Chapter 61
Lisa’s POV
The next morning, sunlight spilled through the windows, casting warm golden rays across the marble floors of the Frostbane mansion. I stretched slowly and rubbed the sleep from my eyes before pulling on a
soft sweater and heading downstairs.
I
As I walked into the dining hall, I heard voices and the gentle clink of cutlery. Alexandra and Rylan were already at the table. They were chatting over steaming cups of coffee and a spread of breakfast dishes.
Rylan looked up first and smiled. “Morning, sleepyhead. Come join us.”
Alexandra turned to wave at me. Her smile was cheerful but… a little forced?
I pulled out a chair and sat beside Rylan. “Morning.”
I reached for a warm croissant and took a bite. The buttery pastry melted in my mouth, but my stomach still felt heavy.
“You look like your dreams chased you,” Alexandra said teasingly. “Did you dream about Kael again?”
I rolled my eyes. “No, I dreamed about being stuck in a castle with no doors and only a thousand
staircases.”
Rylan chuckled. “That sounds worse than Kael.”
“Barely,” I muttered under my breath, which made Alexandra laugh.
Rylan leaned back in his chair. “So,” he said with a smirk, “how was your date, Alex? Don’t keep us in
suspense.”
Alexandra sipped her coffee a little too slowly. “It was… fine.”
“Just fine?” I asked while raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah,” she said quickly. “He was nice and polite. A true gentleman. We had dinner. Talked a bit. That’s it.”
I noticed how she didn’t meet my eyes.
Rylan tilted his head. “You’re being vague. And you, Alexandra Blackthorn, are never vague. What happened?”
She let out a breath. “Nothing bad. I’m just tired. It was a long night.”
“Was he not your type?” I asked gently.
Alexandra fidgeted with the handle of her coffee cup. “He’s… I don’t know. He’s a good man, I think. But
let’s not talk about that now.”
I glanced at Rylan, who was frowning.
Clou
“If he did anything out of line,” he said, his voice hardening, “just say the word. I’ll….”
“No, Rylan,” she interrupted while holding up her hand. “He didn’t. He was sweet. Very respectful.”
Rylan didn’t look convinced. “You didn’t let the guards inside the restaurant either. I sent them for your safety. Don’t think I don’t know what you told them.”
Alexandra narrowed her eyes at him. “Oh, I know exactly what you did. You sent guards not to protect me
but to spy on me.”
Rylan raised his hands in mock innocence. “Guilty. I’m a worried big brother. Sue me.”
“You’re impossible,” she groaned, though her lips twitched in amusement.
I smiled at their banter. I could feel the warmth of family between them. It reminded me of what I never
really had. It felt good to laugh, even if something still tugged at my chest. Kael’s voice kept echoing in my head, even now. The way he looked at me. The way he said he had made a mistake.
Sierra stirred. You’re not done with him, not yet.
I shook my head subtly. Not now.
“Anyway,” Alexandra said and brushed her hair back. “Enough about me. Let’s talk about something else. Anything else.”
I gave her a small smile. “You’ll have to introduce us to this mystery man soon. I’m curious.”
“Yes, you need to at least introduce him to us,” Rylan added. “I have to approve. It’s tradition.”
Alexandra rolled her eyes. “You’re not the Alpha of my love life.”
“Maybe not,” he said, “but I’ve got connections. I can scare him off if I need to.”
I giggled. “Now that would be fun to watch.”
We all laughed together. For a moment, everything felt normal. The atmosphere was light and easy.
But then…
Fred walked in, looking tense. He came to a stop just inside the room and gave a small bow.
“Alpha,” he said to Rylan. “Lisa. Miss Alexandra.”
Rylan looked up. “What is it, Fred?”
“We have a visitor.”
Rylan raised an eyebrow. “A visitor? Who is it?”
Fred glanced at me, then back to Rylan. “The son of the Alpha of the Nightshade Pack. He is waiting outside. He says that he wants to speak with Lisa.”
My fork clattered onto my plate.
Alexandra’s smile vanished. Rylan straightened in his seat, his expression turning to stone.
“Kael?” I whispered.
Fred nodded. “Yes.”
I sat frozen. My heart was thudding hard in my chest.
“What is he doing here?” Rylan asked, his voice suddenly hard.
Fred shook his head. “He wouldn’t say. Just asked for Lisa.”
I stared at Fred.
Why would Kael come here?
What does he want now?
I stood slowly. My hands were trembling.
Sierra stirred inside me. Stay calm. Whatever this is, we face it together.
“Lisa,” Rylan said gently while rising to his feet. “You don’t have to talk to him. Not if you don’t want to.”
I swallowed hard. “Tell him… tell him I’ll see him. Outside.”
Fred nodded and disappeared from the room.
Rylan’s jaw tightened. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “But I have to. I need to hear what he has to say.”
He stood up with me. “I’ll be close. Say the word and I’ll come.”
I nodded, my pulse racing. Whatever Kael had come to say, it was not something I was ready for.
And yet… I would listen.
Because even now, after everything, a part of me still needed answers.
