Page 66 of Brutal Alpha Beast
And then she stops.
The magic dwindles around us. She takes a long breath, and then she opens her eyes.
I feel dizzy, suddenly extremely discombobulated. Where am I?
She’s watching me expectantly.
But who is she?
Then, it all comes rushing through my mind. The moon-gazing activity after school, our secret spot, running away from my house into the forest, her birthday—our first time.
All that suffering.
I wince as my body recalls the pain. My ignorance is the reason she was sent away. But she lied to me.
I can’t speak. I can’t even think.
I’m here with Danielle. I know exactly who she is.
Chapter 17 - Danielle
That incredulous, pained, and confused look, the one that I’ve been dreading, is finally here, staring back at me inches away from my face.
I let go of his hands.
I doubt he’ll want to speak to me, let alone hold me. I doubt he’ll want to touch me ever again.
So I brace myself for the tsunami of anger that I know is about to come pouring out of him. He’s confused now, but he knows, and soon that confusion will transform into disdain.
I try, somehow, to formulate responses to the inevitable questions.How could you do this? Why would you come back? Are you completely insane?
I don’t have the answers.
And then, something happens.
It’s as though the magic has affected me too—my vision is clouded with flashbacks, memories that I’ve suppressed.
“Why do you do that?” Ellis asks me. We’re in our secret spot.
“Do what?”
“Hide yourself away? This place is your home, too.”
We’re leaning against the shed. Ellis is dressed in a full tux, I’m in sweatpants, and a baggy tee. Tonight is our high school prom. I’m not going.
“Why do I want to stand around at some stupid party, have no one talk to me, and dance alone? No thanks. I’d rather be at home—in my cabin, that is.”
“But you’re always in your cabin.”
I shrug. “It’s better in there. Why do you want me to go?”
“Don’t you want to dance?”
I sigh, looking up at the stars. “Well, sure, but as I said, I’d be dancing alone.”
“Well, that’s a shame.”
“It is what it is.”
