I was surprised to see that it was only Irene waiting for me at the dining table for breakfast again.
It was just two of us at dinner yesterday. She had made excuse for her brother, Alpha Alexander–saying he was busy at the office. A part of me had assumed he’d have the decency to show up to breakfast.
I guess I expected too much. No Alpha Alexander, good!
Relief slipped in like a quiet breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. I let it go slowly, keeping my face neutral. I didn’t want to look too pleased–even though every cell in my body had braced for his presence like I was about to be thrown into a pit with a wild beast….A very good looking wild beast. I didn’t need that kind of tension during a meal.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Irene said almost immediately, rising halfway from her seat as if she’d committed a crime. “Alexander couldn’t make it still. Something came up with the eastern patrol, and he had to leave early this morning.”
She looked genuinely apologetic, as though I should be disappointed. How does she not see that I don’t really care?
“Oh,” I said, giving a light shrug. “That’s alright.”
I slid into the seat across from her and reached for the glass of water beside my plate. It wasn’t alright, but not for the reason she thought. It wasn’t alright that I had to be here at all.
None of this was alright–but Alexander’s absence? That was the best part of my stay so far. Of course It was rude of him to ignore my presence, but it’s better than him being here just to be rude in person…if it makes sense.
“He really did want to be here,” Irene added, like that would help her brother’s reputation. “He even asked the kitchen to make sure your favorite was served for breakfast. I know it’s not much, but… well, he’s trying.”
Trying. Right. I stabbed a piece of fruit with my fork and forced a polite smile. If she calls this trying, then I wonder what Alpha Alexander acts like when he’s not trying.
“That’s thoughtful of him,” I said, which was more generous than I felt. I didn’t even know how he knew what my favorite breakfast was, or if this was just Irene’s way of softening the blow…it was probably just coincidence. Either way, I didn’t care.
Irene looked at me for a second too long, like she was waiting for more emotion from me. I
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didn’t give her any
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Maybe if this were some kind of love story or destined fairytale, I might have been flattered. I might have been annoyed or hurt or confused by his absence.
But this wasn’t that. This was an arrangement…strategic, forced, necessary. Emotions were luxuries I couldn’t afford, and sentiment? Sentiment had no place here.
“I assure you he’s not always this busy,” Irene said after a moment, trying again. “But he can get really absorbed in his duties sometimes.”
I bit into a slice of toast. “I understand. Alphas have a lot on their plate…I totally get it.”
Irene sighed, stirring her tea absentmindedly. “Still… it must be awkward, not seeing him. since you arrived. I thought you two would at least spend some time getting to know each other. Talk a little, maybe walk around the grounds. I mean, the bond…”
She trailed off, her voice softening.
I pretended to focus on the eggs on my plate. I wasn’t about to have a bonding conversation over breakfast. Not now, not ever, if I could help it.
“If I could avoid crossing paths with him altogether,” I muttered, mostly to myself, “I’d honestly be okay with that.”
Irene blinked at me. “What?”
I looked up, realizing I’d said that out loud.
“I mean…” I corrected quickly, “…for now. Until we’re settled. I think some space might be good, to adjust.”
Irene didn’t press. Maybe she saw right through me, or maybe she just decided not to poke at the wound. Either way, I was grateful.
We ate in silence for a while. The kind of silence that prickles at your skin and makes every clink of cutlery feel louder than it should.
To break it…and also to satisfy my curiosity…I asked, “Why does the house feel so… empty? I thought there would be more pack members around.”
Irene perked up at the question, visibly pleased at the change in subject. “Ah, yes! That’s because this is the western wing. Only the Alpha and his immediate family stay here, along with Beta.
The rest of the pack lives in the eastern wing–that’s where all the activity is. The training
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grounds, the common halls, the barracks… it’s much livelier on that side.”
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I nodded, grateful for the explanation. “Makes sense now. It was starting to feel like I was staying in someone’s private mansion.”
Irene chuckled. “That’s not far off. The Alpha wing has always been more… reserved. Fewer people, tighter security. They like their space, I guess.”
I looked around the high–ceilinged room, with its elegant stone pillars and wide glass windows. It was beautiful, in a cold and curated sort of way.
“It’s really organized,” I admitted.
Irene beamed. “You’re right. Everything runs on schedule. Nothing is done without a system in place. Even the kitchen rotates menus weekly based on seasonal produce. Most of it is Alexander’s doing actually…he very meticulous.”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Of course he was that type.
Then she leaned forward a little. “So, tell me about Silver Hollow. I’ve heard stories, but I’ve never actually been there. What’s it really like?”
That made me sit up straighter.
Silver Hollow. Just the name alone made a warmth stir in my chest. But at the same time it’s bringing memories I’d rather not deal with.
“It’s… home,” I said simply at first, unsure where to begin. “We’re smaller than Blood Crescent, obviously. But we’re tightly knit, everyone knows everyone. There’s a strong sense of community.”
Irene nodded thoughtfully. “I’ve heard it’s surrounded by misty forests.”
“Yes,” I said, smiling despite myself. “The forest is thick and old. We call it the Silverwood. The trees there are massive–some of them older than the founding of the pack itself. And when the sun rises or sets, the mist around the trees catches the light in this silvery glow. That’s how we got our name.”
“That sounds beautiful,” she said softly.
“It is.” My voice carried a quiet pride now. “And we’re proud of it. We may not have the biggest territory or the fiercest warriors, but we protect our own. Our warriors are fast, quite skilled.”
“Hmm! You sound like you have a deep knowledge about the warrior part,” Irene said.
I paused, then added with a small smirk, “Of course. I’m the Delta…was the Delta of Silver
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Hollow pack.”
Irene gasped. “You don’t say! Are you serious?”
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I nodded. “I miss it already,” I admitted after a second, catching myself off guard with the honesty.
She gave me a warm look. “You’ll put those skills into good use for Blood Crescent now. Right?”
I nodded. “That’s the plan.”
There was a moment of silence.
“Faye,” Irene said after the pause. “Can I ask you something?”
I looked up. “Sure.”
“Do you really not feel anything for him? I mean… Alexander? Well, I understand that you’re just his mate by duty, and you weren’t even supposed to be the one, but…” she trailed off.
I had to drink some water before responding.
“Well, I’m yet to get to know him well, so I guess it’s too early to say anything for sure,” I said.
Of course I was just being polite. I knew exactly the kind of person he was, and I don’t feel anything but the weight of my duty when I think about him.
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