Cruel Alpha, Season One (Wolves of New Eden #1)

12. Starlight & silk

12

Starlight & silk

Annalise

Another grand event. Another uncomfortable dress. Although, even I must admit that this particular gown is exceptional.

Lady Gilreath and Lady Waverly truly outdid themselves. Formal affairs are the rare occasion when our clan color mandate is abandoned. So, tonight, the ballroom is bathed in a sea of dark tuxes, elaborate black gowns, and diamonds as far as the eye can see.

Decorators shuffled in and out of the estate all week, lugging in various items I can easily spot as I scan the room—archways and columns, large floral arrangements, tall candelabras with flickering flames dancing with every slight breeze, new chandeliers, large sculptures, hand-painted frescoes and decorative moldings for the ceiling, lounge seating in the corners for casual conversation, black draperies to coordinate with tonight’s themed attire, and of course fine linen and over-the-top place settings. I was escorted through this space for my tour, but it’s been completely transformed for the soiree.

Or, according to Caspian, it’s been completely transformed for… me.

My maidens stand close, two at either side. Elizabeth and Winifred are nearest to me, which has been the case this entire week as they get acclimated to life within the estate. They’re no strangers to high society, but being part of the alpha’s world is high society tenfold.

The smooth ballad played by a live orchestra, along with the soft glow of what must be three hundred candles or more, all prove to be a bit disarming as I stand with my maidens. I’ve spent the last ten minutes pretending not to notice Caspian across the room. His tux is tailored and well-fitting, of course, and I swear I’ve somehow breathed a whiff of his cologne twice now, despite the distance between us making that impossible. He hasn’t looked in my direction even once. Not since we were escorted in together, and he briefly glanced over while complimenting my dress. His attention’s been focused on entertaining the handful of dignitaries currently hanging on his every word. I can’t help but think I’m intentionally being ignored. It’s as though he wants me to notice him not noticing me.

Typical.

I force my gaze away, flipping open a black fan made of the same black silk as my gown, the tips of the pleated fabric trimmed in silver. Fanning myself gives me something to do with my hands, distracting me from the pull to glance in Caspian’s direction again.

“You look beautiful,” Winifred whispers from my right. “No need to be nervous.”

When she adds the last part, I realize my rigid body language might’ve given that impression, but it isn’t nerves I’m feeling. There’s heat building in the pit of my stomach because, as much as I’ve tried to put our alpha out of my thoughts, he still manages to wriggle his way into them somehow.

“Thank you,” I whisper back.

She nods in my peripheral vision before Elizabeth leans in to speak on my left. “How does it feel, cousin? Being the most important woman in all New Eden?”

The question, while asked innocently enough, sends a chill racing down my spine.

“It feels… like the calm before a storm.”

The smile slowly fades from Elizabeth’s face as her posture straightens. Her eyes are fixed on the surrounding crowd again, and I imagine my cryptic response has her mind racing. It was the most honest answer I could give, though.

“Ms. Breedlove?”

I turn toward the sound of the voice that’s just distracted me, and I’m greeted by a familiar smile. It’s warm and easy, just like I remember.

“Baron Maxamilian Fitzroy. How are you?”

His smile broadens, possibly at the realization that I’ve so easily remembered his name.

“I’m well,” he answers, “but please, it’s still just Max to you.”

My fan stops when he takes the opposite hand to kiss it. Heat from his lips can be felt through my glove, much like the blast of heat I’m suddenly feeling from the other side of the ballroom. I haven’t looked at Caspian in several minutes now, but there’s no question whether his eyes are on me .

“I—wasn’t expecting to see you here tonight.”

Max’s eyes find mine again. “I’ve been away for several months, but when Mother sent word, informing me of your new… status… making my way back to New Eden became a priority.” His smile feels a bit forced now, but it’s still polite.

I do recall his mother being somewhat of a busybody, so this doesn’t come as a surprise.

“Well, I?—”

Words escape me when my gaze flits toward the door, caught off guard by the sheer gall of my aunt and uncle showing up here. After what they’ve done, after how they betrayed me.

“You… what?” Max asks, prompting me to meet his gaze again.

“Sorry, I was just going to say that I’m probably the most shocked of all by my present circumstances, but life’s like that, isn’t it? Unexpected?”

Max nods, and I do my best to give him my full attention, but that’s impossible as Aunt Geneva and Uncle Mitch slowly make their way over to me. Winifred and Elizabeth whisper excitedly amongst themselves, likely happy to see their parents, but I feel the complete opposite.

