Page 46 of Cruel Alpha: Season Two

Her response is in line with her recent actions. It seems she’s gotten into the habit of makingseveralsplit-second decisions for herself.

She flashes a look toward Wilhemena, then glances back toward me, awaiting my response, so I give her one.

“I disagree.”

Her nostrils flare again at those words, which means I’ve only pissed her off evenmore,but I can admit to not quite knowing what I’m doing right now. As a man who tends to think of himself as being poised under pressure, I feel… off. Like I’m no longer in control of my words or actions.

Annalise crosses both arms over her chest, arching a brow. “What does that mean?”

“It means that… I’ve come to believe that your presence is necessaryeverywhere.”

My breathing is shallow and uneven, adding to the feeling of lacking control. I’m not particularly fond of it, but I’m evenlessfond of seeing her walk out on me. Despite that she was content to completely ignore me before now, she’s been my one bright spot through the evening so far.

Even in her silence.

She sighs and squares her shoulders as that look on her face hardens. “Well, while it’s interesting that you feel this way, it doesn’t change the fact that I’ve had my fill for the evening,” she says. “But don’t fret. You’ve got plenty of company to keep you entertained in my absence.”

My heart races. Out of habit, I nearly demand that she take her seat and show me the respect I’m owed, but my ego is hobbled by emotion. Emotion incited by the thought of how quickly things have fallen apart, possibly having deteriorated beyond the point of repair. However, I don’t think I can stand being left alone—with these women I have no chance of connecting with, women who will never so much as hold a candle to her.

Annalise turns toward the door again, and that feeling of desperation grows, becoming the most powerful thing I’ve ever felt. It’s like a beast breathing down the back of my neck before burrowing itself deep inside my brain, becoming a part of me.

“Annalise, I… please…”

The room is somehow even more quiet than a moment ago, and the eyes of all three Consort Elects dart toward me. Before this, they’d been focused on Annalise, likely curious to see whether she’d actually walk out on me, theirprecious alpha. But now, as their stares burn into me, their jealousy is palpable. I’m certain it’s abundantly clear that Annalise has me in quite a state tonight—proof of her power over me. Without her, my title, mylife,mean nothing, and I’ve slowly watched this reality unfold with every passing day. I wantnoneof it. Not if the cost of ruling Clan Centauri is a future she wants no part of.

I see that now, as plain as day.

Our people are important to me, but being alpha is not everything.

Sheis everything.

“Annalise, I… I need you.” Hearing those words leave my mouth has me lightheaded, but I’ve never been mor honest. “It’s taken me far too long to see you—I meantrulysee you—but I do. And I swear to you, I’ll never lose sight of your importance again.”

It’s a struggle having this conversation without being able to look into her eyes, but she still refuses to face me. The only indication that she’s listening at all is the slight heave of her shoulders when she breathes deeply. It gives me a small glimmer of hope that I might be getting through to her. But I need to do more. I need her to understand that this moment is important. It signifies the end of so many things, but most importantly… it could be the beginning of so much more.

Damn Aunt Pen for demolishing a perfectly solid plan.

But… gods bless her for helping me realize I almost ruined everything.

“Annalise…”

She starts toward the door again, and I bolt across the room to stop her, drawing a shocked gasp from Clementine. But I don’t care if my behavior surprises her or any of the others.

Analise doesn’t pull away, and I breathe a sigh of relief. This past week without her has been hell, and I don’t think I can stomach more distance.

“What do you want, Cas?”

She finally faces me and the question has me asking myself that very thing.What is it that I want exactly?

My breaths are quick and shallow as I search for the right words, words that will never come close to conveying what I feel, but I have to try.

“I wantyou,” I admit. “I want to do the work to become the man you’d feel proud to call yours, the man you feel safe trusting with your heart.”

Her stare doesn’t soften as I speak, so I take things a step further and kneel before her, unafraid of what others might think or what rumors they might spread. I’ve spent far too many years caring what false narratives might be published about me. So, I’m choosing now to be honest, to remove all doubt about what message this moment is meant to convey.

“Annalise, I… I’m in love with you.”

Only now does her expression change. It shifts from hard and unfeeling to pure shock filling her eyes. She blinks, and I’m relieved to see tears threatening to spill over her lashes. It means she hasn’t cut off her emotions toward me.

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