Page 83 of Alpha Ruined

They’re at Darlene’s with Bree cuddled up to him on the couch while they chat. Their orange cat plops into his lap, purring obscenely loud as Cole scratches at the feline’s chin.

It’s all so…normal.

This is what he wants for the rest of his life. Just Bree, him, and the occasional evening at a friend’s house, followed by him eating Bree out until she passes out.

It’s his ideal life.

He even likes Kyle. The mated Alpha is obviously devoted to his Omega, and he’s in no way a threat to him. With Bree’s imminent Heat, there’s still a primal urge to hide her away from the world, but his girl was adamant that he meet the people that are important to her.

It’s hard to argue with that, especially since Kyle is harmless.

If he wasn’t, it would be a different story

With one arm slung around Bree, Cole frowns. “Define crazy.”

“You know, someone murders someone else in a jealous fit of rage, or a mistaken identity, or something like that,” Kyle supplies excitedly, as Darlene looks at him.

“Don’t be weird, babe,” Darlene says, making a face, then turning to Cole. “Sorry. He’s obsessed with true crime. He’s been losing it over the murders around here.”

Cole tightens his grip on Bree’s shoulder as she stiffens against him. He catches the subtle scent of her fear, and he runs his fingers soothingly over her shoulder. “It’s concerning,” he admits.

Bree huffs against him. “Concerning is underselling it.”

“You’re staying with her now, right?” Darlene asks him. “I just don’t want her to be by herself. I didn’t think it was a good idea for her to come alone in the first place, so I’m glad she has you.”

“I’mright here, Darlene.”

Cole grins. “I don’t plan on letting her be alone ever again.”

Darlene smiles wide and waggles her eyebrows at Bree while his Omega fights a smile.

“And keep her away from Eugene, too, the prick,” Kyle mutters, and Bree’s scent sours. “He’s such an asshole.”

“Oh, that reminds me,” Bree adds, “he showed up at the cabin the other day again.”

Cole stills. Darlene and Kyle raise their eyebrows, and even Oscar tilts his head at her curiously.

Fury simmers in Cole. “Explain,” he says quietly.

Bree shrugs out of his hold, straightening the sleeves of her sweater as she sits up straight. “He was drunk, and heblocked my car for a minute,” she chuckles awkwardly, placing her hands on her knees. “He said some awful things, but then he left after I told him I would call the sheriff.” She glances at Cole and shrinks at his expression. “It’s fine,” she says quietly. “I forgot to mention it until now, after everything that’s happened.”

“When was this?” he demands.

She swallows. “The day we were at the cemetery.”

That was days ago. Days where he didn’t know that the sick son of the bitch went near his girl again.

“Bree, what thefuck!” Darlene exclaims. “You need to tell us when something like that happens!”

“It didn’t seem like a big deal at the time,” Bree insists. “And after I ran into you,” she looks at Cole, “I forgot about everything else,” she says softly.

His Alpha roars in delight, but that doesn’t erase his frustration.

He should have dealt with Eugene the moment he arrived in Green Woods.

And now that he’s bothered Bree again, he’s going to draw his death out longer than necessary.

CHAPTER 28