Page 74 of Alpha Ruined
“So, I take it you’ve stopped fighting your feelings for him?” Darlene asks, smirking as Bree playfully scowls at her. “You light up every time you look at your phone.”
“He’s a flirt,” Bree shrugs. “It’s hard not to.”
Darlene’s knowing smile grows bigger as Oscar leaps from his cat tree and onto the couch.
“What?”
“Nothing. It’s just nice to see a budding romance.”
Bree rolls her eyes and sighs. “Unfortunately, it’s only temporarily,” she mutters.
“Does he know that?”
“I mean, of course he does. He knows I’m leaving, and I doubt he would do a long-distance relationship.” She can’t hide the obvious disappointment in her tone, and Darlene just stares at her, slack jawed.
“Are you serious?” the raven-haired Omega demands. “You really don’t get it, do you?”
“Get what?”
“Do you not see the way that man is into you? He’s in it for the long haul. I doubt a couple hours of distance is going to stop him from being with you.”
But she doesn’t want Cole to come to Holden and see the pathetic life she lives. She doesn’t want him to see the small, empty apartment and run-down newspaper office that’s in desperate need of a renovation. And she definitely doesn’t want Cole to meet her mother.
It’s all too embarrassing.
She opened up to him, showed him some of the worst parts of herself, but that was on the condition that this would eventually end. She had assumed once she returned to Holden, he would tire of his pursuit, but based on Darlene’s reaction, she might be wrong.
I’d like to try, for now, she had told him.
In her mind,for nowmeant while she was in Green Woods.
“He could have anyone he wants,” she argues lamely, and Darlene brings a hand to her forehead.
“I’m going to slap you,” she mutters. “I’m only giving you a pass because you’ve never been with an Alpha before, but you need to realize what’s happening.”
“I know what’s happening. We can be friends after this.”
The lie falls flat.
“No, you can’t,” a cheery, booming voice sounds from the living room, and Kyle enters the kitchen. “Hey, Bree.Sorry to interrupt your conversation, but Darlene’s right.”
She’s liked Kyle since she first met him, immediately knowing her friend was in good hands with him. With a hulking frame, shaggy blonde hair and brown eyes, he’s exactly as Darlene described him—a giant teddy bear. His scent is muted, slightly musky and faint, complimenting his mate’s Omega scent.
“Of course, I’m right,” her friend retorts. “I’ve been telling her from the beginning, and I think it’s finally starting to get through to her.” She points at Bree. “He made sure your tab was covered at the café. He pretended to be your husband to get Eugene off your back. That’s not normal dating. He’s choosing you as a mate, Bree. Ipromise.” Darlene shoots a glance to Kyle. “She’s never dated an Alpha before.”
“Oh.Oh,” Kyle looks at her and raises his eyebrows. “Yeah, he’s all but ready to marry you, Bree. Congrats.”
She opens her mouth to reply but is speechless. Darlene laughs.
“I’ve been telling you. You found your mate without even realizing it, huh?”
Mate.
Cole’s my mate.
No. It’s not possible.
“I just thought maybe you were a hopeless romantic,” Bree says, anxiety rising in her gut. “I mean, everything you were saying at the antique shop was pretty fanciful.”