Page 25 of Ruthless Alpha Beast

“It’s not about being happy.”

Man, I don’t think I’ve ever dealt with anyone so stubborn.

“Do we have adeal, Tara?” I hold out my hand.

Something about that makes her flinch. She eyes my hand as though it's a dead rat.

She nods.

“Fine,” Tara grumbles. “It’s a deal, I guess.”

***

It’s been hours, and still, no sleep.

The couch is actually surprisingly comfortable. I’ve slept on here before, but not in a long while, so I genuinely forgot what it was like.

But it’s not the feel of the couch that’s the problem; it’s everything else.

My senses have gone wild.

It’s like I’m on a hunt, leading a surprise attack on the enemy or something, because I canheareverything.

Tara, I know, is restless too.

Any frustrated huff of breath—and there are a lot of those—any slight turn, every single goddamn beat of her heart sounds like it’s being broadcast through a ten-foot speaker. Usually, this only happens voluntarily, as mentioned during the time of battle, when I actually want to hear these things.

The only involuntary case of this is well…mating or imprinting.

Andthat’snot possible because Tara is human!

I run my hands over my face.

Yes, I’ve been drawn to Tara in the past, for reasons I can’t explain. Yes, I seem to be more in tune with the sounds of her body than anyone else’s.

Is it because she’s human, so she’s in some ways like prey?

But I’ve met other humans before, and I haven’t had this kind of reaction.

I groan.

Then I hear Tara sighing from upstairs. I’m about to lose it.

I sit up, staring at the dark room around me. With Tara here, every single thing has so irrevocably changed. There’s no going back. It's likely that I won't get a good night’s sleep for a while.

Was it a mistake to let her back in my life again?

I decided a while ago to keep her further than arm's length.

I scoff,look at us now.

At least, I suppose, we’re not in the same bed. If I thought her sounds were loud now…

I walk over to the kitchen sink, splash cold water over my face, then lie down on the couch.

No point overthinking this.

What I need is a clear mind and some sleep.