Page 33 of Forced Alpha Bride

This time, the rumble of voices is far louder, and there is a shout of protest. When I see Regina moving through the crowd and asking everyone to calm down, my suspicion grows.

I’ll never believe this bitch is actually helping me.

“I know there will be changes we have to get used to,” Regina states, loud enough for her voice to carry. “But this is our new alpha, and we must obey him. For the sake of the pack, I ask for your patience and understanding.”

Regina turns to look at me, and her smile is as sharp and painfully beautiful as a cracked shard of her last name.

Not just her smile. Her eyes can cut, too, and deeper than any knife.

“Thank you, Elder Glass,” I answer. “Your support is appreciated.”

“Of course,” she says, bowing her head respectfully.

I fight the urge to say something nasty to her and gulp down the better part of my rage. “My first edicts are set,” I call out. “Are there any questions?”

The crowd mumbles, but no one speaks out.

“I’ll retire to my townhouse, then. The curfew in the town has ended. Mourning for the old alpha is done, and now my rule begins. What say you?”

“Long may he reign,” the crowd murmurs, a rippling wave of sound that fills the room with hushed reverence.

I notice Regina looking at me, a sharp grin still tugging the edge of her lips. I know she’s plotting against me, and I don’teven care. I’ll deal with her when I have to, and until then, she has to obey my orders.

When I walk towards the doors with Winnie, the crowd parts as people hurry to get out of my way. The sense of power I had when the ritual was finally completed increases tenfold, surging inside me like an oncoming tide.

I did this for power… but I didn’t really understand what it meant. I control the entire town, and everyone in it.

Out in the driveway, Flint stands waiting for me, a big black car parked behind him.

“Where’s my truck?” I ask.

“Drowned it in the river,” Flint says. “What, you don’t like this? It’s a BMW.”

“I like it,” I chuckle. “Where’d you get it?”

“Car dealership. It’s a gift to the new alpha.”

“Really? A gift?”

“Yep. He asked me to give it to you personally. Said it would be his honor to have you drive it around town.”

Looking at the sleek lines of the car with admiration, I realize I still haven’t understood the full reach of my power.

I never expected something like this.

“It will happen a lot,” Winnie says quietly to me. “Especially since you are a new alpha who fought to take the position. People will want your favor and your goodwill.”

“So this is a bribe?” I snap angrily.

Winnie shakes her head. “No. Bribes come with conditions. Gifts like this are merely an appeal to you, a request for consideration. People who give in this way also want to beassociated with your power. The owner really will feel honored if you drive it around town.”

“Still feels like a bribe,” I say. “Maybe I should pay for it.”

“No!” Winnie exclaims, squeezing my hand. “You’ll insult him terribly. It’s a gift. He wants you to know that he expects nothing in return. If you refuse these gifts or abuse them, you’ll be known as a terrible alpha. A man without honor.”

“Maybe that’s exactly what I am,” I say provocatively.

Winnie looks away.