Ruthless Alpha, and his Curvy Saint-Chapter 64

Alpha Terrell’s POV

I walked through the familiar corridors of my castle with the kind of bone-deep relief that only came from returning home after weeks on the road.

Home.

My territory. My pack. My castle.

Where I was unquestionably Alpha, where I was going to finally drop all the pretense.

Except I still had to pretend. At least for a few more hours.

Christ, I’m tired.

"Alpha! Welcome home!"

Kane appeared from around a corner - my Beta, looking exactly as he always did. Gray hair, sharp observing eyes, and an alert posture.

He’d been my Beta for two decades now. A good man. Loyal. Competent.

Also infuriatingly annoying in his old age.

"How was the journey?" Kane asked, falling into step beside me. "Any difficulties? I heard there was quite a storm in the eastern region..."

"I want a hot bath," I interrupted flatly. "And rest. That’s all."

"Of course, Alpha. I’ll make sure everything is prepared immediately." Kane paused. "Should I ready a woman to warm your bed tonight? There’s a new exquisite girl I found for you, very eager to please, quite beautiful..."

I stopped walking so abruptly Kane nearly collided with me.

"Did you not receive word that I was returning with my Luna?" I asked, my voice dangerously quiet.

Kane’s face went through several expressions at once - confusion, more confusion, then back to confusion.

"I... yes, Alpha, but I thought..." He stammered slightly, which was unusual for him. "Forgive me, but I assumed that wouldn’t stop you from..."

"Well, it does." I resumed walking, my voice hard. "As long as my mate is concerned, I don’t want to see or hear about any other women. Is that clear?"

"Crystal clear, Alpha."

"Good. Now go bother my brother Merrick. Or check on your own brother Kade. But stop pestering me."

I left him standing in the corridor and continued to my private chambers.

The rooms were exactly as I’d left them on that fateful morning when Sheena had come with the earth shattering news that changed my life.

My bath had already been drawn, steam rising from the surface, the water infused with oils and herbs that would ease the aches from weeks of travel.

I stripped off my traveling clothes and sank into the hot water with a groan of pure relief.

Finally.

I let myself sink completely under, the water closing over my head, blocking out sound and light and the weight of everything waiting for me.

This was where I did my best thinking. Submerged. Isolated. Nothing but water and the sound of my own heartbeat.

I needed a plan.

Locking Angel in a room was only a temporary solution. Eventually, I’d have to let her out. Would have to face her. Would have to tell her the truth about who I really was.

How?

How do I tell her that Uriel and Alpha Terrell are the same person?

That the man she’s falling for is the monster she hates?

And letting her roam freely before I could explain would be a disaster. The servants would see her. Would recognize her as the Luna their Alpha had returned with. Would start talking, gossiping, making connections.

She’d figure out the truth before she even reached my throne room.

No. That can’t happen.

I had to control the narrative. Had to be the one to tell her.

But first...

First, I needed to deal with Zach and his daughters. Needed to formally welcome them into the pack, give them their identity marks, and send them on their way before they could cause problems.

Especially Lyra.

That girl was too observant. Too clever. She’d already noticed things about "Uriel" that she shouldn’t have. If she had time to talk to Angel, to compare notes, to start asking questions...

Get them out. Fast.

I surfaced, gasping for air, my mind made up.

A knock at the bathroom door interrupted my thoughts.

"My lord?" A female voice. One of the bathroom attendants. "Do you require assistance?"

There was something in her tone. A breathiness. The usual invitation.

On any normal day, I might have taken her up on it. A quick release of tension, a quick fuck to ease the stress, then back to business.

But not today.

Not when Angel was somewhere in this castle, waiting, trusting that "Uriel" would protect her.

"Get out," I said flatly.

"But my lord, you just returned..."

"Out. Now."

The door closed quickly.

I finished my bath in silence, my mind working through logistics, timing, potential complications.

When I emerged, my butler was waiting with fresh clothes - the full Alpha regalia I hadn’t worn since before the attack on the Hound pack.

Heavy black fabric embroidered with silver thread. The black wolf emblem prominently displayed. Boots polished to a mirror shine. A cloak that swept the floor when I walked.

