Ruthless Alpha, and his Curvy Saint-Chapter 41

Angel’s POV

I stared at Uriel, my mind struggling to process what he’d just said.

"Lord Merrick is your brother?"

"Yes," Uriel said simply, like he’d just told me it might rain later instead of revealing he was apparently related to nobility.

"But... how?" I shook my head, trying to organize my scattered thoughts. "Warriors don’t have brothers who are lords. That’s not... you can’t be..."

"I can be. And I am."

The pieces were starting to fit together now, forming a picture I hadn’t wanted to see.

"That’s why you’re different," I breathed. "That’s what Lyra noticed. The way you talk to the generals, to the Alpha. The way they defer to you sometimes. You’re not just some random warrior - you’re nobility."

Uriel didn’t deny it.

"But then why?" I demanded, frustration bleeding into my voice. "Why are you here, living this life, serving that monstrous Alpha? Why would you choose battlefields and blood over - over castles and comfort?"

For a moment, I didn’t think he’d answer. He looked away, his gaze distant, fixed on something I couldn’t see.

"Because serving the people of Black Claw Pack is my destiny," he said finally, his voice quiet but firm. "Not luxury. Not status. This." He gestured to the camp around us, to the warriors preparing to move. "These people need protection. They need someone who will fight for them, bleed for them if necessary. That’s worth more than any castle."

The conviction in his voice made something in my chest ache.

"You really believe that."

"I do."

I wanted to argue. Wanted to tell him he was wasting himself, that nobility could do more good than a single warrior ever could.

But the words wouldn’t come.

Because maybe he was right. Maybe being where you were needed mattered more than being where you were comfortable.

"We should go," Uriel said, breaking the moment. "The others are ready."

I nodded, still processing, still trying to reconcile the man I thought I knew with this new information.

Everything was more complicated than I’d imagined.

Everything.

This time, Uriel didn’t ride at the back with the other warriors.

He stayed beside me.

Close. Protective. His horse keeping pace with mine as we moved quickly through the hostile weather.

The wind had become vicious, tearing at our clothes, our hair, making the horses skittish. Dark clouds roiled overhead, pregnant with rain that hadn’t yet fallen but threatened to unleash at any moment.

Thunder growled in the distance, growing closer with each passing minute.

We rode hard, pushing the horses faster than was probably safe on the uneven terrain. But the alternative - being caught in the open when this storm truly hit - was worse.

I could barely see through the whipping wind. Could barely hear anything over its howl.

But I could feel Uriel beside me. His presence solid and reassuring even in the chaos.

After what felt like hours but was probably less than one, a structure emerged through the gloom ahead.

A castle.

No - not just a castle. A keep. Massive stone walls rising from the mountainside like they’d grown there naturally, towers reaching toward the angry sky, flags snapping violently in the wind.

It was impressive. Imposing. Beautiful in a brutal, functional way.

As we descended the mountain path toward it, a group of armed warriors appeared, blocking our way.

"HALT!" their leader called out, his hand on his sword. "State your business!"

The Alpha urged his horse forward, his scarred face impassive.

"I am Alpha Terrell," he announced, his voice carrying over the wind. "Alpha of the Black Wolf Pack. We seek shelter from the storm."

The response was quick and dramatic.

The warriors’ eyes went wide. Their gazes darted to our flag - the black wolf on crimson - snapping in the wind behind us.

"Alpha Terrell," the leader breathed, something like awe in his voice. "Forgive us, my lord. We didn’t realize - of course, of course you’re welcome. Please, follow us."

They moved aside immediately, then fell in behind us as an escort, their earlier hostility transformed into deference.

We rode through massive gates that swung open at our approach, into a courtyard that could have held a hundred horses comfortably.

And I couldn’t help it - I stared.

The architecture was stunning. Elegant arches. Intricate stonework. Everything spoke of wealth and taste and power.

Uriel’s brother must be incredibly rich, I thought. This is where Uriel belongs. Not with that evil man.

I tried not to gape as we rode deeper into the keep, but it was impossible. Every detail demanded attention - the gardens still somehow thriving despite the incoming storm, the fountains with their unique sculptures, the way the castle seemed to grow organically from the mountain itself.

We dismounted in another courtyard, and servants appeared immediately to take our horses.

"This way, my lord Alpha," one of them said, bowing deeply. "Lord Merrick is expecting you in the throne room."

We followed through corridors that seemed designed to impress - high ceilings, tapestries depicting battles and hunts, weapons displayed like art.

Then we emerged into the throne room.

And my breath caught.

A man sat on the throne at the far end.

A man who looked exactly like Uriel.

I blinked hard, certain I was seeing things.

But no - he was still there. Same dark hair. Same facial features. Same build, same height when he stood.

Twins.

My head whipped around to verify that Uriel was still beside me.

He was, already moving forward toward his brother with a smile.

"How can there be two of them?" I whispered to no one in particular.

