Page 18 of Alpha Ruined

“Did you know that the closest town is Elmwood? Are you going to visit there?” Her mother asks.

Bree frowns. “I mean, I haven’t considered it. Maybe, why?”

Silence.

“Mom,what?”

“There were two murders there in the past month,” Carol says gravely.

“Wait, what? In Elmwood? How do you know that?” Bree’s stomach flips as she clutches her phone tightly.

“I did some research, and I called the sheriff?—”

“Youcalled the sheriff? Why?”

“I just wanted to make sure you were going to be okay, since you’re traveling by yourself! I told them my daughter was staying in Green Woods and I asked if there was anything she should know.”

Bree’s mouth hangs open in shock. “You didn’t need to do that, Mom.Whywould you do that?”

“Because you’re an Omega,alone. And you’re my daughter. I just wanted to double check.”

Anger flares in her, and she bites her tongue to stop herself from saying something she’ll regret.

At Bree’s silence, her mother continues. “There were two murders in a town less than an hour from you. Yes, they were men, but it washorrific. They were chopped up into little bits, Bree. And they were found in barrels.”

Her stomach churns. “I’m going to be fine, Mom,” she says, softening her tone. “I promise.”

“I know,” Carol huffs. “I’m just telling you to be extra careful. If you get a bad feeling, just call the sheriff. Don’t go out at night alone.”

Bree rolls her eyes. “I know. I’ll be safe, I promise.”

“Okay. I just worry about you. Hank said if you need anything, we can drive up and get you. He doesn’t mind.”

Bree closes her eyes and runs a hand through her hair. “You don’t need to bother Hank,” she sighs, not wanting to concern her stepfather unnecessarily.

“It’s not a bother. We could have both gone up with you. We could have covered the cost of the cabin, too, if you had just told us earlier.”

“Yeah. Well, maybe next time,” she lies.

“Just call if you need anything Bree, okay? And please be careful.”

“I will, Mom. I promise.”

She already broke that promise this morning, though, by being in an abandoned building with a stranger.

But she’s going to keep that part to herself.

She also doesn’t bother to mention Eugene. Her mother doesn’t need to worry about her.

Darlene isat the café counter again, and she smiles when she sees Bree.

“Hey! You here for lunch?” she says, and Bree grins.

“Yup. Is the veggie panini good? I’m a vegetarian.”

“Hell yes, it is. I eat it like every other day. You want your drink from yesterday, too?”

Bree raises an eyebrow. “Oh, you remembered it?”