Page 100 of Ruthless Alpha Beast

Slowly, he raises his eyes to Jasper’s. As much as I hate this shifter, I want to say forget it—that it doesn’t matter.

All I feel like is a nuisance. That I’m still so weak and small.

“Yes, Alpha.”

“Explain yourself.”

The shifter clenches his jaw, his face overcome with fear.

“I was just saying that it’s probably not safe for her as a human to be out here alone—"

“Tell the truth,” Jasper interrupts. “Or the consequences will be immediate.”

This time, he nods and stares down at the ground.

“I can’t come to terms with a human being among us, let alone ruling us. As you’ve said before, Alpha, humans are less than us. It doesn’t feel right.”

Jasper takes a breath. “Humans aren’t beneath us; they’re different, and they have their own strengths.”

“But if I don’t believe that—"

“I don’t expect you to believe it straight away,” Jasper says. “It’ll take time, I understand that. But I do not expectyou to harass or bully Tara—any human, for that matter, but especially my wife. Understand?”

The shifter is still looking at the floor.

“Understood, Alpha.”

Jasper leans in closer, his voice dropping to a growl. “If I so much as see you near her again with a less than respectful look in your eye, I will banish you from this pack, do you understand?”

“Yes, Alpha,” the shifter mutters quickly, his body taut with fear.

I don’t know all the ins and outs of pack politics, but I do know that banishment is a big deal.

The biggest of deals, in fact.

“What humans lack in physicality, they make up for in empathy, intelligence, and self-control. We’re wild beasts in comparison to them. If you want to fit that stereotype, then, be my guest.”

It’s nice to see that Jasper genuinely believes what he says.

He’s not just doing it for me.

“Got it, Alpha,” he nods.

Jasper’s lip curls as though he’s about to say something else, but then he stops.

He straightens, dismissing the shifter with a sharp flick of his hand.

“Now get out of my sight.”

The shifter bolts without a second glance, disappearing into the trees like a scared little rabbit.

It is amusing, just a bit.

Then Jasper turns to me. “I’m sorry, Tara. One day, I know that they’ll accept you, it’s just going to take some time.”

Why do I feel so stupid? So vulnerable.

I want to cry, to fall into his arms, and to start screaming all at once.