Chapter 8

Alexander:

I knew Serena was approaching before the knock even sounded.

Her scent reached me first, faint and muted, as though whatever had been used to suppress her wolf still clung stubbornly to her skin. Even so, it was unmistakable. I had spent enough years around wolves to know the difference between a human and one of our kind, no matter how weak their scent had become.

My wolf recognized something else entirely. The moment her scent slipped beneath the door, he stirred with sudden alertness, a reaction that irritated me more than I cared to admit.

A knock finally came.

“Come in.” I called casually, not bothering to get up from the desk.

Helena entered first, and Serena followed behind her. My attention shifted immediately. She had changed since her training earlier that day. Her brown hair fell loosely over her shoulders, and although someone had clearly tried to tame it, several strands had already escaped and framed her face. She wore a simple dark dress, nothing extravagant, yet it suited her far better than any gown Helena might have chosen.

She looked beautiful, and the realization came far too easily.

Her eyes found mine, and unlike almost everyone else who entered my chambers, she didn’t lower them. Irritation flickered there, along with suspicion, and something else that vanished before I could identify it.

My wolf pressed forward, whispering the same word he had repeated since the moment I first sensed her.

Mate.

I ignored him and kept my eyes on Helena as she bowed her head. “Alpha.”

“Leave us.” I said, nodding at her to walk out.

Serena’s eyes snapped toward Helena, sharp and questioning. Helena noticed and gave her a pointed look, clearly reminding her of whatever conversation they had shared before arriving.

“Remember what we discussed,” Helena said. “And remember the rules.”

Serena’s lips tightened. “It is not like I have another option anyway.”

Helena bowed one more time before she left the room.

The moment the doors closed, Serena crossed her arms over her chest, her posture stiff with defiance. Apparently Helena’s training had been exceptionally successful.

“Take a seat,” I said, nodding at the chair.

Her eyes narrowed. “Was that an order?”

“Would it make a difference?” I asked, smirking at her.

“Probably.” She said angrily.

“Then consider it an invitation.” I said, nodding at the chair once more as I got up from the desk and walked toward the table.

She glanced toward the table. Dinner had already been prepared, two place settings arranged neatly, and enough food for both of us. Her expression shifted when she noticed.

“You called me here to eat?” She asked, raising an eyebrow. “Do you really expect me to fall for that crap?”

“I called you here because I wanted to speak with you.” I said calmly. “And if I wanted to try anything, I wouldn’t need to call you for a meal… rest assured when it comes to that.”

“Then speak.” She said, nodding at me as if she owned the place.

I raised an eyebrow. She remained standing.

“Helena spent the entire day teaching you manners, didn’t she?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Why would you ask?” She asked, and I shrugged. “She wasted her in time in whatever she wanted to do.”

“That much is obvious.” Her eyes flashed with irritation, and I couldn’t stop the smile that tugged at my mouth.

“You need to stop looking amused whenever I speak. It gets annoying after a while.” She said, and I scoffed. She glared at me, and my wolf seemed far too entertained by her temper.

I gestured toward the chair across from mine. “Join me for dinner. As long as you’re not going to follow the rules, might as well join me for a meal.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Sit anyway.” She hesitated for a few seconds before finally walking toward the table. She pulled out the chair and sat down, making it very clear she was doing so on her own terms, not mine.

I sat opposite her. The servant had left roasted meat, vegetables, bread, fruit, and wine on the table. Serena looked at everything but didn’t reach for any of it.

“You can eat,” I said. “I am well aware that you are going to be stubborn if I tell you to eat, so you can do it on your own account. I won’t bother you.”

“I would rather not join the man who had his people buy me for a meal.” She said, and I rolled my eyes.

“I am not the first to have done it, and if you want me to be the last, then I would suggest that you stop with the attitude.” I said, my tone holding no emotion. Her eyes met mine and for a second, I saw her in pain in them, but I knew that I needed to give her a sense of reality. And she seemed to be forgetting about it. I poured myself wine. “I believe that you assume that I called you here for a reason.”

“I don’t assume anything.” She leaned back slightly. “I know why you called me here.” She continued, “You brought all of us here for one reason. Helena made that very clear on our first day.” Her shoulders stiffened despite her confidence. “You need an heir,” she said quietly. “And we’re supposed to give you one.”

Bitterness coated every word.

“So if that’s why you called me here, then just say it. I’m not interested in sitting through dinner while you pretend this is something it isn’t.” She said, crossing her arms over her chest. “You can get it over with so I can move on with my evening.”

I hummed under my breath. ‘You seem to be remarkably certain.”

“Am I wrong?” She asked, and I smiled as I set my glass down.

“Not entirely.” Her expression hardened, and I leaned back. “Since you already know why you’re here, perhaps you can answer something for me.”

She stared at me. “What?”

I held her gaze. “How did you manage to sneak into my estate when you have a wolf?”