Page 30 of Brutal Alpha Beast
The truth of why I want to observe is that my intuition is telling me something is wrong with her.
I’m not sure what it is yet, but her coldness has to mean something. I need to watch her more closely.
I’ve been walking around our pack parameters, but I haven’t spotted her yet.
“Ellis,” Aaron, my closest advisor, appears by my side. “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” I nod, “walk with me.”
He follows along, and I scan our surroundings around the outskirts of town.
“Not much to report from the meeting aside from the food supply issue we had last week. But that’s been sorted now for the most part, although they were discussing preventive measures to put in place.”
“That’s fine,” I respond. “James can take care of that. So, nothing else?”
He shrugs. “Nothing else.”
“Have you noticed anything with the witches?”
He exhales heavily. “Everyone seems to be getting along.”
I can already see the effect that our alliance with them has had. Usually, just the mention of a witch would have garnered a cagey, angry response.
“Good,” I say, distracted. “Thanks, Aaron, that’s all.”
I notice that something about Danielle has made me grumpier than usual. I’m not feeling like my usually stoic self.
As I continue to walk, to my left, something stops me in my tracks.
It’s a large Rhododendron bush. Usually, it’s blooming with light pink flowers, a colorful green and pink structure brimming with life.
Now, it’s encrusted with black decay.
Most of the flowers are dead or dying, and the leaves are curled and yellowed. A dark feeling twists inside my stomach—it’s not just the trees. I wonder what else is getting destroyed.
Then I spot Danielle. She’s walking into town carrying a large bag. I snap my attention away from the dying bush and toward her. I’m suspicious. What’s in the bag?
Following behind, I watch as she greets our pack mates with a friendly smile.
She heads over to where some kids are playing among a couple of sprinklers, giggling beneath the glittering sun.
I’m confused at first, but I edge closer.
Does she plan on drawing magic from the water source—or however that works?
I tense at first.
Then I relax when I see the kids running up to her. They hug her, and she seems totally unbothered by the fact that they’re wet.
She’s crouching and smiling, and then, from her bag, she takes out little pink packets of candy.
They’re excited as hell as they take the treats from her hand.
I soften, I feel the slightest bit of guilt about being so suspicious, and then I walk toward her.
“Ellis, look at these sweets!” Ben smiles with a toothy grin. He’s four years old, but one of the fastest kids in his grade and the grade above. So I’m told by his proud parents.
“They look good,” I say, gazing over at Danielle.
