Page 119 of Alpha Ruined

BREE

ONE YEAR LATER

It’s her birthday.

Everyone else seems to think it’s a bigger deal than it is.

Especially Cole, who decided to surprise her with an intimate get together that included Darlene, Kyle, and even Carl.

Carl, who slapped Cole on the shoulder and threatened to kill him if he ever hurt Bree.

She had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.

Her mate even coerced their cat into wearing a birthday hat before she grew annoyed and batted it off her head.

It’s all surprisingly domestic for a man that was happily killing people a year ago, but she’s not complaining.

Her life has significantly improved because of her mate—and the sundress she wears for her birthday proves it. It’s stillcovered by a sheer sweater, but her marks are visible, and she feels no shame. She’s making progress.

“You need to come up again,” Darlene insists over mouthfuls of cake. “No one’s died in like, a year, up there. It’s perfectly safe now.”

Bree chokes on frosting.

“You can bring Ellie, too,” Kyle adds, petting the cat as it struts across his lap on the couch. “So she can meet her dad.”

“That’s not how cats work,” Darlene says, narrowing her eyes. “He’d probably try to eat her.”

“Anyway,” Kyle adds. “You should definitely come up. And we have a spare room; you can stay with us.”

She feels Cole slide an arm around her waist and she relaxes into his hold. “I don’t see why that’s a problem,” he says, looking down at Bree.

She raises an eyebrow in surprise, but he quirks his lip.

“What? They said it’s perfectly safe, sweetheart.” He presses a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll protect you, don’t worry,” he whispers in her ear, low enough that only she can hear him. “I’ll make sure there are no murderers lurking around.”

She glares at him in disbelief as he gives her a wicked grin.

That’s what she’s learned in the last year about her mate. He has a good heart and a sense of justice that she admires. It’s only when he decides to take matters into his own hands that things can get messy.

Cole’s not perfect by any means, but she’s learned he’s perfect for her.

“Oh, hey! They were spotted!” Darlene’s eyes widen as she looks at her phone. “Holy shit. Noway.”

“Who was spotted?” Bree asks.

“The prisoner from last year! And the girl!”

“Erik and Ellie?” Cole asks, his voice neutral.

“Yes. Look!”

Darlene holds up her phone. It’s a blurry photo, but Bree can see a couple, both wearing sunglasses, sitting outside a café.

The woman is laughing. She looks happy.

“Are you sure it's them?” Bree asks. “That picture isn’t the best quality.”

“That’s what the article says,” Darlene explains. “But…oh, it’s inAustria. Yeah. Maybe it’s not them.”

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