Page 4 of Alpha Ruined
“You’re going to spend half a day driving just to do an interview that we’re not even going to publish?” Carl frowns. “Are you that bored here?”
Bree picks at her nails. How does she explain to her boss that it’s not about being bored?
“No, I’m not. I just don’t want to miss this opportunity,” she mutters. “I have a gut feeling about this, Carl.”
Guilt clouds his dark brown eyes. “I know I don’t pay you enough,” he mumbles. “You know if I could, I would, right?But if you’re planning on going to another publication, I understand.”
“No, Carl—” Bree exhales slowly. “It’s not that. I just…Ihaveto do this. I think there is more to this story than just a prisoner kidnapping a social worker. And I think that doctor may have some answers.”
Carl frowns.
“Even if we don’t publish it, I need to do this,” she continues softly. “This is a big deal. He hasn’t done any other interviews.”
He drums his fingers on the desk and stares at his laptop screen. “I suppose you’ll need a couple of days off.”
“That was the plan, yes. But I’ll be back in time for the grand opening of the dog grooming salon.”
He chuckles. “I guess our town is kind of boring, huh?”
She gives him a small smile. “It has character.”
“Uh-huh. Well, I still don’t like that you’re going alone. You should take someone with you.”
She sighs. “You know I’m going to be fine. I can handle myself.”
But Carl gives her a pitying look. “Don’t make me say it, Bree. You know what I mean.”
She swallows. “Then don’t say it,” she murmurs.
Without thinking, she reaches to touch the mating gland at the junction of her neck and shoulder.
It’s not that she’s in danger by going to Green Woods by herself. It’s just notideal.
But she’s made it twenty-six years so far as an Omega without a mate, and another week won’t kill her.
Carl isn’t impressed as he looks up at her from his desk. “Wasn’t that social worker alone, too?” he asks gently.
Bree shrugs, as if she doesn’t already know the answer. Ellie Winters was an unmated Omega that visited Green Woods by herself and never returned.
But Bree won’t be alone with any prisoners.
The prison isn’t even in operation anymore—the doctor assigned to Erik Hart’s case has returned to his private practice, and the remaining occupants of the prison have been transferred.
Bree isn’t Ellie.
She just wants to interview Doctor Porter, then come back in time for the opening of Furry Paws Salon.
Carl looks at her as she stands awkwardly in his doorway. She wants to go back to her office, but she’s been with him long enough to recognize when he wants to say something that has the potential to be awkward.
He clears his throat. “Look, kiddo. I know I’m not your father…”
Her chest constricts and ice shoots through her veins.
“But hell, I’m old enough to be,” he chuckles awkwardly. “Just be careful, okay? And check in with me. And if something goes wrong, call me. I’ll drive up there to get you in a heartbeat.”
She chews her lip and shifts uncomfortably.
“Thank you,” she says. “I’ll text you the minute I get there.”