Page 120 of Alpha Ruined

Kyle looks over at Darlene’s phone. “Well, if it is, they look just like any other couple. Guess she did go with him willingly.”

Bree’s heart feels like it’s going to burst. A surge of love rushes through her, and she glances at Cole, who wraps his arm around her tighter.

She’s almost positive it’s Erik and Ellie in the picture. She spent too many hours doing a deep internet dive on their relationship, and their faces have been ingrained in her mind.

Elliedidchoose him. Ellie went with Erik willingly, in the end.

Doctor Porter was right.

She wonders if he saw the article about his former patient.

A part of her breathes a sigh of relief, knowing she’s not the only one who looked past the monster and found the man inside.

“You look lost in thought,” Cole murmurs into her ear. “And your emotions are all over the place.”

Darlene is chatting with Kyle, no longer paying attention to them, and their cat is cuddled up on the opposite cushion, dozing.

“I love you,” she says simply.

He grins, brilliant and breathtaking, the corners of his eyes crinkling.

“I love you, too.”

Heart full, she spends the rest of her birthday with a small, secret smile on her face.