Page 35 of Cruel Alpha: Season One

Jealous.

“For what it’s worth, Annalise, you have my word. I’ll be devoted to you. And in another life, you’d be my one and only.”

The sting of truth in these words has me standing from the sofa, straightening my clothes as I feel the pull toward the exit.

“Another life,” I say thoughtfully to myself.

“Annalise, I?—”

“Just… don’t,” I cut in.

Hearing him say the same thing in a new way doesn’t change the meaning.

“Your decision has been made. I understand that,” I inform him. “But my acceptance of this means there are certain truths thatyou’llhave to accept as well.”

Caspian’s eyes narrow, but he doesn’t speak.

“I can never fall for you. I will never fall foranyman whose heart can’t be mine and mine alone.”

When my vision begins to blur from the water pooling in my eyes, that pull toward the exit grows stronger.

“Excuse me.”

My last vision of Caspian is of him resting on the couch disheveled, seeming to come to grips with the consequences of his greed.

He can have it all if that’s what he desires, but he’ll never fully have me.

14

Sweet Dreams

ONE MONTH LATER…

Annalise

We’ve settled into a routine,my maidens and me.

In the reflection of the mirror mounted above my vanity, I spot Guinivere sprawled across the settee at the foot of my bed, her nose buried in whatever book I left stashed underneath it. Tabatha sits to my left, filing my nails while Elizabeth and Winifred stand behind me, braiding either side of my hair for bed.

I fought Caspian on bringing any of these girls into the estate, deeming that their presence was unnecessary. However,I stand corrected. Sure, it’s a bit over the top that they insist on making a fuss over me like some life-sized doll, but I do enjoy the companionship. Winifred and Elizabeth remind me of the comforts of home. Even Tabatha and Guinevere, who were complete strangers to me a short time ago, have now become staples within my day. Tabatha’s clumsiness and childlike innocence, Guinivere with her endlessly inquisitive nature and subtle sense of humor—these four have made settling into the estate just a little easier.

Elizabeth yawns, and I’m suddenly aware of the late hour. My eyes flit to the clock—half past ten.

“You ladies should be getting to bed. I can finish up on my own.”

Guinivere rolls off the settee in a less than graceful way that makes me smile. She settles on the floor, crossing her legs like a pretzel as her gaze meets mine in the mirror.

“Nonsense,” she says with a stretch. “We still haven’t discussed how we’ll celebrate your twenty-second birthday. It’ll be upon us in the blink of an eye.”

My stomach churns at the thought of it. I’ve never been one to enjoy being made a fuss over, so I’d actually love for that day to come and go without anyone acknowledging it.

“Oh! What about heading into the city for a shopping trip? We could accompany you!” Tabatha beams. “The alpha’ssureto be quite gracious with your allowance that day.”

My eyes stay trained on the gold brush on the vanity instead of meeting Tabatha’s gaze. I can’t help but wonder what she’d think if she knew the truth. That there areneverlimits on my spending. On my birthday or anyotherday. However, I keep this small bit of information to myself. The last thing these girls need is another reason to idolize Caspian. They already struggle to contain themselves every time he’s present. Much like everyotherwoman within the clan.

Something strange happens within me when I think of it, how so many would kill to be in my position, desired and claimed by the alpha. When I think of how he keeps me at his side during public appearances, the intimate moments we share when therearen’teyes on us.

I… it’s…pride?

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