Page 8 of Cruel Alpha: Season Two
I’m torn, wanting to be completely transparent, but also knowing full disclosure might be too much for her right now. However, with her dark eyes fixed on me, I can’t deny her the truth.
“Dimitri’s made a discovery.”
Her brow tenses when I speak, and she lowers her hands, crossing both arms over her chest.
“I’m sure you understand why, in light of recent events, we had to bring your aunt and uncle in for questioning. Especially with Elizabeth in the wind and there being a chance that she’s made contact with them.”
There’s the slightest change in her expression, a softening in her eyes that’s hard to miss. She doesn’t speak, only nods.
“During the investigation, your aunt shared that you were once romantically involved with the defector I executed in the civic plaza.”
This time, her entire face falls slack, but there’s no trace of guilt or fear behind her eyes. Only what I’d guess to be remorse.
“Brendan,” she says.
I don’t think I ever bothered to learn his name, but I’m certain we’re talking about the same person.
“It isn’t sitting well with Dimitri that tonight is the first we’re hearing about this. To him, it… seems like you might have something to hide. Which also has him thinking the incident involving your cousin could be nothing more than a distraction.”
Her eyes shift away from mine, and she lowers to the edge of the bed.
“I won’t lie and say that I considered telling you about Brendan, because I didn’t. That night, you were…”
She pauses, and I think back to the execution, how absolutely feral I’d become at the thought of someone attempting to do our clan harm. I was… unhinged.
“I was afraid of you,” she admits, squaring her shoulders as embarrassment tints her cheeks pink, and her pride takes a hit. “We didn’t exactly have an open line of communication at that time. I guess you could say I worried how admitting to my connection to someone who’d openly threatened the clan might be received. I thought it could have possibly resulted in… your wrath being aimed inmydirection next.”
She finally looks up, letting her eyes meet mine, but it’s short lived as she lowers them again.
Damn.
I let out a slow breath, feeling the weight of shame wash over me as I see myself through her eyes. It’s no wonder she kept this information to herself. Hell, if I were her, I probably would’ve done the same.
“It was only three dates,” she adds as our eyes lock again. “He was nice, I guess, but there was no chemistry. No spark. Not like it is with…”
Her words fall flat again, and as I hold her gaze, I imagine what she meant to say, what she isn’t quite ready to admit.
There’s no spark, like there is with me.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know of Brendan’s involvement at the time of our courtship, but I should’ve spoken up by now. I just?—”
“Annalise, don’t. I’m not owed an apology.No oneis.”
She lowers her head again. “Perhaps not, but in the spirit of being open and honest tonight, you should know something else.”
I’m intrigued, but more than that, I’ve realized something. I’m not a fan of seeing her cower, staring at the floor. She’s my mate, and she’ll hold her head high no matter what, no matterwhothe fuck calls her actions into questions. I demand it.
She peers up when I lift her chin with my finger, waiting for our eyes to lock before I respond.
“I’m listening.”
She swallows but doesn’t look away this time. “When I left this afternoon, it was because Elizabeth said my aunt and uncle were in danger, that someone had made threats. She suggested thatyoumight have been the one behind it. And I… I…”
“You believed her,” I say, finishing her thought.
Shame returns to her gaze, and my gut twists. She’s beautiful and disarming, but above all else, she’s strong. Too strong to be on some damned apology tour, explaining her actions when no one of anyrealimportance has called them into question. Dimitri would kill me if he could hear my thoughts, but it’s true. IfI’mnot sounding the alarm on Annalise, that’s all that fucking matters.
“I’m sure you had your reasons.”
