Alpha's Spoiled Princess - Burgov Series VI

12. Sean

She had jetlag? After a four-hour flight? She could have come up with something more probable!

But the good news is this time she at least won't run away. She can't. So this time I will force her to talk with me.

"Would you stop pacing? You're making me nervous." - I heard Anya's voice coming from the counter where she was eating her cereal.

That's right, I even brought her with me to make my visit more legit. Me coming in here alone would have been suspicious, but taking Anya, we were just a pair of relatives no one questioned.

"I'm sorry. I guess it's just…"

"Don't bother ending that sentence, big bro." - she said, sending me a bored look, and once again I had a feeling she knew something she shouldn't have.

I sighed and sat next to her. Wondering what to do. No one had seen Cilia since she went to rest yesterday, and no one found it suspicious that she locked herself in her rooms. During lunch Letitia even claimed that her sister-in-law was gathering her strength for her big day.

Big day! What a laugh!

She's making the biggest mistake of her life, and they are all cheering, calling it her big day.

I just can't deal with this family. There is something seriously wrong with them. Had Anya come up with a similar idea, Vanya would have locked her up until she changed her mind, because that's what a real father does when his daughter wants to present herself in the role of a cattle.

This is simply ridiculous.

"Sean?" - I looked at my baby sister, with her red hair already styled into a bradded crown around her head. Traditional hairstyle as she claimed. - "You know what love and mistakes have in common?" - she asked, looking at me with those big gray eyes. I shook my head slowly, having a feeling I should listen to her well. - "You don't usually realize you're in one, and pride can destroy them."

As if nothing ever happened, she picked up her spoon and started eating again.

"Anya, could you for once stop talking in riddles, and get to the point?" - I asked gruffly, but she only smiled, and licked her spoon.

"That's barely a riddle, and you'll thank me one day not too long from now." - she said, standing up, and putting her bowl into a dishwasher. - "I think I'm gonna go see Cilia and wish her good luck."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"They won't let you in." - I pointed out, knowing for a fact that Cilia wished to be left alone with no visitors allowed.

"Then maybe I won't ask." - she shrugged, with her ever-present innocent smile.

Was it possible that Anya was after all the worst of us all, but she went undetected because of how quiet she usually was? As the youngest of us, she usually stayed back when the rest began coming of age.

But now that I think about it, she was almost always right when she told us to not do something or to leave our phones at home, as if she knew something none of us did.

And somehow, even now, I have a feeling she knows exactly why I brought her here with me without me even telling her.

"Anya?" - her big gray eyes landed on me with a question. - "What do you know?"

"That's a loaded question, Sean, I knew quite a few things." - she answered with a giggle.

"Do you know why I came here?" - I asked bluntly, making her stop laughing and look at me curiously.

"I do." - she admitted with a slow nod.

"And why is that?" - I asked, crossing my arms.

She c****d her head to the side, and mimicked my pose.

"You haven't decided yet." - she said matter-of-factly, sounding so sure of herself that it made me confused.

"That's not entirely true." - I said.

"Isn't it?" - she asked - "So you do know what your next move will be when she tells you to go to hell?" - my sister asked challengingly, making my eyes go wide in shock, and my mouth hung agape. - "That's what I thought." - she said going for the kitchen entrance. - "Come on, dummy, the window between guards' rotations isn't that long." - she called over her shoulder.

I had so many questions. How was she going to get to the guarded floors? How the hell did she even know about guard rotations? Why was she always acting as if she knew everything? But judging by her fast strides, that was not the time to ask those questions.

I followed Anya out of my step-father's childhood home, and as always she was sending a small polite smile to everyone on our way to the Orlovs house, aka a real-life palace with at least forty bedrooms and a swan lake in the back. It was definitely nothing that I could have offered Cilia, but she seemed happy either way at my home.

I didn't miss how many people were already mingling around. Dark Woods was always more crowded than any other pack I know, but today, because of the tournament, it felt like a Turkish marketplace or in a beehive. Definitely not my cup of coffee.

Anya gave her name to the guard standing closest to the entrance, reminding me exactly why I took her with me. Burgov's name may not be as powerful as Orlov here, but it sure opens more doors than mine, and we were let in without a fuss.

But the second guard stationed in the hall seemed to be more of a martinet, needing the exact purpose of our visit.

"Our aunt, Luna Sabine, is expecting us." - Anya said in her impeccable Russian, holding her head up, and I started wondering if she was always such a splendid liar.

"Let me escort you." - the guard offered, but Anya just raised her brow at him.

