Page 4 of My Ruthless Alpha (Alpha Outlaws Club #5)

It felt wrong of me to fall back into old habits and assume the position I once had in Faye’s life despite how I ruined everything between us, but I couldn’t help it.

Seeing her there after years of being apart, with her looking so afraid and worn out, made me want to scoop her up and take her home.

She seemed so vulnerable, and regardless of her history, I didn’t want to abandon someone who needed help.

After becoming an alpha, being selfless whenever possible was ingrained in me. Not prioritizing myself all the time was the best way I could keep my pack safe and happy, and in a way, I could never shake that instinct, regardless of who was involved.

But that reflex of mine was only exacerbated by the fact that Faye was in the equation.

Even if I fumbled everything at the time, assuming I was making the right decision, I couldn’t help myself.

She needed someone to ease her pain and worry, and I was determined to do exactly that, whether she wanted it to be from me or not.

I didn’t know the little girl in her arms, but somehow, I still felt the need to protect her, too.

While it came as a surprise to know she had a daughter, and it admittedly felt like someone tore my heart out knowing she had a child with someone else, that didn’t make the girl any less important.

At first, I wondered if it would even be wise for me to help Faye, given how I left things, but hearing she was in trouble, regardless of the reason, I knew I had to do something.

My mind was made up the moment she said it.

Having to temper my anger at the thought of anyone tracking her down and potentially trying to hurt her, I let go of a breath and looked her in the eyes so that she knew just how serious I was about the whole situation.

“You said the new alpha was looking for you…why?”

Faye held my gaze through the tired veil over her eyes, and her tone spoke of the deep-seated pain the reason brought her. “I heard that he planned on claiming me as his mate and Luna and announcing it to the pack. But knowing him, he wouldn’t have liked Margo being involved. I couldn’t wait around to see what he’d do about it, so I ran, and I know that will have offended him.”

Unable to stop the feelings before they flooded in, anger spiked within my system at the thought of this alpha claiming Faye.

I had no claim over her myself, and she didn’t owe me that loyalty either, but even considering the idea made my blood boil. But I schooled my emotions and tried to keep my raw anger tempered.

“I see…” I murmured, swallowing back the emotions that surprised me. “And I’m assuming that means he isn’t the father…”

As my insinuation lingered in the air for a moment, Faye met my eyes, and hers widened by a fraction. Then she shook her head adamantly. “No…god, no. Her dad’s…not in the picture.”

While it was a vague answer, something about it brought a sense of hope that made me feel at least somewhat ashamed. I shouldn’t have enjoyed the thought of the father of her child not being involved.

With the details, it was still clear enough that her new alpha couldn’t be trusted. Given how he murdered Cyrus, one of the most level-headed alphas I had ever met, I didn’t doubt he had a mean streak.

Being an alpha tended to make a wolf stronger in multiple ways…through becoming a leader and gaining the strength of a pack, they become even more so. But that didn’t make an alpha invincible. The wrong step, a slightly stronger competitor, or even one with more rage and determination…anything could factor into an alpha being taken down.

Every pack believes their alpha is untouchable until it happens—until they have to witness the leader they have followed potentially all their lives be killed and conquered.

It’s a startling, difficult thing for any wolf to witness, and it made sense why Faye seemed extra rattled.

Her daughter whined sleepily in protest, and Faye hushed her and gently stroked her back. “It’s all right…go back to sleep.”

Watching her interact with her daughter stirred something within me that seemed to ache a bit. The thought of her being a mother, caring for a child of her own when it was something we once talked about doing together, brought me a difficult bout of melancholy. And yet, a part of me wanted to be happy for her, too, for getting what she wanted, even if it wasn’t with me.

Even if the little girl did settle and relax against her shoulder again, the troubled look remained on Faye’s face, and I knew it was all making her uneasy.

“Stay with me,” I exclaimed, not giving it another thought.

There was no reason to…not when she needed some support and looked like she could hardly move another step.

Surprise and skepticism flitted through her features. “What?”

I released a deep breath and took a small step forward, unable to stop myself from taking in her face. Her soft lips, the blonde hair that went just past her shoulders, and those blue eyes that almost looked stormy at the moment…the way her full curves looked just as tempting as they always had. And that elegant sleeve tattoo that snaked down her right arm…god, she was almost just like I remembered her.

Seeing her in this state of need didn’t help the sudden rush of old feelings I spent so long trying to suppress for both of our sake.

Regardless of her hair and clothes looking slightly disheveled from fleeing or the incessant fear that didn’t leave her eyes, she still looked so beautiful. Painfully so.

Even if I had no right to her, and she didn’t owe me a thing, I just wanted her to accept my help. In a way, I think I needed it too.

“Stay with me, and I’ll help you…you and your daughter,” I repeated, hoping she could sense the sincerity in my words. “I’ll watch over you two while you rest and make sure nothing happens in the meantime.”

