Page 41 of My Ruthless Alpha

I couldn’t help but smile as she took everything in, looking like a kid on Christmas morning. Seeing her so bright and excited about something was nice, especially after everything. Plus, she always made our shopping trips more entertaining.

I was relieved more than anything that she was there to share that time with me and Margo, and I didn’t have to worry about where she was or what was going on in the pack. Instead, she was safe, nearby, and I could see her whenever I wanted.

While I looked around out front of the small boutique with various racks of clothing and shoes everywhere, keeping an eye on Margo, I couldn’t shake an odd feeling that scurried up my spine. It seemed to rest there as if someone was burning a hole through me with their eyes.

Glancing over my shoulder, I noticed a man standing not too far from us. His eyes darted down the moment I looked, and an odd sensation ran through me again.

He looked rougher than most of the locals, with a long, scruffy beard, dark eyes, and a rounder build. I knew he wasn’t a wolf from his scent alone, which disarmed me slightly.

While the man busied himself looking over a rack of books from the next shop, I couldn’t help but sneak more looks in his direction, and almost every time I did, I’d just catch his eyes leaving us.

I tried not to make it obvious that I was aware of his staring, but a moment later, Sydney’s voice broke my train of thought.

“What’s up? You seem tense.”

She looked at me curiously. As I looked more obviously toward the stranger, she tracked my gaze and seemed to pick up on what I was hinting at. Her brows furrowed slightly, and she gave me a nod in understanding.

Instinctively, I pulled Margo closer to my side.

“Let’s stay out in the open,” I said quietly, aware that more eyes on us would make anyone think twice before attempting to pull anything. “Just in case.”

She nodded again and remained more vigilant like myself.

Even if I was on edge, and the sudden change in our demeanors brought the mood down, I was relieved to know other pack members were nearby. The shop owner and a few others were doing some casual browsing of their own.

At the very least, we weren’t alone, and surely someone would see if anything were to happen.

Trying to act natural and continue with our day out despite the obvious eyes on us, Sydney and I were morepurposeful about where we went, sure to stay within the line of sight of someone trustworthy.

“Is everything all right?”

The voice behind us half startled me, but I let go of a breath and turned to find that familiar face.

“Miles, hi,” I said, feeling more at ease knowing he was there too.

He nodded his acknowledgment with a hint of concern written on his features as he glanced between the three of us. “You guys seem put off by something…what’s going on?”

“We’re being watched,” I said quietly to him, gesturing vaguely toward the man. “Do you know who he is?”

Miles looked over, finding the man easily enough, who happened to busy himself with the books again. After a moment, he shook his head. “Nah, I’ve never seen him before. Is he giving you the creeps?”

“Yeah. He’s been watching for a bit now. He averts his eyes every time I look over but slowly moves whenever we do.”

Understanding, Miles stayed with us, looking more pointedly at the man as a silent warning. Then, as if taking the hint, the man walked away from the stand and disappeared somewhere else.

When he was gone, Sydney sighed. “Geez…wonder what that was about.”

Miles shrugged. “Who knows? He was definitely human…probably just some weirdo.”

“Thanks for backing us up,” I murmured, able to breathe a little easier. “I didn’t think he’d ever stop staring.

“No problem. I was nearby, killing time anyway. I’m hoping to catch Beau before he goes out with the guys tonight…maybe I can convince him to take me too,” Miles said excitedly with a glimmer of mischief in his eyes.

I chuckled at him. “Aren’t you a bit too young to be going to bars?”

He shrugged. “Maybe…but who said I needed to drink anyway? I can hang out just like them. It’s about time he let me tag along.”

Sydney continued looking around, more relaxed since the man was gone, and Margo trailed along right with her, holding her hand.

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