Page 36 of Cruel Alpha: Season Two

The glimmer of hope I’d held out, thinking it’s possible to reach her, fades in an instant.

“I will never buy into the politics of this archaic boys’ club you and my brother have always held so near and dear to your hearts. However, as it turns out, your father might not have been such a lost cause after all.”

I arch a brow, wondering if I’ve somehow misheard. “I don’t think I can recall a single instance in which you’ve paid my father a compliment.”

She smiles a bit, but seems to hold back, not wanting to lose ground by being too sentimental. “There’s a first time for everything, I suppose.”

She props a foot on the edge of the chair, then gathers the hem of her dress. I catch a glimpse of the gun that stays holstered to her thigh, but the firearm isn’t what intrigues me. It’s the envelope she pulls free from the same strap.

“Have a look,” she says.

I hold her gaze for a long moment, until curiosity gets the best of me. I open the envelope, but as I read what’s been placed inside it, I’m even more confused than when this conversation first began.

“What the fuck?”

A slow, satisfied grin spreads across Aunt Pen’s face. “That,Nephew…is the million-dollar question. What… the… fuck?”

20

Seeing Double

Caspian

“It’s the duplicate,”Aunt Pen explains. Meanwhile, I’m confused as hell, scanning an identical contract to the one I signed with Father. A copy that should, technically, have a signature from a member of the Council and also be in their possession.

“He never submitted it,” Aunt Pen says. “Yes, I’m certain he discussed it at length with the Elders, got their approval, but this means nothing is official. As it stands, your only commitment is the verbal one you made to a man who was no longer in hisright mind, Cas. In other words, if you can somehow manage to pull your head out of your fucking ass, you’re free from this godawful situation you’ve gotten yourself into.” She smiles while delivering the news, but I don’t share in her lightheartedness.

When I meet Aunt Pen’s gaze, the smile fades from her face altogether.

“For the love of the gods,” she groans. “You can’t possibly still be thinking?—”

“This plan still works, Aunt Pen. It’s the most likely means of?—”

“Securing a fucking heir,” she says mockingly. “I’ve heard your whole damn spiel about it.”

Her lack of understanding for the dilemma as a whole is frustrating. But the woman wouldn’t know loyalty if it bit her in the ass. Still, I’d be lying if this escape route she’s presented isn’t tempting.

Verytempting, actually.

I’m admittedly torn. What’s right for the clan is still right for the clan, but I’m no longer legally bound.

I’m not sure what to think when Aunt Pen rounds my desk, standing beside me. Her hand warms my shoulder, and it’s the first sign of affection she’s shown me in years. It simply isn’t in her nature.

“You and Evander were close. Trust me, I understand that. Anyone with eyes could see that he loved and doted on you since the day you were born,” she says, and I hear the love in her voice as she speaks of him. “But it wasn’t my brother’s right to place this burden on your shoulders, Caspian. Which is why I believe he couldn’t go through with the final step. He knew you wouldn’t go against the Council because you’re good, and you’re loyal. So, maybe this was his gift to you, making it where you don’thaveto go against the Council. Maybe… this is what ends it all.”

She squeezes my shoulder before letting go, and then takes her place on the opposite side of my desk again.

“At least consider it.”

I don’t speak, because how can Inotconsider it.

“Fine,” she sighs, “but this conversation is far from over. I’ll give you time to process the news, but wewillrevisit this. Then, once we successfully put outonefire, you can finally focus your attention on a far bigger issue.”

“Bigger issue?”

She nods and that menacing smile of hers is present again. “I mean, youdowant that fucking faction burned to the ground, don’t you?”

My brow gathers. That information isn’t public knowledge. Granted, we can’t do anything about the mumblings on the street, but we’ve been very intentional about not allowing the media to give the faction free publicity. The last thing we need is for smaller pockets of disgruntled members of the clan seeking out other likeminded individuals.

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