Chapter 0013
Cara's POV
I look at Alaric's beautiful blue eyes, his chiseled jawline, his perfectly disheveled dark hair.
He's absurdly handsome, the picture of a perfect man. An Alpha King no less, he had power and prestige to go with his devilish good looks.
And I finally realize that I don't want anything to do with him. All I should care about now is my baby. After all he'd put me through over the last few weeks, I had nothing left to give him. "No." I say simply
No?" His body freezes, not sure he's heard me.
"I said no, I reply coolly.
He scoffs. "What do you mean, no?! Isn't this what you wanted?
He's incredulous. Clearly he wasn't expecting a rejection. An Alpha never does.
I can feel my wolf. Lucy, frozen in my mind. She's watching all of this very intensely, not daring to speak.
"None of this is what I wanted. But my answer is no. I look at the wall just beyond his head, eager for this interaction to be
ever.
"You found a new sugar daddy then, is that it?" He asks, and I flinch at the suggestion. I don't want to dignify the question by answering it
I maintain my stare at the wall, my avoidance irritating him further.
He continues without my response, "Alright, listen, I'll double your salary. You'll resume your responsibilities as Beta, and everything can go back to how it was, and I do mean everything Your Alpha King commands it."
I laugh in surprise, sensing immediately what he meant by 'everything." "And does my Alpha King also command me to his. bed?" This was just too much. He can't be serious.
"C'mon, Cara. I know you've always enjoyed yourself... We had a good time. His voice trails off, his eyes rolling over my body suggestively. I can feel the heat radiating off of his body, calling to mine.
"And how would Lilia feel about you having a lover once you're married?" I ask him pointedly. I fold my arms over my chest, covering myself from his gaze.
"You know how stressful this job can be... We'll just let off a little steam together every now and then, for our own sanity. Once we get the last of whatever this is between us... out of our "ystems, then pack your heart desires." Then go.
you can go to whatever
you can
The cocky look on his face said that he thought he was making me an offer that I couldn't refuse.
He couldn't have been more wrong.
The King simply doesn't understand what "love" is. And he doesnt love me at all.
Alaric rakes his fingers through his hair and sighs, "Okay, Cara, you don't have to decide anything right now. The doctors. told me you're ready to be released soon, let's go get some food. You must be starving." I raised an eyebrow at him, not sure if I should.
1/3
Wed, Jan
Chapter 12
"We can go to The Thirou. He smiles, knowing that I'd been begging him to take me to that new restaurant for months now. "You've been through a lot, at least let me do this."
When I continued to eye him skeptically, he added. "Please?"
I'm mulling it over when my stomach grumbles loudly. Very loudly
"Food We need food: "Lucy says into my mind.
I sigh. Fine. But just lunch."
"Perfect, I'll let the hospital staff know you're ready to go. I'll pull the car out front and wait for you there." He grabs his car keys from his pocket.
Alaric never drove me places. Our relationship was so secret, always hidden behind closed doors. We never went out in public together for anything other than strictly professional business.
But it's all too little too late.
That's all I can think of as we head to the restaurant and get seated at their very best table. It's a cozy two-seater in a private corner next to a roaring wood burning fireplace. Soft music plays carries through the dining room, but not too loudly. Even for a weekday lunch, the restaurant is surprisingly empty. I've heard from Ruby that it's next to impossible to secure dinner reservation here. I can't believe it's not more crowded.
Alati probably ordered them all out for more privacy. To hide me from the pack. To hide me from Lilia.
In truth, it wouldn't be unusual for the Alpha King to have a quick lunch with his Beta. I doubt any pack members who would see us together like this would think twice about it.
But I can't shake the idea that this is all part of his plan, that Alaric orchestrated this to keep our secret lover relationship under wraps. And to keep me in his grasp.
Maybe it's just paranoia, but at least I'm certain of one thing: I just don't trust Alaric anymore. I can't trust him.
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