Page 83 of Brutal Alpha Beast
I smile.
“I also didn’t hold your hand. It just ended up like that.”
“Okay,” I mock.
She closes her eyes. “Okay, shh.”
Despite the pack standing up for her, I can tell that our allies’ concern has gotten to her.
At least, it’s time for a distraction. And aside from that, we both agreed that it was finally time she lifted the spell for the pack.
Now they’ve grown closer, it only makes sense they should know.
After a comparatively undramatic few minutes, Danielle opens her eyes.
“It’s done,” she whispers.
We return to the pack, where I call a last-minute meeting in one of our courtyards.
The place is brimming with murmurs and confused faces.
“Now I know everyone must be feeling disorientated.”
Danielle rests a gentle hand on my forearm. “I think I should speak.”
I nod.
She takes a breath and steps forward. “I know that all of you must be feeling confused or a little hazy. I’ll just cut to the chase. I’m sorry for making you all forget me. It was childish and immature, and I see now why it was wrong.”
The murmurs have quietened, and my pack mates, at least those whose faces I can make out, look moved.
“I understand why you wouldn’t want to forgive me, or even talk to me again. It came from a place of pain, and I’m sorry for any hurt I’ve caused.”
My packmates are silent. We were expecting anger, but silence is somehow worse. Danielle begins to walk off; I see tears forming in her eyes.
“Danielle, wait,” I whisper.
She shakes her head. “It’s fine.”
“We’re sorry,” a familiar voice says. Everyone turns.
It’s Harry Whitmore. Danielle freezes, flinches slightly. Harry was one of her biggest bullies at school.
“I understand why you did it,” he says. “You weren’t treated fairly. We all do stupid shit when we’re young, right?”
Danielle smiles. Someone else calls out from the crowd. “Right!”
I pull Danielle beside me and wrap my arm around her.
“Danielle’s one of us now,” I say. “She’s a member of the pack.”
The crowd breaks out into whoops and cheers, and Danielle’s face turns pink as she covers the sides of her face with her hands.
I feel the urge to kiss her.
“Let’s keep the cheering going!”
Danielle nudges me playfully. “Ellis! Shut up.”
