Page 11 of Cruel Alpha Beast
Most of my memories involving my dad were of him reminding me of my destiny. He’d tell me every day that I was destined to rule this pack, and that I’d have heaps of responsibility on my shoulders. Everyone would look up to me, so every choice I made would have all the pressure of being correct added on top of it.
I would have my pick of brides someday, and I’d have to choose her correctly as well. There was no way I would be respected if I were seen with the town outcast. The shiftless wolf. My judgment would be questioned, and our long line of alphas could come to a bitter end if I were successfully challenged by someone for the title.
And so, I could never follow my heart and be with Lacey. I had to be mean and push her away.
Except now, the idea of me being an alpha is no longer something to work up to. I’ve been doing it for years. I’m strong and powerful, and I’ve proved this all to myself and to my people many times over. No one would dare take my title away from me.
My father was right, I could be with any woman I want. In fact, I can feel several women staring at me now, hoping I’ll take notice. But there’s only one woman I want, and it’s none of them.
I turn back to Lacey, who’s setting the veggie tray down on a nearby table. Her black hair cascades over one shoulder, leaving the skin of her neck on the other side visible. I rememberburying my face in there that night, making her cry out to the moon in pleasure. What I would give to hear that sound once again.
Lacey smiles kindly at the older woman across the table from her. She nods her head as the woman recognizes her. I can see that the older woman is surprised to see Lacey, unsure of what to do or say in this situation.
Years ago, Lacey would shrink into herself at the first sign of someone giving her the hairy eyeball like that. Her shoulders would hunch forward, and she’d pull her hair in front of her face to hide. But now, the woman’s look of shock doesn’t even seem to faze her. Lacey wiggles her fingers, still smiling as she turns away to find her brother and the little girl again.
She’s no longer Greg’s mousy little sister. There's confidence in her tonight. But still, as she walks away from the table, I can sense a level of discomfort in her eyes. She doesn’t want to be back here. Not really.
I wander around the large mess hall, trying desperately to find something to distract myself with. People wave, make small talk, ask questions, but nothing can take my mind off Lacey’s return.
I have to speak with her. I can’t ignore it any longer.
Crossing the floor, I find Lacey sitting with Greg and her daughter at a table near the wall. Lacey’s back is to me, but I can see the little girl seated comfortably in Greg’s lap. She’s talking, and the closer I get, the more I hear her words.
“Is my daddy here?” she asks in an adorable little voice.
Lacey’s body goes rigid. “Yes, sweetie.”
The girl suddenly starts wriggling, like she’s trying to get out of Greg’s lap, but he holds her still. Not noticing mypresence, he leans in closer to Lacey and whispers to her, loud enough that I can still hear it, however.
“Are you planning on telling Sawyer your secret?” Greg asks.
“I don’t see any reason to,” Lacey replies. “I mean, he’s so busy. The last thing Sawyer needs right now is to find out something like this.”
My legs stop moving mid-stride, the inside of my mouth drying in an instant. They’re keeping something from me? Mybest friendis keeping another thing from me? First, that he’s an uncle, second, whatever this is they’re talking about.
“Lacey, you can’t just keep something like this a secret,” Greg hisses back at her. “He has a right to know!”
“He’s lived this long not knowing. He can go a little longer. It’s not going to change anything.”
“Then why did you even come?”
“I came because I…” Lacey hangs her head. “I just needed to warn you about what I saw because I need you and him to be safe. As soon as I can tell you guys are on the right track and that you’re going to figure out how to stop this blight, then I’m bringing Shea back home.”
“You’re not going anywhere,” I blurt out.
I don’t exactly know what I’m doing, but with the way my blood is rushing through my body right now, I can’t let her and her daughter leave. Especially not before they tell me whatever this secret is.
Lacey’s head whips around, her face frozen in shock when she sees me standing there. Behind her, Greg’s cheeks are red, and the little girl is staring up at me, her head cocked to the side.
“What are you talking about?” Lacey asks. “I don’t live here anymore. You don’t have any jurisdiction over me.”
“You never officially left the pack, Lacey,” I tell her. “There’s paperwork. A manner of ritual. None of which were completed. By rights, you still belong here. You still belong to me.”
Lacey scoffs. “You told me you were going to exile me when you became an alpha. Why do you even care?”
“Yousaidthat?” Greg asks, his tone a mixture of astonishment and incredulity.
“I was being an asshole kid.” I roll my eyes. “I’m not like that anymore.”
