Ruthless Alpha, and his Curvy Saint-Chapter 44

Angel’s POV

I stood in front of the full-length mirror, hardly recognizing the woman staring back at me.

The dress I’d chosen was a deep forest green - rich and elegant, made from material so soft it felt like water against my skin. The neckline was modest but flattering, showing just enough to hint at the curves beneath without being scandalous. The waist cinched perfectly, emphasizing the hourglass shape I’d always been taught to hide, and the skirt flowed down in gentle folds that moved beautifully when I turned.

For the first time in my life, I looked...

Beautiful.

Not despite my body. Not in spite of my size.

Just... beautiful.

The dress fit like it had been made specifically for me, hugging my curves in all the right places, making me look soft and feminine and...

I couldn’t quite believe it was real.

I touched my reflection, half-expecting it to disappear like a dream.

My hair, freshly washed and brushed until it shone, cascaded down my back in waves. My skin, scrubbed clean in the bathing room, glowed in the lamplight. Even my face looked different somehow - softer, younger, less burdened.

"You look like a lady," I whispered to my reflection.

A knock at the door made me jump.

"Angel?" Lyra’s voice came through, followed by her poking her head inside. "It’s time for... oh my God."

She pushed the door fully open, her eyes wide as she took me in.

"Angel," she breathed. "You look absolutely stunning."

Heat flooded my cheeks. "It’s just the dress..."

"It’s not just the dress." Lyra circled me slowly, like she was examining a work of art. "Though that dress is perfect on you. It’s everything. Your hair, your face, the way you’re standing... you look like you belong in a castle."

"I don’t..."

"You do." She squeezed my hand. "Trust me. Every man in that dining hall is going to forget how to breathe when they see you."

The thought terrified me almost as much as it thrilled me.

"Is that why you’re here?" I asked. "Dinner?"

"Yes! Everyone’s expected in the great dining hall. Come on, we can’t be late."

She pulled me toward the door before I could second-guess myself or change into something less conspicuous.

The great dining hall was exactly as grand as its name suggested.

Long wooden tables stretched the length of the room, already filled with warriors and guests. Tapestries hung from the walls, candles blazed in chandeliers overhead, and the smell of roasted meat and fresh bread made my stomach growl despite my nerves.

I hesitated at the entrance, suddenly overwhelmed by the sheer number of people.

Then Lord Merrick’s voice came through.

"Angel! Over here."

He was standing at the head table, between his ornate chair and an equally impressive seat presumably reserved for the Alpha. He gestured to the empty chair between them.

Between them.

Oh God.

Every eye in the hall turned to watch as I made my way forward, Lyra peeling off to find her own seat. I kept my gaze fixed on Lord Merrick, trying to ignore the weight of all that attention.

The Alpha was already seated, his scarred face impassive as I approached.

"Did you find your room to your liking?" he asked as I sat down.

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

"I’m glad," Merrick said smoothly, settling into his own chair. "Your comfort is my priority while you’re a guest in my home."

From across the table, someone cleared their throat loudly.

I looked up to find Uriel giving his brother a death stare.

His expression was murderous, his jaw tight, his hands clenched on the table like he was restraining himself from reaching across and strangling someone.

Merrick didn’t seem to notice. Or if he did, he didn’t care.

"So, Angel," he said, turning his full attention to me. "How has your journey been so far?"

The question was innocent enough, but I didn’t know how to answer it without revealing too much. Without telling him about the snake, the drowning attempt, the constant fear that someone wanted me dead.

Not with an entire hall of warriors listening.

Merrick must have noticed my hesitation because his smile turned gentle.

"Actually, save the tales for later," he said. "I plan to show you around the grounds tomorrow, if the weather permits. We’ll have plenty of time to talk then."

Relief flooded through me. "Thank you."

"In the meantime," he gestured to the food being brought out, "please, enjoy. You must be famished after days of travel."

He wasn’t wrong.

The food was incredible - far beyond anything I’d eaten in... I couldn’t even remember how long. Roasted meats with herbs and spices that made my mouth water. Fresh bread still warm from the ovens. Vegetables cooked to perfection. Rich sauces and gravies. Even desserts, displayed on a side table like works of art.

After days of dried meat roasted over open fires, stale bread, and whatever fruits we could forage, this felt like a feast fit for royalty.

I ate with an enthusiasm I probably should have been embarrassed about.

But I wasn’t. I was too busy savoring every bite, too grateful for real food prepared by skilled cooks, too relieved to have something warm and delicious and plentiful.

"I love the way you eat."

The words, whispered directly into my ear, made me freeze mid-bite.

Merrick had leaned close - close enough that I could feel his breath on my skin, close enough that anyone watching would see how intimate the gesture was.

"Most women pick at their food like birds," he continued, his voice low and warm. "Pretending they don’t have appetites. But you... you eat like someone who appreciates good food. Who isn’t afraid to show pleasure. It’s refreshing."

My face burned hot enough to rival the candles overhead.

"I... I was just hungry," I stammered.

"Good." He settled back into his chair but kept his eyes on me. "Eat as much as you like. I enjoy feeding people who actually enjoy eating."

Across the table, Uriel was staring at us with an intensity that made my skin prickle.

I looked between the two brothers, struck again by how identical yet completely different they were.

Same face. Same body. Same voice.

But where Uriel’s attention felt dangerous, coiled with barely restrained violence, Merrick’s felt warm. Inviting. Safe, somehow, despite his obvious interest.

And their preferences...

Uriel clearly preferred slender women - I’d seen the way he’d spent that first day riding beside Lyra and Sera, laughing with them. Yet he’d forbidden me from trying to lose weight, like he wanted to keep me trapped in a body type he didn’t even find attractive.

But Merrick...

Merrick openly preferred women like me. Was proud of it. Vocal about it. Made me feel like my curves were something desirable instead of shameful.

But it doesn’t matter, I reminded myself firmly. You’re betrothed to the Alpha. You have no business thinking about either of them.

Even if the Alpha was planning to release me if I behaved.

Even if Merrick was looking at me like I was the most interesting thing in his castle.

Even if Uriel kept watching us with that unreadable expression.

None of it mattered.

I was temporary. A guest. Someone who’d be gone as soon as the storm passed and we could continue to Black Wolf territory.

This wasn’t real.

No matter how much I might wish it could be.

Dinner concluded with desserts - pastries filled with cream and fruit that literally melted on my tongue. I tried to eat with more decorum this time, aware of Merrick’s continued attention.

As servants began clearing plates, Merrick stood and addressed the Alpha.

"With your permission, Alpha Terrell, I’d like to take a little walk with Angel."

From the corner of my eye, I saw Lyra stiffen in her seat, trying desperately to look like she wasn’t paying attention while clearly hanging on every word.

Sera, sitting nearby, shot me a look of pure venom.

And Uriel’s expression remained blank, but his knuckles had gone white where they gripped his goblet.

The Alpha inclined his head. "Of course. She’s your guest."

"Excellent." Merrick turned to me, extending his hand. "Shall we?"