Page 94 of Rogue Alpha Prince

When he was five.

“Yes, of course.” Timmy grabs his bearings and gestures to one of his guards. “Josh, bring two lemonades, please.”

“One for me, too,” Gregory comes to sit on the arm of my chair by Cain’s sword, and starts talking with all of the Alphas that took seats around us. The Josh guy brings us the lemonades, and Cain actually puts his bourbon glass down to switch. I’m sure he’s just acting for my sake, which only makes this little victory sweeter.

Maybe I’m too petty sometimes, but Timothy always annoyed me, and I won’t hesitate to use my husband to stress him out a little whenever I can.

Some other Alphas introduce themselves to Cain before talking—pulled to him by some invisible strings of power that let them forget he killed so many of their pack members; but before the conversation can turn into anything interesting, someone puts the music out.

“Okay, guys,” my dad says into the microphone, and everyone looks at the stage. “Some of you might not know, but since our Gregory was just a little pup, we’ve had this family singing competition going on. This time anyone can sign up. You will be getting cards to write your favorites after the show. As last year's champions we, our Queen and I, will start with a duet.”

In complete silence my dad brings his guitar onto the stage. I exchange knowing, annoyed looks with Gregory.

My parents start singing some romantic Christmas song, having fun with it—each of them having their parts so it sounds like conversation, clearly rehearsed before. Like, how do they know so well who should sing what… Come on!

When the last note ends, the crowd erupts in applause, and I roll my eyes. I can hear Cain chuckle, and I catch his gaze.

He winks at me in a dirty way. I turn to the stage again, pretending I’m interested in the next competitor.

Some Alphas, Lunas, and even guards, shamelessly join my family members and the whole thing quickly turns into a cheerful karaoke night. Some are serious and skilled, and some, like Ella with my twin sisters, are just fooling and dancing and having fun no matter how bad at actual singing they are.

Sometimes I shoot a look at my husband, feeling a little bit guilty to make him sit at such a positive, and not at all murderous activity—but he’s already looking at me with a sexy smirk, like he doesn’t mind at all…

Everyone seems to enjoy the show. There are even some ‘boos’ when Royal Beta’s wife announces a break after Gregory's spotless performance of a rock ballad.

He actually has a chance of beating our parents this year.

We all stand up and go around the room. Naturally, a huge group starts to form around us again—when I sit with Cain on my left, at the table with a ton of amazing-smelling food. We haven’t eaten anything after the quick breakfast, and I am starving! I could also swear there was no such table when we first came to this ballroom. Servants must have prepared it during the first part of the singing contest.

Just a few steps from us, my parents are sitting at the bar—from where they have probably watched the whole show with drinks in their hands.

“Asher, isn’t Colton your best friend? I haven’t been able to contact him in ages,” asks Johny, one of my slightly older cousins, with his mouth full of spinach quiche.

I swallow down my balsamic bruschetta bread, trying to maintain an unmoved face, because if I let myself feel even a speck of emotions I would begin to cry in front of all of them.

“My Rogue Alpha Prince cut Colton’s head off when it was discovered he was my double agent.” I already informed my dad about it in a text this morning—to let his parents know what happened and that I gave him a proper burial.

Not counting music, there is complete silence now. Cain has a smirk plastered on his face, probably enjoying this little reminder that everyone should be afraid of him.

“There is a farewell ceremony on Friday night, if any of you want to join,” my dad says from the bar.

There is a murmur of “Yes, Alpha,” and I notice Timmy’s face starts to curl up in a smile. He’s up to something.

“Tell me why, Rogue Prince, you didn’t bring any guards with you? I was very surprised when I noticed.”

Is that supposed to be intimidating? They should be grateful the war is over, now that they no longer have me to help.

“What for? Safety? Security?” I answer for Cain with a casual voice as he did for me last evening. “My Rogue Alpha Prince knows he can easily kill all of you in this setting before your guards would be able to react. And he wouldn’t even be in trouble for that, because he’s my husband and I would be your only successor left.”

Cain leans back in his chair with his right arm on my shoulder, showing them he not only could indeed do that—but could do it with only his left hand.

Smug bastard.

“Well, I guess I married you well. At least you are safe,” my dad chirps in, lifting his drink.

Me,safe? I snort before I can stop myself which results in a sharp blade on my throat. And Cain’s tongue on my cheek for a long lick.

I so badly want to roll my eyes, but I know better.

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