Page 25 of Cruel Alpha: Season Two
“It’s my hope that it won’t come to that, Archibald, but… it’s always better tobeready than to be caught off guard and have togetready.”
My answer seems to satisfy him, knowing I’m not implying that war is inevitable, but I believe we would all be wise to accept that it is a possibility.
“Wouldn’t now be a good time to alert the other clans of our growing problem?” Archibald asks. “After all, what’s consideredourproblem today could quickly spread to become theotherclans’ problem tomorrow.”
He isn’t wrong, but I’m reluctant to jump the gun. I’m also especially cautious about alerting Phaedra Bellrose, Clan Sedna’s alpha, that something’s amiss. She’s a notorious opportunist, and with everything else we’re contending with, I’d rather keep the vultures—orvulture—at bay.
“For now, we’ll handle the problem in-house. While I agree with your logic, we also have to consider that, to some degree, this faction is an indication that there’s a weakening of our foundation. If our people are not only questioning our way oflife, but rebelling against it, we may be sitting on a house of cards and not even know it.”
My explanation has all three men silent and somber, but I only aim to give them a realistic outlook on our circumstances.
“Then it’s settled,” Creed says. “We’ll hold off for now, but if things take a turn, we’ll consider enlisting help from the other clans.”
I nod in his direction. “Yes, and hopefully, it will never come to that.”
That same stifling silence creeps in from before, and I’m certain the others are also pleading with the gods to have mercy on us.
Creed stands, and after collecting the documents he brought in for our discussion, he and Archibald exit. Dimitri stays behind, and I feel his eyes on me as I focus my attention on a small stack of papers on the corner of my desk. They need to be reviewed and signed, and while they could certainly wait until a more suitable hour, I need the distraction. Otherwise, I’ll spin out trying to predict what the future holds for Annalise and me.
“Is there something else?” I ask, wondering why my brother’s stuck around.
“Nothing nearly as official as Creed presented. I just thought I’d check in. You know, brother-to-brother, see how you’re feeling about the introductions.”
Hewouldwant to discuss the one topic I’d rather avoid tonight.
“The only thing to report is that I’ve taken a step toward securing the future of Clan Centauri.”
I scrawl my signature across a document as Dimitri scoffs.
“That’sallthere is to report?” he asks, and it’s clear he has an opinion he’d like to share. “Come on. You expect me to believe you’re not about to burst out of your pants at the thought ofhaving four women at your disposal? All sopping wet, desperate to be the alpha’s favorite? Desperate to win your affection?”
When I peer up, he’s grinning from ear-to-ear, but it fades when he seems to have a conflicting thought.
“Well, all of them except the pup, of course. The gods knowthatone can never be brought to her knees.”
I’m annoyed by this conversation, annoyed by Dimitri knowing my condition andstillthinking this arrangement is about sex and ego, but I’m fighting a smile. Because his deduction of Annalise is spot on. She is one who can absolutely never be brought to her knees; however, I’ve been brought to mine per her request too many times to count.
I lower my gaze to the next piece of paper I bring in front of me, deciding not to feed into Dimitri’s bullshit tonight.
“Don’t you have a briefing to prepare for General Carrington? He’ll need to be brought up to speed in the morning.”
I’m not looking at him, but I can clearly imagine the smile fading from my brother’s face.
He sighs, and I’m guessing he’s realized he’s overstayed his welcome. Without another word, he rises from his seat, then exits my study, leaving me with my loud thoughts.
I have a feeling that the decision to take on multiple mates without disclosing my medical condition will lead to a life of forever defending my choice. I’ll have to either get accustomed to being seen as a gluttonous ruler with an ego the size of New Eden, or I’ll have to tell the truth. And as I sit at my desk, fighting demons that seem to be gaining strength by the minute, I hate both options with a fucking passion.
Because if it were up to me, if it were only a matter of choosing a mate based on my heart’s desire, the decision would be laughably simple.
I’d choose Annalise, and Annalise only.
In a heartbeat.
Every damn day.
14
A Tawdry Affair
