Page 16 of Ruthless Alpha Beast

When I see that the coast is clear, I let out a sigh of relief and make my way toward the restaurant Lacey sent on our group chat.

The weather is beautiful, with a perfect afternoon of bright sun and gentle breeze.

I look up at the canopying trees above me, mesmerized by a couple of birds circling beneath the sun-dappled light that streams in.

But my smile so quickly turns sour.

What if Jasper, out of anger, does get me excommunicated from here?

Hecoulddo it. I shudder as I imagine returning to my old human town again.

I imagine returning to my job at the gas station, telling everyone that I went away for a while but that I’m back for good.

I hate the way people look at me there, the way they know me as the loner who lost her parents and was raised by her grandma, who’s now dead.

There’s nothing left for me there; my life is here now. I have to make this work.

Suddenly, I hear the faint sound of rustling behind me, and snap my head back.

Nothing.

But why does it feel like I’m being watched?

Instinctively, I grab my phone and send my location to my group chat, just in case.

Am I going crazy?

I walk a little further and as I do, hear rustling again, accompanied by the snap of a twig—I turn. I almost call out, but decide against it and keep my hand firmly on top of my phone.

If I were ‘with’ Jasper, would I still feel the need to be scared anymore, or would all that go away?

If Jasper got together with me, then there would be no doubt that I’d belong here.

I shake my head, violently rejecting the thought.

His plan is ridiculous. And the way he presented it to me as though he thought it was the best thing in the world. As though I wassurelygoing to agree.

I smirk.Well, I showed him.

No, he doesn’t get to bully me, treat me like crap, and then manipulate me like this to get his way.

Sorry. Not going to work. Maybe he treats his pack mates that way, but it’s not happening with me.

Eventually, I reach the restaurant. It’s a cute wooden building with flowers and vines snaking around its frame, anda large outdoor patio where people are absentmindedly chatting and eating.

Suddenly, I’m very hungry.

“There she is!” Danielle calls.

My head turns, and I spot Lacey, Danielle, and Monroe leaning against the side of the building. I smile.

“Am I late? How did you all get here before me?”

“We were in the neighborhood,” Monroe says.

We join in a group hug.

“Well, that and having magic helps,” Danielle chimes.