uncers 185

Chapter 185 

Chapter 185 

ALEXANDER 

Cole and I had been at it for over an hour, talking over maps and documents spread across 

the table in his room. 

“Patrick won’t stay quiet for long,” Cole said, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. “If he’s half as paranoid as I think he is, he’ll make a move soon-either an attack or an alliance. We should hit first, before he does.” 

I shook my head slowly. “No.” 

He frowned. “No?” 

“I’m not rushing into this.” 

Cole stared at me like I’d just said something unrecognizable. “You’re serious.” 

“I am.” 

He leaned back, eyes narrowing in disbelief. “Since when do you wait to strike?” 

“Since the last time I didn’t,” I said quietly. 

That silenced him. 

I straightened the maps, not because they needed straightening, but because I needed something to do with my hands. “We’re not going after Patrick yet. For now, we strengthen Blood Crescent’s security-reinforce every patrol route, double the sentries at the borders, limit outside contact. He’s smart; he’ll test our walls before he makes his move. Let him. I 

want to see what he does next.” 

Cole’s brows drew together. “You want to just sit back and watch?” 

“Watch,” I confirmed, meeting his gaze. “And prepare.” 

He exhaled sharply, rubbing his jaw. “At least tell me you’re planning something.” 

“I always am,” I said. 

“What is it this time?” 

I looked down at the map again, tracing the edge of North Ridge territory with my finger.” Revenge,” I said. “But not the kind that ends quickly.” 

Cole’s silence stretched. 

“I’ll destroy Patrick,” I continued, my voice low but steady. “Not in one blow-not like before. I’ll take his allies one by one, crumble his defenses from the inside, make him watch as everything he’s built falls apart. When he’s finally alone and desperate, I’ll cage him… and take what he cares about most. North Ridge.” 

When I looked up, Cole was studying me carefully, his eyes reflecting the firelight. There was something in his expression I couldn’t quite name-a mix of disbelief and reluctant admiration. 

“I don’t know whether to be impressed or worried,” he admitted. 

I almost smiled. “I’d say both.” 

He shook his head. “You’re serious about this patience thing. The Alpha Alexander I know doesn’t wait.” 

I smirked as memories came rushing back. “The last time I rushed into a fight, it cost me my life.” My gaze drifted toward the window. “And getting that life back… cost Faye her wolf.” 

Cole’s face softened a little as he saw where I was coming from. He didn’t speak right away. He knew better than to interrupt when I started talking about her like that. 

“I don’t care about my own safety-not for myself,” I went on quietly. “But I’ve come to understand something-my life isn’t mine alone anymore. I don’t get to gamble with it recklessly.” 

He nodded slowly, letting the silence linger before he spoke. “How’s Faye?” 

I hesitated, my chest tightening. “She looks fine,” I said at last. “To everyone else, she probably seems perfectly fine. But I’d know.” 

“Meaning she’s not,” he said softly. 

“Right.” 

Cole sighed. “What’s going on between you two?” 

That question felt heavier than it should. I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling hard. “She’s… trying too hard,” I said. “Trying to act like everything’s normal. Like nothing’s changed. But it’s obvious she’s detached. She forces smiles that don’t reach her eyes, she holds my hand but barely feels present. I asked her to have dinner with me last night-just to get away from all this for a while-and she said no… she wasn’t in the mood to go 

out.” 

Cole frowned. “Maybe she’s just tired-” 

“Tired, yes. But not from the day… from me.” 

He didn’t argue. 

“I keep thinking I’m doing something wrong,” I said quietly. “That maybe she’s pulling away because somewhere deep down, she blames me for it.” 

Cole tilted his head slightly. “For losing her wolf?” 

I nodded once. 

He was silent for a moment, then he sighed. “Alex, if she’s detached, it’s not because she blames you. She’s lost touch with her wolf. That’s not something any of us can even imagine. I mean, the bond between a wolf and its human side… it’s everything. You lose that, you lose a part of yourself. It’s no wonder she’s different. Maybe that’s how she’s coping.” 

“By shutting down?” I asked. 

“Maybe.” 

I sighed. “It must be affecting our bond somehow,” I said. “I can feel it. There’s a… distance between us that wasn’t there before, even when she first moved here. Now, even when she’s close, it’s like she’s somewhere else entirely.” 

Cole nodded slowly. “I can’t imagine what that’s like for her. For both of you.” 

For a long moment, the only sound was the faint crackle from the fireplace. I could feel Cole’s eyes on me, but I didn’t look up. The words I wanted to say hovered at the back of my throat, sharp and heavy, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to release them. 

“I think she’s pretending,” I said finally. “Not just for me-for everyone. She doesn’t want anyone to know she’s struggling. But I see it. I see how restless she gets.” 

Cole rubbed his face. “You think it’s permanent?” 

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “That’s the part that’s driving me insane. I keep telling myself she’s strong, that she’ll heal, that maybe her wolf is just… dormant. But what if it’s more than that? What if she lost it completely because of me?” 

Cole looked up sharply. “Because of you? Come on…” 

“She brought me back, Cole. Whatever she did, whatever it took-it must’ve drained her beyond recovery. I was the one who was supposed to die that night. Not her wolf.” 

He frowned, sitting forward. “You can’t know that.” 

“I don’t need to know,” I said quietly. “I feel it.” 

He shook his head. “You’re blaming yourself for something you had no control over.” 

“Maybe,” I said. “But that doesn’t make it easier to live with.” 

Cole sighed heavily. “You know, for the first time, I actually believe you when you say you’re going to be patient with Patrick. Because if this was the old you-the reckless, impulsive one -you’d already be at his borders right now.” 

I gave a faint, humorless smile. “I guess dying teaches a man a few things.” 

“Or maybe loving someone who nearly lost everything for you does,” he countered. 

I didn’t argue. 

He studied me for a while longer, then said, “So what are you going to do about Faye?” 

“I need answers,” I said simply. “Real ones… see if there’s a solution.” 

“Answers from who? You can’t go on exposing her weakness to just anyone. She’s the Luna… that’s risky,” Cole said. “They can’t know she doesn’t have her wolf.” 

I hesitated, then looked up at him. “I’m talking about Helen.” 

Cole raised a brow. “Your mother?” 

“Yes. She knew before anyone else that Faye had those powers. If anyone can understand what happened that night, it’s her. There has to be a way to help Faye-to bring her wolf back, somehow,” I said. 

Cole nodded slowly. “You really think she’ll know?” 

“I don’t know,” I said. “But I have to try. I can’t keep watching Faye fade from me like this.” 

Cole finally stood, stretching his arms above his head. “Then that’s your next move,” he said simply. “Not Patrick. Leave the security situation to me-I’ll discuss it with Kyle.” 

I looked up at him, the tension in my chest easing just a little. “You sound like my conscience.” 

He smirked. “Someone has to be.”