Page 47 of Brutal Alpha Beast
“I think that the tapestry always tells us what to do as opposed to what we’re doing wrong. If the vines represent our bond, so to speak, I think it shows us working together to defeat the curse. I think it says we should get along.”
She looks genuinely shocked. “Do you now? You think werewolves and witches should ‘get along’?”
“We’ve gotten along pretty well at times, haven’t we?”
I’m thinking of our kiss—the way she melted in my arms. From the rosy color spreading across Danielle’s cheeks, I can tell that she’s thinking of it, too.
“Look,” she says. “The vines being a bond was just a theory, I don’t know. Vines can represent many different things, such as danger, cooperation, and bones. And then you look at witch folklore, and they mean nature, connection, but then you look into some other texts, and they can represent poison. Maybe the bright light was the important part—maybe we’re supposed to shine magic on the earth.”
“And that’s what we’ve been doing, right? With the solution?”
She nods. “Yes, I suppose.”
She flicks through the book, and I watch her. While I’m donning a relaxed demeanor, I’m thinking about what she said. What if coming togetheriscatastrophic? What if the shadow demons had never come out if it weren’t for us bickering?
They didn’t come for anyone else.
“Are you just going to sit there, or are you going to read something?” She suddenly mutters beneath her breath.
I smile. “Trying to boss me around again?”
“Hey, you came in here looking to help.”
“Okay,” I sigh. “Sure.”
I get up and grab a random book, the closest thing I can find. My mind is basically fried at this point of such a busy day, and there’s only one thing I can think about.
I should leave, but my wolf wants to be around her, even if we’re just reading. Correction, pretending to read.
She glances sideways at my book. “The history of horticulture?”
I shrug. “It could help.”
After a little while, she lets out a long sigh and stops.
It worries me that I could spend so long in her presence doing nothing and not get bored. It’s like I’m bewitched. Maybe I am.
She turns to me, and I lower my riveting horticulture book.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” She groans, exasperated. The expression on her face, so unbelievably adorable.
“Because you’re working yourself up for no reason. It’s okay if you don’t figure it out today.”
She smiles a little. “Since when did you become so patient?”
“You think I’m not patient?”
“I mean, you’re an Alpha wolf, you’re not supposed to be, are you?”
“I’ve gotten better,” I say. “I hate to admit it, but I think you’ve helped.”
I don’t know where that came from, but I meant it. The words poured out before I could get them to stop.
She opens her mouth a little, like she wants to say something—then stops. Her tongue darts out, wetting her bottom lip, and she looks away, pretending to skim the page again. But I can tell she’s not reading. Her fingers aren’t even turning the page. They’re just resting there, motionless.
“Danielle,” I say quietly.
She looks back at me.
