Page 63 of Brutal Alpha Beast
We need them.
“It’s complicated,” I mutter. “That’s all I’ll say on that.”
“Okay, okay,” he says, raising his hands. “I understand it’s personal. But if you like her, I don’t want you to push her away just because of your mother and me.”
I freeze. My chest feels tight, my jaw clenches. He never talks about her.
“I won’t ever forgive Mom for what she did to us,” I mutter.
Dad shrugs. “Your mother is a complicated woman. She was dealing with more problems than you know. Despite everything, I wouldn’t take a second of loving her back.”
I glance at him, surprised by the softness in his voice. Then I look back down at my bottle of beer that’s sweating beneath the heat.
“Anyway,” he continues. “I’m gonna get another one of these, you want?”
I shake my head. “No, Dad, thank you.”
***
When I return home, I’m shocked to find Danielle there, waiting.
“Ellis,” she says, quickly standing up.
I don’t know how to react, especially since I haven't seen her for so long. I realize I’m no longer exactly angry, just confused.
“Sorry,” she says. “Is this a bad time? I thought maybe you would be available now. But if not, we can talk later.”
Given that we’ve both been so skilled at avoiding one another, I should expect her to know my schedule. But still, her knowing that now is when I’d be at home and available is a strange thought.
I don’t like the idea of her watching me as much as I’ve been watching her.
The watching, which I’ve still been doing, admittedly has been out of concern. Despite everything, I can’t help that nagging feeling of needing to know whether she’s okay.
Is it the same the other way around? How could it be when she’s been lying to me all this time?
“Now is fine,” I say. “I’ve been waiting patiently for an explanation, as you know.”
“Yes,” she says, walking toward me. As she does, I notice how the light reflects off her body and face. Her skin is glowing, and her eyes look as though they’re sparkling emerald green.
How can someone so beautiful be so …dangerous? That’s the word that comes to mind, though I hate thinking it.
Because it doesn’t feel right. Not when she’s standing in front of me like this—calm, unarmed, her expression unreadable but not hostile. Not when my chest tightens at the sight of her, the way it always does.
“I’m sorry about the way that everything has happened,” she murmurs softly, “I know it seems purposeful, but trust me, I never meant to hurt or confuse you. This isn’t the way things were supposed to go.”
That makes me wonder how Danielle had envisioned things going. If I hadn’t realized anything about her, would she have continued lying to me this whole time?
I don’t ask her. I don’t want to interrupt.
“There is a spell that’s been put on you. It’s made you forget me. And the only way to explain everything is if I lift it, which, with your permission, is what I plan on doing.”
“But who are you?”
“As I said,” she continues. “I can only show you if you come with me.”
I shake my head. “I’m not going anywhere with you. How do I know this isn’t a trap?”
Danielle’s eyes flicker with something—hurt, maybe. Or guilt. I can tell she understands how I’m feeling, but Danielle is stubborn, and I know that she’ll keep fighting for her way.
