Alpha's Spoiled Princess - Burgov Series VI

18. Sean

I slipped out of the palace and made my way to the Burgovs' home with a smile on my face.

After today's competition, I thought I was done. I went to see Cilia mostly to hear it from her own mouth, to have closure and proceed with the rejection had that been what she was after. But the outcome I am faced with now is way better. She hasn't dismissed me. Even better, she blew a new strength into my wings.

Angry Cilia I can deal with. I can grovel and show her that I'm not a complete jackass who just wants to use her and settle with her because of the lack of better options. Yes, I can absolutely deal with mad Cilia.

Indifferent Cilia, however, would be a different story.

So I guess it's a good thing she was far from being indifferent. The way she responded to my kiss, the way she leaned into me, it all spoke louder than any words. She wants me just as much as I want her. And that gives me hope.

I got back home and quietly opened the front door, listening for any sounds of my siblings and cousins. I didn't exactly want to encounter any of them and explain where the hell I was after the tournament, and they are like a pack of jackals when the secret is in their reach. But to my relief, the house was completely silent.

I breathed in relief and made my way deeper into the family room, aiming for the kitchen and a bottle of vodka I noticed Ellie had brought with her. Yes, my small success called for a celebratory drink.

"By a self-satisfied smile and bouncy walk I assume you've made progress?" - my sister's voice startled me, especially since I didn't know where it came from, until she sat up straight on the sofa that was previously hiding her.

"You really have nothing better to do than sneak up on me?" - I asked her, but Anya tilted her head to the side and smiled sweetly, wordlessly saying What do you think?

"It's hardly considered sneaking up when you live here." - she pointed out. - "And I left the family lunch right after Cilia to check up on you. But when I haven't found you here, I put two and two together." - I crossed my arms, looking down at her. Anya was too smart for her own good, or better yet, for my own good. - "Have you and Cilia reached a compromise?"

"I'm not going to tell you that." - I said sternly.

"Why? It's not like I'm asking which base you two reached. That is beyond even my curiosity." - she said with a sly half-smile.

"Anya." - I used her name as a warning, but she wasn't easily scared. My sister was a delicate flower on the outside, but her personality was nothing if not fierce and quite brilliant. She might not be a great fighter like Ellie, but she sure would weasel her way out of any trouble with the power of her brain.

"What? At least tell me if we're still staying or should I go pack?" - I raised my brows in question, that insightful statement only confirms my sister's hidden talents. - "Don't look so surprised. After the task, you looked rather defeated. So?"

"I'm not giving up just yet." - I finally announced and a small approving smile spread on her lips.

"Good." - she nodded - "But be prepared, tomorrow may be even harder on you."

"You know something about the next task?" - I frowned.

"No, don't be ridiculous." - my sister rolled her eyes. - "But your circumstances may change." - I once again raised my brows in a silent question, but Anya just waved her hand. - "You'll understand tomorrow. Now, should we get ready for today's dinner party?"

I learned a long time ago that arguing with Anya was pointless. She seems to know all the answers anyway, so it's better to just follow her lead when she decides to show you the way on those rare occasions she mingles with other's affairs.

The rest of the gang staying in Burgov's home returned an hour later, and, as expected, they surrounded me like vultures. I know they meant well, but the endless advice they poured my way was as wanted and necessary as glasses when you have perfect vision. But I endured Ellie's comments about Cilia being put down during lunch. I managed to keep a straight face when Nicky said he thought that tomorrow's task would be more physical and with that I would make up for the lost point in no time. I even smiled when my brother suggested I should kidnap Cilia and elope with her, as if that wouldn't be a clear insult to not only the Orlovs, but also those three clowns that are drooling over my mate.

The only one that hadn't offered me any words of encouragement was Huxley and I was glad about that. This silence, that he probably thought was a sign of lack of care, was actually giving him some brownie points in my eyes.

However, my initial admiration was short-lived when, an hour before the official dinner, during which I would once again have to sit and watch other men ogling Cilia, Huxley knocked on my door.