"I was told you weren't allowed to leave your station. My cousin's orders." - the man looked torn between following the orders to a fault and letting two ranked wolves wander around the place, when he was specifically told not to do it. But Anya was aware of it too, and she wasn't about to leave anything to chance. - "You know who we are, right?" - she asked a guard, who reluctantly nodded. - "And you know that as your Alpha's family, we know our way around?" - he nodded again. - "So is there a problem and has our clearance been revoked?" - the man didn't make a move, only kept on staring at Anya. - "I guess Igor is too busy to deal with it today, but then again, he always found time for those who disrespect our family."

The informal way in which Anya spoke about his Alpha and not-so-subtle threat did a trick, and the guard stepped to the side, clearing the corridor for her.

"But please stay within public areas, Miss Burgov." - the guard asked, receiving a broad smile from my sister.

"Of course. I'm well aware of the protocol." - she said sweetly, and we moved past him.

"You were both entitled and scary. Dean would have been proud." - I chimed in with a chuckle, following her. Anya giggled and looked at me over her shoulder.

"But you aren't that easily impressed, are you?" - I smirked, shaking my head and she nodded before turning to look ahead again. - "Don't worry, you will be. But for now, think about what you're going to do."

She walked us to the office area, which I knew was far from private quarters, but Anya seemed to have a plan.

She smiled at two Omegas, rushing down the hall with flowers in their hands, pretending as if she belonged there, and we stopped in front of Luna's office, which was once occupied by Sabine, but now belonged to Leticia. Anya made us look as if we were waiting for our appointment, but when Omegas disappeared behind one of the endless corridors, she tugged at my sleeve and dragged me to the staff staircase and from there all the way to the third floor.

"Anya, are you…" - I wanted to ask, but she pressed a forefinger to her lips, signaling for me to be quiet, when she peeked around the corner.

We stayed like this for most likely two minutes, but in reality it felt like eternity. But when I finally heard a rhythmic thud of heavy military boots moving further from us, I knew that was what Anya had been waiting for.

Anya dashed from our hiding spot swiftly as a cat, and she crossed the corridor almost running, pushing the fourth door to the left open, and shoving me inside, before locking them.

I looked around, realizing that we were in a lavish washroom all in white marble with golden applications as the only speck of color, but unfortunately, with no sign of Cilia.

We heard the footsteps right behind the door, and Anya stood still until they were gone, and she tiptoed to the inside door, that most likely led to the adjoining room.

"That's her bedroom." - she whispered - "And on the far wall, you will find another door leading to her wardrobe. And that's where you'll find her."

"You're not going?" - I asked.

"Do you really want to have this conversation with your baby sister listening to every embarrassing word?" - Anya asked back, pursuing her lips. Fair point. - "But you have to hurry. You have about five minutes before you will be interrupted." - she warned me, and again, how do you know it pressed itself on my lips, but I didn't have time to dwell on that. Instead, I crossed the washroom, entering the bedroom that smelled just like Cilia in that rich floral scent I couldn't quite pinpoint. But like Anya said, I didn't have much time. So I crossed the room, deciding to wonder later how many sleepless nights she spent in that huge bed, or what she was writing on the shiny, mahogany desk in the corner, or how many hours she spent on the balcony, feeling trapped in this beautiful prison. No, now was not the time for all that.

I found the next door without a problem and I slipped through it, without making a noise, until I locked them with a click, and turned around.

Cilia was there, just like my sister said she would. She stood in front of a floor-length mirror in a golden frame, and our eyes locked through it, but my breath caught in my throat at the sight of her.

She was wearing a deep burgundy strapless gown with a layer of black tulle on the bodice and black embroidery on the hem of the skirt. It looked heavy as f**k, and hard to move in, but it also made her look out of this world.

The color worked perfectly with her olive skin. And her dark hair was brushed into a loose, but complicated low bun with a few strands carelessly framing her face, which I'm sure was an expected outcome.

Her makeup was flawless. A bit heavier than normal, but it did make her eyes pop up more and look more regal.

"What are you doing here, Sean?" - she asked, watching me through the mirror.

"I came to end this ridiculous situation." - I said, taking a few steps towards her.

Cilia turned to face me, looking unfazed. She didn't flinch, nor take a step back. She was like a perfect statue, assessing me with her cold eyes.

Once I was by her side, I put both hands on her shoulders, because I simply couldn't help myself. It had been so long since I touched her. Any woman for that matter, but her in my arms I missed like crazy.

"You have to stop this ridiculous situation. Why would you even go through with it?" - I asked, searching her eyes. - "Why are you doing this, Cilia?" - I asked again when no answer came.

