Page 80 of Brutal Alpha Beast
“Well,” I say. “Maybe we’re taking the vine thing too literally. Maybe it’s metaphorical, like the vines are leading to your heart or something.”
“Myheart?”
“Well, all the signs keep coming to you. Right? There seems to be a theme.”
She’s moving some things around. The question crosses my mind: Did it always take Danielle this long to get ready?
We’re hosting an allied pack party tonight, and at this point, we’re going to be late.
“That’s true,” she says after a little while. “But I don’t see why it would lead to my heart. What could be wrong with it? Why would it be related?”
“Did you have a vision after the pain?” I ask her.
I was walking ahead. I didn’t notice she was down until I heard her scream.
Usually, a dramatic reaction like that is accompanied by a vision as of late, but I didn’t want to press her.
“No,” she says. “I’ve just been feeling a strange energy inside me, that's all.”
“Crap,” I mutter without thinking.
“What?”
I don’t want to panic her, but a strange energy near confirms the theory that’s been brewing in the back of my mind.
“Do you remember when Willow corrupted Violet last time? Maybe that strange energy might be the start of Willow corrupting you.”
“No,” she says. She pauses. “Do you think she’s taking hold of my heart?”
I grit my teeth, feeling a sensation I’m not used to feeling.
Fear.
Since it comes so infrequently, when it’s there, I know it’s for a good reason.
“I don’t know,” I say. “I hope not.”
I really hope not. I don’t see the packs reacting well. And even if they want to protect her, we all know what happened to Violet.
The door swings open, and Danielle holds my gaze with an anxious look. But momentarily, I forgot all that we were talking about.
She looks epic.
Long, luscious curls, a dark dress that complements her skin and her curves. She looks like a Goddess. Smells like one, too. Danielle has always known how to dress for a party, and I take a second to marvel. I can’t help it—even if we’re gonna be late.
Her chest rises as she takes in a deep breath. “I think I made good time, no?”
I smile. “Yeah, I’m sure you do.”
***
Once we arrive, the party is already in full swing. Sawyer and Jasper’s packs are here, scattered around the place, tucking into the varying dishes of our potluck.
You’d think that three times the food would leave us with some leftovers, but I know that once everyone gets drunk, they’ll be right back at the food table.
We’ve needed this.
Our allied parties are always good for morale.
