Page 30 of Cruel Alpha: Season One

The suggestion pays off when the pair leave my side, giggling as they swiftly detour my aunt and uncle’s path. My eyes are on Max again, and I flash a smile, proud for having avoided tonight’s first crisis.

“Now, where were we?” I say, smoothing my dress before my fan begins to flutter again.

“I believe we were discussing how absolutely ravishing you look tonight. The alpha is a very, very lucky man.”

My lips part to respond, but I’m not given the chance.

“I couldn’t agree with you more,” a deep, velvety voice croons, answering for me. It isn’t until my two remaining maidens back away, and a warm hand slips around my waist, that I realize it’s Caspian.

He slowly draws me into his side as Max’s eyes widen with a mix of surprise and fear. His posture straightens just a little, and I note how he clears his voice before speaking again.

“Alpha Caspian,” he says with a slight bow. “It’s an honor to be here, Sir.”

Caspian smiles for decorum’s sake, but I imagine his thoughts are wicked.Alwayswicked.

“And it’s an honor to have you in my home, Baron Fitzroy. I don’t think I realized you and Ms. Breedlove were already acquainted. Were you schoolmates?” he asks.

Max swallows deeply. “No, sir. We were… We actually…”

“We courted for a short spell,” I cut in, freeing Max from the burden of explanation.

Caspian’s grip tenses when I reveal the truth, but I’m certain he’d already put two and two together. He’s a lot of things, but stupid is not one of them.

“Ah, I see,” he rasps.

“It’s been over a year since we’ve spoken,” Max rushes to explain. “I only intended to catch up with Annalise to?—”

“Ms. Breedlove,” Caspian interjects, confusing Max with the correction.

“I—don’t understand.”

A casual smirk curves Caspian’s lips. “You called her Annalise, and considering her current status, that feels a bittoo… familiar, wouldn’t you say?” His gaze narrows and the look on Max’s face leads me to believe he’d love to be curled up in some far corner of the room at the moment.

“Yes, sir. My apologies.” With redness pooling in his cheeks, Max turns to meet my gaze. “And my sincerest apology to you as well, Ms. Breedlove. I meant no disrespect.”

My blood’s boiling, but I bridle my tongue. “None taken.”

“You were saying, Baron Fitzroy?” Caspian asks, flashing a calm smile that only infuriates me more.

“Right.” Max closes his eyes for a moment to find his train of thought. “I was just stating thatMs. Breedloveand I were only catching up. Nothing more.”

Caspian holds his gaze, and when he smiles, it’s somehow more alarming than when he had no expression at all.

“Nothing more,” he says, seemingly to himself, causing a hush to fall over an already awkward conversation. So awkward that I’m relieved to see Archibald heading this way, pushing his way through the crowd.

“Sir, it’s eight o’clock.”

Caspian holds Max’s gaze a moment longer before nodding in response to Archibald’s reminder. “Thank you.” His attention shifts toward Max again, and I hold my breath. “While it’s been lovely chatting with you, Baron Fitzroy, you’ll have to excuse Ms. Breedlove and I.”

Max forces a smile, then offers another half bow. “Of course.”

I lock eyes with Max half a second before Caspian’s grip moves from my waist to my hand, and I’m gently carted off behind him, heading toward a small stage in the center of the far wall. The room parts for us, like water receding from the shore before a tsunami makes landfall. The display of reverence from our people sends a rush through me, reminding me of the power connected to the hand holding mine. My eyes fall there, to ourinterlocked fingers as he gently leads me, and then walks me up the steps at his side.

As guests take notice, conversations quiet all around the ballroom, and all eyes are eventually on us. At Caspian’s side, I stare out at our people, feeling a sense of pride swelling in my chest. We are a formidable clan despite our imperfections. And although none are aware of how treacherous my coming to be with the alpha has been, seeing how they’ve come out to celebratemehits me square in the heart.

“Thank you for joining us this evening,” Caspian begins, that perfect smile of his having its intended effect on the swooning crowd. “As you all know, you were invited here to formally acknowledge Ms. Annalise Breedlove’s place within this clan, within my home, and within my heart as my mate.”

There are cheers and applause all around the room, and I spot my aunt and uncle on their feet, wearing broad smiles I choose to ignore. Instead, my focus is on those who genuinely love and care for me. Even if only by default as a result of their love for our alpha.

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