ALEXANDER I pace the lounge, my patience hanging by the thinnest thread. “Why isn’t he here yet?” Hudson groans, collapsing onto my couch like all the blood has drained from him. He stares up at me, shrugging. “I don’t know. I called him, told him to drag his ass here, and—” “It’s been an hour, Hudson.” The low growl that escapes me is almost feral. “Did you make him understand how important this is?” “I did.” “And what did he say? Did he sound upset?” “I think he’s going to come either way, Alpha.” He laces the last word with a grin that’s nothing short of mischievous. “You know, if someone told me the Almighty Alexander would be on edge because of some assistant, I wouldn’t have believed it.” My lips twitch at his ridiculousness. “I’m not on edge.” “Yeah.” Hudson laughs, shoulders shaking. “You’re pacing around like a caged beast, tapping your thumb against your index finger. Your brows are furrowed, jaw’s tight… and your eyes—” “Shut up, Hudson.” “Why do you even want him
ETHAN “False hope?” Leo asks, voice loud and strong. “Do you think I'd lie to a kid about something like this?” I can sense his anger, but God knows I don't care. Leo is a pathetic liar, a damn snake on a green grass. With everything that happened between Liam and I months ago, I sincerely can't trust Leo. Not when he has the tendency to work for his brother again. Marinette can't be safe with him. Neither is Gwen. Merely staring at his pale face gives me some chills. I stand upright, watching as his brows furrow and fingers clench. “So you're telling the truth, then? Do you think you'll love her enough like her father?” His jaw tightens. Marinette's eyes fly open. “Etha—” “Marinette, I'm sorry,” I bark, “but you're making a mistake! You can't be with him.” “Why?!” “Because—” Leo stares at me with a blank look but his fingers keep twitching at his sides. He's trying hard not to show the fact that he's panicking—but it's as clear as day. “Because—” I part my lips again. Mar
ETHAN “False hope?” Leo asks, voice loud and strong. “Do you think I'd lie to a kid about something like this?” I can sense his anger, but God knows I don't care. Leo is a pathetic liar, a damn snake on a green grass. With everything that happened between Liam and I months ago, I sincerely can't trust Leo. Not when he has the tendency to work for his brother again. Marinette can't be safe with him. Neither is Gwen. Merely staring at his pale face gives me some chills. I stand upright, watching as his brows furrow and fingers clench. “So you're telling the truth, then? Do you think you'll love her enough like her father?” His jaw tightens. Marinette's eyes fly open. “Etha—” “Marinette, I'm sorry,” I bark, “but you're making a mistake! You can't be with him.” “Why?!” “Because—” Leo stares at me with a blank look but his fingers keep twitching at his sides. He's trying hard not to show the fact that he's panicking—but it's as clear as day. “Because—” I part my lip
ETHAN “False hope?” Leo asks, voice loud and strong. “Do you think I'd lie to a kid about something like this?” I can sense his anger, but God knows I don't care. Leo is a pathetic liar, a damn snake on a green grass. With everything that happened between Liam and I months ago, I sincerely can't trust Leo. Not when he has the tendency to work for his brother again. Marinette can't be safe with him. Neither is Gwen. Merely staring at his pale face gives me some chills. I stand upright, watching as his brows furrow and fingers clench. “So you're telling the truth, then? Do you think you'll love her enough like her father?” His jaw tightens. Marinette's eyes fly open. “Etha—” “Marinette, I'm sorry,” I bark, “but you're making a mistake! You can't be with him.” “Why?!” “Because—” Leo stares at me with a blank look but his fingers keep twitching at his sides. He's trying hard not to show the fact that he's panicking—but it's as clear as day. “Because—” I part my lips again. Mar
MARINETTE“Jaz,” I call out with a faint smile, watching as she strolls into the kitchen in her crumpled pajamas. She opens the freezer, pulls out a can of beer, and tilts it to her mouth without a word.I stir the soup slowly, letting the steam warm my face. “Beer for breakfast?”She shrugs, taking another sip. “Don’t judge me.”I smile but keep my eyes on the pot. “Rough night?”She leans against the counter. “Not exactly. Just… Ethan’s been coming home late lately. He barely has time for me.”I glance at her, softening my voice. “Have you tried to talk to him about it?”“I have,” she sighs, lowering the can. “He says it’s work. Says he’ll make time. But it feels like he’s drifting away. Like I’m… losing him.”Her voice breaks at the end, and I pretend to check the seasoning just so she doesn’t have to see my face.“Jaz,” I say gently, “you should talk to him again. Really talk. Let him know how much it hurts you.”She nods, eyes on the floor. “I’ll try. You’ll… do your part too, ri
ALEXANDERThe smell of buttered toast and coffee greets me before I even step into the dining room. Williams, my butler, is already waiting. “Good morning, Mr. Grey. I employed a few new maids—mostly for the garden and a few other things around the house.”“Mm.” I nod, running a hand through my hair. “Make sure everything stays in good shape. And yes, upstairs is off limits.” “Yes, Alpha.”I wave him off and settle into my seat. The long mahogany table stretches across the room, but as usual, it’s just me at one end. A plate of soft scrambled eggs, toast, grilled tomatoes, and some smoked salmon rests in front of me. There’s also a glass of orange juice beside the coffee mug.I eat slowly, quietly. Then, like a damn curse or maybe a comfort, Ethan’s face flashes in my mind. His stupid pout. His nervous eyes. That voice he uses when he’s mad at me but doesn’t want to admit it. I remember the way he yelled when I yanked him into the bath last night. I remember his warm lips and soft