Ruthless Alpha, and his Curvy Saint-Chapter 26

Terrell’s POV

"Go have some breakfast with the others," I said gently to her. "The Alpha gave me an errand to run. I’ll be back soon."

She bit her lip, her hands suddenly trembling. "I... I don’t think I can."

"What’s wrong?"

"I’m not comfortable with any of them." Her voice was small, almost apologetic. "You and the high priestess are the only ones I’ve spoken to. I don’t think I can just... talk to the others."

I studied her face - the genuine fear in her eyes, the way she seemed to shrink into herself at the thought of approaching my warriors alone.

I understood. Of course I understood.

These were the men who’d ridden with me from the Hound pack massacre. Who’d helped burn that castle to the ground. Who looked every inch the brutal killers they were.

But as much as I got her point, as much as I wanted to coddle her and keep her safely tucked away from anything that scared her, I also needed her to learn.

To toughen up.

To speak to her subjects.

Because she was going to become their Queen. Their Luna.

The thought hit me like a slap.

Their Luna.

I smiled inwardly, not quite believing that I - Alpha Terrell, the Butcher of both men and monsters, the man who’d declared just yesterday that he wanted nothing to do with this girl - was standing here imagining her by my side.

Imagining her ruling alongside me.

Imagining her as mine in every possible way.

Twenty-four hours ago, I’d been planning her rejection. Had been convinced the Moon Goddess had made a mistake. Had been determined to send her away and forget she existed.

Now?

Now I couldn’t even bear the thought of losing her.

"Angel," I said softly, bringing my hand up to gently touch her chin, tilting her face to look at me. "You need to try to be free with everyone. We’re all going to be traveling together for days. You can’t avoid them forever."

"But they..."

"I know they seem frightening. The people of Black Wolf Pack can be brutal when necessary. But they’re also capable of kindness. Of loyalty. Of protection." I smiled at her. "Give them a chance."

"They killed my family." The words came out flat, emotionless, but I could see the pain beneath.

Guilt twisted in my chest.

"I understand," I said carefully. "And you have every right to be angry. But direct that anger toward the Alpha, not his warriors. They were following orders. The Alpha is the one responsible."

I’m the one responsible.

"Go ahead," I encouraged. "If anybody troubles you, you let me know immediately. I’ll handle it."

She looked down at herself - at the thin, still-damp dress that clung to every curve, the fabric now completely see-through in the morning light. Her breasts were clearly visible, her nipples dark shadows beneath the wet material. She looked back up at me, and I saw the realization dawn in her eyes.

She couldn’t walk into a camp full of male warriors looking like that.

How could I be so stupid?

"Hold on," I said quickly, already shrugging out of my coat.

I wrapped it around her shoulders, pulling it closed in front. It was far too large - the sleeves hung past her hands, the hem reached her knees - but at least it covered her properly.

Protected her from hungry eyes that had no right to see what was mine.

"Is this okay?" Angel asked, looking up at me with those wide blue eyes. "Won’t people talk? About me wearing your coat?"

I smiled. "People hardly notice which coat belongs to whom around here. Warriors share gear all the time."

A lie, but a harmless one.

In reality, everyone would notice. Everyone would talk. They’d see her wrapped in my scent and draw their own conclusions.

Let them.

Angel nodded, seemingly reassured, and started walking toward the group of warriors gathered around the fire for breakfast.

I watched her go, noticing how she kept looking back at me every few steps, seeking reassurance. Each time, I smiled and gestured for her to keep going, encouraging her forward.

She was trying so hard to be brave.

The realization made something warm unfurl in my chest.

Finally, she reached the fire and sat down gingerly on a log, accepting bread from one of the warriors with a small, nervous smile.

Good girl.

I turned and headed toward the edge of camp, where Bellick and my generals waited with the travelers.

As I approached, I could see them clearly - an old man, weathered and worn, with two grown daughters by his side. The girls were beautiful in that conventional way that usually attracted me: slender figures, delicate features, carefully maintained appearance despite the rigors of travel.

