My Cruel Alpha

POV Luella

The carriage hit another rut as Ainsworth Royal Court came into view. I smoothed my traveling dress, hands trembling despite twenty-two years of preparation.

This is what I was born for. What Father trained me for.

"My lady, you're gripping that cushion rather tightly," Lady Celeste said. "Though I understand why, considering what we've heard about Prince Kyrell."

I don't want to think about him. My arrangement was with Crown Prince Tobias, not his volatile brother.

"I'd rather focus on meeting my intended," I said.

"But you must be prepared," Celeste insisted. "The stories are disturbing. They say he's heartless, discards lovers when he's finished. That he enjoys tormenting people who cross him. And his shadow magic... there are whispers he's driven court ladies to madness."

"Enough." The word came out too sharp. "I'm marrying Tobias, not Kyrell."

But what if his hatred for his brother extends to anyone Tobias cares about?

The carriage stopped. A young maid approached with a crystal goblet even before I had time to open the door.

"For you, my lady. The journey from Shadowpine territory is long."

"Thank you." I drank gratefully. This is it. Everything I've worked toward starts now.

The sound of breaking bone cracked through the air.

Screams followed, then an unnatural crackling I'd never heard before. I nearly dropped the goblet.

"Stay here," I ordered Celeste, pushing open the carriage door.

The courtyard revealed exactly what the rumors described. Three men lay groaning on the stones, bodies twisted. Dark magic moved through the air. At the center stood Prince Kyrell.

He was tall and lean, with black hair falling across angular features. His skin was pale and his eyes are black. The shadow magic responded to his movements, wrapping around him obediently.

This is the monster from the stories. He looks so normal. How can someone so young hold such darkness?

"That's Prince Kyrell," Celeste whispered beside me. "The stories were true."

Kyrell's head turned toward our carriage. Our eyes met across the courtyard. His gaze was cold and assessing, studying me with dangerous interest. A slow smile spread across his lips—cold and cruel.

He's deciding whether I'm worth his attention. Whether I might be entertaining to torment.

He stared at me for several long seconds, then deliberately turned away, dismissing me as unimportant.

Arrogant bastard.

"Come," I said. "We have a ceremony to attend."

The formal welcome took place in the grand hall. When Crown Prince Tobias approached, relief flooded through me.

He was everything I'd hoped for. Tall and broad-shouldered, with golden hair and warm brown eyes. His smile was polished, his manner refined.

"Lady Luella Chauveret," he said, taking my hand and kissing my knuckles. "Welcome to our court. I hope the journey wasn't too difficult."

When our eyes met, I felt it—the mate bond, warm and certain in my chest. I could barely contain my relief.

Thank the goddess. My arranged husband is actually my fated mate. Father will be so pleased.

Something felt different about the bond though. Present but muted, as if something was dampening its intensity. I pushed the concern aside.

"You look troubled," Tobias said, his expression softening with concern. "I hope your arrival wasn't too overwhelming."

"Not at all, Your Highness. I'm honored to finally meet you."

"I have to ask, do you feel it? The connection between us?"

"I do," I said. "I was nervous about this arrangement, but feeling the mate bond changes everything."

"Indeed it does." He smiled again, and I returned it gratefully. "The goddess works in mysterious ways."

Why does every word sound so carefully chosen? But the mate bond hummed between us, real and undeniable. I'm overthinking because I'm nervous.

The welcome feast blurred together with introductions and polite conversations. My attention kept drifting to where Kyrell sat. He'd changed into black silk that made his pale skin appear translucent and his black eyes even more unsettling.

Stop looking at him. Focus on your future husband.

"So tell me, brother," Kyrell's voice carried across the hall. His tone was casual but edged with malice. "How does it feel to finally receive your new breeding stock? Father must be pleased with the political advantages."