I’d never witnessed such a thing. Never seen an exact replica of another human being. The height, the size, the face - even their voices sounded alike when Lord Merrick spoke in greeting.

"Holy shit," Lyra breathed beside me, her voice low but awed.

I jumped slightly - I hadn’t realized she’d moved to stand next to me.

"They’re identical," she continued, her eyes wide. "Like, exactly identical. Angel, this is insane. They’re both so..." She whistled softly. "...hot. Oh my God. I would die for just a chat with both of them in one room. Maybe more than a chat..."

"Lyra," I hissed, feeling my face heat.

But I couldn’t stop looking either. Couldn’t stop comparing them, searching for differences and finding almost none.

Uriel and Lord Merrick embraced briefly, then stepped back, speaking in low voices we couldn’t hear from this distance.

"I told you," Lyra whispered excitedly. "I told you Uriel wasn’t ordinary! The way he acts, the authority he has - it all makes sense now. He’s nobility. Actual nobility."

She sounded vindicated, like she’d won some argument I didn’t remember having.

Finally, Lord Merrick turned toward the larger group. His movements were exactly like Uriel’s - graceful but powerful, controlled strength in every gesture.

He approached the Alpha first, bowing with perfect courtesy.

"Alpha Terrell," he said, his voice carrying the same rich timbre as Uriel’s. "Welcome to my home. It’s an honor to host the Black Wolf Pack, especially under such circumstances." He gestured toward the windows, where rain had finally begun to fall in heavy sheets. "You’re welcome to stay as long as necessary. We have more than enough rooms for everyone, and my cooks are preparing a banquet as we speak."

He smiled, and the expression transformed his face exactly the way it transformed Uriel’s.

"It’s not every day I see my brother," he continued, glancing at Uriel with obvious affection. "I’m grateful for the chance, even if it took a storm to bring you here."

The Alpha inclined his head. "Your hospitality is appreciated, Lord Merrick."

They began conversing about logistics - where warriors would be housed, how long the storm might last, news from the surrounding territories.

And beside me, Lyra was still whispering frantically.

"Do you see a woman?" she asked, scanning the throne room. "A wife? A Lady Merrick?"

I looked around. Saw servants, guards, but no one who seemed to hold the position of lady of the house.

"No," I admitted.

"This is my chance," Lyra breathed, her eyes gleaming with determination. "He’s single, he’s gorgeous, he’s rich - Angel, I could be Lady Merrick. I could actually..."

"Lyra, you can’t just..."

"Oh yes, I will."

I wanted to ask her how she did it. How she found the courage to just... go after what she wanted. To see a man and think yes, him and actually pursue it instead of shrinking back in fear of rejection.

I wished I had even a fraction of that bravery.

"How do you do it?" I started to ask.

Then Lyra’s expression changed. Hardened.

"That bitch," she muttered.

I followed her gaze and saw Sera - Lyra’s sister - gliding forward with charismatic grace. She was approaching Lord Merrick with a sultry smile that promised all sorts of things.

The laugh that burst out of me was loud and completely inappropriate for a throne room.

The sound echoed off the stone walls.

Everything stopped.

Conversations ceased mid-sentence. Heads turned.

And Lord Merrick, who’d been politely listening to something Sera was saying, looked directly at me.

His silver eyes - Uriel’s eyes - locked onto mine.

Then he started walking toward me.

Oh no.

I froze, my laughter dying in my throat.

Beside me, Lyra had gone completely still, her earlier confidence evaporating.

Lord Merrick crossed the throne room with measured steps, his gaze never leaving my face.

He was going to reprimand me. Going to tell me how inappropriate it was to laugh in his home, to disrupt his conversation with...

He stopped in front of me and smiled.

"I don’t believe we’ve been introduced," he said, his voice warm. Curious. "Though any friend of my brother’s is welcome here. I’m Merrick."

He extended his hand.

I stared at it like it might bite.

"I..." My voice came out as a squeak. I cleared my throat and tried again. "Angel. My name is Angel."

"Angel," he repeated, and somehow it sounded different when he said it. More formal. "A lovely name. And you travel with the Alpha’s company?"

"I... yes. Sort of. It’s complicated."

"The best things usually are."

Was he... flirting?

No. Impossible. Men like him didn’t flirt with girls like me.

But his eyes held mine with an intensity that made my heart race, and his smile had a quality that seemed designed to make people feel special.

Beside me, I heard Lyra make a small, strangled sound.

And somewhere across the room, I felt Uriel watching.

But I couldn’t look away from Lord Merrick.

Couldn’t break the spell of his attention, even as I wanted desperately to disappear into the floor.

"Well, Angel," Lord Merrick said, still smiling. "I hope you’ll enjoy your stay. And perhaps..." He paused meaningfully. "Perhaps you’ll tell me what made you laugh. I could use more laughter in these halls."

Then he turned smoothly and made his way towards the Alpha, leaving me standing there with my heart pounding and my face burning.

"What," Lyra breathed, "the hell just happened?"

I had no answer.