I opened and scowled when I saw him leaning nonchalantly on my door frame with a smug smile on his annoying mug.

"What do you want, Huxley?" - I asked sharply, and the moron chuckled, coming uninvited into the room.

"I would be nicer if I were you, because from where I sit, you could use all the help you can get. Even if it comes from me." - he said over his shoulder, then proceeded to inspect the room. - "Lock the door, Maslow."

"Why? You want to kiss me and keep it under wraps?" - I mocked him.

He glanced my way and gave me a long once over, as if he was really contemplating it.

"I prefer the prettier members of your family. Now lock the door."

I pushed the door shut, finding it better to punch this guy in private, and I crossed my arms waiting for him to tell what the hell he came here for, but Maddox kept on looking around.

"So?" - I urged him, feeling my patience dangerously slipping out of my grip.

"That was Uncle Vanya's bedroom, wasn't it?" - he asked.

"Yes, but if you came for a home tour and a bit of family history, I should ask you to postpone that dubious fun."

"No, that's not what I came for, but I find it funny, like a time capsule to the teenage minds of those old stubborn wolves." - he chuckled. - "We are staying in Ilia's old room, it's rather strange to tap his daughter in…"

"Your point, Huxley?!" - I cut him off, now completely irritated and one step away from pummeling him down.

The bastard smirked, clearly satisfied with the ease he riled me up, but then he reached into his back pocket and fished for a piece of paper, handing it to me. I opened the cramped paper and frowned at seeing a satellite view of the wilderness with a red circle by the shallow river's bank.

I glanced up at him and raised my brow in silent question.

"We don't share love, and I think even claiming we like each other would be a bit far-fetched, but I love Ellie and I know that if you fail in winning your mate, she will be hurt in the process. She loves this family more than life itself and I know she would be upset if it was split in half, so that's my way of helping you." - he said, pointing to the paper.

"A bit more explanation would be nice." - I said gruffly.

"That's Cilia's favorite spot, in the northern area of the territory. She went there every morning to silence her mind in the past, and something tells me she would be there tomorrow morning. Play your cards right, Maslow, and the bond will do the rest, trust me, I know." - he said, going for the door, but he stopped with a hand on a handle. - "She goes there at dawn." - he added and disappeared behind the door before I could react.

It was surprising coming from Huxley, who I had for the biggest jerk I came across. But he was right. The more time I spend alone with Cilia the better chances I have to win her favor again. The bond is hard to fool, it pushes us together, not to mention, that by pinning her alone by the river we could talk or do some other activities. That idea definitely sounds promising.

I folded the paper and put it in the desk's top drawer, and returned to dressing up for dinner. As appealing as tomorrow's morning starts to paint itself, I still have to go through today's torture. That damn Scot with his wandering eyes makes my blood boil at the mere thought of him, and the other two aren't much better.

I fixed the tie around my neck the way Vanya taught me how and I left the room, going downstairs where the rest of the family was already gathered.

"Look at you." - Ellie was the first one to spot me and she grinned like a Cheshire Cat - "Cleaned up nicely, Cuz." - she added with a wink, that made me smirk, and her mate frowned down at her.

"Did someone already give her a drink?" - Huxley asked.

"Those must be the hormones speaking." - my sister muttered, with a smile known only to her, but before the wide-eyed Maddox could pester her, Anya looked at me. - "I suppose you haven't thought of the gifts?"

"Em, no." - I admitted sheepishly, but in my defense, coming here and joining the tournament wasn't that well-thought on my part.

Anya clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes, before settling them on Ellie, who looked equally disappointed with me.

"I told you." - Ellie said to Anya, as if they were the only two in the room. - "Men are like pups. They are lost without guidance."

"Hey!" - Dean and Nicky objected immediately, but Maddox just smirked and kissed Ellie's temple, making her displeased scowl soften a bit. I guess he has learned a thing or two since they got together.

