Page 7 of My Ruthless Alpha

I shook my head. “No…Cyrus is dead.”

Beau’s eyes widened by a fraction. “…What?”

“The new alpha killed Cyrus and his Luna…and now he’ll be looking for me if he isn’t already.”

At first, he seemed to struggle with the information, but then something else moved through his eyes—something that spoke of a need to protect—a duty to help me and Margo despite not knowing her.

It had been a while since I last saw him, but it seemed he couldn’t fully drop that instinct.

For a moment, I found a sense of relief at that look of determination in his eyes. It was surprising to see, given how things ended between us.

But through my exhaustion, something about it still irritated me. As if a part of him still felt entitled to keep me safe even though he had hurt me beyond words before.

Even if he looked ready to protect Margo and me regardless of the cost, and even if I desperately needed help, part of me hated that it had to be him, of all people.

Chapter 4 - Beau

It felt wrong of me to fall back into old habits and assume the position I once had in Faye’s life despite how I ruined everything between us, but I couldn’t help it.

Seeing her there after years of being apart, with her looking so afraid and worn out, made me want to scoop her up and take her home.

She seemed so vulnerable, and regardless of her history, I didn’t want to abandon someone who needed help.

After becoming an alpha, being selfless whenever possible was ingrained in me. Not prioritizing myself all the time was the best way I could keep my pack safe and happy, and in a way, I could never shake that instinct, regardless of who was involved.

But that reflex of mine was only exacerbated by the fact that Faye was in the equation.

Even if I fumbled everything at the time, assuming I was making the right decision, I couldn’t help myself.

She needed someone to ease her pain and worry, and I was determined to do exactly that, whether she wanted it to be from me or not.

I didn’t know the little girl in her arms, but somehow, I still felt the need to protect her, too.

While it came as a surprise to know she had a daughter, and it admittedly felt like someone tore my heart out knowing she had a child with someone else, that didn’t make the girl any less important.

At first, I wondered if it would even be wise for me to help Faye, given how I left things, but hearing she was in trouble, regardless of the reason, I knew I had to do something.

My mind was made up the moment she said it.

Having to temper my anger at the thought of anyone tracking her down and potentially trying to hurt her, I let go of a breath and looked her in the eyes so that she knew just how serious I was about the whole situation.

“You said the new alpha was looking for you…why?”

Faye held my gaze through the tired veil over her eyes, and her tone spoke of the deep-seated pain the reason brought her. “I heard that he planned on claiming me as his mate and Luna and announcing it to the pack. But knowing him, he wouldn’t have liked Margo being involved. I couldn’t wait around to see what he’d do about it, so I ran, and I know that will have offended him.”

Unable to stop the feelings before they flooded in, anger spiked within my system at the thought of this alpha claiming Faye.

I had no claim over her myself, and she didn’t owe me that loyalty either, but even considering the idea made my blood boil. But I schooled my emotions and tried to keep my raw anger tempered.

“I see…” I murmured, swallowing back the emotions that surprised me. “And I’m assuming that means he isn’t the father…”

As my insinuation lingered in the air for a moment, Faye met my eyes, and hers widened by a fraction. Then she shook her head adamantly. “No…god, no. Her dad’s…not in the picture.”

While it was a vague answer, something about it brought a sense of hope that made me feel at least somewhat ashamed. I shouldn’t have enjoyed the thought of the father of her child not being involved.

With the details, it was still clear enough that her new alpha couldn’t be trusted. Given how he murdered Cyrus, one of the most level-headed alphas I had ever met, I didn’t doubt he had a mean streak.

Being an alpha tended to make a wolf stronger in multiple ways…through becoming a leader and gaining the strength of a pack, they become even more so. But that didn’t make an alpha invincible. The wrong step, a slightly stronger competitor, or even one with more rage and determination…anything could factor into an alpha being taken down.

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