Page 4

4

The Third Night

Annalise

The sun set hours ago, and I typically look forward to Tabitha and Guinevere’s recap of all they’ve seen and heard around the estate throughout the day as I prepare for bed. It’s become our rendition of being told a bedtime story. But tonight, I’m hardly aware of the conversation between them. They’re laughing and smiling as they discuss more pertinent gossip circulating throughout New Eden, but my gaze is distractedly focused on my bedroom door.

Two nights in a row, Cas has taken it upon himself to sleep outside in the hallway. The first night, he asked to be let in, pleaded with me to hear his side of things. Then, when he returned twenty-four hours later, he settled in the same place, but he only spoke to let me know he’d be sleeping there again, and that he hoped my day had been well. Silence followed, and he dozed rather quickly, indicating that his day had been exhausting. I couldn’t imagine having looked after our entire clan, performing the many tasks of an alpha, and then choosing to sleep on the cold, unforgiving floor, instead of my own bed.

The thought of it has me feeling sympathy for him, but I quench the emotion the next moment. Because I remember spending several nights on the floor in a cell when I was first brought here. Dragged here. Kicking and screaming, against my will.

Did he feel sorry for me back then?

Did he lose sleep, worrying as I tossed and turned on the filthy cement?

My jaw ticks with a flare of rage, and whatever softness I’d just felt toward Cas evaporates into thin air, acknowledging that the answer to both these questions is a resounding no.

“Annalise?”

Only now do I realize Guinevere had been trying to get my attention.

“Yes?”

She smiles when my gaze shifts toward her. “I asked if you heard what’s become of the Consort Elects.”

At the mention of them, I feel my lip curl into a snarl. “I’ve kept to myself these last few days,” I say back.

Hearing that I haven’t already heard whatever bit of news she’s holding in, her eyes light up at the idea of being the first to fill me in.

“Well, one of the servers overheard someone on the kitchen staff saying that?—”

“For the love of the gods! Stop gossiping!” Tabitha hisses.

Guinevere recoils from the harsh rebuke.

“No, please continue. I’d like to hear,” I cut in.

Guinevere’s expression relaxes when I lean forward, reaching to place a hand on her arm where she sits cross-legged on the edge of my bed. Then, she smiles and tosses an ‘ I told you so’ glance toward Tabitha before continuing.

“As I was saying, the server who told me overheard someone in the kitchen stating that Alpha Caspian has called the whole thing off.”

My brow quirks. “Called what whole thing off?”

Guinevere’s eyes brighten even more. “His plan to bring the Consort Elects into the estate is no more. After dinner a few nights ago, he asked that Mr. Archibald escort them out, stating that he was no longer interested.”

Guinevere’s words aren’t registering with me just yet. All because bringing the other women here was such a huge part of Cas’s “master plan”. He’d been so adamant about the necessity of their presence, but now that’s suddenly changed?

Something isn’t adding up.

“And that’s not even the best part!” Guinevere beams, prompting Tabatha to roll her eyes. “The fathers and grandfathers stormed the estate yesterday morning, demanding that the alpha pay for what he’s done.”

“Pay?”

Guinivere nods emphatically when I clearly don’t understand. “Yes, although, I don’t think he’s literally expected to pay. It was, however, suggested that Alpha Caspian be responsible for finding the girls husbands. You know, since they’ll certainly be labeled as damaged goods now.”

I’m no fan of the Consort Elects, but I wince at that phrase. Damaged goods. The fact that a woman’s worth can be unanimously deemed damaged, simply because one man no longer desires her is absurd. However, there isn’t a doubt in my mind that this is how our society will perceive them moving forward.

“So, what happened next?” I ask.

“Well, from what I’ve heard, Alpha Caspian refused to meet their demands, and the men left in quite a state. Mostly because he used force to remove them from the property, making it abundantly clear that their coming here was a horrible mistake.”

I don’t speak right away, taking in all Guinivere has said, the implications of it. How, despite all his effort to bring his plan to fruition, he’s suddenly decided to let it all go?

My thoughts are on that night again, imagining how he felt when I refused him in front of everyone. The male ego is a fragile thing, so it’s entirely possible this is a tantrum of sorts. Perhaps feeling wounded and jilted, releasing the Consort Elects is merely a phase. In fact, I’m certain he’ll soon correct his course and make amends with the Consorts and their fathers.

Yes, that has to be it.

I straighten my posture, being careful that my expression gives nothing away either.

“Wait, does anyone hear that?”

Tabitha has Guinivere falling silent as I listen harder. Just outside my door, a soft squeal has my brow tensing as I climb out of bed to investigate. It isn’t until I twist the knob and peer out that I identify the source of the sound—the squeaky wheels of a small cart being placed in front of my door.

Startled, the servant who’s just made the delivery offers a smile and shallow bow.

“Good evening, ma’am. I was instructed to bring this into your room,” he says, but I’m confused.

I step aside, allowing him to finish the task of wheeling in the cart full of boxes, all of which vary in size. There are envelopes, too, nestled in between the other items. Someone’s printed seemingly random numbers on the outside of each, and this is by far one of the strangest things I’ve ever seen.

“And this is also for you,” the servant says, handing me yet another sealed envelope before bowing again as he makes his exit.

I study the gold seal on the front, recognizing it as Cas’s. My stomach twists at the sight of it, and I hate that despite all the wrong he’s done, he still affects me in ways he shouldn’t. But I certainly don’t let that show. As far as I’m concerned, he no longer deserves the emotion he evokes.

And maybe, he never did.

I pop the seal, reading the neatly written words I find on the slip of paper tucked inside.

‘Annalise,

Because I can’t seem to find the words to tell you who I really am, I thought I might try showing you. When you’re ready, open box number one.’

I’m lost in this short message, feeling even more intrigued than before.

“Ladies, would you mind giving me a bit of privacy, please? I’ll see you both at breakfast in the morning.”

The looks of shear disappointment on their faces are easily detected. My guess is they hoped I’d give them some sort of hint as to what all this is about, but I keep it to myself, offering both girls nothing but a polite smile as they leave my room.

I stand there for several seconds after locking the door, staring at Cas’s message, and then glancing toward the gold cart. I’m tempted to push it back out into the hallway, but curiosity gets the best of me, and I search the stack for box number one. I spot it off to the side, eventually reaching for it when I simply can’t stand waiting any longer.

Whatever Cas has placed inside is meant to help me gain a deeper understanding of who our alpha truly is. And although I know I should be beyond caring at this point, that isn’t the case.

I do care.

More than I’d like to , actually.