Page 84 of Ruthless Alpha Beast

“Okay,” Tara says. “So that’s exactly why I need to be able to help out with investigating the clues behind the tapestry.”

This again. Of course.

“Tara.”

“Don’t Tara me. Don’t say my name, I don’t want to hear it.”

I laugh. “Okay,human, I won’t say your name. But what I will say is that we have this under control; you don’t need to go investigating.”

“Do you have it under control?” She questions. “Because based on your call with Penelope, it seems like no one’s got any idea about what to do.”

She has a point there.

“But I just don’t understand what it is that you think you alone can do? What other information do you have?”

I’m trying to be sensitive, and I don’t want to insult her here. But the truth is, all her getting involved in seems to be is dangerous. Other than what she’s done, I don’t see what other value she could provide.

I want her to be safe.

“I’ve been researchinga lot. I’m good with books, and I think I can use that. Like, for example, I learned that when it comes to recurring curses, the clues get more and more abstract and complicated as the layers go on. I also learned that for each round of a curse, the solution is more similar than it is different.

“So, the last two times, something in the forest had to be found and destroyed, right? It’s going to be the same, just the object, or whatever it is, is going to be slightly different.”

Tara continues eating my chili as though she's just said the most casual thing in the world.

I can’t lie, the woman is smart.

“If I still tell you not to get involved, you’re not going to listen, are you?”

She shrugs. “Lacey says that I can do research with her there, and I can team up with the witches, too.”

I smile. “So, you asking for permission, is really just what? A courtesy?”

She makes a sarcastic face. “Well, youaremy Alpha.”

“Fine,” I lean back in my chair. “But out of respect for your Alpha, will you just please promise not to go hunting in the forest alone?”

She tries to hide it, but I notice a genuine smile. “Yes, Alpha. You have my word.”

Chapter 17 - Tara

Turns out the books on magic and curses are much better at the witch’s coven.

Go figure.

While I told Jasper that I’d keep working on this with or without his permission, I know that’s not exactly true.

The thing is, I am stubborn when it comes to things I care about. I am willing to put myself out there.

But when you’ve been allowed to live in a supernatural world of shifters and witches, and one of those paranormal creatures is your fake husband, you don’t exactly want to go around breaking the rules.

If it looks like I’m ‘disobeying’ Jasper, it might raise suspicions. Besides, I don’t even want to think about how hispassionatepack mates would react to that.

Anyway, luckily Jasper gave in, so I don’t have to worry about that. For now, at least.

Over the past few days, I’ve been delving into my research.

They’ve even let me borrow the tapestry to cross-reference, although I have to admit that vision was the clearest thing I got.