Page 4 of Cruel Alpha: Season One

In the silence, I note the exact moment he scans my attire. Again, I’m reminded of my aunt’s plea that I wear something moresuitable,and while it isn’t often that I agree with her, I suppose this is one of those rare occasions.

“Alpha Caspian will see you now.”

Hearing those words, I swallow the lump in my throat with a nod, reminding myself to breathe.

Archibald turns on his heels, heading toward the long, dark hallway straight ahead, and as I focus on the broad wooden doors at the end of it, I imagine the alpha seated there. I’m not one who often feels inferior, but this moment is pivotal. Any second now, I’ll be face-to-face with Alpha Caspian, and what I’ve worked toward these past several years will culminate with this golden opportunity.

Holding my breath, Archibald twists the knob and pushes the door, letting dim light seep into the hallway. First, I catch sight of nothing more than the corner of a large, mahogany desk. Then, I glimpse who’s seated behind it.

And he sees me, too.

There’s this gleam in Alpha Caspian’s dark eyes when they lock with mine. There’s almost a smile on his lips, but not quite.

“Your guest, sir,” Archibald announces, stepping aside so I’m free to enter.

As I take slow, reluctant steps, the alpha rises to his feet. My heartbeat can be felt behind my ears, and I’m perspiring a little, but I won’t back down. Not when I’m certain there will never be a chance such as this.

“Good evening, Ms. Breedlove. Thank you for joining me.”

His voice is like butter, smooth and even. It’s also deceptively calming—a winning combination I imagine he’s perfected over the years, having manipulated countless powerful officials into doing his bidding.

I offer a polite nod and remember how to speak. “Good evening, sir. I appreciate being invited.”

“The pleasure is all mine.” Slowly, that hint of a smile grows into an endearing grin.

He gestures toward a seat opposite his and doesn’t settle again until I’ve lowered onto the cushion. Now that we’ve gotten the initial greeting out of the way, there’s a fleeting moment that I actuallyseehim, the most important man in our quadrant.

He bears a striking resemblance to his father, Alpha Evander, whom I’ve only laid eyes on either through the filter of a digital screen or in newspaper articles. They have the same slightly aquiline nose and broad jaw, Caspian’s seeming more prominent beneath a shadow of stubble. His hair is nearly as dark as my own, and he can’t be older than his late twenties. But as I sit in his presence, it’s no longer a mystery why I’ve heard his name whispered among eligible bachelorettes around New Eden. Whether it’s mention of his impossible height, the apparent strength in his solid arms, or the fact that he’s got the face of an angel. Not to imply that there’s even anounceof sweetness or purity within him, but rather that he seems otherworldly.

Disturbingly so.

There’s a cold edge to him, and I swear his presence fills the expanse of this entire room. My nerves are frazzled and I’m honestly not sure I still have it in me to go through with this, to challenge the one man who, with a single word, could have my head impaled on the end of a stake.

And the rest of me discarded elsewhere.

Only, I already vowed that backing down isn’t an option, so I choose boldness over cowardice. That’s what my grandfather—the late Gideon Breedlove—would have done.

“Again, I appreciate being invited to chat with you this evening,” I speak up. “I’m sure you’re constantly bombarded by others requesting your time and attention, which is why I count it such an honor to be here.”

I pause, because it feels like a natural moment to breathe and give him the chance to respond, but he doesn’t. In fact, I’m not even certain he heard a single word I said. His eyes are focused intently on my shirt, and I’m being generous with this assumption, because I’m actually certain it’s mybreaststhat have his attention. He’s expressionless, breathing deep, so I decide to just continue.

“I, um… I’ve done a bit of research on the history of interactions between the clans. Well, as much as I’ve been permitted. As you know, resources are extremely limited. I’ve made do, though, because I understand the importance of being aware, beingeducated,Sir.”

I pause to breathe again, and I’ve noticed the man hasn’t even blinked. He’s definitely honed in on my chest, so I shift in my seat to draw his attention back to my eyes.

It works. For now.

“I think it’s perfectly fine for us to be on a first name basis, Annalise. Please, just call me Caspian,” he says, finally contributing to the conversation.

My heart shutters inside my chest and I’m not quite sure what to make of this encounter. Under different circumstances, I would only be honored to have the Clan Centauri Alpha being so casual, so friendly, but there’s something peculiar in the atmosphere. Within this vast space that suddenly feels small.

The slightest sense of relief fills me when Caspian chuffs a laugh, but that relief is short lived.

“Pardon me. I’m not typically so distracted, but… do you have any idea how lovely you smell?” The question sends my thoughts into a full-blown tailspin. “Well, of course it’s a scent only detectable to males, but certainly someone’s mentioned it before now.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t?—”

“It’s a pleasantly heady aroma, and I… I rather enjoy it,” he adds with a smirk.

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