Page 32 of Cruel Alpha: Season One

My eyes lock in on Caspian, and he doesn’t turn. He’s quiet and unmoving where he sits before the fire, still dressed in his tux. The bowtie is undone now, and so are the top buttons of his shirt. Something strong swirls in his glass where his hand drapesover the edge of the armrest. Illuminated by the glow of the flames, his profile resembles an oil painting—timeless, layered, complicated.

It isn’t until I’m a few feet away that he finally shifts his stare from the fireplace to me, and there’s the slightest smile set on his lips. I do my best not to fall victim to it.

“You asked to see me?”

He nods but doesn’t speak right away. Mostly, because he’s taking in my attire. The dress was far too bulky to shuffle around the house in it after the event drew to a close, so the first order of business when the clock struck midnight was to change. The silk nightgown that was laid out on my bed this evening is far more comfortable, and the matching, floor-length robe protects me from the estate’s persistent chill.

“You’re… in your night clothes,” he says, and his tone is hard to read.

“I am. I needed to be out of that dress, and it seemed foolish to bother changing, only to have to change again for bed, so…”

I lift my shoulders with a casual shrug when I feel I’ve explained enough. Caspian’s gaze lingers on me a moment longer, before he averts his eyes toward the fire again.

“Did you enjoy yourself this evening?” He takes a sip from his glass, and I study the way his lips mold to the curved surface, how his throat moves when he swallows.

“It was… lovely,” is the response I settle on. “It was interesting to see how all the raw material the decorators have hauled in over the past several days came together.”

Caspian nods. “Only the best for the best,” he says, and heat touches my face.

“Is there something you wanted to discuss? It’s been a long night. I’d like to get to bed soon.”

He offers a slow nod as he sets his glass aside, then echoes that one word. “Soon.”

My eyes lift with him when he stands, taking in his staggering height, his perfect physique. Slow, intentional steps carry him in my direction, and I find myself struggling to keep my breath steady.

“Your friend, Barron Fitzroy. Were you two… serious?”

His hands slip into his pockets as he takes a few more steps.

“I wouldn’t say I was all that serious withanyone,” I answer, but have a question of my own. “Why are you so concerned about my past?”

He’s a breath away now, and he never misses an opportunity to assert his power over me, gripping my waist with both hands.

“You’re mine,” he says. “Why would Inotbe concerned?”

Smirking up at him, I arch a brow. “All you need to know is that any time I spent with the baron was time Ichoseto spend with him. I was never summoned. Never… forced.”

My nostrils flare with excitement when he smiles again, darker this time, but still lighthearted. This comes as a relief because the flippant response could have easily provoked him. But instead, he draws me closer, and the way he holds me has me losing my train of thought.

“Dance with me,” he croons, leaning down to my ear. “But only if you want to. Wouldn’t want you to feel...forced.”

I roll my eyes, smiling a little at his response to my jab. But to keep things quiet and easy, I nod, granting him permission. Caspian’s hand leaves me and slides into his pocket. He retrieves a small remote that he then aims at the receiver on his bookcase, and half a second later, soft music lulls from unseen speakers hidden throughout the room. He returns the remote to his pocket, and my side warms from his hand again.

“Alpha Regent,” he says softly, the hum of his deep words resonating inside his chest. “This clan has never had a female alpha. This is sure to create quite a buzz around New Eden.”

We sway to the rhythm, and I fight the urge to rest my cheek on his shoulder.

“Yes, I’m sure it will. Is that why you did it? To show the people what a progressive thinker you are?”

He laughs. “Are you always like this? Assuming everyone has an angle?”

I shrug and move my hands higher on his arms, accidentally squeezing his solid biceps in the process.

“No. I suppose you just bring out the best in me.”

He nods, still smiling despite my cynicism. “Noted.”

We continue to move together, and with the absence of conversation the moment feels too… intimate.

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