Captured by the Cruel Alpha のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 41 - チャプター 50

*Varek*“What are you offering?” I narrow my eyes at her. “Better yet, what are you willing to pay for me to play along?”“You don’t have anything to bargain with.”“How many people do you know for certain you can’t compel?” Her eyes glint. “And how many people who are now in your castle would leave the moment they know their prize is more trouble than she’s worth?”My jaw tightens.“You think that’s enough to keep you safe?” I ask. "Some men would just purchase you to ruin you."She tilts her head. "Would you send me to a man like that?"I set my jaw. The answer is obvious, but I can't admit that she's seen more of my character, or guessed more of it, than is comfortable for me. It wouldn't be the first time someone used my moral compass against me.“Didn't think so,” she replies smoothly. “Though that begs the question of what price you're looking for.”Heat crawls up the back of my neck. I want to tear her out of that chair, and I clench my fists, pulling back from where that thoug

*Fiona*The way Liora lowers her eyes and obeys with the stiffness of a soldier who no longer wants to serve, hurts, but I'm going to fix it. He is not going to ruin her first night in a pretty dress because he's petty and jealous. I almost growl at him. I want to smack him off his stupid high horse and shove his face in the damage he's causing by dying on this hill.Whatever happened between Cara and her past lover was years ago. She is married and pregnant with the man he chose. Why is he still so pissed off about it? Why punish Liora for his grudge against her sister? Maybe I'm wrong and it's not about Cara, but about me that he's pulled Liora away. That makes me feel worse, honestly. He was definitely jealous seeing me with Dante. I knew it before he even spoke, just based on how he came over. I might have enjoyed it, too. Watching Varek's control crack is the best entertainment I've had since coming to Caldara. I turn back to find that Cara’s eyes are on me. For a moment, I see

*Fiona*My father sets his jaw, looking me over and faltering before thrusting his chin up. I'm sure the urge to scold me is burning him, but he doesn't say a word because he knows he can't. He knows he’s in the wrong. He has to know that after all of this—the contract, the siege, the time that has passed since I was taken from Solara—that he has no excuse. The same irritation from what feels like a lifetime ago boils in my veins again. The sight of my sister standing in the middle of Caldara’s great hall, dressed like some prize lamb ready to be led to slaughter, makes my stomach twist until I want to retch. Elara looks too young in the gown. She might be nineteen, but she's still soft and delicate. She looks like a child in an adult's gown, with how her nerves and discomfort are written so plainly across her face. It’s too revealing. She looks like a prostitute, not a princess—a very young, inexperienced, terrified prostitute.My father stands beside her, chin high, eyes cold and p

*Varek*Fiona smiles at him with the softest gaze. It's not the warmth she has for Dante, but watching her walk on his arm makes me grind my teeth together. I can't focus on what Lucian's sister and this man are talking about. I don't even remember who he is or if he's worth dangling her in front of. The simpering courtesans irritate me, and my attention keeps drifting back over to where Fiona, the man, and a king and queen talk. I suppose they're his parents. He leads her away from his parents towards the dance floor, and I nearly lose it. Every turn they take, the way his hand rests on her waist and her hand in his scrapes against my nerves until the wolf in me paces, snarling.I tear my gaze away and notice the little clusters of people together, talking. Ronan is among a group of alpha kings talking, his cousin at his side, looking every bit the noble lady of Caldara, as is Lucian. Liora is with a much younger girl, draped in a cloak bearing the Solaran crest, speaking with an un

*Fiona*His eyes flash. His jaw clenches, the muscles ticking, and he can’t meet my gaze. He suddenly looked so much younger, unsure, caught off guard. I’d almost say cute. His mouth opens, closes again.“I—” He swallows the rest with an uncomfortable look on his face. He is fumbling. I should enjoy it, but I don’t have the time right now. “This isn’t—”“Stop.” I don’t let him gather himself. I step into the heat of his body, lifting my chin so he can’t avoid looking at me. “None of that matters right now. Not your pride, not mine, or us. None of that matters. You’ve packed this fortress with wolves and kings and men who would gladly gut you in your own hall. You think you can posture your way out of that? You can’t.”His nostrils flare. His hand twitches like he means to grab me, to hold me still, but he doesn’t. He just stares, every line of his body rigid, as though if he moves even an inch, he’ll do something he might regret. “I’m telling you, Varek,” I press, softer now, but fie