Chapter 6

Alexander:

A knock sounded against my chamber doors long after the manor had gone quiet. Most of the pack was asleep, and even the guards had settled into their night rotations. I looked up from the reports scattered across my desk.

“Come in,” I said, already catching Helena’s scent.

The doors opened, and she inside. She bowed respectfully, though her posture carried a tension she rarely allowed others to see. “Alpha.”

I set the paper aside. “What is it? I trust that there should an issue if you chose to come at this hour of the night?”

“There is something I wished to address.” I leaned back in my chair, already sensing the careful way she chose her words. Helena only spoke like this when she expected me to disagree. “I am aware that nothing physical transpired between you and Serena today.”

The corner of my mouth twitched. News traveled quickly in Petrova estate. “I wasn’t aware my private meetings were now a topic of discussion.”

“They are not.” She said, looking down at her feet. “But you are aware that if she had been touched, she would have been moved to a different quarter… it is only natural for me to ask.”

“Your point is, Helena?” I asked, looking a at her.

“I understand that I cannot question you, Alpha” she said, meeting my gaze steadily. “But your decision has created uncertainty.”

Every woman brought into this estate understood her purpose. Being summoned to my chambers usually meant only one thing. Serena had walked out untouched. It had disrupted the entire hierarchy.

“And?” I asked.

“I thought it best not to disrupt the usual routine.” I raised an eyebrow as a smirk played on my lips.

Helena stepped aside, and a young woman entered. She couldn’t have been older than twenty‑two. Dark hair fell over her shoulders, and instead of the simple gray servant’s dress, she wore flowing ivory silk. Her hands trembled despite the smile she tried to hold.

“I selected one of the trained women,” Helena explained. “She understands what is expected.”

My expression didn’t change. “I see.”

“I shall leave you.” She inclined her head and walked toward the doors. Just before stepping out, she paused. “I wish you a pleasant evening, Alpha.”

The doors closed behind her, and silence settled over the room.

The young woman remained where she was, eyes lowered. I returned my attention to the report on my desk.

“What’s your name?” I asked, not bothering to look at her.

“Lydia, Alpha.”

“Hm.”

She waited. When I said nothing else, she approached slowly. Her footsteps were hesitant at first, then steadier. She stopped beside my chair. “I can pour you some wine? I could help you relax, Alpha.”

“I don’t require assistance.” I said calmly. “Nor did I call for you,”

She hesitated before reaching for the buttons of her silk robe. “Lady Helena said…”

“I know what Helena said.” I snapped, stopping her.

Her fingers froze and she looked uncertain, as though trying to recall the exact instructions she had been taught. She moved closer, close enough that her perfume reached me. Lavender. Sweet. Pleasant.

No instinct stirred. No curiosity. No reaction. Instead, another scent drifted into my thoughts… a little rebellious woman who walked into my office just a few moments ago.

The memory was so vivid I could almost see Serena standing in this room again, chin raised, amber eyes blazing with fury.

Stop smiling.

The way she had said it, as if my amusement offended her on a personal level. As if she wanted to knock the smile off my face with her fist.

Every memory should have irritated me. Instead, they lingered, interesting me more than they should.

Lydia rested a trembling hand on my arm as she leaned in over my shoulder, wanting to kiss my neck. I looked down at her hand, then back at her. She tried to smile. “I’ll do whatever pleases you, Alpha.” She whispered.

My gaze lingered on her for a moment. She was beautiful, graceful, trained, everything Helena believed I should want. Yet all I could think about was another woman. One wearing a plain gray dress. One whose hair had been hastily brushed. One who looked at me as though I were the worst man alive.

I gently removed Lydia’s hand from my arm. “You may leave.”

Her eyes widened. “Alpha?”

“I said leave.” I said calmly.

“If I’ve done something wrong…”

“You haven’t.” I said stopping her, noticing her panic. I rose from my chair, moving farther away from her. “You are dismissed.”

She searched my face, perhaps expecting anger or disappointment. And I could tell that she was thinking about how she was going to handle this. After a long moment, she bowed deeply. “As you wish, Alpha.”

She left quietly and I watched as the door clicked shut before rolling my eyes.

I walked toward the fireplace, watching the flames dance against the stone. A few moments later, another knock sounded. “Come in, Helena.”

Helena stepped inside again. She looked past me, immediately noticing the empty room. “Lydia left, she should have been with you.”

“I was called,” she said, “but so soon? She managed to get your attention that quickly?”

“I sent her away.” I said, keeping my eyes on the fire.

She remained silent for several moments. “May I ask why?”

“You already know.” I said, looking at her. “So why ask?”

Helena folded her hands. “Because I have never known you to refuse before.”

Neither had I. Not because I sought companionship, I never had. The women sent to my chambers had always served a single purpose: an heir. Feelings had never entered the equation. Yet tonight, the thought of another woman standing where Serena had stood felt wrong. Unexpectedly wrong.

My wolf stretched lazily beneath my skin. “Because she isn’t her.”

I ignored him.

“It would be unfair,” I said evenly. “To both of us.”

Helena watched me carefully. “You cannot stop thinking about Serena.” She sighed softly. “I feared that might be the case.”

“I am merely curious.” My eyes narrowed slightly. “I’ll remind you,” I said calmly, “that she is the only woman who has ever attempted to strike me.”

“I thought that she was lying when she told me…” Helena said, her eyes widening in surprise.

“No, she wasn’t.” I said, and I could picture Helena cursing under her breath as she pictured the moment.

Finally, Helena inclined her head. “I will see that Serena begins her training in the morning. But I do not believe she wants anything to do with you.”

A quiet laugh escaped me. “No. And that is what makes her a lot more interesting…”