"Because I deserve a man who counts his blessings each damn day he spends by my side."

I drew back, frowning down at her.

"Is that why you left? Because I wasn't fussing over you enough?" - she pursed her lips, indicating she wouldn't regard it with an answer. - "Do you even hear yourself, Cilia? You sound like a spoiled little girl. Relationships are about kissing the ground you walk on, but to work as partners."

"And what do you know about relationships, Sean?!" - she hissed - "You never were in one, because you were too preoccupied with yourself. And I assure you no woman wants to be seen as a problem or inconvenience to your boring, lonely life." - she spat in my face.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Go pity f**k someone else, because I won't settle for anything less than everything." - she said with a glare so powerful that I'm not sure if there was another woman who hated someone as much as she does me.

"You gave me your word." - I reminded her. - "You promised to stay and try."

"Well, consider this even revoking my word." - she said defiantly, putting one hand on her hip as if to accentuate that she would stand her ground.

"I don't know what happened…"

"Of course you don't." - she snorted with a fake chuckle.

"But I do know that you are my mate. I just need to mark you and that silly petty fest will be over." - I said threateningly, taking one step closer to her.

At first Cilia's eyes widened in surprise, but then when she reminded herself of her composure, she lifted her chin up, looking into my eyes challengingly.

"Do it. But if my brother won't kill you for it, I sincerely hope you can sleep with one eye open, because a man who forces himself on a woman deserves nothing less than a slit throat."

I believed every word she said. She wouldn't let me get away with it, probably making my life a living hell for the short period it would last.

"Cilia, please, be reasonable here." - I tried a different approach, but reasoning with this woman was getting impossible. - "We are meant to be. Why can't you see that? And what could have possibly gone so wrong to make you go through with this s**t show?"

She pursed her lips and kept my stare.

"Maybe I need a man who would see me as a prize. Maybe I need a man for whom I will be the most important, not everyone else. Maybe I need a man who will wake up thinking he's lucky to have me, not the one who settles for me out of convenience."

Now I was becoming sure she was hinting at my conversation with Jackson, the one that she overheard.

"Did it ever occur to you that I didn't confide in my Gamma, did it…"

"I don't care, Sean!" - she cut me off. - "I don't care what your reasons are. All I know is that you can charm me in a way no other man can, to bend me to your will as if I had no brain on my own. And I know that if I give you the chance you will say whatever to just have it your way. That's why I won't do it. You can leave now…" - she turned away from me, as if looking at me was hurting her, but then her icy-blue eyes snapped back to me. - "Actually, maybe first you could grant me freedom from you." - I arched one brow in question, because if you ask me, she had all the freedom in the world. - "Accept my rejection, Sean, and let's both go our separate ways."

"What?!" - I asked, angry and offended, that she would even suggest that. Rejection was not only very painful, but also irreversible, and I was ready to let go just yet.

"You heard me. Let's reject one another right here right now." - she repeated, and I instinctively started shaking my head. If there was one thing that could help me change her mind, that would be the bond we share.

"No." - I said with finality. - "I won't accept it."

Her beautiful face twisted in rage.

"Then go to hell!" - she yelled - "Crawl back to the hole you came out from and don't show yourself ever again." - she added, pushing me back with her eyes getting watery.

"Cilia, stop." - I pleaded with her, catching her hands and keeping them against my chest. - "Please. We can work this out. Just call off the tournament."

One tear left her eyelid, but before I managed to catch it, the door to the dressing room opened with Letitia standing in it. She took in an entire scene and she set her dark-eyed glare on me.

"What the hell are you doing here? Haven't you done enough?" - she asked accusingly, betraying she'd been aware not only about our bond, but also about the vague fact of why Cilia chose this path.

"Lettie, this is madness, I can't let her go through with it." - I said, hoping it would hit a sensitive nerve.

"No, madness is your nerve. Maldita Alpha, Y sus demandas!" - she started speaking fast in Spanish and from the look on her face I knew it was nothing flattering. - "Fuera de aquí! Go! Or I'll call the guards!" - she added, joining Cilia, and taking her in her arms, as if she wanted to save her from me. But the most heartbreaking was watching Cilia actually clinging to Lettie, making me an obvious villain in the room.

I took a step back, then another and one more, before I reached the door leading to her bedroom. I took one last look at Cilia, who by now hid her face on her sister-in-law's shoulder, clearly not interested in even looking at me. And then I left.

I found Anya still in the washroom, going through the cabinets with some expensive-looking cream in hand. She looked at me, completely unfazed and tilted her head to the side.

"She told you to go to hell, didn't she?" - my sister asked.

