“I see.” I smiled up at the alpha. “What is this one’s name?”
“He is called Shepherd, highness.”
“Shepherd,” I said. “You’re not quite a brunet, are you?”
Shepherd’s eyes flickered to the guard, as if unsure if he was allowed to respond. The alpha beside him was tense.
“Speak freely to me,” I commanded.
“No, sir,” Shepherd said. His voice wavered. “I believe my hair is called, er, dirty blond.”
I smiled. “That’s right. Dirty blond for a dirty alpha.” I waved the guard over. “Get him out of my sight. Now.”
As the guards hurried over to escort Shepherd away, they dug their fingers into his skin. He hissed in pain. I could tell the guards were taking their frustration of disappointing the prince out on him.
The alpha standing beside him growled. “Shep! Cut it out, you’re hurting him!”
“Get back in line!” a beta ordered him.
But the alpha didn’t listen. He reached out for Shepherd, who I assumed was his friend. His hand barely grazed Shepherd’s arm when the guard yanked a break stick out of his belt and smacked the alpha’s hand away. I saw the flash of pain in the alpha’s dark eyes as he hissed, yanking his hand away.
I turned my attention on him. Now there was a brunet. Brown hair and dark eyes, exactly what I’d asked for. But his eyes were not just dark. They were smoldering, nearly black with rage, like he wanted to put his hands around my throat and throttle me.
A slow smile spread over my lips.
I cast a glance across the other alphas gathered in the yard. A few looked mildly afraid, like Shepherd had. Others were irritated or bored. A couple stared at me in open disdain.
Butthisalpha was different. He wasn’t angry—he was furious, practically on fire with indignation. I had no doubt that if the guards weren’t present, he would have knocked me unconscious by now.
The thought excited me.
“What is the name of this alpha?” I asked casually.
One of the remaining guards replied. “He is called Rourke, Your Highness.”
Rourke.Even his name piqued my interest.
Rourke wasn’t happy with this development, like having his name known took away even more of his power. His hands were trembling fists at his side.
He was a challenge, and God of Fertility knew I loved a challenge.
“How long has he been here?” I asked, not taking my eyes off Rourke.
“One year, Your Highness.”
“Is he undesirable in some way?”
“No, sir. He is fit and healthy.” The guard hesitated. “The only mild issue is his temperament.”
I smiled. “Temperament can be… fixed.”
Rourke looked like he wanted to kill me. It only made me smile wider.
“Shall I prepare the paperwork, highness?” the beta asked.
“No.” I turned. “But put him aside for me. Do not let anyone else purchase his contract.”
Rourke’s face paled, his jaw slowly dropping.
