Cruel Alpha: Season One by Rachel Jonas

Author:Rachel Jonas [Jonas, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-11-20T00:00:00+00:00

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.

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