Disgusted. Frustrated. Angry.

A plan suddenly forms in my head, and just as quickly, I turn to Winifred and Elizabeth.

“I’m sure you two would like to catch up with your mother and father, why don’t you escort them to a table to have a chat?”

The suggestion pays off when the pair leave my side, giggling as they swiftly detour my aunt and uncle’s path. My eyes are on Max again, and I flash a smile, proud for having avoided tonight’s first crisis.

“Now, where were we?” I say, smoothing my dress before my fan begins to flutter again.

“I believe we were discussing how absolutely ravishing you look tonight. The alpha is a very, very lucky man.”

My lips part to respond, but I’m not given the chance.

“I couldn’t agree with you more,” a deep, velvety voice croons, answering for me. It isn’t until my two remaining maidens back away, and a warm hand slips around my waist, that I realize it’s Caspian.

He slowly draws me into his side as Max’s eyes widen with a mix of surprise and fear. His posture straightens just a little, and I note how he clears his voice before speaking again.

“Alpha Caspian,” he says with a slight bow. “It’s an honor to be here, Sir.”

Caspian smiles for decorum’s sake, but I imagine his thoughts are wicked. Always wicked.

“And it’s an honor to have you in my home, Baron Fitzroy. I don’t think I realized you and Ms. Breedlove were already acquainted. Were you schoolmates?” he asks.

Max swallows deeply. “No, sir. We were… We actually…”

“We courted for a short spell,” I cut in, freeing Max from the burden of explanation.

Caspian’s grip tenses when I reveal the truth, but I’m certain he’d already put two and two together. He’s a lot of things, but stupid is not one of them.

“Ah, I see,” he rasps.

“It’s been over a year since we’ve spoken,” Max rushes to explain. “I only intended to catch up with Annalise to?—”

“Ms. Breedlove,” Caspian interjects, confusing Max with the correction.

“I—don’t understand.”

A casual smirk curves Caspian’s lips. “You called her Annalise, and considering her current status, that feels a bit too… familiar, wouldn’t you say?” His gaze narrows and the look on Max’s face leads me to believe he’d love to be curled up in some far corner of the room at the moment.

“Yes, sir. My apologies.” With redness pooling in his cheeks, Max turns to meet my gaze. “And my sincerest apology to you as well, Ms. Breedlove. I meant no disrespect.”

My blood’s boiling, but I bridle my tongue. “None taken.”

“You were saying, Baron Fitzroy?” Caspian asks, flashing a calm smile that only infuriates me more.

“Right.” Max closes his eyes for a moment to find his train of thought. “I was just stating that Ms. Breedlove and I were only catching up. Nothing more.”

Caspian holds his gaze, and when he smiles, it’s somehow more alarming than when he had no expression at all.

“Nothing more,” he says, seemingly to himself, causing a hush to fall over an already awkward conversation. So awkward that I’m relieved to see Archibald heading this way, pushing his way through the crowd.

“Sir, it’s eight o’clock.”

Caspian holds Max’s gaze a moment longer before nodding in response to Archibald’s reminder. “Thank you.” His attention shifts toward Max again, and I hold my breath. “While it’s been lovely chatting with you, Baron Fitzroy, you’ll have to excuse Ms. Breedlove and I.”

Max forces a smile, then offers another half bow. “Of course.”

I lock eyes with Max half a second before Caspian’s grip moves from my waist to my hand, and I’m gently carted off behind him, heading toward a small stage in the center of the far wall. The room parts for us, like water receding from the shore before a tsunami makes landfall. The display of reverence from our people sends a rush through me, reminding me of the power connected to the hand holding mine. My eyes fall there, to our interlocked fingers as he gently leads me, and then walks me up the steps at his side.

As guests take notice, conversations quiet all around the ballroom, and all eyes are eventually on us. At Caspian’s side, I stare out at our people, feeling a sense of pride swelling in my chest. We are a formidable clan despite our imperfections. And although none are aware of how treacherous my coming to be with the alpha has been, seeing how they’ve come out to celebrate me hits me square in the heart.

“Thank you for joining us this evening,” Caspian begins, that perfect smile of his having its intended effect on the swooning crowd. “As you all know, you were invited here to formally acknowledge Ms. Annalise Breedlove’s place within this clan, within my home, and within my heart as my mate.”

There are cheers and applause all around the room, and I spot my aunt and uncle on their feet, wearing broad smiles I choose to ignore. Instead, my focus is on those who genuinely love and care for me. Even if only by default as a result of their love for our alpha.

