Page 36 of Her Broken Alpha
"Why did you kill them?" she asked.
"We will get to them. You haven't told me about your intended. Your records show a fully filed and approved contract. You were going to be formally bonded after your second estrus, I assume. Did someone pick him for you, or did you pick him yourself?"
He typed on the pad. She couldn't see what he was doing, but she could guess. The Administration liked to keep track of everything. Privacy was a non-issue. Her life, all her medical records, schooling, family—everything was stored in a public database that anyone with an entry code could access. Crispin's information would be there as well.
"Recently retired from the Administration army, done with King's duty, he didn't do any extra service. His records show he didn't have an aptitude for leadership and his superiors suggested he stay in the Admin army longer. Did you know that?"
Naya gave a small nod. It wasn't anything Monster was saying or doing, but his review of Crispin's record shamed her. She knew he was a weaker, younger alpha. It was why she’d wanted him.
He was nothing compared to a male like Monster.
"Did you love him, then?"
She shook her head.
"Words, Naya."
"No."
It was hard not to get defensive. To explain herself. She’d never had to before. Her mother and sister had understood, even her father. Her younger brothers had teased her about it. Finnor, still in school, had wanted to challenge Crispin, certain the other man was more beta than alpha and wouldn't be able to beat him.
Monster wasn't satisfied. "Tell me about him. How did you meet him?"
"He's nothing to you. Not a rival. We are bonded now. I chose you. Why does it matter?"
"I wasn't your first choice. I want to know about the man you really wanted. Answer my questions. Maybe this man is how you ended up with the likes of Tenbel."
"That's not possible. Crispin would never have put me in a box and sent me to that disgusting male. Never."
"Someone close to you had a hand in you ending up in my tower, Naya. I am going to find out who." One of Monster’s hands had wandered to her hair and he tugged at a loop of it, working his fingers through it. "How did you meet this Crispin?"
"My father is master of a scribe house. Crispin is the youngest son of his second. He is training to be a scribe master also. We met at a party. He was on furlough and was kind to me."
"Scribes? Law slugs?" He said the derogatory term with the casual ease of someone who talked that way often.
"Don't be crude,” she reprimanded him.
He gave her hair a sharp tug. "I'll be fuckin' whatever I want to be. Unlike a scribe, I've earned my way to the top of the heap, not manipulated my way. They have their place, law slugs and their little houses of betas, but not in my world where muscle is backed by credits instead of credits backed by muscle. How was he kind to you?"
"I was sixteen. The party was with my dad's business friends. Crispin brought me a plate of food because I was too afraid to get my own."
Her father's parties always overwhelmed her. Mother had been there, as well as her sister and her husband-mate. They were celebrating a contract victory that had brought in a lot of credits. Father had bought Mother an expensive bracelet with antique jewels only found in the ruins of the Un and presented it to her with a flourish where everyone would see.
It was common practice for families with breeder daughters to expose them to potential mates at society parties. With Alphas outnumbering available breeders, these cordial community events where girls could meet bachelors were held often.
Her parents were always making her go to one party or another, and she was always finding a chair where she could hide with her knitting or a book like one of her elderly beta aunts.
"Did the courtship start then?" Monster wanted to know. The sound of his voice offered no comfort. This was a male who would happily hunt Crispin down and kill him just because he had once held her hand.
"Don't be silly. I was a child. But I remembered him after my first heat and requested that he be available for consideration. My family had other ideas. They wanted someone older, but no one stood out."
She let her hand wander over the tense muscles under his shirt and to his neck where she could touch his throat. Naya liked that. She liked touching his skin, having access that no one else had to this beautiful beast. She burrowed into him, scenting him.
"I think even without the drugs they gave me you would have stood out." She laughed a little. At him. At herself. "You would have stood out like a bonfire in the middle of a room of unlit candles. I have never met anyone like you. Had you been at one of those parties, you wouldn't have even seen me. You’d have been too busy surrounded by prettier, livelier girls, floating around you seeking your attention, flaunting their plumage at you."
"Flaunting plumage, you think? I doubt it. Females generally run screaming from me. Not that I have been around any for a very long time.
“Don't undervalue yourself, treasure. You smell like my favorite dessert and springtime. Even now you make my mouth water for a taste. I'm pretty sure only one female in the world would choose a monster who bathed in the blood of his kill before coming to her."
