns, her eyebrows furrowing.

“Monroe, that’s not good. Have you spoken to a doctor, or had any of our sisters take a look at you?”

“I’m fine,” she shrugs. “The doctor said what I told you, that my life force has just been a little drained. You know, when you don’t actually have your magic formed yet, healing tends to take some more time.”

“I know,” Danielle says sadly, guilt filling her voice.

Then Monroe winces in pain, “I’ll be back, I just need to go to the bathroom.”

I notice a similar pain reflected back on Danielle’s face.

It must be a twin-bond thing.

Danielle lets out a sigh and turns to the stove. I come up behind her.

“You’re worried, aren’t you.”

She nods. “I’m honestly feeling much better, but Monroe... Well, I can’t leave her like this. Like me, she doesn’t like accepting help, and she doesn’t have any other family. I know it was Willow’s darkness speaking, but I do feel like I’ve abandoned her a bit.”

“I understand,” I murmur.

“Will you be okay if I stay until she gets better?”

She turns and looks up at me expectantly.

“Of course,” I say. “I’ll stay with you. If you want me, that is.”

“You’d do that?” She asks.

I wrap my arms around her waist and bring her close to me. “Of course. We can stay here tonight, and then, in the morning, bring her back to the pack with us. If she wants. I know you want to look after her, but you’re pregnant, Danielle. You need someone looking after you.”

She opens her mouth to speak and then closes it. She looks at me with glassy eyes.

“I love you,” she says.

My heart beats faster, a warmth spreading through my chest.

“I love you, too.”

I bend down to kiss her neck. “ So much.”

“I want you,” she moans.

I begin, kissing up her ear. “Later-”

Then I hear shuffling, and I pause.

We both look at Monroe, who’s returned from the bathroom swifter than I thought.

“Oh gosh,” she groans. “I think I need to barf. Again.”

Danielle laughs. “Better get used to it, buddy. Wherever I go, he goes too.”