Page 16 of Cruel Alpha: Season Two
“Absolutely not,” I interject, casting a firm look his way. “Things may be dire, but I refuse to sell my soul to the devil.”
“But don’t you think that if?—”
Archibald falls silent when a knock hits the dressing room door.
“Come in.” I continue undoing my buttons as I speak, erasing the look of frustration from my face.
“Is this a bad time to talk?” Creed asks.
“Not at all.” I flash a look toward Archibald who clearly disagrees.
Creed steps in, closing the door behind himself. I note the tension in his brow and brace myself for the impending news.
“There was an incident.”
I toss my shirt aside, reaching for the one I’d worn before the fitting. “An incident?”
Creed nods. “Between Dimitri and Annalise.”
My movements stop, and I stare at Creed through the mirror.
“I only caught the tail end of the situation, but a server filled me in on the details I missed. Apparently, one of Annalise’s maidens spilled wine, Dimitri was less than gentlemanly about it, and… we’ll just say Annalise wasn’t amused.”
When he finishes speaking, I’m aware of how my breathing has deepened. “Did he touch her?”
Creed immediately shakes his head. “No.”
My shoulders relax, knowing I won’t have to do my brother bodily harm tonight. “Where is she now?”
“Still in the drawing room with her maidens. I believe they’re selecting fabric for dresses to wear to the Spring Ball.”
“And Dimitri?” I ask as my brow cinches.
“I told him to walk it off, but he’s likely back in his quarters by now.”
Straightening my cuff, I break eye contact with both men, working to keep my anger in check. Even without having every single detail, I can guess this blowup was completely avoidable, and it was likely also completely my brother’s fault. Let’s just say the man has a way with words.
“Pardon my intrusion,” Creed says. “I don’t mean to be meddlesome, nor do I mean to betray Dimitri’s confidence. I’m just certain you’ll hear about the incident one way or another, and I figured you should hear it from me.”
“You’ve done the right thing,” I assure him.
“But, Alpha… may I make a suggestion?”
I slip back into my shoes as I nod. “Of course.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for Dimitri to continue monitoring Annalise,” he says. “I know there are clan standards in place for checks and balances, but I believe that if I talk to him, I can convince him to stand down.”
“Who would take his place? You?”
He shakes his head. “No, Zara. Her presence would be far less imposing than Dimitri’s, but she’d serve the same purpose.”
When Creed mentions his twin sister, I think of the many duties she already fulfills within the High Chamber.
“Are you sure she’d want that?”
He nods with confidence. “If it’s a task that will serve the High Chamber or simply ourclan, she’d be honored, Alpha.”
I tie my shoes, then stand from the armchair. “Discuss it with her. If she’s on board, the position is hers.”
