Page 19 of Cruel Alpha: Season One

“That’s the fucking point,” I seethe, smiling when his wrist cracks more. “You’re new here, correct?”

He nods profusely. “Yes, Alpha.”

“Figured as much.”

“My apologies for whatever I’ve done to offend you,” he pleads, but I ignore him to ask a question.

“You’ve finished your training?”

He cries out when bone grinds against bone. “Yes, Alpha.”

My brow knits together. “Then you should have already been informed about Ms. Breedlove’s status within the walls of this estate.”

“I was told that you keep her in the cellar, Sir. I suppose I didn’t realize how much she matters. I thought?—”

“Warning number one: do not think,” I cut in, ending his rambling. “Because you’re clearly not very good at it.”

He cries out when I apply more pressureandanother threat.

“Warning number two: lay another finger on her, and I’ll gut you and then feed your entrails to your family. Am I understood?”

He falls to his knees when I squeeze. “I understand.”

His sobs and the sight of tears streaming down his face sicken me.

“Get up,” I growl. “Clean yourself up and take an hour for your wrist to heal, then I want you back on your post.”

Clutching his hand, the guard nods, and stands to his feet. “Yes, Alpha. My apologies,” he adds, bowing in submission on his way out.

The door closes, and before it even fully latches…

“Do you think that was heroic?” Annalise scoffs, that all too familiar gleam of defiance in her stare. “Do you think I should see you as some sort of savior for what you did to him? Because I don’t. You don’t get to be called a hero when you’ve put me through hell.”

I find it difficult to blink when she turns me on like this—that fucking smart mouth I can’t wait to fill with cum. I smirk, imagining my remnants dripping from her chin onto those perfect tits. Tits that are currently heaving in frustration as she glares at me.

“Sit.”

You’d think I just spit in her face with the look she gives me, likely because I’ve completely ignored her tantrum. But when I remain calm and gesture toward the seat, she eventually lowers into it.

Good girl. You’ve finally accepted how this works.

I make my way around the desk and don’t speak again until I’ve lowered into my chair, and I’m at eye-level with Annalise. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her how lovely she looks, but she’s only recently submitted, so it’s a bit soon for rewards.

“I see you’ve decided to come up to the surface to rejoin the rest of civilization. Welcome.”

Her jaw tenses, likely holding back a slew of profanities, but she remains silent.

“I’d like you to join me for drinks this evening. Do you accept my invitation?”

“Do I honestly have a choice?”

I breathe deeply, holding her gaze. “You don’t, but I was trying to be polite.”

She scoffs, and I laugh.

“Very well then. Drinks in two hours,” I confirm. “Until then, there’s business I must tend to in the civic plaza.”

Annalise’s brow gathers. “Whatsortof business?”

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