Page 43 of Cruel Alpha: Season Two

She nods. “I’m sure.”

I take a breath and turn back toward the equipment. “Very well then. Let’s get started.”

The girls follow my lead, first helping me clear away branches and rocks, then they watch in awe as I mow through the tall grass and weeds. It’s grueling work, but I choose tostay focused on the goal—a beautiful vegetable garden we can tend and visit whenever we need a moment to ourselves. And since the estate has no need for additional food, I intend to anonymously donate what we grow to the less fortunate.

Three hours later, we rest on the stone bench on the outskirts of the garden, observing our progress. The first and hardest phase is complete. All without the help of my guards, who offered several times to lend me and the girls a hand. But I felt it was important that we did this on our own. Not just for me, but for Tabatha and Guinivere, too. Although their life paths have led them here, serving as my maidens, both were born into wealth and comfort. Like me, they were taught that their biggest accomplishment would be being paired with a rich nobleman and to bare his children. However,unlikeme, they bought into it. So, today isn’t just about planting seeds in a garden, it’s mostly about planting seeds within Guinivere and Tabatha. Seeds that I hope will grow into more one day—strength, self-worth, independence.

All the things our traditions methodically strip away.

“Shit! It’s inside my shirt!” Guinivere yelps, leaping from the bench with terror in her eyes.

“What is it?” Tabatha asks, rushing to Guinivere’s aid.

“Ahugespider! It’s inside my bra! I can feel it!”

“Grab the hose! Rinse it away!” Tabatha shouts, and when I glance toward her, she’s holding back a laugh, watching as a very distraught Guinivere grips the sprayer, angling it down her tank top.

Beside herself with fear, and not realizing the pressure the hose packs, Guinivere starts to squeeze the trigger as I race closer.

“Wait! Be gentle with it. You?—”

Before I finish my statement, Guinivere unwittingly blasts herself in the chest with a powerful surge of water, and anotherscream leaves her. This time, Tabatha isn’t able to hold back her laugh any longer. Which, in turn, makesmelose control, and we’re both on the ground in tears, laughing as Guinivere stares in shock, holding her soaked tank top away from her body. Even the guards crack a smile, two having to turn away completely as their quaking shoulders give away their amusement.

“I tried to warn you,” I barely get out, not caring in the least that my tumble to the ground has resulted in the left side of my body being covered in dirt.

“Know what?” Guinivere asks, her brow narrowing with whatever wicked thought she’s just had. “Looks like all that laughing has made you two quite thirsty.”

“No! Don’t!” Tabatha yells, but it’s too late. Guinivere squeezes the trigger, beaming the stream of water right at us, causing us to frolic in what’s now a mud puddle as we crack up again, struggling to get to our feet.

We’re covered in filth from head to toe, but honestly? It’s the most fun I’ve had in far too long.

“Ladies!”

The shrill voice has Guinivere releasing the hose, dropping it to the ground as awareness fills her eyes. First, it’s a look of shock, but then more terror. Even more than when she’d discovered a spider trying to make its home inside her brassiere. Half a second later, my gaze shifts toward the voice, only to find a very confused, and veryangry,Lady Radcliffe observing me and the girls.

“What onearthdo you three think you’re doing? This is not the way we carry on here at this estate. Wallowing in mud like pigs…”

The reference has another laugh threatening to burst free, but I hold it in somehow as Lady Radcliffe’s gaze shifts to me.

“And you! You’re supposed to be dressed and on your way to meet the Laurel Guild for tea! Explain yourself,” she hisses, andjust like that, the trace of amusement that lingered with me is gone.

In my head, I hear Aunt Pen’s voice, reminding me of how these people are to be handled. So, I step closer, still hanging on to my dignity despite being covered in mud.

“Explain myself? Okay. Fine. You made plans I was no longer interested in keeping, so I made plans of my own. There, now you’re all caught up.”

Surprise flickers in Lady Radcliffe’s eyes first, only to be replaced by rage.

“You will mind your tongue when you speak to me, girl.”

“I will show respect when I’mgivenrespect. And it’s my understanding that, as the lady of this house… you work forme.” I pause, stepping closer. “Is that correct?”

My words linger between us, and I can feel some of my power returning. Lady Radcliffe’s vibrating with anger, and I stand there, waiting to see what her next move will be.

“I’ll be having a word with the alpha regarding your behavior. And mark my words, he willnotbe happy.”

I smile as she glares at me, realizing something vitally important. That this is the extent of her authority—spouting rage-filled words, threatening to tattle to Cas.

I’ve set a precedent today, putting the estate on notice that Annalise Breedlove is no longer afraid. Aunt Pen was right. My title holds weight, and the only person capable of keeping me in chains… is me.

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