"Yeah."

"Huh." - she hummed and got back to rubbing the cream on her hands.

"What should I do?"

"That's entirely up to you, big bro." - she said off-handedly.

"Anya. If you know something, now would be a good time to tell me what to do."

She looked at me, closed the cream and put it back into the cabinet.

"I will never tell you what to do, Sean. That's not how things work." - she said sternly - "But you can ask me a question and I'll try to be of as much help as I can."

Those damn riddles again. How I would like for people around me just for once to speak their damn minds.

"Could any of the clowns that came to fight for her make her really happy?" - I asked.

My sister thought about it for a little while, and nodded.

"Yes."

"Could I?" - I asked after.

"Yes." - here she didn't need a moment to ponder on it, so that must be good, right?

"Would it be better for everyone if I just left?" - I asked.

"Hmmm. Probably." - she said thoughtfully - "But we both know you're not going to do that." - she added with a knowing look.

"We do?"

"Oh Sean." - she rolled her eyes. - "Sure, we can go to the airport, but that will just make us drive back and forth, because you won't let go that easily. So please spare me." - she pleaded with a tired sight. - "How about a drink instead?"

"You're not even twenty yet." - I pointed out.

"But here I'm a full-fledged adult." - she grinned. - "Come on, it could even be my treat." - Anya added, hooking her hand over mine.

"Why can't you be like every other sister?" - I muttered under my breath.

"I saw what Ellie has done to her brothers, trust me, you' ve won the lottery with me." - she said.

"I meant sweet and docile Uliana."

"The same Uliana who got knocked up at eighteen, by an even younger guy?" - Anya arched her brow.

"Fair point." - I agreed. - "I guess the drink sounds appealing."

"I know. You'll need your liquid courage." - she said, pulling me out of the washroom.

"Will you tell me how you know those things? You know it's creepy, right?"

"I just do." - she shrugged - "And be glad I'm on your side. Because if I were helping Cilia you wouldn't have seen her ever again."

I didn't comment on that, instead allowed my baby sister to buy me a drink, in what felt like the dingiest bar on the planet.

But as I was sitting in the corner booth, drowning my sorrows in one shot of vodka after the other, Anya kept on glancing at the loud group of men standing by the bar.

"Anything interesting out there?" - I asked her.

"Yes, very." - she nodded - "You should listen to them, you know." - my sister suggested, pointing with her head to the bar.

I learned back and started eavesdropping.

It was some young Alpha, who probably still got milk under his nose, but he was very verbal about his s****l conquests. It was obvious that he was one of the contestants and the one pretty sure about his chances, at that.

He kept on saying now his pack could use the money from Cilia's dowry, and how he planned to use a hefty amount for buying something nice for his true mate, who, as far as I gathered, lives with him.

The piece of s**t wanted a trophy Luna, but Cilia didn't matter to him even a little bit. He didn't care about her witty personality, about what kind of woman she was. All he saw was the profits coming his way after his mark would be laid on her neck.

I didn't even feel it, but my attention was suddenly stolen by Anya, who started wiping my hand with a napkin that began tinting with blood.

I guess I crushed the glass.

"Did you hear him?" - I asked her, not even caring about my hand.

"I did." - Anya said solemnly.

"Is that why you brought me here?" - I asked.

Anya blinked, as if she wasn't expecting that question, something very rare for her.

"I needed you to understand that this tournament could end badly, not only for you, but for her too." - she said. - "Her future doesn't have to be like this. But it can be. It's still a chapter that can be changed."

I narrowed my eyes on her.

"Do you see the future or something?"

"Don't be ridiculous. No one sees the future." - she snorted - "But I see possibilities." - she added.

I nodded, knowing there was no point in pressuring her. Anya always said exactly what she wanted to. Nothing more, nothing less.

But her little trick showed me a valid point. Cilia doesn't know what she's getting herself into. She might be doing it just to get back at me for something she overheard, which was the stupidest reason ever, but I'm not sure she realizes how badly this could end for her.

I just can't let her go through with it. Even if she doesn't want me, she shouldn't be forced into being with someone who won her, as if she was a bidding mare.

And in order to stop that, I have to win the damn thing and leave the decision to her.

"How far away is the arena?" - I asked my sister, who just grinned, visibly content with my decision.

"Just around the corner." - she grinned.

"You planned this, didn't you?"

"Me? Don't be absurd, Sean." - she said innocently. An obvious lie.

"Will you help me?" - I asked, hoping I would get at least one ally, when all the odds were against me.

"Why do you think I came here?" - she smirked, standing up. - "Let's go. The tournament starts soon."