Page 18 of Ruthless Alpha Beast

I thought the witches were meant to hate him? I thought they all knew what a prejudiced piece of crap he is.

So why is he able to charm Danielle and Monroe so well? None of it makes sense.

Whatever it is, I’m done watching.

“I’m pretty hungry,” I murmur, awkwardly.

“I’m distracting you guys, I’m sorry,” Jasper says, before turning to look at me. “Do you mind if I steal Tara for a moment?”

Lacey, Danielle, and Monroe exchange a few confused glances, although they don’t look as shocked as I’d expect.

Do they really trust himthatmuch?

“Well, that’s up to Tara,” Lacey says. “Tara?”

So, I have two options here: say no, and look like an asshole for being rude to the charming, Moon fruit-loving Alpha. Not to mention, risk of being questioned on why I was so rude to said Alpha.

Or.

I say yes, let him talk at me for a couple of minutes, and then tell him I’m leaving.

The last thing I want is to be left alone with this crazy and, at this point,stalkerishshifter, but hey, life doesn’t exactly always give us what we want.

“Sure,” I say, looking at Lacey and then reluctantly making eye contact with Jasper.

I tell the girls that I’ll be back in a few and follow Jasper as he leads me into the woods, toward a more secluded area.

“Where are you taking me?” I groan.

“Just out of earshot,” he says. “I know how nosy our community likes to be.”

I shake my head, then I notice the way that his back muscles curve beneath his shirt as he walks.

He could probably knock me over with one flick of his pinkie.

I shake my head again.

Don’t let him mess with you, Tara.

He settles on a spot surrounded by an army of trees. I scan the area for exits, that’s what a supernatural would do, right?

Gosh, I feel bad for anyone going into battle againsthim.

“You know,” I say. “Stalking me, and crashing lunch is a new low, even for you.”

He folds his arms and smiles. “I was not stalking you, Tara.”

“What else do you call following without consent? And another thing—"

“Yes?”

I lose my train of thought. He’s watching me with eyes that are very faintly amused, as though he’s watching his favorite TV show or a small, clumsy pet.

I’ll show himamused.

“I know this is all some big joke to you, or a game, or whatever, but it’s completely unacceptable for you to behave this way. First, you kiss me, then you try to convince me to get into a fake relationship with you, and now you’refollowingme? I know you know what good behavior is and isn’t. Well, maybe you don’t. But this is so unbelievably shady! Even for you.”

I want to say more, but I’m out of breath. I try my hardest to calm myself down, but it’s not working.