40

ALINA

I noticed a different side of Alexander from the moment Cassandra arrived. There’s more to him than the intimidating Alpha. Beneath the cold exterior, he has a dry, sarcastic sense of humor that, strangely, makes me laugh. We’ve even started this silly tradition of playing games after dinner. I don’t think he realizes it, but it’s become something I look forward to.

Claude, on the other hand, has been… distant. I barely see him anymore. He doesn’t show up for dinner and when he does make an appearance during breakfast, it’s fleeting. Just long enough to ruffle my hair or swipe a strip of bacon from my plate. Then he’s gone again like the wind.

I’ve never had siblings, but I imagine this is what having a brother feels like.

He’s a handful, no doubt, but I like having him around.

Lisa was with me in my room while I got ready for a run with Alexander. He suggested I incorporate physical activity into my daily routine. Not that I do anything remotely productive besides eating, lounging, and bouncing between him and Lisa’s company.

Reminder of his hands running over my body made me blush. That could count as a physical activity for sure.

Honestly, I’ve gotten a little soft. But from the way he looked at me while I was getting dressed yesterday, I’d say he wasn’t complaining.

I’ve never been willowy like the other girls in the camp. When I was younger, the other kids used to call me fat. I eventually slimmed down as I got older, but now, some of that weight is creeping back. Most of it’s gone to my boobs and butt, and a tiny pouch has settled on my lower stomach.

Do I feel a little insecure? Sure. As much as I tell myself I’m over it… some ghosts don’t leave quietly.

I picked out a plain t-shirt and one of the skirts Lisa and I had tried on during one of our impromptu dress-up sessions. She always pulls out clothes she’s convinced I’d never wear outside, just for fun. Today, I was proving her wrong.

It was a mini pleated skirt, sitting a few inches above my knees. The kind you’d see on a golf course. I liked it. Lisa swapped my shirt for a fitted polo and handed me a pair of sneakers.

“Maybe you should put your hair in a ponytail,” she said, tapping her chin like a fashion genius in mid-muse.

She’s always creating images in her head before bringing them to life. Honestly, she could be an incredible stylist if she ever wanted to be.

“You think so?” I gathered my hair, checking myself in the mirror.

She came to stand in front of me, pulling out a few strands so they framed my face in soft tendrils. She nodded, satisfied, and clapped once.

“That’s the look.”

Spinning around, she grabbed a brush and some bobby pins I didn’t even know were in the room. Then again, she always pulls things out like a magician with a never-ending bag of tricks.

She tied my hair with a pink band, then started on my makeup.

“Don’t you think this is too much?” I asked, nerves threading through my voice.

It was just a run. Alexander and I went out often. I didn’t want him thinking I was trying too hard.

“You’ll be sweaty. Better to not look deathly pale,” she said casually, still dabbing at my face.

“But won’t it melt?” I pressed, already imagining my mascara running down my cheeks like a horror show.

“No.” She shook her head, calm as ever. “I’m keeping it simple. No one will even know you have makeup on, trust me.” She paused, giving me a wink. “And the Alpha will love it.”

That shut me up.

She’s learned that saying he’ll like it is the fastest way to get me to cooperate. And she hasn’t been wrong yet. So far, every time she’s predicted his reaction, she’s nailed it.

A knock interrupted us just as she was applying lip gloss.

“I’ve got it,” she said, still talking as she jogged to the door.

A guy, probably my age, maybe a little older, stood there, lips downturned in a deep frown. Something told me someone had really pissed him off.

“The Alpha said you should come down. Both of you,” he said flatly, voice as cold as winter steel.

“Oh… okay.” Lisa’s voice faltered for the first time I could remember.

My brows lifted at the sound. Lisa? Stammering?

After the guy left, I turned to her and caught her cheeks, rosy and unmistakably flushed.

“Are you… blushing?” I asked, barely hiding my grin.

She shot me a glare. “No. Of course not.”

She cleared her throat, running her hand through her hair. Her movements were stiff, jerky, nothing like her usual graceful confidence.

“Oh my God. You’re totally blushing.” I laughed, delight bubbling up in my chest.

It was surreal. I’d never seen Lisa this flustered, not even when Alexander was around. She respected him, sure, but she was never nervous. This mystery boy had managed to throw her completely off balance.

And he didn’t even seem all that intimidating. Kind of cute, actually.

“We should go,” she said quickly. “We don’t want to keep the Alpha waiting.”

She handed me a jacket, and we headed out in silence.

Alexander stood at the entrance, surrounded by a few men, mid-conversation.

But the moment we stepped outside, his head turned. His eyes swept over me slowly, from top to bottom, and stayed there. Something shifted in his gaze and his eyes darkened. He nodded absently at the man speaking to him, but didn’t look away.

Butterflies fluttered wildly in my stomach under the weight of his stare.

I could feel Lisa’s smug I told you so radiating beside me, but I didn’t dare glance her way.

“Have the reports printed and sent to my office. I’ll go over them tonight,” Alexander said, voice distracted.

The man nodded and left.

Alexander turned fully toward me, commanding and magnetic, as always.

He bent his head. My breath caught, heart hammering in my chest. For a second, I thought he was going to kiss me.

But he leaned in and murmured in my ear instead.

“Did you wear that just to torture me?” His voice was low and rough. Almost like a growl. It sent goosebumps racing across my skin.