Still smiling, Caspian raises his hand to quiet them.

“We appreciate your warm welcome, and your acceptance of the union that is soon to come. No, Ms. Breedlove won’t lawfully be my mate until the Soulfast Unity Rite takes place, but I preferred to introduce her to the clan as my chosen mate sooner rather than later.”

His mention of the ceremony pulls me from my thoughts for a moment, thinking of how, in recent years, the Unity Rite has begun to overshadow the traditional institution of marriage. Mostly, this has been in favor of nixing the sometimes long, drawn out customs of a wedding ceremony, which are usually performed out of sentiment, in favor of the efficiency of the Unity Rite.

And now that I’m thinking about it, this may also be a testament of how the clan has shifted in favor of efficiency above sentiment in general.

“There have been whispers on the wind from those questioning my decision to take more than one mate,” Caspian says. “So, if you’ll all oblige, I would like to speak on this publicly while I have everyone’s attention.”

The crowd grows more focused, and I grow more uncomfortable. This topic is a bit of an awkwardly sore spot for me. On one hand, I’d just as soon have none of Caspian’s attention, but if I’m forced into bondage with him, I can’t help but wonder what others have made of this soon-coming arrangement. One where I will not be his one and only, but one of many.

Forcing the thought from my head, I listen intently.

“Let it be known that my decision to share my life with more than one woman is in no way a reflection of Ms. Breedlove, nor does it imply an inability to… hold my attention,” he says, his gaze sweeping toward me. “My council can attest to the fact that this plan has been in place for quite some time now, even prior to Ms. Breedlove being chosen.”

The statement brings a question to mind. I’m wondering, when exactly was I chosen? At what point did he become aware of my existence?

“Believe me when I say that I am truly humbled by her presence,” Caspian adds, and for a moment, I’m just as smitten by him as the crowd. “It’s because of her heart for this clan, and her general good nature, that I’ve made a decision.”

Caspian signals to Archibald offstage. Then, based on the looks of confusion on Creed and Dimitri’s faces, I’m guessing this is completely off script.

Archibald steps forward with a dark box in hand. Every guest, like me, waits with bated breath as Caspian takes the velvet box, and then faces me. But when he opens it, revealing a necklace, those breaths return to me in a rush. It’s beautiful—a large yellow stone surrounded by countless diamonds, fixed on a gold chain. It looks familiar, and only takes half a moment to remember where I’ve seen it. A portrait hangs in the foyer of the estate. It’s of the alpha’s mother. And this necklace… was hers.

I meet his gaze and only now realize I haven’t closed my mouth in several seconds. The reaction seems to please Caspian. I suppose because he’s managed to render this smart-mouthed, sharp-tongued girl silent for once. While most would argue that I’m currently tongue-tied because of the piece’s monetary value, it’s actually the sentimental value that’s done it.

“Do you accept my gift?” Caspian asks quietly, so low I’m certain no one’s heard him but me.

You could hear a pin drop while we stand there, staring at one another over this priceless family jewel. My heart races, wondering what the hidden meaning is behind it, but there’s a level of transparency in his eyes I haven’t often seen. It’s enough that I nod, accepting his offer, without feeling that I’ll later regret it.

He smiles again, and I suck in another breath when he steps behind me as he unclasps the necklace. Then, the next moment, he’s secured it around my neck, and it rests against my chest. Once he returns to stand before me, he takes both my hands.

“It seemed only fitting that the jewel in my crown should wear the most precious jewel in my collection,” he says, and the crowd gushes. “And it also seemed fitting for Clan Centauri’s new Alpha Regent.”

And just like that, the guests’ gushing becomes a symphony of gasps from all directions.

“Caspian.” He meets my gaze when his name falls from my lips in a breath. “You—I…”

He smiles, seeing me stammer. But it’s a fitting response for being told that I am now our clan’s second in command. No, the title doesn’t hold much weight while our alpha is yet alive, but should misfortune befall him tomorrow, I would be among those leading our people. It’s a symbol of his faith in me.

It’s a symbol of his trust.

Trust that, before now, I didn’t realize existed.

There’s a light in his eyes when he leans close, whispering against my ear. “Once our guests have gone, I’d like to have a word with you.”

He doesn’t wait for a response. He simply places a kiss on my cheek and holds me to his chest. While I’m certain I should pull away… my eyes fall closed the moment his lips meet my skin.

The thing about men of power and status is that, once you have their respect… their hearts are soon to follow. And whether I like it or not, hatred is no longer the only feeling I have toward him.

My captor. My alpha. My mate.