Captured by the Cruel Alpha

I Will Break Her

*Varek*

I’m in my office, going over reports from my commanders about the battle. Most of them contain only information I’m already aware of, though a few of them have details I didn’t know about until now. Our casualty rate is so low, even I’m impressed, and I already knew I’m the Alpha of the most powerful army in the world. To have lost only twenty dead and forty-five wounded with no prisoners while attacking the fortified castle of an opponent? Well, every kingdom in the land should be afraid of the Caldaran Army.

Ronan steps through the door without knocking, which isn’t surprising. He rarely does. I don’t mind, though. He’s not just my Beta and my cousin, he’s also my best friend and the only person I ever truly feel like I can be myself around. Lucian wishes he could be this close to me, but something in my gut has always told me to keep him at arm’s length, though I haven’t pinpointed why.

“Well, that was fun.” Ronan sinks into the chair across from me, his long hair fanning out around his broad shoulders in a breeze of his own making.

“Did you get her moved?” I feign disinterest. The princess is not at the top of my priority list right now. At least, she shouldn’t be. Though, I’d be lying to myself if I said I hadn’t thought of her often since I first captured her. Fiona’s reputation as a warrior precedes her. As much as it pissed me off that she tried to run, it was also impressive. Most women would’ve coward before me and begged for mercy, not beaten up one of my guards and taken off through the snow.

“Princess Fiona is now safely tucked away in the north tower,” he confirms. “I assigned Liora as her lady-in-waiting.”

I arch an eyebrow. “Liora? Really? She agreed to that?”

Ronan shrugs. “I have my ways.”

“You convinced our most capable female warrior to babysit the princess, help her get dressed, and fix her hair?”

“Well, it wasn’t that difficult after I told her that Fiona was a trained warrior herself. I’m not sure if it’s a contest or if she wants to bond, but I figured, if she tries some bullshit again, it would be a good idea to have someone up there who can handle her–someone she won’t be expecting to be able to fight back.”

“Unless, of course, Fiona convinces Liora to take her side, and they gang up on us,” I point out.

He chuckles. “No f*****g way. Liora is puddy in my hand. She wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize the good thing we’ve got going on.”

I shake my head. “You are such a f*****g horndog, Ronan. One of these days, you may meet your fated mate, and then all these women you’ve been stringing along for years are going to come looking for revenge.”

That gets a laugh out of him. “Don’t tell me the Alpha King actually believes in fated mates all of a sudden.”

“No, I don’t,” I assure him, smirking right back at him. “Not in these lands the Moon Goddess has forsaken.”

“You never know. The full moon is coming up in two weeks. You might catch some noblewoman’s eye who has just come of age and suddenly realize she’s the one for you.”

“Yes, I’m sure the Moon Goddess would pair me with a twenty-one-year-old girl when I’m almost thirty.” I lean back in my chair and fold my arms, watching him laugh at his own ridiculousness. That’s when I notice the scratch marks on his hands. “So… she didn’t give you any trouble then?”

“Not much.” He sees where I’m looking and inspects his hands. “I mean, she didn’t want to go. I ended up dragging her a bit.”

“She wanted to stay in the dungeon?” I will never understand this woman.

“Not exactly. She wanted to run away, but since that didn’t happen, well, she finally came along.”

“I told you.” Once again, I’ve been proven right. “I knew she’d run. You should’ve left her down there.”

“It’s too cold, and she’s too valuable. You know that. How many of our allies would kill for a bloodline like that? The Alpha King of Solara’s daughter as a breeder? She’s intelligent, fierce, and beautiful. We’ll get a handsome price for her, as you know. And in the meantime, the other kingdoms will be willing to sign whatever treaties and trade agreements we wave in front of their faces for a chance to get their hands on her.” He folds his arms across his chest in satisfaction.

I know he’s right. That was our purpose in taking her to begin with. Yet, hearing Ronan speak about Princess Fiona that way has my wolf all worked up. I have to bite back an angry growl. I guess owning her has made me feel someone protective. That needs to end right away. She’ll only be here for a few months.

Just long enough for me to break her, to teach her to submit. That will make her even more valuable to the lucky high bidder.

“I suppose you’re right. Leaving her in the dungeon with the rats and filth wasn’t a good idea, but I would’ve liked the opportunity to wear her down a bit more,” I say.

“She’s going to hate being locked up in that tower,” he says with assurance. “She’ll be able to see the practice fields out the north window. Watching our warriors train and not being able to get out there will drive her, and her wolf, crazy. When you finally do get her out, the threat of having no freedom and not being able to run unless you allow it will get under her skin.”

“I’m not trying to get under her skin. I don’t just want her to be miserable; I want her to be broken. Ultimately, she needs to realize that she is completely and utterly under my command. Once she gets that through her skull, we’ll be ready to find a suitable buyer for her. In the meantime, I will enjoy every moment of punishing her.”

Ronan shakes his head. “I understand you hate the Solaran King for trying to take our lands, but this task might not be worth it, cousin. It will take a lot of time and energy on your part to break a woman with such a strong will.”

I can’t help but smile. “I will enjoy every moment of it.”