Page 102 of Alpha Ruined

“I love you,” that same voice whispers in her ear. “And I’m sorry.”

Sorry for what?

But she gasps as a sharp pain stings her neck. Strong hands hold her head in place, and light explodes behind her eyes.

She’s pulled out of the dark place in her mind and back to reality.

The reality where Cole just gave her a mating bite.

He pulls away, his piercing blue eyes inches from her.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers. “But it was the only way to bring you back.”

He looks just as stunned as she feels as everything crashes down on her.

“What did you do?” she ask softly, her eyes wide. “What did youdo?”

He’s in her blood now. The core of who he is flows through her heart and mind.

She waits for his cold, twisted heart to poison her.

But it doesn’t.

His presence in her is calming, with no hint of malice or fear. All she feels is…

“Oh,” she breathes as she meets his eyes.

Safety. Protection. Warmth.

“I didn’t want it to be like this,” he swears, his hands trembling as he cradles her face. “I wanted it to be your choice. Always.”

She shakes her head in disbelief.

Cole’s in her soul now. He’s a part of her, just as she’s a part of him.

But that doesn’t change what he’s done.

“You’re aliar,” she hisses, pulling away from him. The accusation pierces her chest, and she realizes it’s because she’s sensing his emotions. “From the beginning, you…what the actualhell,Cole?” she shrieks, moving away from him. “There’s a dead body downstairs! Why did you—ohGod?—”

The kitten, startled by Bree’s outburst, starts to meow, demanding attention.

“You never wanted it to be my choice,” she continues, tears running down her face. “You didn’tleaveme a choice. From the moment I met you, you have manipulated and deceived me.”

The infuriating man shakes his head as he scoops the kitten into his arms. “That’s not true.” But his lips are pulled into a thin line, and she knows she’s hit a nerve.

Her chest continues to ache, her emotions a swirl of his agony and her despair. Their scents merge, the combination powerful andperfect.

She doesn’t want to admit that despite all her negative emotions, there’s a sense of rightness in her soul.

“Isn’t it?” she snaps, wiping at her tears.

It’s hard to stay mad at him with the way he looks at her with adoration on his face.

“I’m sorry,” he says simply.

It makes her furious, but her inner Omega is elated that she’s no longer alone.

But she’sexhausted.