Page 1 of Ruthless Alpha Beast

Chapter 1 - Tara

The morning light wraps its warm glow around Roseville in a way that makes me feel like I’m still dreaming. All the greenery that's glittering beneath the sun lies out before me, quietly as though it has never been touched.

I hate that I have to spoil it with my fumbling humanity.

Somehow, the supernatural part of the valley is more beautiful than the natural surroundings in my old human town. There’s nothing physically different here, but there’s a unique charm to the place that makes it feel special. It might have something to do with all the witches and shifter werewolves who reside here. This place will always feel special to me.

But I’m taking a new route today, looping around instead of going straight toward the market like I usually do. My lone walks are fun! As a human living in a shifter pack, it’s not like I have much else to keep busy with. I’m not exactly useful.

But I’m not complaining, not complaining at all. I’m just grateful they’ve let me join.

Laughter fills the air suddenly, and my stomach tightens. An anxious tension fills my chest. I stop in my tracks.

Lacey, my best friend and the wife of one of the pack leaders—Sawyer—told me not to worry when walking alone. She said as long as I stay within the areas of the neighboring packs, the markets, and the closest towns, then I shouldn’t run into any problems.

Anyone who knows who I am will know whose protection I’m under. But still, I can’t help but flinch when I hear a group of people coming toward me. All I have is my phone, and all I can do with said phone is call a friend.

But even that isn't a bulletproof plan. I know that within seconds, a wolf could tear my phone from my hands and devour it between its jaws before I even get the chance to press Lacey’s contact.

Life is full of risks, I suppose.

“Tara!” A familiar voice calls. “Is that you?”

I release the sharp breath I was holding. My right palm, intuitively pressed against my phone in the outer layer of my satchel, falls slack.

Oh, thank goodness.

I bob my head awkwardly, raise my left hand, and smile as calmly as I possibly can at the pack heading my way.

Could I look more suspicious?

“Hey!” I call back.

Move, Tara.

Oh, right, yes. Move.

I readjust my bag and start walking toward the group of shifters being led by their Alpha, Sawyer.

I suppose, given the fact that I live in his pack, Sawyer is technically my Alpha too. Honestly, at first, I was pretty nervous to meet him.

When Lacey and I first met, she was living in a witch’s coven long after Sawyer broke her heart. Then, she returned to the pack, they got married, and saved the valley together in a way that I’m definitely way too human to fully understand.

While I knew that Lacey was happy with Sawyer (you don’t tend to marry someone unless you are), I didn’t know what to make of someone who caused my best friend so much pain.

Especially a shifter,Alphasomeone.

But Sawyer shocked me with his kindness. He’s such a good dad to their daughter; he’s a good husband and a good leader, too.

Honestly, he’s pretty hard to fault.

“What are you doing out here?” He smiles warmly. The others look tired, but they gaze at me with nothing but kindness.

“Oh,” I wave my hand, “just going for a walk. I think I’ll check out the witch’s market in a little while.”

“Hey, did you tell Danielle and Monroe that you’re going? I recall them mentioning wanting something, some kind of herb.”

“Oh yeah for sure,” I nod enthusiastically. “I’ll just ask them.”