Page 2 of Cruel Alpha: Season Two

We lock eyes, and I feel the scrutiny in her look, conveying that she doesn’t agree with my doing this. But I’m grateful she knew it was best to speak up, to inform me that we hadn’t run out of options.

“Stand,” she orders, and I do as I’m told, feeling no qualms about being nude in her presence. She’s known me my entire life and was charged with managing my medical care just as long. In short, there’s very little of me she hasn’t already seen.

Especially in recent months, as my condition seems to have worsened.

“Drink this.”

A tiny vile of glowing, purple liquid is shoved into my hand. Jezebel’s disposition is harsh and abrupt tonight, which most would perceive to be a reflection of her disdain toward me, but it’s quite the opposite. Her loyalty is the reason she’s being so callous. It’s a means of making it crystal clear that she’s not on board with this plan.

Without question, I swallow the bitter concoction, then set the vile aside.

“Place your hands at the center of her chest. Right over her breastbone, one hand on top of the other. Donotmove,” she adds with a stern glare. “Once I start the spell, your energy will be siphoned from your body and into the nearest living vessel. Understood?”

I nod, and she turns to grab her spell book.

Beneath my palm, Annalise’s breaths are small, so shallow that my heart skips a beat, bringing me mere seconds from pleading with Jezebel to hurry. But just as my lips part, words in an unknown language flow from her mouth, filling the room as the ritual begins.

I feel nothing at first. With energy leaving my body, I imagined there would besomething—fatigue, weakness in my limbs. Frustration and panic set in quickly as I question whetherthis is even working, but then a gust of wind sweeps through the sealed room, causing the pages of Jezebel’s book to flap as strands of Annalise’s hair move across her pale cheeks.

Jezebel’s words grow louder, spoken with authority as she calls on unseen forces for strength, and I feel the first indication of my power shifting, my very essence draining from my soul. The sensation is subtle at first, but then the exhaustion and weakness I expected become overwhelming. My knees nearly buckle, and I feel Jezebel’s eyes on me as the last words leave her mouth. With them, the wind ceases, and her book slams shut on its own.

I’m breathless, staring down on Annalise, searching her face forsomething.Anysign of life at all. But she doesn’t appear to be in any better condition than when we started.

“Why isn’t she awake?”

My question seems to fall on deaf ears as Jezebel gathers her things, packing them neatly inside a basket resting on the floor.

“Why isn’t she awake?” I ask again, this time with far less patience than before.

Jezebel’s gaze snaps toward mine, and I see it in her eyes. She’s hiding something, holding something in.

“Did it not work?”

My tone sounds pleading, and I don’t even care how weak this makes me seem. In this instance, it’s true. I’m weak and desperate for my mate to open her eyes.

Jezebel doesn’t speak as she unfolds the blanket from the foot of Annalise’s bed, and then covers her lifeless, naked body.

“Get dressed,” she says, and then lifts her basket, propping it against her hip as she takes a step.

Realizing she’s about to just…leave…I block the door, fully intent on keeping her here until she answers my question. I even ignore the fact that, with the flick of her wrist, she could easilytoss me against the wall, but I trust that her love and respect for me will cause her to see this moment for what it is.

A man at his wits end, desperately in need of answers.

“Jezebel, please…”

At first, her expression is hard and unyielding, but then her eyes soften. “We’ve done all we can. There’s nothing left to do but wait.”

“Is there truly nothing else? We could do the spell again. I?—”

“I will not be responsible for your death,” she snaps, and it isn’t until her gaze settles on my hand that I realize a tremor has started. Squeezing my fingers into a fist, I clutch it to my chest, fighting the sting of embarrassment when proof of my declining health makes itself known at such a crucial moment.

“You hate to hear this, but you’re unwell,” she says, and I wince at her words. “You nearly lost consciousness a moment ago, and if that had happened, Caspian… the odds of me being able to revive you were slim.Veryslim.”

Standing here, I evaluate my condition—heart racing, fatigue in every single muscle in my body. Only now am I fully aware how grave the circumstances are. I didn’t realize I’d just had such a close brush with death. Still, even with this new information, I can’t bring myself to feel it wasn’t worth it. Not if it means my sacrifice could have just given Annalise a second chance. In fact, if I thought for a single second Jezebel could be convinced to try again, I wouldn’t hesitate.

She casts another look toward Annalise, and I note the concern in her eyes as I move away from the door, finally letting her exit.

“There’s nothing left to do but wait,” she repeats again, a few seconds before I’m left alone, left to wallow in thewhat ifs.

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