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

21. Season One Finale

21

Season One Finale

Caspian

My steps echo through the guard tower as I ascend. The sound is accompanied by that of Creed and Dimitri’s feet moving up the stone staircase just as swiftly. I waited until Annalise was somewhat stable and receiving care from Jezebel before making this trek across the grounds. And now, I’m a man on a mission.

Annalise was still in no shape to explain the entire ordeal, but she was coherent enough when I left to speak the name of the one behind the setup.

Her cousin, Elizabeth.

In hindsight, I acted hastily. Killing the wolf in the woods wasn’t the wisest move, but rage drove me to it. The terror I felt at the thought of losing her, the disgust when I saw someone standing there, observing what could have been her final moments.

Death felt like the only option for him. It felt like the only outcome he deserved.

It added insult to injury when I sent guards to seize Elizabeth and her sister, only to discover that Elizabeth managed to escape before the lockdown took effect. So, I’ve dispatched my best trackers to scour all of New Eden, and since I’m unable to question the one Annalise accused by name , I’ve decided to settle for the next best thing.

“Good evening, Alpha,” both guards utter in unison.

“The door, please,” I say with a nod.

“Right away, Sir.”

They immediately jump into action, and one quickly shifts to twist the key in the lock. Then, aged hinges groan with the weight of the heavy, wooden doors. And the moment they widen, revealing the cold, rustic interior of the room, I spot Winifred huddled in the shadowy corner.

“Please,” she begs, shrinking into a tight ball, but I don’t intend to show her mercy.

In an instant, I’m on her, my hand cinched tight around her throat. Her back grates against the stones when I lift and slam her against them, holding her a few inches off the ground.

The pain doesn’t even register when she claws at my hand and arm, desperately trying to free herself. She draws a shallow breath, and her throat moves against my palm. Fear fills her eyes and the sight of it has my wolf feeling positively elated.

“When I let go, I expect you to tell me everything you know. Leave out a single detail, and I swear the next beat of your heart will be after I’ve ripped it from your fucking chest.”

A cool sheen of sweat glistens on her forehead, and I squeeze harder, letting her know I’m not afraid to hurt her or worse. As her feet lower to the stone floor, her eyes flit over my shoulders to where Creed and Dimitri stand, as eager to hear her response as I am.

“Please, you must believe me,” she sputters. “I don’t know anything.”

“Where is your sister? Surely, she must’ve told you she’d be leaving.”

Winifred manages to shake her head a little, her eyes widening with panic. “I swear to you, Alpha. I would never harm Annalise. She’s as much my sister as Elizabeth is.”

Tears squeeze from her eyes and within seconds, she’s full-on sobbing. My gaze shifts toward Creed, and he shrugs, no more certain that her words are true than I am.

“You’re not in the clear. As far as I’m concerned, you’re still just as guilty as your sister until I have evidence that proves otherwise. You’ll be held here until further notice,” I inform her. “And should you happen to remember something useful, you’d be wise to send for me.”

Her red, tearful eyes water again when she blinks, wringing her hands in gratitude. I’m guessing she knows I’m fully capable of killing her without losing a wink of sleep, and that not ending her right here and now is nothing short of a miracle.

“Yes, Alpha. Of course. Thank you.”

I turn and start toward the door, addressing the guards as I pass them.

“No one is allowed in or out of that room but me. Understood?”

They both offer a dutiful nod. “Yes, Sir.”

Dimitri, Creed, and I descend with no more information under our belts than when we started, which has my wolf practically vibrating with impatience.

“What next?” Dimitri asks, closing and locking the tower doors behind us.

“There’s nothing more we can do. I stupidly killed one lead, while the other slipped through my fucking fingers.” Another wave of rage rushes through me, and I clench my fist, resisting the urge to ram it through the large, marble statue at the end of the walkway.

“There’s no shame in what you did,” Creed reasons, but I disagree.

“There’s no honor in it, either. I should’ve been thinking more clearly.”

“You were pissed, and your emotions got the best of you. I think any man in your position would’ve done the same,” he says. “Love does that kind of shit to a guy.”

My eyes flit toward him when he uses that word— love —but he doesn’t even seem to realize what he’s said. It’s as if he’s deemed these feelings he’s spoken of common knowledge, and therefore further discussion is unnecessary.

I don’t respond. Instead, I shift my gaze back toward the manor and begin moving in that direction.

“I’ll check in with the trackers to see if they found anything,” Dimitri offers. “Also, the aunt and uncle are already enroute here, so as soon as they’re on the premises, I’ll question them.”

“Perfect. Keep me updated.”

“Of course.” He veers off path toward the guard station, leaving Creed and I to walk the rest of the way alone.

“I’m assuming you’ll be tending to Annalise for the remainder of the evening,” Creed says. “If there’s anything I can do in your stead, any clan business that needs attention, don’t hesitate.”

We stop in the vestibule, and I note the sincerity in his expression as I place a hand on his shoulder. “You’re a good man and a good friend. Thank you.”

He nods once, turning to head toward his quarters, but then stops when he gets a call. Concern marks his expression before he answers.

“Jezabel, what is it?”

Tension spreads across my brow while Creed listens.

“He’s still with me. Is everything okay? Is Annalise okay?”

Again, I’m stuck wondering what’s being said, but then Creed’s expression turns grave as he lowers the phone to say one, solemn word.

“Go.”

At his command, I don’t hesitate, taking the steps by two as I rush toward Annalise’s room. Her injuries are bad, I knew that the moment I pulled her from the wreckage, but I thought all she needed was a bit of a push toward healing from Jezabel. I didn’t realize…

I didn’t know she…

No, I won’t let myself think that. Not only will I not accept her death, I won’t fucking allow it.

If there’s a way to save her… if there’s anything that can be done… I’ll do it.

Whatever it takes.

Whatever the cost.