23: Brute or savior ?

*Everly*

Hope. I had never considered him to be a man who would hope, who would voice that word. My mom had been a mistress, and an alpha had fallen in love with her. Would this man come to love me? I very much doubt it.

I would not be happy in the rookeries, of that I am certain. I would not be content. I would be cold, hungry, and dirty. And very much alone.

I angle my chin haughtily. “I’m not certain why you felt compelled to bring me here. I gave you my answer last night.”

“I must have misunderstood. I thought you were having doubts.” He says softly.

Tightening my fingers on his arm, I shake my head.

“Good.” He mumbles.

He leads me back to the carriage. After he has handed me up, he says something to the servant, then climbs in and takes his place opposite me. He tugs on his waistcoat as though it has become askew.

“Why are we not leaving?” I ask.

“My servant is spreading around a few coins.” He tells me.

I suspect it is a good many more than a few. Eventually, the carr