Page 51 of Cruel Alpha: Season One

“I’m sorry. Believe me, this will never happen again.”

“It’s fine,” I repeat. “And for what it’s worth, I intend to reach out to your parents soon to clear the air. In the very least for yours and Winifred’s sake.”

She shakes her head. “I’m guessing they’ve hardly thought about it. They’ve got much bigger issues to contend with.”

My brow quirks with curiosity. “Bigger issues?Whatbigger issues?”

She doesn’t speak right away, taking a deep breath first.

“There’s a reason I asked to take lunch outside today. I hoped we could talk. In private,” she adds, glancing toward the estate.

“I spoke with Mother a few nights ago, and she revealed that there have been threats.”

I hate that my heart skips a beat, hate that worry fills me for someone who cares very little formywellbeing.

“From who?”

“Please, Annalise, you have to keep this between us. Not even Winifred knows this. Mother begged me not to say a word.”

The thundering inside my chest increases when she doesn’t give a definitive answer to my question. It’s also starting to make sense why Elizabeth’s been on edge today, why there’s been so much talk about threats and protection.

Her eyes follow me when I set my plate aside and stand, smoothing my hands down my pants as I scan the garden for Cas. I spot him and his guest near the fountain, and I’ve decided to ask if we can speak in private. Then, I’ll tell him what’s taken place. Aunt Geneva asked Elizabeth to use discretion, but surely she won’t be upset if my prying results in her and Uncle Mitch being brought to safety.

“Wait!” Elizabeth’s tight grip on my wrist halts me when I take a step. “What are you doing?”

I glance toward Cas. “We’ll need his help. He’s got resources and?—”

“You can’t.” Her voice is barely louder than a whisper, and now there are tears in her eyes.

I swallow the lump in my throat, glancing toward Cas. “Elizabeth… what aren’t you telling me?”

She sniffles, finally releasing my wrist now that she has my attention. “There was a reason for the questions I’ve asked you this afternoon. I needed to see if you were stillyou.Needed to know that your loyalty still lies with us,your family,before I told you.”

I glance down at her, my heart racing for an entirely new reason now.

“You can’t tell Alpha Caspian because… I have reason to believe this might all be his doing.Hemay be behind the threats.”

Her words settle in, but they aren’t quite adding up. Aunt Geneva and Uncle Mitch are annoying as hell, sure, but they’re not a threat to anyone. There’s absolutely no chance they’d bring trouble to this doorstep.

Unless there’s more to this story, something my aunt and uncle have gotten involved in that I haven’t been made aware of.

“I can’t just sit here and do nothing,” I say as tension spreads across my jaw. “I have to go to them.”

“I agree. They need you.Today,” she adds, implying urgency with the unmistakable hint of desperation in her voice. “I’m only asking that, however you get to them… you’ll have to do it withouthimknowing. That part is important, Annalise.”

I follow her gaze across the garden to Cas as he shares a laugh with his guest, the gleam of his perfect smile sparkling in the sunlight. He seems so dignified, so poised.

But if anyone knows there’s another side to him, if anyone knows the true depth of his darkness… it’s me.

20

Heads will roll

Annalise

This isn’tthe sort of endeavor I’d knowingly choose to embark on alone, but it’s the only way. Elizabeth’s sworn to Aunt Geneva that she wouldn’t betray her trust, and now I’ve sworn the same allegiance to Elizabeth.

Although, almost as quickly as I allowed my imagination to paint a picture where Cas is somehow at fault for the threats Elizabeth spoke of, I’ve come to my senses.

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