Ruthless Alpha, and his Curvy Saint Chapter 44

Angel’s POV

I stood in front of the full-length mirror, hardly recognizing the woman staring back at .

The dress I’d chosen was a deep forest green - rich and elegant, made from material so soft it felt like water against my skin. The neckline was modest but flattering, showing just enough to hint at the curves beneath without being scandalous. The waist cinched perfectly, emphasizing the hourglass shape I’d always been taught to hide, and the skirt flowed down in gentle folds that moved beautifully when I turned.

For the first ti in my life, I looked...

Beautiful.

Not despite my body. Not in spite of my size.

Just... beautiful.

The dress fit like it had been made specifically for , hugging my curves in all the right places, making look soft and feminine and...

I couldn’t quite believe it was real.

I touched my reflection, half-expecting it to disappear like a dream.

My hair, freshly washed and brushed until it shone, cascaded down my back in waves. My skin, scrubbed clean in the bathing room, glowed in the lamplight. Even my face looked different sohow - softer, younger, less burdened.

"You look like a lady," I whispered to my reflection.

A knock at the door made jump.

"Angel?" Lyra’s voice ca through, followed by her poking her head inside. "It’s ti for... oh my God."

She pushed the door fully open, her eyes wide as she took in.

"Angel," she breathed. "You look absolutely stunning."

Heat flooded my cheeks. "It’s just the dress..."

"It’s not just the dress." Lyra circled slowly, like she was examining a work of art. "Though that dress is perfect on you. It’s everything. Your hair, your face, the way you’re standing... you look like you belong in a castle."

"I don’t..."

"You do." She squeezed my hand. "Trust . Every man in that dining hall is going to forget how to breathe when they see you."

The thought terrified almost as much as it thrilled .

"Is that why you’re here?" I asked. "Dinner?"

"Yes! Everyone’s expected in the great dining hall. Co on, we can’t be late."

She pulled toward the door before I could second-guess myself or change into sothing less conspicuous.

The great dining hall was exactly as grand as its na suggested.

Long wooden tables stretched the length of the room, already filled with warriors and guests. Tapestries hung from the walls, candles blazed in chandeliers overhead, and the sll of roasted at and fresh bread made my stomach growl despite my nerves.

I hesitated at the entrance, suddenly overwheld by the sheer number of people.

Then Lord rrick’s voice ca through.

"Angel! Over here."

He was standing at the head table, between his ornate chair and an equally impressive seat presumably reserved for the Alpha. He gestured to the empty chair between them.

Between them.

Oh God.

Every eye in the hall turned to watch as I made my way forward, Lyra peeling off to find her own seat. I kept my gaze fixed on Lord rrick, trying to ignore the weight of all that attention.

The Alpha was already seated, his scarred face impassive as I approached.

"Did you find your room to your liking?" he asked as I sat down.

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

"I’m glad," rrick said smoothly, settling into his own chair. "Your comfort is my priority while you’re a guest in my ho."

From across the table, soone cleared their throat loudly.

I looked up to find Uriel giving his brother a death stare.

His expression was murderous, his jaw tight, his hands clenched on the table like he was restraining himself from reaching across and strangling soone.

rrick didn’t seem to notice. Or if he did, he didn’t care.

"So, Angel," he said, turning his full attention to . "How has your journey been so far?"

The question was innocent enough, but I didn’t know how to answer it without revealing too much. Without telling him about the snake, the drowning attempt, the constant fear that soone wanted dead.

Not with an entire hall of warriors listening.

rrick must have noticed my hesitation because his smile turned gentle.

"Actually, save the tales for later," he said. "I plan to show you around the grounds tomorrow, if the weather permits. We’ll have plenty of ti to talk then."

Relief flooded through . "Thank you."

"In the anti," he gestured to the food being brought out, "please, enjoy. You must be famished after days of travel."

He wasn’t wrong.

The food was incredible - far beyond anything I’d eaten in... I couldn’t even rember how long. Roasted ats with herbs and spices that made my mouth water. Fresh bread still warm from the ovens. Vegetables cooked to perfection. Rich sauces and gravies. Even desserts, displayed on a side table like works of art.

After days of dried at roasted over open fires, stale bread, and whatever fruits we could forage, this felt like a feast fit for royalty.

I ate with an enthusiasm I probably should have been embarrassed about.

But I wasn’t. I was too busy savoring every bite, too grateful for real food prepared by skilled cooks, too relieved to have sothing warm and delicious and plentiful.

"I love the way you eat."

The words, whispered directly into my ear, made freeze mid-bite.

rrick had leaned close - close enough that I could feel his breath on my skin, close enough that anyone watching would see how intimate the gesture was.

"Most won pick at their food like birds," he continued, his voice low and warm. "Pretending they don’t have appetites. But you... you eat like soone who appreciates good food. Who isn’t afraid to show pleasure. It’s refreshing."

My face burned hot enough to rival the candles overhead.

"I... I was just hungry," I stamred.

"Good." He settled back into his chair but kept his eyes on . "Eat as much as you like. I enjoy feeding people who actually enjoy eating."

Across the table, Uriel was staring at us with an intensity that made my skin prickle.

I looked between the two brothers, struck again by how identical yet completely different they were.

Sa face. Sa body. Sa voice.

But where Uriel’s attention felt dangerous, coiled with barely restrained violence, rrick’s felt warm. Inviting. Safe, sohow, despite his obvious interest.

And their preferences...

Uriel clearly preferred slender won - I’d seen the way he’d spent that first day riding beside Lyra and Sera, laughing with them. Yet he’d forbidden from trying to lose weight, like he wanted to keep trapped in a body type he didn’t even find attractive.

But rrick...

rrick openly preferred won like . Was proud of it. Vocal about it. Made feel like my curves were sothing desirable instead of shaful.

But it doesn’t matter, I reminded myself firmly. You’re betrothed to the Alpha. You have no business thinking about either of them.

Even if the Alpha was planning to release if I behaved.

Even if rrick was looking at like I was the most interesting thing in his castle.

Even if Uriel kept watching us with that unreadable expression.

None of it mattered.

I was temporary. A guest. Soone who’d be gone as soon as the storm passed and we could continue to Black Wolf territory.

This wasn’t real.

No matter how much I might wish it could be.

Dinner concluded with desserts - pastries filled with cream and fruit that literally lted on my tongue. I tried to eat with more decorum this ti, aware of rrick’s continued attention.

As servants began clearing plates, rrick stood and addressed the Alpha.

"With your permission, Alpha Terrell, I’d like to take a little walk with Angel."

From the corner of my eye, I saw Lyra stiffen in her seat, trying desperately to look like she wasn’t paying attention while clearly hanging on every word.

Sera, sitting nearby, shot a look of pure venom.

And Uriel’s expression remained blank, but his knuckles had gone white where they gripped his goblet.

The Alpha inclined his head. "Of course. She’s your guest."

"Excellent." rrick turned to , extending his hand. "Shall we?"