"But thankfully you have us." - Anya said, beckoning me with her finger to the counter. - "Dad will be so disappointed hearing you forgot about the etiquette. You never go to a Russian home without a proper gift." - she scolded me, before opening four gift bags for me to peek inside. - "For Igor and uncle Dmitry you have bottles of Belvedere for each and the first edition of War and Peace for Dmitry, and the Master and Margarita for Igor."

I raised my brows at my sister. The first editions of Tolstoy and Bulhakov were the books Dmitry always wanted in his collection, but was never able to find them, unlike Vanya, who inherited those copies from his mother, which made the Orlovs' need for possession even stronger.

"Please tell me you haven't stolen those from Vanya's library?" - I asked her.

"I haven't stolen anything. Dad gave them to me, remember? Dean got the pack, all three of us got trust funds, and I additionally got a few items I wanted, books being among them." - she said smugly, and somehow the question of whether she knew beforehand that she would need those books pressed itself on my lips, yet I chose to turn to my brother instead, confronting Anya would have been pointless.

"Are you okay with giving them away? They were your Grandmother's."

Dean shrugged with a small smirk.

"It's just books. Besides, they would still stay in the family and, as long as they can help wipe that brooding expression from your face, I would say go for it."

I looked at the two brats that made my life a living hell when I was a teenager and then in my early twenties, and I don't think I've ever been more glad to have them in my corner.

I nodded, making a mental note to thank them properly when we'd have a smaller audience, and I looked back at the rest of the bags gathered on the counter.

"And the other two?"

"Overly expensive wines, if you ask me." - Anya said with a smirk. - "One from aunt Sabine's favorite winery in California and, for Lettie, some Spanish piss that she claims tastes better."

"You thought of everything." - I said approvingly to my sister, to which she bowed theatrically.

"And don't forget that for the Lady of the hour." - Ellie chimed in, bringing a nicely ornamented golden pot with a… Cactus in it.

I watched her suspiciously, because she couldn't be serious. The national literature treasures for Igor and uncle Dmitry and the best wines for the two Lunas, just to give my own intended cactus?! She has got to be kidding me.

"Epiphyllum oxypetalum, by others called the Queen of the Night."- Ellie said proudly, as if that was supposed to explain everything.

"That's great, Ellie, but it's hideous. I'm not giving it to Cilia." - I said.

Ellie made an angry face and right before I thought the pot would end up smashed on my head, Huxley grabbed both her shoulders in a calming hug that actually made her close her eyes and release an exasperated breath. I guess I owe him two favors now.

"Yes, it isn't very spectacular now, without its blooms, which come in the early summer, but trust me, Cilia will love it." - she said a bit more calmly, yet still very much sternly.

"And how do you know that?" - I asked, still looking at her dubiously.

"Because her personal scent is of that plant's blooms, you senseless Ignorant!" - she snapped, with her nostrils flaring viciously.

I frowned, looking back at the unassuming plant, and I had to admit now it sounded way more thoughtful. I touched one of the green leaves, inspected its thorns, and smiled.

"Queen of the Night." - I repeated the name of a plant. - "It's suiting."

"So would be thank you Ellie, you did a great job, but whatever." - my Cousin huffed, making me chuckle.

"You did a great job, Ellie. Thank you." - I repeated after her with a smirk.

"f**k you, now it's too little too late. And FYI I'm not helping you anymore, you ungrateful toad." - she said, but her own lips were curling up in a smile, so I knew she didn't really mean it.

Thanks to my happy helpers, I felt much more confident for another encounter.

"Okay, now we should head down to the Pack House, otherwise even the best of gifts won't save you from Sabine's claws if we're late." - Nicky said to me, as usual, being the one organized and pragmatic in the family.

We went to the official dinner, the part of the tournament I probably dreaded the most, because at those gatherings other contestants would actually have a chance to try wooing Cilia. And even though knowing the customs and language gave me a bit of advantage over the clowns I was competing against, it made me feel uneasy that they even had this chance and I couldn't do anything about it.

