Page 113 of Ruthless Alpha Beast

“Is there anything you can do? To help with the pain?”

Danielle looks down at Tara with cautious eyes. “I don’t know the exact nature of what’s plaguing her. Anything I cast would help her body, but I know that’s not what’s wrong.”

I clench my jaw, so painfully aware of Tara’s fragility.

“But the magic is already wearing off,” Danielle says. “It’ll only be a matter of time.”

“How long?” I ask.

Danielle shakes her head slowly. “I can’t say. But shewillwake up.”

I don’t let myself sag, although every bone in me wants to.

She will wake up,that's all I need.

“I’ll stay,” I say. “You both should probably get some rest. I’ll let you know when she wakes.”

Neither of them protests.

Lacey leans down and kisses Tara’s forehead. “You got this, girl.”

Danielle nods at me, glances at Tara.

Then they both exit through the door of the healer’s hut, and the silence takes over.

***

It must be morning; the night sky has turned from black to dark blue.

I’ve been thinking a lot. Replaying my encounters with Tara, everything I’ve done wrong, everything that went well.

That date I took her on, up high in my secret spot, was one of the best nights of my life. When we made love.

“I promise you, Tara,” I tell her. “When you wake up, things will be better. I want to give you everything you want.”

All I hear is silence, and the regular hum of her heartbeat.

She’s so beautiful. So perfect.

Suddenly, her body jerks.

My heart lurches.

It’s the slightest movement, but it’s there.

“Tara?”

I'm desperate. My eyes are sore and cracked.

She inhales deeply, sharp and pained, as though she’s feeding from the air.

Her eyes snap open.

I'm careful not to make any sudden movements, as though the moment itself is delicate. Any brash movement and she might close her eyes again.

I’m leaning over her, my hand still gripping hers.

“Tara—"