The Ruthless Alpha

Close to the truth

The next morning, I woke with a sense of dread curling in my stomach. The memory of Kane’s suspicion from the previous night hung over me like a storm cloud, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was watching me even when I was alone.

When I made my way downstairs for breakfast, the dining hall was unusually empty. Only a few pack members lingered, chatting quietly among themselves. Kane, however, was seated at the head of the table, his sharp silver eyes focused solely on me as I entered.

“Sit,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I hesitated, then crossed the room and took the chair to his right. My heart raced as I sat stiffly, acutely aware of his piercing gaze.

The food on the table remained untouched as he leaned forward, his elbows resting on the surface. “We need to talk.”

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet his eyes. “About what?”

“About you.” His voice was calm, but there was a dangerous edge to it that sent a chill down my spine. “You’re hiding something, Cassandra.”

I flinched at the name. It still didn’t feel like mine, no matter how many times he used it.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

He leaned closer, his eyes narrowing. “Don’t play dumb. Last night, I saw the way you reacted when I mentioned your scars. You’re not the pampered Alpha’s daughter I was expecting.”

I tried to keep my expression neutral, but panic was clawing at my chest.

“Not every Alpha’s child lives a charmed life,” I said, forcing the words out. “You don’t know what it was like in my father’s pack.”

He studied me for a long moment, his gaze so intense it felt like he was peeling away my defenses layer by layer. “Then tell me. Explain why you have scars. Why you act like a servant instead of the mate of an Alpha.”

I opened my mouth, then closed it again, my mind racing. If I told him the truth, everything would fall apart. He would know I wasn’t Cassandra, and the consequences of that revelation were too terrifying to even consider.

“I don’t owe you an explanation,” I said finally, my voice trembling despite my attempt to sound firm.

Kane’s jaw tightened, his expression darkening. “Actually, you do. You’re my wife. If you expect to stay here, you’ll answer my questions.”

I flinched at his tone, my hands gripping the edge of the table so tightly my knuckles turned white.

“I’ve already told you everything you need to know,” I said, my voice barely audible.

His chair scraped against the floor as he stood abruptly, looming over me with an intensity that made my heart pound. “You’ve told me nothing.”

I couldn’t hold back the tears that burned at the corners of my eyes. “I can’t,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “I can’t tell you.”

The silence that followed was deafening. Kane’s eyes bore into mine, and for a moment, I thought he might force the truth out of me.

But then he let out a low growl and turned away, running a hand through his hair. “Fine,” he said, his voice cold. “Keep your secrets, but don’t think for a second that I’m going to stop asking. One way or another, I’ll find out who you really are.”

I sat frozen as he stormed out of the dining hall, the sound of his footsteps echoing through the packhouse.

The room felt unbearably quiet in his absence, and I realized I was trembling. My hands shook as I pushed away from the table and stood, my mind racing.

I needed to be more careful. Kane was relentless, and it was only a matter of time before his suspicions led him to the truth.

And when that happened, I knew I wouldn’t survive the fallout.