The uniform of absolute authority.

I dressed silently, letting the familiar weight of the clothing settle over me like armor.

This was who I really was.

Not Uriel, the kind warrior.

Alpha Terrell. The ruler. The monster.

And soon, Angel would know it too.

Kane was hovering outside my chambers when I emerged.

Of course he is.

"What now?" I demanded. "Can the old man not let me breathe for just five minutes?"

"I’m still confused," Kane said, following me as I headed toward the throne room. "About the mate bond situation. I thought you brought her back to reject her? That was the cryptic message the high priestess sent me last week."

My jaw clenched.

"Plans change."

"But..."

I walked faster, hoping he’d take the hint.

He didn’t.

"It’s just that you’ve never shown interest in her kind before. She’s human, Alpha. She’s not fit to be the Luna of this great pack. And considering her physical appearance, I’d thought you wouldn’t even look her way twice..."

I stopped and turned on him so fast he nearly tripped over his own feet.

"If you don’t shut up and follow orders," I said quietly, "I’m going to throw you down those stairs." I pointed to the grand staircase we were approaching. "And then I’m going to give your position to your brother Kade, who at least knows when to keep his mouth shut."

Kane’s face went pale.

"Understood, Alpha. My apologies."

He fell silent.

Finally.

We reached the throne roo - a massive space designed to intimidate. High ceilings supported by carved pillars. Tapestries with symbols of pack history covering the walls. And at the far end, elevated on a dais, my throne.

I’d sat in that chair for centuries. Had made decisions that shaped territories. Had judged criminals, welcomed allies, declared wars.

Tonight, I’d use it to get rid of two travelers and their merchant father before they complicated my life further.

I took my seat, the aura of power and authority settling over me.

"Where’s my brother?" I asked Kane.

"Lord Merrick is... taking a nap, Alpha."

I raised an eyebrow. "A nap? On a day like today?"

"That’s what he said, Alpha."

Liar.

Merrick wasn’t napping. Merrick was planning something. Scheming. Probably trying to figure out how to steal Angel out from under me before I could claim her properly.

But I’d deal with my brother later.

"Go ready the Black Wolf insignia," I ordered Kane. "The branding iron. Heat it properly. I need to use it on my new arrivals."

Kane’s eyes went wide. "The insignia? But Alpha, that ritual is performed at midnight with the pack elders present. It’s tradition. We can’t just..."

"Since my return," I interrupted, my voice dropping to something dangerous and deadly, "you have done nothing but question me. Nothing but pester me with doubts and concerns instead of simply following orders."

Kane opened his mouth.

I continued before he could speak.

"The only reason I haven’t snapped your neck is because of your younger brother Kade, who is an excellent general and would be devastated by your death." I leaned forward slightly. "But perhaps the Beta position has become too much for you. Perhaps you’d like to retire. Pass the responsibilities to someone younger. Someone who doesn’t think his age gives him the right to question his Alpha’s every decision. You might have gray hairs and sagging cheekbones, but remember that I ruled this pack for decades before you were even born."

Kane’s face turned red.

"No, Alpha," he said, his voice subdued. "No, please. I apologize. I will get everything ready immediately."

"Good. Now go. And tell Gareth to come in at once."

He practically ran from the room.

Finally. Some peace.

I sat back in my throne, letting my eyes close for a moment.

Get the travelers marked and sent on their way. Then deal with Angel. Tell her the truth. Face whatever consequences came from that revelation.

Simple.

Right.

Simple.

Like facing an executioner was simple.

A servant appeared at the entrance. "Alpha? You called for General Gareth?"

"Yes. Send him in."

Gareth entered moments later, his expression curious.

"You wanted to see me, Alpha?"

"I need you to fetch the travelers," I said. "Zach and his daughters. Bring them here. Now."

"All three of them?"

"Yes."

"Should I bring the girl Angel as well?"

"No." The word came out sharper than I’d intended. "Just the travelers. Angel stays where she is."

Gareth’s expression flickered with something I couldn’t quite read, but he nodded.

"As you command, Alpha."

He left.

I sat alone in my throne room, waiting, trying to steady my breathing.