Her revengeful Bastard

Wanting him to win

*Kai*

I sit at the desk in my office scouring The right pack, one of a half dozen newspapers I devour every morning along with my coffee. While I know most people catch up on the news over breakfast, I have never gotten into the habit of enjoying a leisurely beginning to the day. I wake, dress and head into my office… which is a short walk from my nearby apartment on the same floor.

Lately I have been paying attention to the news of the packs and the gossip pages, and so it is that I see the announcement regarding Miss Anna’s betrothal to Kyle, the future Alpha of the high moon pack. It shouldn’t come as such a shock, shouldn’t feel like a kick in the gut from a recently shod horse. I have known of my half brother’s interest; I have known of Anna’s as well. It works to my benefit that they are engaged to marry. It ups the stakes, makes my stealing her away even more of an embarrassment for Kyle, and, as a result, the Alpha. His heir can’t hold on to his woman. It would signify that the future Alpha is too weak to hold on to much else.

It should make me glad. Instead it fills me with a sense of loss, makes me feel as though something has been stolen from me. Ridiculous, that. Yet the sensation is there, grinding into my thoughts, making everything else seem inconsequential.

“Willoughby!” I call.

The door burst open as though my secretary had been standing with his ear pressed against the thick oak. But then the man always seems ready to serve. “Yes, sir ?”

“The gathering we have planned to celebrate our opening of the hotel for business ... the grand salon ... I want an area of it made available for dancing”. I tell him.

The slender young man blinks. His hair is a harsh red, his face covered in a constellation of freckles. Like me, he was born a bastard. Unlike me, he has not been abandoned by his mother, and both have suffered because of it. The packs often aid the poor, but not the poor with illegitimate offspring. While there is finally an interest in reforming the bastardy Act and protecting infants, I doubt the negative opinions or behavior regarding those born on the wrong side of the blanket are going to be changing anytime soon.

“We’ll have to hire an orchestra”. Willoughby says.

“Then hire one”. I have the means to hire a dozen.

He twinges his hands. “What of the harpist who was going to perform ?”

“Move her to the lobby. I don’t care. Your job is to make what I ask happen, and not bother me with the details of how you manage it. If I have to think about it, then what service am I paying you so well to provide ?” I point out.

He gives a small bow of his head. “Quite right, sir. I shall see to it posthaste. Anything else, sir ?”

“No, that’ll be it”. I shove back my chair, stand, and stride over to the coat rack. I shrug into my coat. “I’m going out. Don’t let things fall apart while I’m gone”.

“When will you be returning ?” He asks.

When my mind is no longer filled with images of Anna saying yes to Kyle’s proposal, of her looking up at him with joy wreathing her face. She is a means to my gaining the acceptance I require. I should be bloody grateful things are progressing as quickly as they are.

Only I’m not. As I walk along the street where buildings are in various stages of being completed, I imagine she experienced the same sort of happiness when she received the future Alpha’s proposal as I do when I watch the structures arise from the rubble of what had once been a vermin infested area of the city. I have gotten the property cheap, acres of it. This street and the next, I have mapped out for shops. The remaining area will be town houses where only a single family will reside. The rents won’t be exorbitant. I doubt I have ever broken even.

The shops and my hotel are another story. They will provide employment for those who live in this area. I am going to employ proper street sweepers who receive a salary, not lads who are tossed a coin after clearing a path for the posh. My streets will be free of dog s**t and rubbish. I have grand plans, plans that will create pride in the folk who live and work here, plans that will allow ladies to walk about without fear of ruining the hems of their skirts.

Thinking of skirts has me thinking about Anna again. I want her to attend my celebration of success. I want her to witness my accomplishments, to give her a chance to compare me against Kyle. I wish every building would be finished when I open the hotel, but there is no reason to hold off making money on it. Besides, I need to find tenants for some of the shops, and some potential ones will be there during the festivities. Although, perhaps she will see the potential here as I do.

I realize, much to my consternation, it isn’t my need to prove my achievements out do Kyle’s that has me contemplating how I might ensure she attends my affair, but a desire to share all this with her, to catch a glimpse of it through her eyes. To see if she takes as much delight in it as I do.

All foolishness on my part. I can’t lose sight of my ultimate goal or the fact that when it is achieved, Miss Anna will despise me.

*Later*

“I need him to win tonight”. I say.

Standing in a shadowed corner beside Aaron, I watch as Kyle finally strolls through the entrance of my brother's casino and shrugs out of his coat, handing it off to a young fellow who is tasked with seeing to each visitor’s possessions. I expected him to be here tonight as his appearance has become a habit, and each morning Aaron sends over my half brothers markers.

“That seems to be contrary to your plans”. Aaron says, his tone neutral, yet I hear my brother’s silent question: What are you about ?

“I want him in a jovial mood”. I explain.

Aaron nods. “Not a bad idea to let him win. He’s had a string of losses the past few nights. To be honest, I’m surprised he returned”.

“He lost his membership in yet another club, the last of any reputation that would have him. He has nowhere else to go”. I inform him.

“There are plenty of places … less reputable to be sure, more dangerous certainly … for a man with an addiction to appease his demons, and your brother is addicted to wagering”. Aaron points out.

I huff. “He’s not my brother, he is nothing to me”.

“I saw in the newspaper that he is to her”. Aaron raises one eyebrow.

The words strike hard and quick, a solid blow that knocks me mentally off balance. My teeth clench of their own accord, my gut tightens, my hands ball into fists at my side, but my face reflects no emotion whatsoever. Nor does my voice when I finally find the wherewithal to speak. “The reason I need him in a jovial mood. If I keep accidentally crossing paths with her, she’ll become suspicious. It’s to my benefit for him to arrange the next encounter”.

“You know I don’t condone cheating”. Aaron looks seriously at me.

“I also know you have a dealer with the skills to control which cards land in front of which gents. I want him at that table where Kyle just sat down”. I tell Aaron.

Aaron pats my shoulder. “Remind me to never get on your bad side”. Then he strolls away to make arrangements with his talented dealer as though he hasn’t a care in the world, when I know his cares are plenty. I’m not alone in that. Mae Tempest’s kids all carry far too many burdens.