Page 76 of The Alpha's Cursed Queen

“That’s enough!” I roar. “One more word about Alice, and I’ll have you thrown into the dungeons for another week.”

She goes silent.

I let out a shuddering breath, covering my face with my hand. “Don’t call me again, Willow. You got what you wanted; now, live with it. Just don’t expect me to warm your bed.”

I end the call. Tossing the phone aside, I sink to the floor, resting my head against the wall.

Life would be so simple if I weren’t royalty.

If only I had not seen that mark on Alice’s ankle.

If only I had not mentioned it to anyone.

Everything that happened was my fault, and Alice and I both paid the price for it.

The door opens as I sit there. Staring at the ceiling, I hear footsteps approach me, along with the clinking of glass. Jimmy sits down next to me and pours me a drink. “Here.”

I glance at him. “You could’ve sulked for a little bit longer.”

He shrugs. “You’re an asshole fifty percent of the time. If I sulk every time, I won’t get anything done.” He toasts my glass with his own. “You need to get drunk.”

I sip the scotch. “I take it you heard?”

“You had her on speaker. I tried to rip out my eardrums when I heard that nasally voice, but it didn’t work.”

I let out a miserable laugh. “I wish I hadn’t been born into this family, Jimmy.”

“Fair. But you do get to be king of the Wolf Kingdom, even if you are stuck in an unhappy marriage. Just drink till you forget that part.”

“Actually, that’s good advice. I’ll take it.” I drain my glass and then hold it out to him for a refill. But once he pours it, I only gaze at the liquid.

After a while, I murmur, “Her daughter looks like her.”

“She does.”

“Do you think she ever missed me?”

Jimmy gives me the side-eye. “Let’s be honest, Darian. She most likely hates your guts.”

“I know,” I breathe as I put the glass to my lips and drink.

But can I live with that?

Chapter 15

Darian

I told myself that I would stay away from anything related to Alice.

I even threw away the report Jimmy had compiled for me.

So, why am I sitting across the road from the elementary school where Alice’s daughter goes? Why is Jimmy’s report sitting on the passenger seat next to me?

I try not to think about it, my fingers tapping on the steering wheel as I look at the school. Parents are arriving to pick up their children. Some of the kids are still exiting the building into the little playground where the parents meet them.

I see Alice pull up. She parks at the curb and gets out of the car. She’s wearing a pale blue blouse with puffy sleeves paired with a dark pencil skirt that reaches her knees. Purse in hand, she strides over to the gate. One of the teachers greets her and then motions to somebody in the playground.

That’s when I see the little girl.

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