Page 18 of Cruel Alpha: Season One

My jaw tenses, thinking of how badly things could’ve gone had these pieces of shit not been brought in when they were.

“The guards are awaiting your advice on how to deal with them,” Creed says. “It’s been suggested that we question them, find out who’s giving them their directives.”

“No,” I snap. “We’ve tried that, and they never speak, never give up their secrets. The only way to deal with their kind is swiftly and harshly.”

Creed nods. “Understood. Should I order them to be beheaded? Something publicized that will send a message?”

I’m thoughtful for a moment. “Yes, publicizing it is an excellent idea. Have Zara get every available news outlet on the line and arrange for them to meet at the civic plaza in an hour. In fact, tell her to issue a public notice that it’s mandatory forallclan membersto either be in attendance or tune into the live feed.”

“Yes, Sir. And do you have a preferred executioner? It’s short notice, but I’m certain I?—”

“There’s no need,” I cut in, hearing the crack of my knuckles when I make a fist. “I’ll do it myself.”

My brother’s expression is the first I notice when his brow furrows. “But Caspian?—”

“It’s already decided. Add to the list of tasks you’re conveying to Zara that she’ll need to inform the cook that I’ll be taking dinner later than usual tonight.”

“Noted,” Creed says, but neither he nor my brother have moved from their seats.

“Is there something else?”

Dimitri hesitates, but eventually responds to my question. “Archibald just informed me that Annalise would like to have a word with you. Apparently, the visit from her aunt was a success.”

I only manage to contain my smile for a few seconds, but then it becomes Impossible to hold back. The taste of victory is too sweet to ignore.

“Interesting.”

“Archibald’s taken her to get cleaned up and changed, but she’s ready now if you’d like to have a word,” Creed offers.

My chest swells when I breathe deep, excited by the mere notion of what this means. The prize I fought for, the coveted jewel I was desperate to add to my crown… has just waved the proverbial white flag.

“Send her in.”

“Right away, Sir,” Dimitri says, and I don’t miss the bite in his tone. He’s made it clear that he thinks bringing her here was a mistake. Right from the very beginning. In his words, women like her—women of status, noble blood—don’t quite fit my vision. Yes, she’s stubborn and has one hell of a defiant streak, but I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge.

It's always more rewarding to break the strong ones.

Dimitri shoots me a look of concern on his way out the door, but it barely registers in my consciousness because I hear her. Coming down the hallway, scolding her escort for being too rough.

Another smile breaks free. She’s a handful, but I realize I’m growing fond of the fight in her—likely a trait inherited from her grandfather.

First, a shadow darkens the doorway of my study, and then… there she is, washed clean of the filth and grime from her capture and nearly a week’s stay in that cell. The staff also tended to her hair and made up her face, which I find completely unnecessary for someone already so flawless. She’s been adorned with a well-fitting dress. The muted tone, a warm shade of taupe, compliments her subtly tanned skin. I close my mouth when I catch myself gawking, but the way the fabric clings to her curves is impossible to miss. Impossible not to have a reaction to. This woman… I’ve likened her to a carefully sculpted statue. One crafted solely to express the entirety of feminine beauty.

To put it in other terms… Annalise Breedlove, the woman I’ve vowed to claim, is a fucking knockout.

First, my eyes are drawn to her breasts where, beneath the thin material of her dress, I’m able to make out the outline of her nipples. Whether they’ve hardened because of the adrenaline rush while being brought to me, or because we’re at the height of mating season, I can’t be sure. But what Idoknow is that I want nothing more than to rip those pretty clothes right off her perfect body and fuck her into oblivion right here on my desk.

But alas, there’s a time and a place for everything.

“Let…goof me,” she hisses, attempting to pull her arm from the guard’s grasp, but she fails to break free.

My eyes are fixed there now, where the man’s stubby fingers dig deep into Annalise’s skin, tight enough that he’s likely left bruises that won’t fade for days.

Slowly, I rise from my seat. Annalise grows still and so does the guard as I make my way over to the door. The guard is a stranger to me, which means he’s new, and Archibald appointed someone inexperienced to do such an important job. But so be it. I suppose this will just be a teachable moment.

In an instant, I’ve taken the guard’s wrist, and with a bit of applied force, he loses his grip on Annalise. She gasps when I push her behind me with a quick, sweeping motion, needing her out of the way while I deal with the help.

“Sir, you’re hurting me!”

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