Ruthless Alpha, and his Curvy Saint-Chapter 69

Angel’s POV

The silence was suffocating.

I sat on the edge of the bed, freshly bathed and dressed in one of the nightgowns that had been provided, staring at the door like it might suddenly unlock itself and set me free.

But it remained stubbornly closed.

Locked.

Keeping me trapped in this beautiful prison.

The room felt like it was closing in on me with each passing minute. The walls seemed to press closer, the ceiling lower, the air thicker.

If Lyra were here, it would be different. She’d be chattering about something - the castle’s grandeur, her thoughts on one of the handsome lords, her plans for the future. Her voice would fill the silence, make the space feel less empty.

But she was gone.

And I was alone with my thoughts.

When will they let me out?

Will the Alpha keep his promise to reject the bond?

Where’s Uriel? What’s he doing right now?

What happened to Lyra? Did the induction go well? Will I see her again?

The questions circled endlessly, finding no answers, just generating more anxiety.

God, this was so frustrating.

If only I had my novel to distract me. But Uriel had taken it - along with that devastating promise about what he’d teach me once we were together.

What I’m going to do to you.

What I’m going to show you.

What I’m going to teach you.

Heat flooded through me at the memory of his words, his voice, the intensity in his eyes.

But then the heat was replaced by cold anxiety.

Because what if the Alpha refused to let me go? What if Harland had been right about the promises being empty?

What if...

Knock knock knock.

I jumped so violently I nearly fell off the bed.

Is it time?

Time to face the Alpha and learn my fate?

My heart pounded as I moved toward the door, my hands trembling as I reached for the handle.

Breathe. Just breathe.

I opened the door.

A maid stood there, young and pretty, holding a large tray laden with covered dishes.

Not the Alpha.

Not Uriel.

Just a servant bringing food.

Relief and disappointment warred in my chest.

"Good evening, my lady," the maid said with a curtsy. "The Alpha ordered dinner brought to your room."

"Oh. Thank you."

She entered, setting the tray on the small table near the window, then began removing the covers to reveal the feast beneath.

Roasted meats. Fresh vegetables. Mouthwatering Bread. Pastries that smelled like honey and spices. Even wine in a crystal decanter. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

It was more food than I could possibly eat alone.

"Is there anything else you need, my lady?" the maid asked.

Freedom. Answers. Uriel.

"No, thank you."

She curtsied again and left, the lock clicking back into place behind her.

I stared at the food, my stomach growling despite my anxiety.

When was the last time I’d eaten? Breakfast, probably. Before we’d crossed into Black Claw territory.

I forced myself to eat, and tried not to think about what tomorrow might bring.

Terrell’s POV

I sat on my throne, listening to Beta Kane’s voice drone on and on, reading from an impossibly long scroll detailing every minor complaint, dispute, and concern that had accumulated during my absence.

"...and then there’s the matter of the disputed hunting grounds between the northern and eastern territories. Both sides claim...

"Handled," I interrupted. "Split it evenly. Next."

"Yes, Alpha. Next, we have a complaint from the blacksmith about the quality of iron being delivered..."

"Tell him to take it up with the suppliers. Next."

"The village elder from the western settlement requests permission to expand..."

"Granted. Next."

This was tedious. Mind-numbingly tedious.

But it was better than the alternative.

Better than going to Angel and telling her the truth.

Better than watching her face transform from trust to betrayal to hatred.

So I sat there, pretending to care about iron quality and hunting disputes, avoiding the one thing I actually needed to do.

Beta Kane paused, looking up from his scroll.

"Alpha, are you certain you want to address these matters now? They can wait. Besides, you haven’t eaten anything since your return. You must be exhausted."

"I’m fine. Continue."

"But Alpha..."

"Continue, Kane."

He sighed but resumed reading.

Another hour passed before I finally waved him off.

"That’s enough for tonight. Have dinner sent to my chambers."

"Of course, Alpha."

I stood, my body protesting the movement after sitting for so long, and made my way toward the stairs that led to the private quarters.

As I climbed, a thought occurred to me.

I hadn’t seen Merrick since we’d arrived.

What is that conniving fox up to?

Knowing my brother, he was probably scheming. Plotting. Trying to figure out how to steal Angel before I could claim her properly.

But I didn’t have the energy to deal with Merrick tonight.

Tomorrow was going to be difficult enough without adding my brother’s machinations to the mix.

