Gypsy Truths (All The Pretty Monsters #6)- Kristy Cunning Page 0,115

its grounds repel ghosts. A natural phenomenon such as that always rejects the dead.”

“Gypsies didn’t reject the dead, and our magic was indeed a natural phenomenon,” I argue.

“Look at where that got you,” he’s quick to retort.

“You’re rather mouthy for a beta. Regardless, the point remains the same,” I remind him.

He’s brazen for a beta. Shera’s been one of the most brazen betas among them all, in regards to casual confidence in our presence. Talbot’s got her beat by a landslide.

“A dragon isn’t a human. It rejected the dead because instinct told it to. As a man who is also part animal, surely you can understand that logic.”

He’s as fucking condescending as Vance. That quickly fills in some blanks for me.

“Damien already hates you and is only allowing you to beta for him because Violet wants it. Using Violet to help you climb the rungs on the high ladder to have a voice among us will only end your very long legacy, incubus,” I caution him.

“I deduced as much,” he says with a shrug. “I still have valid insight you lack, because I’ve been on the grind for the last one thousand years. I’ve paid my dues. I’m owed my voice among you, even without Ms. Carmine’s support. However, as I’ve stated multiple times, I’m here for her. She’s forcing me to beta for Damien Morpheous.”

“You enjoy having an alpha,” I fire back.

He starts to speak, but then doesn’t. Then he finally exhales harshly, as we grow closer to the very confusing address.

“Of course I enjoy having an alpha. I’m a beta. I’m a fucking legendary beta who enjoys being a beta. It’s instinct to wish to serve an alpha who can appreciate my offerings. Much as all of you appreciate Arion’s beta.”

“She really is a damn good beta. I don’t even care that she hates wolves,” I state in agreement, completely understanding him having an inferiority complex around a beta like Shera. “She’s paid her dues with us because she found it a priority to do so. You worked for your people without an alpha and built a title among your kind that simply doesn’t exist.”

“Because no alpha, aside from Dorian Gray, would request me. And I deserve a request,” he says, clearly exposing a nerve.

He’s less suspicious now that I realize he’s simply a beta overdue some severe appreciation. The Morpheous alphas have a different approach to leadership.

As in, there isn’t much of any.

Other than Dorian, sadly enough.

“Why wouldn’t you beta for Dorian?” I decide to ask.

“Because he’s the sort of alpha who wouldn’t care about my own personal morals. He’d expect blind loyalty and uncontested, soldier-like obedience—the same for most alphas. I don’t trust him well enough for that. I don’t trust Dorian at all, because he’s not damaged; he’s broken. I want an alpha I can rely on, and those don’t take betas, because they don’t want anyone relying on them. Damien takes no betas because he doesn’t want to give Idun a vessel to get close to him. Violet is the only reason I have the alpha I want, but I didn’t come for him.”

I mull that over in my head, as I sit back and idly think how brilliant it would be for Violet to create a loyal alliance with Talbot by forcing him to lead the House he’s always wanted to beta for.

My hand moves down my beard, as I really consider that. Is she that thoughtful in planning? No. Not possible. Not Violet.

“I don’t know if Violet is a brilliant mastermind, or if she’s conveniently unlucky enough to have stumbled her way into the royal court,” he confesses after a long beat of pause. “But I have noticed a shocking amount of times she gets her way, and in really big ways, such as erecting a House and making you apologize for not helping. And this being after she had a trusted and honorable Van Helsing knight craft a whole legal system to support her new House—all without contest. Please realize the severity of the compounding circumstances, Mr. Morrigan. You’ve been on top for too long if you’re overlooking it so easily. She either genuinely confuses the boundaries between political and domestic, or she’s cleverly whipped you all into obedience without threats or violence. You can tell you’re all mated, even without all the rituals.”

That garners a roll of my eyes.

“She’s young and has more heart than you or I. She’s not sensitive, but she’s compassionate to those who are. She’s headstrong