Page 42 of Cruel Alpha: Season One

Dimitri.

I sigh, rolling my eyes toward the ceiling for not having been quieter. Or smarter, taking the long way around for the simple reason that I can’t seem to walk anywhere near Caspian’s study without getting caught sneaking past.

My steps carry me toward the doorway, and I’m dressed more appropriately than the last time I visited this room. I changed out of the outfit I wore to tonight’s dinner, into a pair of stretch pants and an oversized sweater.

“I’m not afraid ofanyone,” I say, making my presence known when I step into the study.

Smirking, Dimitri looks up from behind Caspian’s desk, lowering whatever paperwork he’d just been completing before I walked in.

“Famous last words.”

I don’t respond. He’s arrogant and unkind, and quite frankly, I try to limit interaction with him.

“Isn’t it a little late for you to be out of your room, wandering?”

My fist tightens at my side. “Is there a curfew I haven’t been made aware of?”

He smiles, but there’s nothing friendly about it. “I see someone’s getting comfortable.”

The comment stings a bit because there’s an air of mocking to it. As if he finds it comical that I’m starting to settle in here.

“Rumor is, you had quite the eventful night tonight. Something about you having your aunt and uncle escorted off the premises?”

I don’t bother responding. He clearly already has the details.

“It’s a shame, really,” he sighs. “There used to be a time when family was a thing to be valued. Not just walked out the front door because someone said something that hurt your feelings.”

My wolf is suddenly alert as frustration sets in.

“My aunt insulted me.”

He nods slowly, considering my words. “She…insulted you.”

“Yes, and considering all they’ve put me through in recent months, I think I’ve earned the?—”

“I’m sorry… with all they’ve put you through? Are you still moaning and complaining about my brother taking you in?”

“Taking me in? I was forcibly removed from myhome,Dimitri.”

“Oh, boo-fucking-hoo. Look around, Annalise! You’ve got everything you could ever want, everything you could ever need, andthensome. I wouldn’t exactly call life here in the estate a prison sentence.”

“I don’t have to listen to this,” I scoff, settled on the idea of leaving, but Dimitri has other plans.

He rocks back in his seat. “Before you go… aren’t you the least bit curious as to where our beloved alpha might be?”

I don’t miss his mocking tone, but I choose to ignore it. “I didn’t come here looking for him. In fact, I wasn’t coming hereat all. I’m just grabbing a book from the library to take with me to bed.”

He nods slowly, narrowing his eyes as he studies me. “Good. Because my brother’s not on the property. He’s been gone at least an hour now, and I don’t suspect he’ll be back for quite some time.”

The unsolicited information confuses me, but I don’t let that show on my face. The less Dimitri knows he gets to me, the less he knows he gets inside my head, the better.

“Well, aren’t you going to ask where he’s gone?” he taunts, arching a brow when he smirks again.

“No. Where your brother goes, what he does with his spare time, is none of my business.”

Dimitri’s deep laugh booms, echoing uncomfortably in the vast space. “Ah, come on. Admit that it’s killing you. Admit that your mind is racing, wondering what he could be up to so late, wondering where he’s spending the few remaining hours of your special day.”

My jaw clenches, but I give him nothing.

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