I could tell that the offer sounded tempting, especially considering her weary state, but of course, it didn’t come without protest. The desire to argue gleaned through her gaze once she furrowed her brows at me.

“No, I’ll…I can find somewhere else…”

“No, you won’t,” I said firmly, yet quiet enough to not disturb the girl. “I won’t hear it. You’re too tired to go any farther than here, and with me is your safest bet. I understand your hesitance, but I won’t let anything happen to either of you.”

Her features softened almost imperceptibly, but she stood her ground regardless in a feeble attempt to change my mind. “I know I’m exhausted, but I can keep going.”

“You don’t have to, Faye. If you don’t rest, something will happen.”

“You don’t know that,” she said with a hint of defiance, but despite her defensiveness, I knew even she didn’t believe it.

I sighed. “You’re not really in a state to argue, are you?”

She scoffed, vaguely offended, as if continuing to argue would somehow disprove my point, even though she could hardly stand. “I’m fine…I can keep moving.”

Her resistance irritated me, and I couldn’t understand why she would try rejecting my help anyway. Even if she hated me for what I did before, which I assumed she did, that didn’t take away from the fact that she was in no condition to decline and soldier on.

“If not for yourself, then accept it for your daughter,” I added, hoping it would soften her a bit. “Or are you planning on lugging her around in the dark all night?”

Faye’s eyes narrowed at me. “Don’t hold my daughter over my head. I know what I’m capable of.”

Her words made me bristle, almost claiming I was underestimating her and not just worried about her clearly deteriorating ability to keep moving as she claimed. “Why are you fighting me right now?”

She grits her teeth, obviously not wanting to accept that I just wanted to give her a hand. “Because I have no reason to trust you.”

None of it made sense to me. I was opening my home to her and her daughter, yet she was too stubborn to accept it. Despite how much she needed the help, she would rather pretend she had the strength to keep going.

“You might not like me, but that doesn’t mean you can’t trust me anymore…I just want to help. Let me help you, Faye.”

She watched me for a long moment, eyes scanning my features before she glanced down at the little girl in her arms. Finally, she sighed. “All right…fine. But we won’t be staying long. Just long enough for me to rest and come up with a plan.”

Even if it had been years and there was a chance she had changed into someone I might not recognize anymore, I still didn’t want her to leave.

It felt like a miracle that she found me in the first place, and the thought of her continuing after getting some sleep made my chest ache. But at the same time, I knew I couldn’t force her to do anything.

Still, I had every intention of making sure she was safe beyond having somewhere to recuperate.

But for her, I had to make a compromise.

“Okay. Just long enough for you to get back on your feet,” I agreed, glancing between her and the child. I gestured for her to follow. “C’mon…this way.”

Reluctantly, with a tired air about her, Faye followed behind me.

I glanced back at her occasionally, making sure nothing happened and that she was still following.

Despite looking completely exhausted, she did well enough. She followed me back toward the house, wordlessly taking in her new surroundings.

I had the feeling that it would be a lot for her to digest, knowing how different my life was from the last time she saw me.

We were younger, and at that point, I didn’t have my status, my pack, or my business. I had been just another beta. Just another pack member. But after I left Faye, everything changed for me so quickly, even if I wished I could’ve had her by my side to experience it all with me.

Regardless of how hard I tried, Faye was the one person I couldn’t shake from my past. She was everything I wanted, and for that reason, it broke my heart to know I couldn’t continue to risk ruining her life, and I couldn’t drag her through that confusing time with me.

It wouldn’t have been fair.

But even if I comforted myself with the idea that I had done her a favor by breaking things off between us, I knew it could never justify how greatly it hurt her.

While the night carried on around us, we kept walking. While we didn’t speak, it still felt like I was giving her a tour anyway. I took it all in with her, and even if I had seen the place a thousand times myself, I still felt just as proud of it.

The tiny mining town, once mostly abandoned after the deposits were used up, was given a second chance when I swooped in and picked up the properties for next to nothing. My financial advisor tried to tell me it was an awful investment and that I would never make any kind of return on it, but that didn’t matter to me.

I just needed a small, remote place for my pack to exist as they pleased, and in doing so, we made it look like a whole new place.

We did everything ourselves, from reworking the existing structures to building new houses and apartments and even starting new businesses. Even then, we were still expanding.

Regardless of whether it was technically a financial loss for me, I didn’t care.

I did what needed to be done and would never regret housing and looking after my pack.

As we moved through the quiet neighborhood and approached my place, I watched as a flicker of awe moved through her eyes. Whether it was from her being genuinely impressed by the place or because she would finally be safe and have a place to rest, it didn’t matter. Seeing that look in her eyes instilled a sense of accomplishment anyway.

After a moment of walking in silence, I glanced over at Faye and the girl in her arms, asking gently, “What’s her name?”

At the question, a faint yet tired smile appeared on her face. “Margo.”

Margo. I let the name move around in my mind for a moment before I nodded and continued to lead her closer to the house.

“You and Margo won’t have a thing to worry about.”