Page 85 of Alpha's Impostor Bride

He huffs and looks away, a scowl on his face.

Cassian appears alarmed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you, King Raine. I’ve just always admired Miss Avery—”

“Why don’t you keep your feelings to yourself and just do what you’re told.” Cedric bares his teeth at him, and I glare at Cedric, a warning growl building in my throat.

He glances at me and then looks away once again, muttering something under his breath.

I exchange a look with Erik. Cedric’s going to be a problem. There’s no doubt about it. He’s not going to make this easy.

Cassian excuses himself, leaving Cedric, Erik, and me alone.

Erik rubs his temples. “We agreed that you would be involved with this, Cedric, but if you start attacking every male just because they speak to Leanna, it’s going to cause issues.”

“I have no problem with anyone speaking to her,” Cedric retorts, “as long as they keep it professional. But I don’t understand why she even needs to work on this matter. Isn’t one attempt on her life enough? If I had it my way—”

“But you don’t have it your way, do you?” I decide to speak up, my eyes glittering with anger. “Why is he here, Erik?”

“He wants to be part of the process—”

“He has no business being in this meeting,” I argue.

“It is my business to watch over my mate,” Cedric states emphatically.

“I am not your mate!” I shoot back. “Your mate is Vivian!”

Cedric goes rigid but doesn’t respond. He has not once denied his link to her. How convenient.

“I have accepted Erik’s proposal,” I explain, staring at him. “Very soon, our fated mate bond will disappear. So, get over yourself. There is nothing between us.”

Cedric’s eyes dart toward Erik. “If that bastard even thinks of marking you—”

“If he doesn’t, I won’t lead this investigation.” I throw this out there, and Erik freezes.

“We never agreed to that.”

“The terms have changed,” I respond firmly. The king of the Human Wolf Kingdom gives me a wary look, and I continue. “You dragged me into this, Erik. You’re the reason Cedric knows about Finn and why he’s threatening to take my son from me. You said you would protect us from him. Unless you’re backing out—”

“I’m not,” Erik says hurriedly. “I’m not. You have my word.”

“You fucking bastard!” Furious, Cedric is about to leap at him, but I step in his path, blocking his way.

“That’s enough!”

He freezes, his fist suspended in mid-air.

“This is my decision,” I tell him. “Not yours. I am not your subject or your prisoner anymore, Cedric. Get that through your head. Whatever you’re trying to do isn’t going to work. So, stop it before I decide to take Finn and disappear. This time, I’ll make sure you’re never able to find us.”

His face turns white, and he lowers his fist. “You wouldn’t do that.”

“Try me.”

“I’m his father!” Cedric’s voice is filled with anguish, and it takes every drop of willpower not to let his pain get to me.

I can’t trust him. What if it’s an act?

I don’t care if he is Finn’s father. I will never subject my son to anything that can harm him.

I turn my back to him. “You’ve done enough damage to me, Cedric. I’m not going to give you an opportunity to hurt our son. You have Vivian. Have children with her. Have your heirs with—”

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