Page 98 of Ruthless Alpha Beast

For a brief second, the thought crosses my mind that I should try to seek out a shadow monster.

No, I remind myself, I’m notthatstupid.

Or, I think, I could go to that same spot.

If only I could remember where it was.

Suddenly, with a new burst of energy, I grab my sweater and get up.

I leave the meeting room in a hurry, stepping outside onto the moist grass.

I wouldn’t be able to find that spot again by myself, but maybe someone could help me.

Would Jasper?

There’s a chance that he’d say it’s too dangerous, as he so often feels about anything I involve myself in these days.Buthe is also the only one who might actually know where that spot is.

He was there.

Maybe we could go as a group, maybe—

I only realize that I’ve been walking off in a random direction when there’s someone blocking my path.

I freeze, my pulse catching in my throat.

I’m in the woods, rather than in town, and so this run-in feels more threatening than it should.

But it’s just a shifter from our pack. I recognize him, but I can’t place him.

“Well, well,” he drawls. “Look who’s out alone.”

Something about the way he looks at me makes my skin crawl.

Now I recognize him. He was with the group of shifters who berated me at the border. He was silent then.

This is the first time I’m hearing his voice, but I recognize his face. His smirk deepens when he realizes I remember him.

“Funny,” he says, tilting his head. “How one hunt has made you believe that you’re one of us. Feel like putting that to the test?”

I cross my arms. My stomach tightens, but I force myself to stand taller.

Yes, I’m afraid, but I choose not to be scared anymore.

“I don’t think that I’m one of you. I’m married to your Alpha is all.”

He chuckles, his laugh low, his eyes blazing with fury. “And you think that protects you now?”

He steps closer, just enough to close whatever space there was between us.

I refuse to step back.

“I’d be careful if I were you,” I threaten.

I’m defenseless. No weapon, no magic, no anything.

And he knows this, I can see it in his eyes.

His grin widens—there’s no light there, just pure humorless darkness.