Chapter 189
Alexander was not relaxed at all. He sat at the edge of his desk in the office, hands clasped tightly together as his mind raced.
The clock on the wall ticked louder than usual, each sound grating against his nerves. It had been about an hour since he left them to talk.
He hated not knowing what was happening-especially when it concerned Faye. Something was wrong with her. He needed to know what Helen had discovered-if there was any explanation for Faye’s missing wolf, and, more importantly, if there was anything he could do to bring it back. The waiting was maddening.
Alexander leaned back in his chair and exhaled deeply, rubbing a hand over his face. He had already promised not to interrupt while his mother spoke with Faye, but that promise was beginning to feel unbearable. Every fiber of him wanted to go into the living room, to see her, to hear it directly.
He had just risen from his chair, intent on pacing, when he heard it-Helen’s laughter drifting through the hall. It was light, warm, and utterly out of place given the situation. He frowned. That didn’t sound like the tone of someone who had just finished discussing something serious. Moments later, another voice joined in-Cole’s unmistakable deep chuckle. They were talking.
Alexander left the office, his steps fast as he crossed into the living room. There, Helen sat comfortably on the couch, a cup of tea steaming in her hand, while Cole sat across from her.
“Mom,” Alexander said, his gaze sweeping the room. “Where’s Faye?”
Helen looked up at him with a calm, deliberate smile that immediately put him on guard. ” She’s resting, dear,” she said lightly.
Alexander blinked, frowning. “Ok… resting. So the session’s over?” He was halfway to turning toward the stairs when Helen’s gentle voice stopped him.
“Alexander,” she said, setting her cup down carefully, “she’s fine. Don’t push too much, dear. Let her rest.”
He turned back, brows knitting together. “I was the one who called you to help her,” he said, frustration seeping into his tone. “And now it feels like you’re keeping things from me.” He didn’t mean to sound so childish, but worry had stripped away his patience.
Helen chuckled softly, her voice warm and motherly. “Oh, don’t be dramatic, son. No one’s keeping anything from you. It was a false alarm. Faye is perfectly alright.”
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Alexander’s frown deepened. “False alarm?”
dormant
Helen nodded, her face serene even as guilt tugged faintly at her. “Yes. Her wolf is there-she just can’t feel her right now. Sometimes certain things happen that make a wolf go for a while. It doesn’t mean they’re gone.”
Alexander’s shoulders finally relaxed. Relief washed over his features, though confusion lingered in his eyes. “So, it’s not permanent?”
“Not at all,” Helen assured him. “She just needs rest and balance.”
He nodded slowly, running a hand through his hair. “I guess it could be the aftershock from Silver Hollow,” he murmured. “She was a direct victim. Maybe it… disrupted her somehow.”
Helen smiled faintly, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Perhaps,” she said quietly. She knew the truth was far from that, but she had made a promise to Faye-a promise she intended to keep. Faye had been so earnest when she asked to be the one to tell Alexander herself, and Helen couldn’t take that moment from her.
As Alexander turned slightly, clearly intending to go upstairs, Helen quickly interjected. “Why don’t you stay with us a bit?” she suggested smoothly. “Don’t rush back to work just yet. It’s been so long since I had time with both my boys.”
Cole smirked, clearly enjoying himself. “She’s right.”
Alexander smirked and gave him a sidelong glance. “Whenever you two are on the same page, it’s usually at my expense,” he said dryly. “So no, I think I’ll pass.”
Helen laughed, shaking her head. “Oh, stop that. We’re not plotting against you-this time.”
But even as she laughed, her thoughts were elsewhere. Upstairs, Faye was with one of the pack doctors Helen had called discreetly to confirm what she already knew. The doctor was there to check on Faye, and to collect a blood sample for the pregnancy test-an act Helen had arranged quietly to spare Faye the stress of going out.
The last thing she needed was Alexander storming into the room and discovering the truth before Faye was ready.
Helen’s eyes darted briefly toward the staircase, her smile faltering for a second before she composed herself again.
