48

ALINA

I was slightly surprised when we reached the dining room and I saw Claude already seated in his usual spot. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed his presence until I caught myself smiling. He was always the chatterbox at the table, though lately, Alexander had been doing a decent job filling in.

“Hello, angel,” Claude greeted, his signature smirk tugging at the sides of his mouth.

I rolled my eyes at the nickname but couldn’t help smiling.

“Stop calling me that,” I muttered under my breath.

He just smirked, clearly not the least bit sorry.

“Quit terrorizing my mate, Claude,” Alexander said, a teasing edge in his voice that still managed to catch me off guard.

It wasn’t like he was actually defending me, it was obviously a brotherly joke but I still looked up at him, surprised.

“I’m not terrorizing her. I’m complimenting her. She’s clearly an angel.” Claude’s grin was unapologetic. Alexander rolled his eyes this time.

I took my usual seat to Alexander’s left, across from Claude. Ever since the meal with Geneva, it had sort of become my unofficial spot.

Did I miss sitting beside Claude? Maybe a little. He always had something witty to say, usually aimed at his brother.

Whenever Alexander tried to look intimidating, which, let’s face it, he didn’t have to try hard, Claude would lean over and whisper something like, “This is his ‘I’m the scary alpha’ performance. Don’t fall for it.”

I’d have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. Alexander never seemed like someone who’d take kindly to being laughed at even if I wasn’t the one who made the joke.

But tonight felt different. The tension was gone. No one was on edge. For once, Alexander wasn’t threatening to rip out someone’s throat. Dinner was actually… fun. We laughed, talked about everything and nothing, and somewhere along the line, the topic shifted to exes.

I couldn’t tell you how we got there but Alexander suddenly insisted that Claude only fell for women who were bad for him or completely out of reach.

“What does that even mean?” Claude asked, genuinely confused and a bit offended.

“It means you want what you can’t have,” Alexander replied flatly, expression unreadable.

By now, I’d learned how to tell when he was joking. His face didn’t always give it away. He would probably be terrifying in a poker game but I was learning to read the subtle signs.

Claude scoffed. “There’s no such thing as can’t. If I want something—or someone—I’ll get them. One way or another.”

Alexander leaned back, smug. “Alina’s unattainable.”

My eyes snapped up at the sound of my name.

Claude gave me a slow once-over, eyes dragging lazily over every visible inch of me before locking back on my face. That mischievous glint was there again. The one that said he was about to do something reckless.

He stood, still smiling. Alexander watched his every move like a hawk.

“I bet I could have her,” Claude said, smirking. “Five minutes alone in the drawing room, and she’ll forget all about you.”

Then he strolled out, laughter trailing behind him.

It took me a second to fully register what he’d said. His plate sat empty, his scent still hanging in the air.

Alexander’s gaze burned into the back of my neck. I turned, then froze when I spotted the knife embedded in the expensive wooden door.

I gasped. I hadn’t even seen him throw it.

He looked entirely unbothered, but I felt sick over the damage to the door and the thought of the real damage it could have done.

“Remind me to kill him next time I see him,” Alexander muttered. His voice was dry, but his eyes gleamed with a hint of amusement.

I told myself he was joking even as I wasn’t quite sure.

“He’s your brother,” I said, trying not to laugh.

He stared for a moment, then nodded solemnly. “You’re right. I should’ve done it when he was younger.”

A loud snort-laugh escaped me before I could stop it. Alexander’s lips curved into a real smile. The kind that showed his perfect white teeth. Not a smirk. Not that dark, dangerous grin. Just… a smile. My stomach flipped.

And just like that, my lungs forgot how to breathe.

“Wanna go for a walk?” he asked, rising and pulling back my chair for me.

It sounded like a question, but I knew better. With Alexander, some questions didn’t require answers.

Just as I was about to say yes or of course, the door burst open. A guard ran in, breathless, dressed in the estate’s formal uniform.

He bowed immediately. “I apologize for the interruption, Alpha.”

Alexander gave a small nod, prompting the man to raise his head. His whole posture radiated nerves.

“What is it?” Alexander asked, voice sharp and impatient.

I considered touching his arm to calm him, but we weren’t there yet not really.

“He escaped, sir. We’ve been trying to track him, but he’s gone. No trace anywhere on the grounds.”

“Who?” Alexander’s voice stayed calm. Too calm.

Even I knew that was a bad sign.

“Isiah, sir,” the guard replied shakily.

Alexander just nodded. “Dismissed.”

The guard left. Alexander turned to me, face softening.

“Another time,” he said. I nodded.

“I’ll have someone escort you to your room. Be good for me, hmm?” He pressed a kiss to my forehead before slipping out of the room. Leaving me a boneless, breathless mess.

The pulse between my thighs. More alive than ever.