I needed sleep. Real, restorative sleep.

I was halfway down the corridor to my chambers when I saw her.

Sheena.

Standing in the hallway like she’d been waiting for me.

Of course.

She approached, her robes swishing softly against the floor.

"Alpha," she said. "Is everything alright?"

"Why wouldn’t it be?"

"Angel." She whispered the name. "Have you told her yet?"

"Not yet."

Her face fell, disappointment clear in her expression.

"Why are you still wasting time?" Her voice carried an edge I rarely heard from her. "The full moon is in two days. You need to tell her before then."

"I’m aware of the timeline."

"Are you?" She stepped closer, her eyes intense. "You’re taking a huge risk, Terrell. You’re in your territory now. Where you can’t control everyone to maintain your lies. Someone will see her, recognize her as the Luna, start talking. If Angel finds out the truth from a servant’s gossip instead of from you directly..." She shook her head. "It will be infinitely harder for her to forgive you."

The words hit hard.

Because she was right.

God, she was right.

Every hour I delayed increased the chance that Angel would learn the truth from someone else. From a careless comment, a servant’s whisper, a guard’s slip of the tongue.

And if that happened, she’d never forgive me.

"I’ll tell her," I said quietly. "Soon."

"Tonight?"

"Soon."

"Terrell..."

"I said soon, Sheena. Leave it alone."

She studied me for a long moment, then nodded and walked away.

I stood there in the corridor, staring at nothing, trying to work up the courage to do what I should have done days ago.

Just tell her.

Go to her room, sit her down, and explain everything.

Simple.

I started walking before I could change my mind.

Down the corridor. Around the corner. Up another flight of stairs to where the guest quarters were located.

To Angel’s door.

I stood there for a full minute, my hand raised to knock, my courage failing with each passing second.

Just knock. Just do it.

I knocked.

"Come in," her voice called from inside.

I opened the door and stepped into the room.

Angel stood near the window, backlit by the last rays of sunset, her long dark hair catching the light. She looked beautiful and fragile and impossibly precious.

And I was about to destroy whatever trust she had in me.

"Uriel," she said, her face brightening when she saw me. "I was hoping you’d come. I’ve been locked in here for hours with no idea what’s happening."

"I know. I’m sorry." The words tumbled out. "I just wanted to check on you. Make sure you’re comfortable."

"I’m fine. The room is lovely." She moved closer. "But when can I leave? When will I speak with the Alpha about breaking the bond?"

Now. Tell her now.

"Soon," I heard myself say instead. "Very soon."

"How soon? Tomorrow?"

Yes, tomorrow. After I tell you the truth. After I explain everything. After I...

"Probably," I managed.

She smiled, and the trust in that smile was like a knife to my chest.

"I’m glad you’re here," she said softly. "I was worried. About you. About us. About everything."

Tell her. Just say it. ’Angel, I need to tell you something. I’m not just Uriel. I’m also...’

"You don’t need to worry," my mouth said, completely independent of my brain. "Everything is going to work out."

No it’s not. Not if you keep lying. Not if you...

"Are you sure?" She took my hand, her fingers small and warm in mine. "Because Harland said..."

"Harland was wrong." The words came out harsher than intended. "He was trying to scare you. To make you depend on him instead of trusting me."

Hypocrite. You’re doing exactly the same thing.

"I trust you," Angel said simply.

And there it was. The trust I didn’t deserve. The faith I’d built on lies.

Tell her. NOW.

"Angel, I..." My throat closed. "I need to..."

SAY IT.

"...make sure you get proper rest tonight." The coward’s words escaped before I could stop them. "Tomorrow is an important day. You’ll need your strength."

You pathetic, spineless...

"Okay," Angel said, confused by my strange behavior but accepting it anyway. "I’ll try to sleep."

"Good. That’s good." I was backing toward the door now, fleeing like the coward I was. "I’ll see you tomorrow. We’ll talk then. About everything."

"Everything?"

"Everything," I promised.

Liar.

I left before I could make things worse, practically running down the corridor, my heart pounding, shame and self-loathing burning in my chest.

I’d had the perfect opportunity.

Angel had been right there. Trusting me. Ready to listen.

And I’d chickened out.

Again.

I made it to my chambers, closed the door, and stood there with my back against the wood, my hands shaking.

"You’re a coward," I said to the empty room. "A pathetic, lying coward."

The room didn’t disagree.