Cole noticed. “You seem distracted,” he said lightly. “Everything alright, Helen?”
Helen forced another soft smile. “Everything’s fine.”
Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed in the hall. The doctor emerged, carrying a small
υπάμε του
case. “Alpha Alexander,” he greeted respectfully with a short bow. “Helen.”
Alexander’s eyes narrowed slightly, surprise flashing across his face. “Doctor? What are you doing here?”
The man straightened, his tone professional and calm. “Just a brief visit, Alpha. Luna Faye requested a routine check-up.” He turned to Helen politely. “I’ll be taking my leave now.”
Helen nodded graciously, her composure flawless. “Thank you, Doctor. I appreciate your time.
As the doctor left, Alexander’s gaze followed him until he disappeared through the door. Something about it didn’t sit right with him. He looked back at his mother, suspicion flickering briefly-but Helen had already resumed sipping her tea, serene as ever.
He hesitated for a moment, jaw tightening, then said curtly, “Excuse me.”
Before Helen could respond, he was already striding toward the stairs.
Helen exhaled quietly, setting her cup down as she exchanged a look with Cole, who raised an amused eyebrow.
FAYE
The sound of the shower was louder than I realized until I heard Alexander’s voice cut through it.
“Faye?”
My heart skipped. I hadn’t expected him to come up so soon. I quickly turned off the water and pressed a hand to my chest, trying to steady my breathing before answering. “Hmm?”
There was a small pause before he spoke again, that careful edge in his tone that told me he was trying not to sound worried. “Everything okay in there? I ran into the doctor on his way out. Didn’t know you needed one.”
I closed my eyes briefly, cursing under my breath. Of course, he did. I should’ve known he wouldn’t miss that. I tried to keep my voice light as I replied, “That was your mother’s idea. She thought it was strange that I hadn’t had a proper check-up since Silver Hollow.” I reached for a towel, wrapping it tightly around myself even though he wasn’t anywhere near the door. “I didn’t argue.”
There was a beat of silence, then a low chuckle. I could almost picture his face, the way one corner of his mouth would tilt when he found something both amusing and exasperating. “Of
Chapter 109
course it was her idea,” he said. “She probably lectured you about it too, didn’t she?”
That made me smile despite everything. “Something like that.”
The sound of him moving reached me-probably sitting down on the edge of the bed, the way he always did when he wanted to talk but didn’t want to admit he was staying to make sure I
was okay.
“She means well,” he said softly. “She just worries too much sometimes.”
“I know,” I murmured, drying my arms and trying to ignore the pang of guilt that came with every word. “And she’s right, anyway. I haven’t had a check-up since… everything. I should’ve done it sooner.”
I heard him exhale, a quiet sound of relief that made my chest tighten. “So,” he said after a short pause, his voice teasing now, “I’m guessing the doctor gave you a clean bill of health?”
I froze. For a second, I didn’t know how to answer. My fingers tightened around the towel. The test wasn’t done yet-the doctor had only collected the sample. The truth was still hanging in the air between Helen and me, heavy and fragile.
“I’m fine,” I said quickly. “Completely fine.”
There was a small pause. I could sense his doubt, even from behind the door. Alexander had always been able to read me too easily. But then he sighed, letting it go-at least for now.
“Good,” he said finally. “Then I’ll stop hovering before you start accusing me of acting like your personal guard again.”
That made me laugh softly. “You do that a lot.”
“I know,” he said, his tone warm now. “It’s part of the package, I’m afraid.”
The sound of his footsteps moved toward the door, and for some reason, the thought of him leaving made me speak before I could stop myself. “Alexander?”
He paused. “Yeah?”
“Give me a few minutes,” I said quietly, holding onto the edge of the sink as I met my reflection in the foggy mirror. My voice sounded steadier than I felt. “I’ll be down soon-for dinner.”
There wass silence, then his voice came back, softer. “Take your time. I’ll let them know.”
The door closed behind him a moment later.
I leaned against the counter, staring at the faint outline of myself in the mirror.
I pressed my palm against my abdomen, my breath catching at the thought. A life… inside
