Page 24 of Cruel Alpha: Season One

Right away, I regret speaking out of turn. My big, stupid mouth is going to be the death of me one day. But… I couldn’t help it, couldn’t sit here, listening to his list without speaking up.

Surprisingly, there’s no longer anger in his expression. There’s something else. Something I can’t quite put my finger on, but it makes me feel naked again.

“You’re right. A pet would be nice. Perhaps a puppy,” he says. “But something tells me you’re all the bitch I can handle, Annalise.”

I’m insulted, but for some stupid reason, I’m fighting a smile.

“Dick,” I mumble to myself, too quietly for him to have heard, so he moves on with his rules.

“Rule number three: I expect you to adhere to protocol at all times.”

“Protocol?”

“Three are of more importance than the others, but they’llallbe typed up and left beneath your door by morning. It’s important that you read them, commit them to memory, andexecute them impeccably,” he says, grating my nerves with every syllable that leaves his mouth. “One, in public, you’re to address me with respect, as your alpha. Two, we’re toalwaysportray a public display of unity—that includes hand holding, being at my side during formal events. Three, I require your exclusive attention. This means I willnevertolerate disloyalty or flirtatious behavior toward other men. Ever,” he adds, and I’m dumbfounded because…

“Meanwhile, you’ll take onseveralmates, as I sit idly by, being perfectly meek and humble as I wait dutifully at the feet of the all-powerful alpha?”

Shit… I didn’t mean to say that out loud. And seeing how redness spreads across his face, I’m guessing he could’ve done without me saying it, too.

“You hate me,” he says. “You’ve made that crystal clear on every occasion possible. So, is it simply your ego that makes the idea of me taking on more than one mate unfavorable to you? Or… is it something else. Jealousy, perhaps?”

My lips part, and my body is all tension and frustration as I prepare to speak. But Caspian cuts me off before I’ve had the chance.

“Before you answer, bear in mind that I have an excellent sense of smell,” he says. “So, you may also want to explain why you’ve gotten considerably wetter since sitting beside me.”

My mouth clamps shut. I’ve got the urge to adjust in my seat, but he might misread my squirming for me being turned on. At the thought of it, I’m also now more aware of the seat of my panties being damp, which means…

No, he’s wrong.

This has nothing to do with him and everything to do with being at the height of mating season.

He takes my silence as a sign. One that points toward there possibly being some truth to his accusation. And as much as Ihate the idea of it, he could be right. Not about my being jealous, but the part about me… being wet for him.

A hint of a smirk curves his lips and the timing of it has me wondering if he’s heard my thoughts.

“You saw me at my worst today, but there’s more to me,” he claims, and his tone is far gentler than before. “Whether you believe this or not, I’d much rather have you respect me than fear me.”

His words flutter into my thoughts, and they surprise me. Because his every action has seemingly been to induce fear and subordination, which could be a testament to how his social skills have been distorted by his position of power.

“Come to me.”

My brow quirks, hearing Caspian’s command, but not quite grasping it. It takes several seconds, and a reminder of the rules that were just recited to me before I finally rise from my seat. The entire trek from my chair to his, Caspian’s eyes are glued to me, every place the form-fitted dress hugs my figure.

But unlike before, I’m not immediately repulsed.

I could easily blame the shift in perspective on the abundance of wine in my system. But honestly? I’m growing suspicious that, maybe… there might be something else at play.

10

Dessert

Annalise

I stopat Caspian’s feet, and he doesn’t lift his head when peering up through his lashes.

“On my lap,” he says, and a breath hitches in my throat. I don’t move quickly enough for him, so he takes the sides of my dress, hikes it up to my waist, then brings me closer by my hips.

He maneuvers me to his lap, forcing me to straddle him. I settle onto the front of his pants, unable to ignore that he’s hard and…huge.I’m no longer breathing as he positions my arms around his neck, and then inhales the perfume from mine.

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