Ruthless

Cole POV

 

As I left Cleo alone in my quarters, her tear-streaked face haunted my thoughts. But I pushed those feelings aside, burying them deep, as I always did. Emotions were a luxury I couldn't afford—not in my position.

Suddenly, a servant approached me cautiously, but I brushed past them without a word, and then he called after me, "The alpha requested your presence in his office."

For a moment, I stood still, feeling my jaws tighten, and then walked away without a word. It wasn't long before I found myself standing outside the imposing doors of Alpha Ashur's soundproof office. I didn't hesitate as I pushed them open, entering without a knock. 

Alpha Ashur sat behind his desk, his expression unreadable as he watched me enter. Without a preamble, he gestured for me to take a seat opposite him.

I obliged, settling into the chair with the ease of someone who had spent their life blending into the background, observing without being observed.

"Why did you summon me, Alpha Ashur?" I asked, my voice devoid of any inflection.

He regarded me for a moment, his gaze piercing as he studied my face. "I want to talk to you about Cleo."

I felt a flicker of annoyance at the mention of her name, but I kept my expression neutral. "What about her?"

Alpha Ashur leaned forward, his hands steepled in front of him. "She kissed you in front of the pack today. That's... unprecedented."

I shrugged nonchalantly. "She was upset. People do strange things when they're upset."

"Indeed," Alpha Ashur mused, his eyes narrowing slightly. "But Cleo's actions today were more than just the result of a momentary lapse in judgment. There's something going on between you two, and I want to know what it is."

I met his gaze evenly, refusing to betray any emotion. "There's nothing going on between us, Alpha. Cleo is the future Luna of this pack. I am nothing more than a servant."

Alpha Ashur's expression remained inscrutable, but I could sense the skepticism in his voice. "And yet, she chose to kiss you, not once but twice, in front of the entire pack. That speaks volumes, Cole. You must understand why I find it... troubling."

I shrugged again, feigning indifference. "Cleo is under a lot of pressure, Alpha. Maybe she just needed someone to lean on."

"Perhaps," Alpha Ashur conceded, his gaze never leaving mine. "But I can't shake the feeling that there's more to it than that. Cleo's behavior today was... unusual, to say the least. I need to know what's going on between you two."

I maintained my composure, refusing to let my mask slip. "There's nothing going on, Alpha. Cleo kissed me because she was upset. That's all there is to it."

Alpha Ashur regarded me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine for any hint of deception. Finally, he nodded, though the doubt lingered in his gaze. "Very well, Cole. I'll take you at your word for now. But know this—if I find out that you're lying to me, there will be consequences."

I met his gaze head-on, my own eyes cold and unyielding. "I have nothing to hide, Alpha. You can trust me."

Silence settled between us as he studied my face and then he asked, "Do you have feelings for her, Cole?" 

As Alpha Ashur posed the question, his voice carried a weight that demanded honesty, but I remained stoic, my mask firmly in place. "Feelings are irrelevant, Alpha. My duty is to serve the pack, regardless of personal sentiment."

Alpha Ashur leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "Your loyalty to the pack is commendable, Cole. But remember, emotions have a way of clouding judgment. If there's any truth to what you say, then prove it through your actions."

I nodded in acknowledgment, understanding the implicit warning in his words. "Of course, Alpha. I will do whatever is necessary to uphold the integrity of the pack."

"Then help me to push her back into Alexander's arms."

Alpha Ashur's words hung in the air, and for a moment, I was taken aback by his request. Pushing Cleo back into Alexander's arms was not something I had anticipated, nor was it a task I relished. But as a member of the pack, I knew that sometimes difficult decisions had to be made for the greater good.

Keeping my expression neutral, I nodded slowly in response to Alpha Ashur's request. "I understand, Alpha. I will do what needs to be done to ensure the stability and harmony of the pack."

Alpha Ashur's eyes narrowed slightly as if assessing my sincerity. "Good," he said, his tone firm. "It's imperative that we maintain the unity of our pack, especially in these uncertain times."

"So, do I send her out of my quarter back  to his today?" I  interrupted, ignoring the jab aimed at me.

"You seem to not understand what I am talking about, Cole." He said, clutching his fingers together and leaning forward over the top of his desk. "You need to make her feel worse with you that she runs back into ALexander's arm. After all, her wolf seemed pretty determined that she wanted you. You have to convince her that you are a bad choice and Alexander is right to be with Cloe."

"You want me to hurt Chleo?"

"MMH, now you are getting it."  

He grinned knowingly, and I realized that I may not like this assignment after all. "If you're going to play ball, you're going to have to be ruthless. She wants you, so you have to be ruthless. Just act like a man, Cole. Show her your dominance."

Ruthless... Why does that word and Cleo being used in the same sentence make my heart burn like fire? My mind raced as I tried to process Alpha Ashur's instructions. To intentionally hurt Cleo, to manipulate her emotions for the sake of the pack's unity—it went against every instinct within me.

But Alpha Ashur's words echoed in my mind, reminding me of the weight of my duty to the pack. If this was what was necessary to maintain stability, then I had to do it, no matter how distasteful it seemed.

With a heavy heart, I nodded in agreement. "I understand, Alpha. I will do what is required."

Alpha Ashur's grin widened, satisfied with my compliance. "Good. Remember, Cole, sometimes the hardest choices require the strongest wills."

As I left Alpha Ashur's office, a sense of unease settled in the pit of my stomach. The thought of deliberately causing Cleo pain tore at my conscience, but I pushed it aside, burying it deep along with all the other emotions I couldn't afford to entertain.

As I made my way back to my quarters, I steeled myself for the task ahead. Ruthlessness was not a trait that came naturally to me, but for the sake of the pack, I would do what was necessary—even if it meant sacrificing my own moral compass in the process.