28

ALINA

“Since when did you become best friends?” he asked, settling at the edge of the bed.

I felt the mattress shift beneath his weight, and every part of me tensed. Not visibly. I kept my expression neutral. But I wasn’t calm. I froze, trapped in the same panic I hadn’t yet learned to hide. I didn’t know how to act around him.

He was my mate. But he was also the man who had killed my parents.

So I stood somewhere in the middle of those truths, trying to navigate the fear twisting in my gut. He killed easily. People disappeared around him without explanation. Who’s to say I wouldn’t be next?

Especially when he found out what I really was.

That voice in my head stirred, whispering again. I shook it away like dust, unwilling to entertain it.

Alexander was watching me. His gaze was unreadable, something swirling in those dark eyes.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

It took a second to register his voice. He’d been studying me, eyes flicking over my face like he was searching for something. Concern?

No. That couldn’t be right.

“I came in earlier but you were taking a nap.”

He’d come to check on me?

“Yes,” he replied.

I blinked, startled. Had I said that out loud? My hand shot up to cover my mouth. “Do you feel better?”

He didn’t drop it. I nodded quickly, then remembered what he said about speaking instead of gesturing.

“Yes,” I said, quietly.

He nodded once, lips curling slightly as if pleased.

But he didn’t get up to leave. He didn’t speak again either.

We stayed like that, silent. Uncomfortable, on my part. But Alexander didn’t seem the least bit unsettled. I doubted anything could shake a man like him. He could walk into a room and rattle everyone else’s nerves, but nothing ever ruffled his.

“If you want, you can come downstairs for dinner,” he said at last.

I looked up and found his gaze locked on mine. I couldn’t hold it. I looked down quickly, and I thoughtI caught the edge of a slight smirk on his face.

“I—”

“That wasn’t a request.”

My stomach dropped.

“Get dressed. You’re having dinner with me.”

He didn’t leave either. Stayed rooted in the same place like he always did, waiting until I moved from the bed before budging.

Before I had laid down earlier, I’d taken off my bra so I could sleep comfortably. And now? Now I was stuck. Do I cross the room and get it? Or worse, do I put it on right here, in front of him?

I looked down. My nipples were hard, visible through the plain shirt I had on. There was no hiding it. I needed to wear something.

I stood up, hesitating only slightly before moving.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“T-to change.” The words stumbled out. My mouth barely cooperated.

It was always like that around him. I never spoke properly. My voice never sounded right.

“What you’re wearing is just fine.”

His gaze swept over me slowly. His eyes caught on my chest, and something changed in his face. His throat moved as he swallowed hard. The look in his eyes darkened, heavy with something unreadable and dark.

I felt like prey. Hunted. His stare didn’t move. Not right away.

Then, he blinked, snapping himself out of it. He gave a slight shake of his head, jaw tightening. Then he motioned toward the closet, saying nothing else.

I rushed there like my life depended on it. I pulled off the shirt quickly, threw on the bra I’d abandoned earlier, and returned to find the room empty.

I didn’t know what emotion met me then. I wasn’t relieved. Not really. I wasn’t disappointed either. Just something unplaceable sitting low in my chest. Whatever it was, I sighed.

I sat on the bed, unsure of what to do next. I didn’t know if he was going to return or if that was it.

My thoughts drifted, and I was on the verge of dozing off when the door creaked open.

The maid from the other day walked in, the sweet one I hadn’t seen since.

I wondered for a moment where Hailey was. I haven’t seen her in a while.

“Hi,” I waved awkwardly, unsure of myself.

I didn’t know how to act around people. I’d never really had a friend before.

“Hey,” she smiled brightly, just like the first time. “I haven’t seen you in so long. I’m glad you’re okay.” She fussed, hands gentle but insistent, like how I imagined mothers acted with their children.

I didn’t know what having a mother felt like. The woman who raised me was elderly and kind in her own way, but she’d never filled that space.

Tears prickled at the corners of my eyes.

She barely knew me. Yet she cared.

“Oh, sweetheart. Are you alright?” she asked as the tears slipped down.

I wiped at my face quickly, trying to fix my expression. But it was too late. She’d already seen.

“Are you okay? Is something wrong?” She took my hand gently. “You can talk to me. I may not be able to help, since Alpha Alexander is… well, he’s intense. But still, you shouldn’t keep everything bottled up.”

A half-laugh, half-sob broke from my chest. She smiled sadly, brushing her fingers softly through my hair.

“I’m okay,” I managed. My voice cracked. “I just… I remembered my mum.”

“Oh.” She nodded slowly, eyes soft. “She passed?”

“Yeah. Thank you.” I cleared my throat, blinking away the last of the tears.

My eyes flicked toward the door, then back to her.

“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude, but did you come here for something?”

It felt strange. I hadn’t seen her in so long, and I didn’t think this was just a friendly check-in.

She gasped, covering her mouth like I’d just reminded her of something awful.

“Oh no. He’s waiting. I came to get you. He’s at the dinner table.”

My stomach dropped.

“He’s waiting for me? Just me?”

“Yes.” Her eyes widened, then she glanced at the clock on the wall. “Come on. If we keep him waiting, that won’t end well.”

I didn’t argue. But my feet dragged all on their own.