Page 111 of Brutal Alpha Beast
She spends some time catching up with her friends, and soon, Penelope joins, flashing me a knowing smile.
The head witch has grown on me. I consider her a friend.
“It’s good to see you back on your feet,” she says.
“It feels good to be back. How are the warriors over here getting on?”
“Healing,” she says. “And on your end?”
“Healing, too,” I respond. “I want to say thank you for your help. As allies, you’ve pulled through.”
Penelope tilts her head a little, nodding in agreement. “As you have. We couldn’t have done this without you.”
“Okay,” I frown. I keep my voice hushed, careful not to disrupt the light vibe of the space and of Danielle, who’s laughing with her friends beside me. “But the fact that this is the second time makes me think this isn’t the end. That was a fragment of Willow’s heart. What if there are other fragments elsewhere?”
“I’m sure there’s more,” Penelope says thoughtfully. “And we’ll be prepared for that time when it comes.”
“Right,” I respond. “But maybe we can prepare in advance, so that we’ll have an advantage. This time was close, too close.”
Penelope’s mouth widens into a subtle grin, and she steps forward, placing one hand on my forearm. “Little word of advice, Alpha, you gotta take the rare moments of calm when they come. They're what we go through all the trouble for.”
She cranes her neck over at Danielle, who’s glowing. She’s right.
Danielle’s my life’s purpose now.
After a little while, we head over to Monroe’s cabin.
I’m having bad flashbacks of a knife almost being jammed into my chest, but once Monroe opens the door and wraps Danielle into a hug, I forget all about it.
“Oh, Danielle. Words can’t even-”
“Shh,” she hushes, “I’m just glad you’re okay. And we’ve bought you food.”
“Thank you,” she sighs. Then she looks over at me. “I’m sorry for almost killing you, Ellis. Both of you. Gosh, all the memories are slowly coming in drips, and I can’t even believe that my body could do those things. It’s awful.”
“It’s nothing,” I say. “I sent your ass to sleep with that dreamroot.”
“Good!” She exclaims. “Please come inside.”
We enter, and Danielle begins heating up the food. The place looks significantly messier than the last time I saw it.
“How are you getting on?” Danielle asks.
“Not great,” she says, and I notice a slight hobble in her walk. “I don’t know what that evil bitch Willow did to me, but she took a lot out of me. I’ve never felt this crap before. It’s like my whole life source has been drained.”
Danielle darts me a concerned look.
“Have you not been getting better?”
“Not yet,” she says, shaking her head. “And I appreciate the food, but I can’t keep much down at the moment.”
Danielle turns, her eyebrows furrowing.
“Monroe, that’s not good. Have you spoken to a doctor, or had any of our sisters take a look at you?”
“I’m fine,” she shrugs. “The doctor said what I told you, that my life force has just been a little drained. You know, when you don’t actually have your magic formed yet, healing tends to take some more time.”
“I know,” Danielle says sadly, guilt filling her voice.
