Page 21 of Alpha's Impostor Bride

Suddenly, my mate’s arm reaches out and wraps around my waist. He pulls me into his chest.

I freeze, but when he doesn’t say a word, a strange, comforting rumbling emitting from his throat, I find myself relaxing. His body is warm, and when his leg swings over my hips, I glance over my shoulder to check, unable to help myself. However, he’s asleep. It seems, in his sleep, he wants to hold me.

How ironic.

The vibration of the rumbling lulls me to sleep. Pulling away isn’t an option because he is wrapped around me too securely. I look down at his bare arm and make sure he is completely out of it before touching that thick, muscled appendage. My heart aches as I cover part of his hand with mine. Maybe I can pretend he cares about me.

I don’t know why he’s in my bed tonight or why he’s acting as if my following his orders is not what he wanted, but right now I need some comfort, and I’m willing to take any scraps he is throwing my way.

I close my eyes, drained.

Maybe the Goddess will listen to me, and tomorrow, I won’t wake up.

I really wish the Goddess had granted my request, because none of what is happening is making sense to me.

The designer Harriet summoned last week is now standing before us, quivering. Cedric is lounging in my sitting room, staring her down. All the dresses that were delivered are on the floor, and my two maids are pale-faced and trembling, avoiding my gaze.

“Harriet, where is Bella?” Cedric’s voice is harsh. “If she doesn’t arrive within two minutes, have the guards drag her over here.”

Thirty seconds later, the door of the sitting room opens, and Bella walks in. She takes one look at the designer, Cedric, and the clothes on the ground, and stiffens. “Whatever lies she’s telling you, don’t believe her, Cedric.”

“Shut up.”

Bella falls silent, shooting me a hateful look.

“Well, now that we’re all here, I would like to know why you chose to dress the queen in such rags.” His voice is hard as he looks at the designer.

The woman wrings her hands. “I was only following orders, Your Majesty.”

“Whose orders?”

“The queen’s, of course!” Bella says quickly, only for Cedric to roar.

“Did you not hear me the first time? Shut up or I’ll rip your tongue out!”

Bella turns white as a sheet.

“You were saying?” My mate looks at the designer.

The woman is trembling so badly that I feel sorry for her. I have a feeling she’s going to fall over, and I instinctively move to get her a chair when Cedric reaches out and grabs my wrist. “You stay. In fact, sit down.”

He yanks me down onto the couch, making me fall into his lap. He holds me there.

“Let me go,” I whisper, my face getting hot, but he refuses.

“Stop fidgeting.”

The designer glances at me pleadingly. “The designs that the queen wanted were different, but Miss Asher disapproved of them. She and the maids chose these dresses.”

“You lying—”

“One more word, Bella, and I swear I’ll do it,” Cedric growls, and she recoils.

“What are you doing?” I whisper to him. “She’s going to be upset.”

He stares at me. “Let her be upset. Why the hell do you care?”

I hold my tongue. If he doesn’t care, why should I?

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