Page 7 of Alpha Ruined
“Green Woods.”
She holds her breath. Maybe Carol doesn’t know…
“Green Woods?Green Woods?” her mother parrots, looking at Bree as if she’s lost her mind. “The place where that prisoner killed the Omega?”
Bree groans and places her glass on a stone coaster on the end table. “They don’t know if hekilledher. The police said they’re both missing. I’m interviewing his doctor. It’s a big deal; he hasn’t done any interviews except with me.”
“He killed her, Breana. There’s no way he didn’t. He’s amurderer.” Carol’s eyes widen. “He’s crazy! He killed a guard?—”
“Mom, he’s notthere.He’sgone. I’m going to interview hisdoctor.”
“By yourself. You, an unmated Omega.”
Bree narrows her eyes. “Yes,by myself,” she hisses. “I’m perfectly capable of doing things without an Alpha.”
Fury flashes in her mother’s eyes. “I’m sure that’s what that social worker said, too.”
“Her name is Ellie Winters.”
“Was. You’re not going.”
Bree raises her eyebrows. “I’msorry?” she chokes out, half amused, half shocked.
“You heard me. You can’t go.” Carol’s eyes have turned icy, fear replaced with cold determination. “That’s a death sentence. Unless that’swhyyou want to go?”
The silence is heavy in the room. Bree stares at her mother in shock, tears welling at the corners of her eyes at her accusation.
“If that’s what you think, then you don’t know me at all.”
Bree’s proud that her voice barely wavers, but it’s time to leave.
“How can I know you when you never visit?” Carol snaps, as Bree stands from the chair. “I didn’t even know you were working at the newspaper until six months ago. I didn’t even know if you werealive.”
Bree rubs at her eyes, feeling a migraine forming. “I’m leaving in two days,” she sighs, not wanting to delve further into an argument or hear her mother’s dramatics.
To hell with sundresses and sugar-free lemonade.
Andfuckwhatever this broken, hopeless dynamic is that she has with her mother.
“Breana,please,” Carol says, following her daughter down the hallway. “I didn’t mean to tell you what to do; I meant youcan’tgo because it’s too dangerous.”
Bree ignores her and pulls the door open leading to Carol’s sprawling driveway.
“What would your father think?”
Her mother’s words make her falter, but she doesn’t take the bait.
“Just stop, Mom,” she sighs. “I’ll text you when I get there.”
Carol doesn’t follow her out the door. Bree makes it to her car before she allows any tears to fall.
Whatwouldher father think of her going?
Better yet, what would he think of the twenty-six-year-oldwoman sniffling in her car because she’s too stubborn and afraid to mend the relationship with her remaining parent?
She groans and wipes at her face.
He wouldn’t be proud, that’s for sure.