Page 6 of Cruel Alpha: Season One

Your prized possession is more like it.

Your fucking property.

“I was raised on your grandfather’s legendary stories. The fearless General Gideon Breedlove,” Caspian says with a nostalgic chuckle. “He and your father were household names. Myownfather was not one to esteem many men, but they were two of the few he deeply respected.”

He falls silent, and I have to bite my tongue, refraining from asking if this is meant to make me soften? Fall at his feet like I’m sure most other women have done? He may think he has me pegged, but I don’t give a damn about himorhis respect. One visit, one encounter has shown me that.

“It’s come to my attention that, with your grandfather’s recent passing, the money has stopped.”

I fight against the shock that fills me, having my suspicion confirmed. The only way he would know that my grandfather sent a monthly stipend to my aunt and uncle for looking after me, would be if they were to tell him so themselves. Bile rises in my throat as the pieces begin to fall into place, the magnitude of this setup.

Thebetrayal.

“So you’re aware, you should know that I’ve given my word that I’ll take excellent care of youandyour family,” Caspian insists, his tone sounding far too kind for the words being spoken. “All I ask in return is for your total devotion, the proper respect a man is to be shown, and that you honor my wishes where childbearing is concerned.”

My stomach turns at the thought of it. If he’s as barbaric as the majority of men in this quadrant, he desires to fill his mate’s womb with as many children as she can withstand.

Most often, ego is the only motivating force behind such demands.

He finishes speaking, and I’m completely gutted, realizing that the only family I have left sold me out, promised me to this chauvinistic pig. All for the chance to cash in on my misery.

I’m careful with my expression, giving nothing away while I process what’s just happened. In a matter of minutes, the foundation of everything I believed in has been ripped from beneath me, and I’m in an emotional freefall. However, another trait I’ve inherited from my grandfather is his stone-faced glare, even when his entire foundation has been rocked.

Like mine has been in this very instance.

When I nod slowly, I feel Caspian’s eyes on me. “I understand everything you’ve explained but forgive my silence. There’s just a lot to process.”

“By all means, take your time,” he says gently. “I must admit, I’m a bit surprised your uncle didn’t prepare you. Perhaps he suspected you might put up a fight, but he’ll be pleased to hear that you’ve been nothing but meek, a shining example of what a Clan Centauri womanshouldbe.”

Betrayal burns within me, thinking of how Uncle Mitch pretended he had no idea about any of this. And my aunt, did she know? There’s a distinct way a person’s heart breaks when the one who does the breaking is their own flesh and blood. It severs deeper, takes much longer to heal.

Ifit heals.

“We can continue our conversation or, if you’d prefer it, I can have Archibald escort you to your room.”

My eyes stretch wide. “My room?”

He nods. “Yes, and in the coming days, I’ll arrange for you to have your pick of maidens to serve you. No mate of mine will ever lift a finger in our home.”

In…our… home?

Panic has my body warming, on the verge of breaking a sweat. But I remember the training I’ve memorized over the years and quickly cast a façade to hide my true thoughts.

“Thank you,” I say softly, now knowing he prefers women who make themselves small. “Your graciousness is deeply appreciated, but I wonder if it’s okay to make one small request.”

The faint smile he wore fades just enough to notice.

“What sort of request?”

“Well, as you can tell, this has all come as somewhat of a surprise to me. I’m unprepared,” I explain. “If you’ll allow it, I’d like some time to get my affairs in order back home.”

I’m nearly panting while I await his response, feeling completely at his mercy, and I hate every second of it.

“This… is your home now,” he states, speaking the words through gritted teeth. “Anything you need, anything youdesire,I’ll see to it that it’s at your fingertips.

I force a feminine laugh from my throat, pretending this macho bullshit is flattering.

“Yes, of course, but there are items of sentiment, mementos from my parents too precious to leave behind, and?—”

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