Page 8 of My Ruthless Alpha

Every pack believes their alpha is untouchable until it happens—until they have to witness the leader they have followed potentially all their lives be killed and conquered.

It’s a startling, difficult thing for any wolf to witness, and it made sense why Faye seemed extra rattled.

Her daughter whined sleepily in protest, and Faye hushed her and gently stroked her back. “It’s all right…go back to sleep.”

Watching her interact with her daughter stirred something within me that seemed to ache a bit. The thought of her being a mother, caring for a child of her own when it was something we once talked about doing together, brought me a difficult bout of melancholy. And yet, a part of me wanted to be happy for her, too, for getting what she wanted, even if it wasn’t with me.

Even if the little girl did settle and relax against her shoulder again, the troubled look remained on Faye’s face, and I knew it was all making her uneasy.

“Stay with me,” I exclaimed, not giving it another thought.

There was no reason to…not when she needed some support and looked like she could hardly move another step.

Surprise and skepticism flitted through her features. “What?”

I released a deep breath and took a small step forward, unable to stop myself from taking in her face. Her soft lips, the blonde hair that went just past her shoulders, and those blue eyes that almost looked stormy at the moment…the way her full curves looked just as tempting as they always had. And that elegant sleeve tattoo that snaked down her right arm…god, she was almost just like I remembered her.

Seeing her in this state of need didn’t help the sudden rush of old feelings I spent so long trying to suppress for both of our sake.

Regardless of her hair and clothes looking slightly disheveled from fleeing or the incessant fear that didn’t leave her eyes, she still looked so beautiful. Painfully so.

Even if I had no right to her, and she didn’t owe me a thing, I just wanted her to accept my help. In a way, I think I needed it too.

“Stay with me, and I’ll help you…you and your daughter,” I repeated, hoping she could sense the sincerity in my words. “I’ll watch over you two while you rest and make sure nothing happens in the meantime.”

I could tell that the offer sounded tempting, especially considering her weary state, but of course, it didn’t come without protest. The desire to argue gleaned through her gaze once she furrowed her brows at me.

“No, I’ll…I can find somewhere else…”

“No, you won’t,” I said firmly, yet quiet enough to not disturb the girl. “I won’t hear it. You’re too tired to go any farther than here, and with me is your safest bet. I understand your hesitance, but I won’t let anything happen to either of you.”

Her features softened almost imperceptibly, but she stood her ground regardless in a feeble attempt to change my mind. “I know I’m exhausted, but I can keep going.”

“You don’t have to, Faye. If you don’t rest, something will happen.”

“You don’t know that,” she said with a hint of defiance, but despite her defensiveness, I knew even she didn’t believe it.

I sighed. “You’re not really in a state to argue, are you?”

She scoffed, vaguely offended, as if continuing to argue would somehow disprove my point, even though she could hardly stand. “I’m fine…I can keep moving.”

Her resistance irritated me, and I couldn’t understand why she would try rejecting my help anyway. Even if she hated me for what I did before, which I assumed she did, that didn’t take away from the fact that she was in no condition to decline and soldier on.

“If not for yourself, then accept it for your daughter,” I added, hoping it would soften her a bit. “Or are you planning on lugging her around in the dark all night?”

Faye’s eyes narrowed at me. “Don’t hold my daughter over my head. I know what I’m capable of.”

Her words made me bristle, almost claiming I was underestimating her and not just worried about her clearly deteriorating ability to keep moving as she claimed. “Why are you fighting me right now?”

She grits her teeth, obviously not wanting to accept that I just wanted to give her a hand. “Because I have no reason to trust you.”

None of it made sense to me. I was opening my home to her and her daughter, yet she was too stubborn to accept it. Despite how much she needed the help, she would rather pretend she had the strength to keep going.

“You might not like me, but that doesn’t mean you can’t trust me anymore…I just want to help. Let me help you, Faye.”

She watched me for a long moment, eyes scanning my features before she glanced down at the little girl in her arms. Finally, she sighed. “All right…fine. But we won’t be staying long. Just long enough for me to rest and come up with a plan.”

Even if it had been years and there was a chance she had changed into someone I might not recognize anymore, I still didn’t want her to leave.

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