I had made a mistake. Not a dangerous mistake. Not the kind involving kidnappers, invisible men, silver gates, or falling from terraces. A normal mistake. Which was almost refreshing. I had told Matteo he could help me carry my books. That was it. Five books. One Alpha. A completely reasonable arrangement. Except Matteo Morvane apparently couldn't perform a simple favor without turning it into an event.“You know,” he said as we crossed the courtyard, “most people say thank you when someone carries their things.”“I did say thank you.”“No, you said, ‘Fine, if you insist.’”“That was gratitude.”“That was surrender.”“Take what you can get.”He shifted the stack into one arm.“After yesterday, I expected more respect.”“Why?”“You're looking at the man who helped create the best solution in the year.”I stopped walking. Matteo continued for two steps before turning.“The solution I created?”He smiled.“I contributed.”“You argued.”“Constructively.”“You took a ruler out of my hand.”
Last Updated : 2026-09-03 Read more