Chapter 329
ALEXANDER
The documents on my desk blurred together after the third page.
Land disputes, patrol rotations, supply counts.
I leaned back slightly, gaze drifting toward the window instead. From here, I couldn’t see the training ground… but I didn’t need to.
I knew what time it was.
The door opened without a knock.
It was Cole.
He stepped in casually, shutting the door behind him before dropping into the chair across from me like he owned it. One ankle rested over his knee, posture loose, expression mildly entertained.
“You look deep in thought,” he said.
“I usually am,” I replied dryly. “Report…”
His lips twitched faintly. Straight to it. He expected nothing less.
I sat up. “How did it go?” I asked.
“He was at the training ground,” he began.
My gaze sharpened slightly.
“And?” I prompted.
“He got there on time. Waited.” Cole shrugged lightly. “Looked around, stood there like he wasn’t sure what
to do.”
“For how long?” I asked.
“Long enough to matter.”
My jaw tightened slightly.
“And when you didn’t show?” Cole continued, watching me carefully now. “He trained anyway.”
Something warm and steady settled in my chest.
“Alone,” Cole added. “Repeated your drills. Sloppy at first. Improved halfway through. Stayed the full duration.”
I exhaled slowly through my nose.
Good.
<Chapter 329
I had deliberately chosen not to go this morning.
Not out of indifference.
Not out of neglect.
But to see.
To see whether Roman’s progress was fueled by my presence–or by his own will.
There’s a difference.
Anyone can perform under scrutiny.
Growth begins when no one is watching.
“He left when training time ended,” Cole finished.
I nodded once.
Cole studied me for a moment. “You planned this.”
“Yes, of course. How else could I have missed the training session?”
He laughed briefly.
Before he could reply, the office door opened again.
Faye stepped inside.
Cole straightened slightly, grin widening in a way that told me he was about to be annoying.
“Luna,” he greeted smoothly, standing halfway out of his chair. “You look exceptionally good today.”
Faye paused mid–step, eyeing him with clear suspicion.
“Is that so?” she asked.
“Radiant,” he added casually.
Her eyes narrowed just slightly.
“What do you want, Cole?”
I couldn’t help it.
I laughed.
It was short and genuine.
Cole pressed a hand to his chest in mock offense. “Must I want something?”
“Yes,” Faye and I said at the same time.
He looked between us, clearly betrayed by the lack of faith.
+25 Points?
< Chapter 329
“I’m wounded,” he said dramatically. “Can a wolf not appreciate beauty without ulterior motives?”
Faye crossed her arms. “Not you.”
Cole pointed at her as if she’d proven something unfair.
“I am hurt.”
I leaned back in my chair, watching the exchange with quiet amusement.
Cole glanced at me as if seeking backup.
“You see what I endure?” he said.
“You invited it,” I replied.
He huffed, shaking his head.
“For the record,” he insisted, “I am not here to ask for anything.”
Faye raised a brow.
“Not today.”
I laughed again.
He shot me a look. “You’re enjoying this far too much.”
“Immensely,” I admitted.
Cole rolled his eyes and finally pushed himself fully to his feet.
“Well,” he said, smoothing his shirt as if he’d just survived interrogation, “I’ll leave you two to your… Alpha
and Luna business.”
FAYE
The door closed behind Cole, and I turned to Alexander.
I walked toward his desk, smoothing my dress absentmindedly.
“Irene called,” I said lightly. “She’s bringing her mate over this weekend.”
Alexander nodded once. “Yes.”
I paused.
“Tomorrow,” I added.
“Yes,” he said.
I blinked at him. “You knew?”
“Yes.”
Chapter 329
I stared.
“And you didn’t think to tell me?” I whined, dragging the last word just a little. “Alexander, she just called
and said she already informed you. She thought you told me so I could prepare to host them.”
He looked completely unbothered. “I was going to tell you.”
“When?” I asked. “After they were already here and I had nothing arranged?”
“I would have told you,” he said calmly, “if you hadn’t interrupted and distracted me that day.”
I frowned. “Which day?”
He leaned back slightly, that unmistakable smug look settling on his face.
“The day I was on a video call with Irene.”
I froze.
Oh.
“That day?” I asked.
“Yes,” he replied smoothly. “You assumed I was speaking to another woman.”
My cheeks warmed instantly.
“I did not assume,” I protested.
He simply looked at me, the smugness not leaving his face.
I narrowed my eyes at him.
Before I could overthink anything, I lunged at him across the desk, aiming purely to wipe that smug
expression off his face.
I barely made it halfway across the desk before Alexander reacted.
He caught me effortlessly.
One second I was lunging at him, the next my wrists were captured in his hands, and I was pulled forward, effectively trapped. He secured my hands with ease, holding them firmly
“Careful,” he said quietly, his voice dropping just enough to send a ripple through me. “Unless you want to be punished… again.”
My breath hitched before I could stop it.
I bit my lower lip, tilting my head slightly as I looked at him.
“That’s not such a bad idea,” I murmured.
His mouth curved into a slow smirk.
And then his phone rang.
Chapter 329
25 Famts
ALEXANDER
I still had Faye’s wrists secured in my hands when my phone rang.
The timing was almost comical.
I held her there for another second, watching the way her lips were still curved in that daring little smile. Then I released her slowly.
“I guess that will have to wait,” I said.
She looked entirely too pleased with herself.
I reached for my phone on the desk and glanced at the screen.
Irene
I answered it without hesitation. “Irene.”
“Alexander,” she greeted. She didn’t waste time with pleasantries. That was my sister–straight to the point when something mattered.
“I was just confirming tomorrow,” she began. “We’ll arrive before noon.”
“I know,” I replied calmly. “Faye just informed me.”
There was a small pause on the other end, then she continued.
“There’s something else.”
I leaned back in my chair slightly, already anticipating what was coming.
“I want Mother to be there,” Irene said. “I’d like you to meet him together. As a family. And have dinner together.”
There it was.
I had seen this coming the moment she mentioned bringing her mate to Blood Crescent.
Of course she would want Mother present. Irene had always been sentimental in that way. Formal introductions, family unity. A complete picture.
My grip tightened slightly around the phone, though my expression remained neutral.
Helen.
My mother.
I had not seen her in weeks. Not since the last visit that ended in tension thick enough to suffocate an entire room.
“Irene,” I said evenly, “you know that may complicate things.”
< Chapter 329
“I know,” she replied gently. “But this is important to me.”
Silence stretched between us.
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