The greeting part went great. Each of the other contestants showed up with flowers for the ladies and a small gift for Cilia's father and brother, but none of the gifts made as spectacular an effect as mine did. It was hard to tell who was more pleased, Dmitry for getting priceless books back to the Orlov collection after fifty years, or Cilia looking down at the ugly plant. But it probably was Cilia when I presented her with a flower by saying 'Queen of the Night to the Queen of this night'. It wasn't the most refined choice of words, actually I felt a bit lame saying that, but Cilia blushed furiously and the three other fuckers looked as if they were ready to end me on the spot, so I guess it went pretty well.

Next we were all seated and Cilia, as the hostess, or maybe a prize, depending on whom you'd ask, was forced to the end of the table with a viking and gestapo officer on each of her sides and me and the damn Highlander opposite from them. I knew it was arranged this way so that she had an opportunity to spend the same amount of time with each of the contestants, but she could barely go through the appetizers with the tempest of questions others were throwing her way.

And it's not as if any of them were any good. They asked the most mundane things a guy could think of.

I heard you went on an extended trip. Did you enjoy it?

Are you and your brother close?

That's the most beautiful gown, but it's probably thanks to the model.

It was hard to eat and not roll my eyes or grunt at their clumsy attempts to keep the conversation going. But at this rate, Cilia will quickly discover she has nothing in common with those morons, so I stayed silent, letting them do a great job at sinking their chances for me.

But I must admit that each time a new compliment flew her way I was gripping the cutlery a bit harder, trying not to show how jealous this situation was making me and how hard it was becoming to not attack any of them.

Cilia was, as always, perfect at playing her role. She smiled when it was expected of her, she laughed even when the joke was rather dry and she not once showed how uncomfortable this dinner was. But as meaningless conversations were rolling, I decided to throw her a bone.

"You've been around more than most likely any of us, Ms. Orlov." - I started, cutting the Austrian off at his yet another boring topic that I couldn't care less about and apparently so did everyone else by our side of the table. - "Have you perhaps painted a picture of what your perfect future home should be like?"

Cilia locked her icy-blue eyes with mine and she even put her fork down before answering me, something she hadn't done for previous questions.

"Well, I guess it's true, I have been around. But I don't think I could point out just the exact place, each Pack I've visited was unique and beautiful in its own way." - she answered like a true politician, very diplomatically.

"But there has to be a few that stood up in the crowd." - I fished for the answer and I wasn't completely selfless in this. Something in me needed confirmation that my not very outstanding, needing many changes, home could be enough for her.

We may be intertwined by the family we share, but we lead very different lives. Hers was always glamorous, while mine was way more modest. And to be honest, I liked it that way. It was a big enough shock to move from a cramped apartment in Portland to Vanya's penthouse, but it was still nowhere near the prestige Cilia was surrounded with all her life. And she knows what I have to offer and now I just need to know if that would be enough for her.

"There were, of course." - she said with a small smile, probably trying to find the right words that wouldn't discourage other contestants. - "But I don't suppose it was ever about the place itself, more about traditions and different cultures. The Dark Woods has many great traditions too that are deeply ingrained in our daily life." - all three ass-kissers nodded vigorously, but I was focused on the small smile that I knew for a fact wasn't studied but actually honest, for the first time during this meal. - "I loved how in China there was an open feast during each solicit. Everyone brought food, their own seats and it felt like one big community and when the moon came out they would sing for it and dance, even perform a spectacle. I believe I would like such strong values and traditions to have a place in my new home, or at least the possibility to create our own traditions."

That didn't sound like she cared at all about the splendor, but about planting the roots. It made me think that I may not know Cilia as well as I thought I did. Maybe we actually needed this tournament, to get to know one another. I would, of course, much rather have that time with only her and not three other men next to us, but I think I finally understand why she went through with it. She wanted to be seen. And finally I see her, not the picture she painted for the world, but a woman behind the mask. And that woman is the true prize, and I shall be damned if I don't win her.