20

ALEXANDER

I was in a foul mood when I got home. No real reason, just a simmering rage that wouldn’t leave me. It didn’t help that Claude was already there, waiting outside the door like a smug little bastard, arms folded and a knowing smirk on his irritating face.

This was why I preferred being at war. When we were at war, Claude actually behaved like someone with purpose. When he was bored, though? He turned into a goddamn pest. All smirks and jabs and questions I had no patience for.

But during war? He was different. Focused. Brilliant. His mind constantly working through strategies, his instincts sharp and on point.

“So, I heard from a little birdie that you were seen around the west side,” he said casually.

I didn’t respond. I just grumbled and made my way to my office, desperate to distract myself with anything that didn’t involve thinking about what had happened earlier or the woman who had managed to completely unhinge my world without even trying.

Claude followed, of course. Like the irritating shadow he was. At least he closed the door behind him this time. That was rare for him.

“What did we get back from the Darkclove camp?” I asked, already rifling through the maps and files on my desk. I didn’t even wait for him to answer before I cut in again. “If we’ve got their security layout and know where the weak spots are, get the team ready. We’re going in tonight.”

I kept talking, throwing out instructions like they were gospel, until he raised his hand sharply.

“Whoa. Hold on, tiger,” he interrupted loudly. “Take a breath. We’re not ready. We just got back from another war, and you want to dive straight into a new one?”

I glared at him. “If that is what you’re calling war, I’m seriously reconsidering your position as my beta.”

He didn’t rise to the bait. Instead, he walked over and looked down at the table where I had the entire blueprint spread out.

“We need a stronger strategy,” he said flatly. “And honestly, I don’t like the intel we were given. It’s not complete. Something’s missing. I don’t know what yet, but I can feel it. This isn’t the full picture.”

I sighed and threw him a sharp look, my hands hovering over the blueprint like I wanted it to reveal something new.

It looked solid enough to me.

“I made you beta to think tactically and carry out orders. Not to come here talking about what you feel,” I snapped. “We may share blood, but that doesn’t mean you get to cross every line.”

Claude didn’t blink. He never really took my insults to heart, and that’s probably because he knew I didn’t mean half the shit I said when I was like this. It was just me being a bastard, and he had the patience to deal with it.

“No, you asshole,” he shot back without hesitation. “I’m your beta because I’m your only brother. That’s my post, and I earned it. And part of my job is making sure you don’t go off the rails just because your dick’s confused and your brain is fried.”

He stepped toward the door, stopping just short of it.

“Here’s some advice from the only sane person in the room,” he added coolly. “It’s really not that hard to talk to her like a human being. She’s not complicated. Definitely not as complicated as your little mistress.”

That hit lower than I expected.

And maybe I deserved it, given how I’d spoken to him.

But I didn’t respond. I didn’t want to think about what he was saying. Especially not if it involved Alina.

“She’s easier to reach than you think,” he continued. “A little kindness would do wonders. While you’re busy running off into chaos, she’s got enough of it living under her skin.”

My head snapped up so fast it was a miracle I didn’t break something in my neck.

“What the fuck did you just say about her body?”

Claude froze mid sentence and turned, his expression tightening with disbelief.

“Out of everything I said, that’s what you heard?”

“Say anything about her again, and I’ll rip your fucking mouth off. You hear me?”

He stared at me for a second. And then he laughed. Loud and deep, shaking his head like he couldn’t believe me.

“Wow,” he muttered before pulling the door open. “You’re in deep. Good luck with this one.”

The door closed behind him, and I let out a slow breath. I leaned forward and ran a hand over my face. My head felt heavy, my chest heavier.

I needed to pull myself together.

I looked down at the plans again. And despite how much I wanted to deny it, Claude was right. Some things weren’t adding up. The layout didn’t make sense in a few places. It was off. We couldn’t go in with this.

Frustrated, I swept the papers off the desk. They flew across the floor in all directions. My pulse was still racing, the anger in my chest expanding with nowhere to go.

A knock broke the silence.

“Come in,” I said, my voice already strained with irritation.

And just like that, it got worse.

Keisha stepped inside, wearing the same robe she had on earlier at her place. Her presence alone made my temples ache.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, dragging a hand through my hair.

“You left so suddenly. D-did I do something wrong?” she asked hesitantly, her fingers twisting the edge of her robe.

“No,” I answered quickly. Too quickly.

I didn’t want to talk. Not about feelings. Not about her. And definitely not about the mistake I had made.

“Then why did you leave?”

“Since when did I say it was okay for you to question me?” I snapped.

Her head dropped instantly.

“I’m sorry, Alpha. I didn’t mean to overstep.”

“You can go. There’s nothing for you to do here.”

She looked like she wanted to argue. But she knew better. Instead, she turned and left, closing the door quietly behind her.

I let out another breath. My thoughts were a mess, and my instincts were screaming at me. I wouldn’t find peace until I saw her.

Without giving myself time to reconsider, I headed straight to her floor. I pushed the door open, a little surprised to find it unlocked.

She was lying on the bed, curled tightly into herself, sound asleep.

She looked so calm. Her breathing was soft and steady, her features relaxed in a way I hadn’t seen before.

I slowed my steps without realizing. Didn’t want to wake her.

I sat at the edge of the bed and just watched her. For once, the chaos inside me quieted. Her presence did that.

At some point, my eyes slipped closed. I hadn’t even meant to fall asleep.

What woke me was a small gasp.

And I knew immediately, it came from her.