Page 95 of Alpha Ruined
She packs the rest of her items in record time, suitcases ready to go the moment she’s done with her interview.
She cries and bites her nails to the quick on the way to Doctor Porter’s office.
Was Cole watching her at the antique store? Is that how he knew to buy her the pen set?
When else was he in her cabin without her knowing?
The doctor’s office is in a business park forty minutes from Green Woods. The area is upscale and quaint, with lush green landscaping surrounding the newly constructed building.
Her hands shake as she knocks on the door to his office.
“Come in,” a voice says, and she swings open the door to see the face of Erik Hart’s psychologist.
All thoughts of Cole leave her mind.
CHAPTER 33
BREE
The moment Doctor Portergives her a gentle smile, she stops worrying about Cole.
She’s here to work. To find out more about Erik and Ellie and allow the doctor to tell his story.
“Breana?” he asks from his desk. He’s an older Beta with greying white hair and glasses, dressed in dark grey slacks and a light blue long-sleeved button-up shirt. The openness of his expression instantly makes Bree feel at ease.
He seems genuinely happy to see her, and she gives him a smile in return.
“That’s me,” she says, walking over to shake his hand. “Thank you so much for meeting with me, Doctor.”
The corner of his eyes crinkle. “Your email was so well written and polite that I couldn’t help but agree to meet with you,” he says. “Unlike every other news outlet that seemed determined to get whatever crazy story they could.” Hemotions to the leather couch against the opposite wall. “Please, sit down.”
With her notebook open, she’s ready to start writing, but Doctor Porter asks about her first.
“So, you’re from Holden, right?” he asks. “I hope you didn’t come here all by yourself.”
Bree scoffs. “You’re probably the millionth person to say that,” she chuckles. “I did. Probably shouldn’t have, though.”
That’s an understatement.
“Ah. Ellie did the same thing,” he sighs. He must see something on Bree’s expression, and he waves his hand. “Sorry! I don’t mean that in a bad way. IadoredMiss Winters. She was lovely. And so brilliant.” A smile crosses his face. “She had a lot of patience, especially with Erik.”
Bree perks up. “Oh. Could you elaborate on that? I’d love to hear more about it.”
The doctor regards her curiously. “I read your interview questions, Miss Hanson. And instead of answering them one by one, would you be alright if we just discuss them?”
She nods. “Of course. I’m just flattered you would even meet with me, Doctor Porter.”
The doctor’s light green eyes soften. “I’m glad. First, what I’m about to say may surprise you, especially if you’ve been paying attention to news outlets. But I think Miss Winters is alive. I don’t think Erik harmed her one bit.”
Her heart beats rapidly in her chest.
“That’s what I assumed too,” she says honestly. “But I felt crazy wording it to anyone.”
“Erik is…complicated, to say the least,” the doctor chuckles. “I’m not forgiving what he’s done. It was reprehensible. But I knew him for a few years, and something changed in him when he met Ellie.” His gaze grows distant. “My hope is that they’re together, somewhere safe.”
“You don’t think he kidnapped her?” Bree presses. “Everyone else seems to think so.”
The doctor lets out a slow, deep breath. “It’s hard to say for sure,” he admits. “Ellie came off very confident, but I’ve been doing this job long enough to see when someone is in pain on the inside. She was hurting, just like Erik.”