3

The Man Behind the Mask

Caspian

“I hear it’s been quite an eventful morning.”

At the sound of Creed’s voice, I peer up as he crosses the study. He drops down into a chair, and I can assume Dimitri has filled him in about our early-morning visitors.

“Eventful is one way to put it.”

He laughs, and I set my pen aside, needing a break from work. My nerves have yet to settle after being confronted by The Merry and of Assholes a few hours ago. The fucking nerve of them, demanding that I find husbands for their daughters, like I don’t already have enough shit to deal with.

“How are you?” Creed asks. “That couldn’t have been a pleasant visit.”

“Not quite how I imagined I’d start my day, but I’m fine.”

“Pretty sure I already know the answer to this question, but is there any chance this is the last we’ll hear from them?”

A short laugh leaves me. “Only if I meet their demands, but there’s no way in hell I’ll bend to their will. My decision is firm.”

“As it should be,” he agrees. “And if they do circle back and try to stir up trouble, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, just take the win.”

Take the win.

The phrase resonates inside my head, but I’ve struggled to identify this elusive win he speaks of.

“You sound so sure.”

His brow quirks. “You’re not?”

“Dismissing the Consort Elects was a no-brainer, but… I suppose this newfound freedom feels somewhat bittersweet without… without…”

“Without Annalise,” Creed interjects, stating what I couldn’t.

“Yeah,” I nod. “That.”

It’s painfully true. If I’d walked away from this ordeal with some measure of certainty that Annalise will even one day reciprocate my feelings, it wouldn’t feel like it was all for nought.

Creed doesn’t interrupt the silence that creeps in. It’s brought on by the sudden realization that this has all been so ironic. And yes, being rejected stung, but I’m not na?ve. The pain I felt last night pales in comparison to what Annalise has endured.

By my own doing, no less.

“This isn’t like you,” he says, bringing me out of my thoughts.

“ What isn’t like me?”

He gestures toward me with his hand, as if to say everything.

“You’re the alpha.”

I laugh, rolling my eyes. “Shit. Now you sound like Aunt Pen.”

“Then, she’s on to something,” he smirks. “You are the alpha. And, yes, Annalise is angry with you now—perhaps for good reason—but I’ve never known you to give up, accept defeat.”

I hear him, but he doesn’t get it. He didn’t see that look on Annalise’s face when she said those devastating words.

You’re too late.

“I’m not giving up, I’m?—”

“Listen, Cas,” he cuts in. “You’re my alpha, yes, but… before that, you’re my friend.”

I nod, agreeing with him wholeheartedly. He’s one of very few people I trust without limits.

“So, as your friend, I’m gonna call you on your shit.”

A laugh leaves me, because it isn’t often Creed steps out of his professional role to speak so freely.

“Okay then. Call me on my shit. This ought to be good.”

I rest on my fist, giving my undivided attention as I hold in a laugh.

“Well, for starters, I think you’ve forgotten that you’re more than your title. It wouldn’t kill you to charm her a bit.”

The laugh I held in slips out now. “Charm. Yeah, I’m fresh out of that. You’re about a decade too late.”

What little charm I did have has been snuffed out by life, my position.

“Nonsense,” Creed counters.

“Ok, so let’s say I somehow rediscover this charm you speak of. What if I pull out all the stops and she still won’t have me? What then?”

Creed settles deeper into his seat, thoughtful for a moment.

“In that case, I suppose you’d have to take it like a man. But if you ask me, I don’t see it ending that way. Call me a hopeless romantic or whatever you’d like, but love always prevails, my friend.”

His optimism is a breath of fresh air, but I’m not so easily convinced. Perhaps I’m feeling a bit jaded from having spent the entire night on the floor outside Annalise’s bedroom.

I peer up when Creed chuffs a short laugh. “I wasn’t trying to cause you more grief. I?—”

“No, it isn’t that. It’s just… I’m not sure where to start with her. I’ve already done so much damage, caused her so much pain.”

Creed nods, acknowledging the truth in my words. But somehow, I still haven’t snuffed out that hint of optimism he’s harboring.

“Well, I have a feeling you know exactly where to start,” he says. “From what I’ve gathered, Annalise strikes me as a woman not at all impressed by the frills and luxuries of our world. I suspect she’d be most impressed if she were to meet the man behind the mask. The real alpha. The real you. ”

I mull this over, his take on things, and… he might be on to something. Over the last several months, Annalise has all but screamed in my face that she’s not a part of this world. Despite being born a Breedlove—a family name that should afford her certain privileges in this life—she’s real, she’s simple, she’s… perfect.

“I’ll give it a try.”

A victorious smirk crosses Creed’s face. “Good. And when you get the girl, I’ll be here to celebrate with you. Because, believe it or not, you deserve a little happiness.”