Ruthless Alpha, and his Curvy Saint-Chapter 42

Alpha Terrell’s POV

I stood in the corner of the throne room, watching as people began to disperse.

Servants moved around, guiding guests toward their assigned quarters. Warriors moved in groups, following instructions to the barracks or guest wings depending on their rank. Bellick and my generals were being shown to private chambers.

And Angel...

Angel was being led away by a female servant, that infernal Lyra girl trailing beside her like a shadow.

I watched her disappear around a corner, and something in my chest tightened painfully.

"She’s different."

I didn’t turn. Didn’t need to. I knew that voice as well as my own - literally.

"What?" I said flatly.

Merrick moved to stand beside me, his hands clasped behind his back in a mirror of my own posture. Even our body language was identical when we weren’t thinking about it.

"Your mate," he clarified, though I’d known perfectly well what he meant. "She’s different from what I expected."

"And what exactly did you expect?"

"I don’t know." He tilted his head thoughtfully. "Someone harder, maybe? More... battle-worn? Given your reputation, I assumed the Moon Goddess would pair you with a warrior woman. Someone who could match you blow for blow."

"She’s stronger than she looks."

"Oh, I’m sure she is." Something in his tone made my jaw clench. "That kind of softness, that gentleness - it takes remarkable strength to maintain in a world like ours."

I didn’t respond.

"And those curves," Merrick continued, his voice taking on a serious tone that made my hands curl into fists. "Absolutely magnificent. The way that dress clings to her body, even torn and filthy as it is... Gods, Terrell. Her breasts alone could inspire sonnets. And those hips? That soft belly? That’s a woman made for pleasure. For worship. The kind of body a man could lose himself in for days and never grow tired of..."

"Merrick," I warned.

"What?" He turned to look at me with wide, innocent eyes that fooled exactly no one. "I’m simply observing. Making conversation about your lovely mate."

"What was the meaning of that earlier?" I demanded, my voice dropping to a dangerous level.

"The meaning of what, brother?"

"Don’t play games with me. Why did you approach her? Why were you looking at her like... like..."

"Like a man looks at a beautiful woman?" Merrick’s lips curved into a knowing smile. "Because she is beautiful. Soft and lush and exactly the kind of woman I’ve always preferred."

He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

"Are you absolutely certain the Moon Goddess didn’t make a mistake? Because from my own perspective, Angel seems much more suited to me than to you. After all..." He paused for effect. "You’ve never liked heavy women before. In fact, I distinctly remember you preferring them slim and athletic."

My control snapped.

In one smooth motion, I grabbed Merrick by the throat and slammed him against the nearest pillar. My hand tightened, cutting off his air, my face inches from his.

"Stay away from her," I snarled, keeping my voice low so it wouldn’t carry. "Or I will end your life with a snap. Brother or not, I will kill you."

Merrick’s eyes danced with amusement even as he struggled for breath.

He managed to choke out a laugh - a wheezed, strangled sound that somehow still conveyed his complete lack of fear.

When I didn’t immediately release him, he raised his eyebrows pointedly.

Finally, I loosened my grip slightly.

"You should be careful with your threats, dear brother," Merrick said, his voice hoarse but steady. He reached up and deliberately slapped my hand away from his throat. "I have nothing to lose. But you? You have everything to lose once I tell your precious mate about your true identity."

The words hit like ice water.

My hand dropped completely.

Merrick rubbed his throat, still smiling that infuriating smile.

"We’re not children anymore, Terrell," he said, straightening his clothes with exaggerated care. "I’m not afraid of you. Haven’t been for centuries. So if I want to admire Angel’s incredible body, her sweet smile, the way her eyes light up when she laughs, the way those generous breasts of hers move when she breathes - I will. And there’s not a damn thing you can do about it without revealing yourself."

"Merrick..."

"Besides," he continued, stepping away and examining his reflection in a polished shield on the wall, "I’m still trying to understand what’s happened to you. The great Alpha Terrell, reduced to hiding behind a false identity. Uriel, of all names." He turned to look at me, genuine curiosity in his eyes now. "What possessed you to choose that? It’s so... soft. Gentle. Nothing like you at all."

"It served its purpose."

"Did it? Or are you just a coward now?" The words were sharp. "You’re so terrified of facing your mate as yourself that you’re playing dress-up. Pretending to be someone kinder, gentler, more worthy of her affection."

"That’s not..."

"And the truly pathetic part?" Merrick’s voice dropped, becoming almost pitying. "You’ve given up your title for this charade. Your position. Your authority. You’re letting Bellick parade around pretending to be Alpha while you skulk in the shadows like a common warrior. Do you have any idea how insane that is?"

"It’s temporary," I said through gritted teeth.

He moved closer again, his expression serious now. "You’re not the powerful, ruthless Alpha I used to know, Terrell. That man would never have hidden from his mate. He would have claimed her immediately, consequences be damned."

"You don’t understand..."

"Oh, I understand perfectly. You didn’t think you’d fall for her, but you did. And now you’re trapped in a web of your own making, too scared to tell her the truth but too attached to let her go."

"What would you have me do?" I demanded. "March up to her and say, ’Surprise, the kind warrior you trust is actually the Alpha who murdered your family’? How do you think that would go?"

"Badly," Merrick admitted. "But at least it would be honest. At least you’d be facing the consequences of your actions like a man instead of hiding like a child."

"Easy for you to say. You’re not the one who..."

"Who what? Who slaughtered her family? Who orphaned her?" Merrick’s voice took on an edge. "No, I didn’t do those things. But I’ve done plenty of terrible things in my long life, brother. We all have. The difference is I don’t pretend to be someone else when those actions come back to haunt me."

We stared at each other without a word.

Then Merrick said quietly. "You’ve changed. The old Terrell would have taken Angel the moment the mate bond snapped into place. Would have marked her, claimed her, and dealt with her anger afterward. He certainly wouldn’t be wasting his time playing nursemaid and pretending to be her friend."

"You know nothing about my plans for Angel. You only know this much because I’m here, and I had to fill you in. Just mind your business and keep your mouth shut."

Merrick’s smile returned, sharp and challenging. "I’ll mind my business alright. And I’ll also keep my mouth shut. I love an interesting game, and I’m willing to join in the play."

"I’m warning you," I said quietly. "Stay away from her."

"Make me."

The childish response would have been funny if I wasn’t so furious.

"This isn’t a game, Merrick."

He didn’t say anything else, just laughed and walked away.

He’s the worst. The absolute worst.