On any other day, I would have been interested. Would have perhaps invited one or both of them to warm my bed for the night.

But now?

Now I barely spared them a second glance.

My mind was too full of soft curves and black hair and innocent blue eyes.

They were werewolves, I noticed. Their scent gave them away immediately.

Bellick was attempting to play Alpha, his posture rigid and uncomfortable as he interrogated the old man. It would have been amusing if it wasn’t so painful to watch.

"State your business," Bellick demanded, his voice trying to be authoritative but coming out slightly strangled.

"We’re traveling to Black Wolf territory, my lord," the old man said respectfully. "We’ve heard it’s prosperous there. Opportunities for work, for a new start."

"How do I know you’re not spies?"

I bit back a laugh. Bellick sounded like he was reading from a script.

"We’re just a family seeking safety, my lord," one of the daughters said. "The roads are dangerous. Slave traders, bandits... we need protection."

"If you’re lying," Bellick said, puffing up his chest, "the consequences will be severe. Very severe. Extremely severe."

I pressed my lips together to keep from smiling.

The old man nodded earnestly. "We understand, my lord. We mean no harm. We’re simply grateful for the opportunity to travel with such... formidable warriors."

As they spoke, I noticed one of the daughters - the younger one, with dark hair and calculating eyes - staring at me.

At first, I thought she might recognize me. Might know my true identity and be about to expose the charade.

But then our gazes lingered, and she wet her lips slowly, deliberately, her eyes traveling down my body in blatant invitation.

She was flirting.

Offering herself.

I looked away, supremely uninterested.

A week ago, I would have taken her up on that invitation without a second thought. Would have pulled her aside, used her for my pleasure, and forgotten her name by morning.

Now, the thought held zero appeal.

There was only one woman I wanted, and she was currently sitting by a fire wrapped in my coat.

Bellick continued laying down rules, his voice gaining slightly more confidence as he went. "You’ll travel at the back of the group. No wandering off. No speaking unless spoken to. And once we reach Black Wolf territory, you’ll owe us bounty for safe passage."

"Of course, my lord," the old man agreed quickly. "We’ll pay whatever is fair once we arrive."

The warriors surrounding them nodded, and Bellick turned to Gareth. "Search them for weapons or anything suspicious. Then introduce them to everyone so the others know they’re with us."

"Yes, Alpha," Gareth said, and I caught the slight smirk on his face.

Bellick looked relieved to be done with his Alpha duties.

I approached him, keeping my voice low. "You’ll have to speak with Angel sooner or later."

Bellick’s eyes widened. "What? Why?" 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"Because you’re supposed to be the Alpha. The one she hates." I kept my expression neutral, though inside I hated this plan more with each passing moment. "You need to establish that dynamic."

"I don’t know what to say to her," Bellick admitted, looking genuinely uncomfortable.

"Act like the Alpha you’re pretending to be. Ruthless. Cold. Dismissive. She needs to believe you’re the monster."

Bellick hesitated, and I could see the reluctance in his eyes.

I looked at him dead-on, letting my true authority show through. "That’s an order, Bellick."

The words carried weight - the weight absolute power, of an Alpha who was obeyed without question.

Bellick’s shoulders straightened automatically. "Yes, Alpha."

He turned and headed toward where Angel sat by the fire, his expression already hardening into something crueler.

I watched him go, hating every second of this.

Hating that I had to watch another man speak harshly to my mate, even if it was all pretense...

"Hi."

The breathy voice came from directly beside me.

I turned to find the dark-haired daughter standing there, her body angled toward mine in clear invitation. Up close, she was even prettier - flawless skin, full lips, curves displayed to advantage in a dress that was far too nice for traveling.

She smiled, slow and sultry. "I’m Lyra. I wanted to thank you personally for allowing us to join your group."

"No need," I said curtly, already turning away.

But she stepped into my path, her hand reaching out to touch my arm.

"I insist," she purred. "Perhaps we could find somewhere more... private? To discuss the terms of our arrangement?"

I looked down at where her fingers rested on my sleeve, then back up at her face with an expression that had made grown men flee.

"Remove your hand."