Chapter 242
ALEXANDER
+25 Points
I couldn’t stop myself from thinking about the fact that Diana was coming to see me. I wondered what her reason was… or excuse.
Cole came into the office.
“Alpha, I was told Diana is here to see you. Do you want me to let her in or tell her to get lost?
I almost laughed. Cole would be the happiest person if I gave the order to send Diana away, and he couldn’t even pretend about it.
“Just send her in,” I said.
He looked a bit disappointed, but he understood I had a duty to uphold.
A moment after Cole left, Diana entered cautiously–posture respectful, eyes guarded. Whatever confidence she used to carry around me years ago was gone… or suppressed.
“Alpha Alexander,” she said, bowing her head just enough to acknowledge rank.
At least she remembered where she stood now.
“You wanted to see me,” I replied, motioning to the chair across from my desk. I didn’t invite conversation beyond that.
She sat, smoothing her palms over her thighs once, like she was bracing herself.
“I’m sorry to bother you, but I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t necessary,” she began.
“I assumed as much,” I said evenly. “What’s the issue?”
She inhaled slowly, then spoke.
“My father received an eviction notice three days ago. The land our family house sits on–it’s being claimed by a wolf from Iron Claw pack. Powerful and well–connected.”
I stiffened, just slightly.
“They say the claim is legal,” she continued, jaw tightening. “But it isn’t. The land has been in my family for generations. The paperwork is being manipulated.”
I didn’t respond immediately. I listened.
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+25 Points
“They’ve already sent men to intimidate us,” she added. “And when I confronted them, they made it clear–very clear–that they expect me to back down because I’m a woman and…
alone.”
“And you came to me,” I said.
She met my gaze steadily. “Because you’re my Alpha. And because you have the influence to stop this if you choose to.”
I didn’t like how neatly she framed it. Didn’t like how little room it left for refusal. But she wasn’t wrong.
“I don’t involve myself in personal disputes,” I said carefully. “If you’re sure the land belongs to your family, I’ll advise you to go to court.”
“Ale–Alpha Alexander, this stopped being personal when another pack crossed into our territory and started threatening one of our own,” she countered.
I exhaled slowly.
I didn’t want to get involved–not because of unresolved feelings (I was long past that), but because anything involving Diana had a way of being misinterpreted. I refused to let irritation look like heartbreak. Refused to let restraint look like longing.
So I did what an Alpha was supposed to do.
“I’ll look into it,” I said. “If Iron Claw is overstepping, they’ll be reminded of their boundaries.”
Relief flickered across her face.
“I knew I could count on you,” she said softly. “And I hope you’ll treat it as urgent.”
“I will,” I replied.
She lingered–eyes searching my face like she was waiting for something else. A crack. A reaction. Proof that the past still mattered.
I gave her nothing.
Then, unexpectedly, she sighed.
“There’s something else,” she said. “Not as Alpha. As… us. Or what we were.”
I didn’t interrupt.
“I know it’s late,” she continued. “Years too late. But I need to say this anyway.” She swallowed. “I was foolish. I hurt you when you didn’t deserve it. I got carried away by things
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that shouldn’t have mattered. I see that now.”
+25 Points
Silence stretched between us. This was her first apology to me since it all happened. It
sounded strange now.
“I stayed away for so long because I didn’t know how to face you,” she admitted. “But I need you to know that I regret it.”
I regarded her calmly.
The truth was simple–and strangely liberating.
“I don’t need an apology, Diana,” I said. “And I don’t want one.”
Her eyes widened slightly.
“That part of my life is over,” I continued evenly. “I’ve moved on… completely. Whatever existed between us doesn’t anymore.”
She nodded slowly, absorbing it.
“As your Alpha,” I added, making the boundary unmistakable, “I’ll handle the situation you brought to me. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
A pause.
Then she stood.
“I understand,” she said quietly. “Thank you… for your time. I really appreciate it.”
She bowed properly this time before turning toward the door.
DIANA
I wasn’t expecting to run into her.
I had just stepped out of Alexander’s office when I saw her coming down the corridor–like she belonged here in a way I once thought I would.
Faye… She looked… comfortable. Not flashy, not trying–just at ease, like everything revolved around her. That, more than anything, irritated me.
I straightened my shoulders before she noticed me.
“Luna,” I greeted, dipping my head respectfully.
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Her eyes flicked to me politely. “Diana.”
+25 Points
There it was again–that casual familiarity. No tension, no insecurity. As if my presence didn’t
matter.
I smiled anyway.
“I was just on my way out,” I said lightly. “I just finished meeting with Alpha Alexander.”
Her expression didn’t change much, but I saw the brief pause–the flicker of attention.
Good.
“I had a minor problem,” I continued carefully. “Something personal. I needed his assistance.”
I let the words settle before adding, “He was very kind. Agreed to help me.”
There it was. The opening.
Because no matter how composed she looked, no woman liked hearing about another woman sitting across from her mate–especially one with history–asking for help.
I didn’t say any of that out loud, of course.
But in my mind, the thoughts came easily.
She looked too sure. Too settled, like Alexander was hers entirely.
Maybe he was now.
But he had been mine first.
She needed to remember that.
I watched her closely, waiting for something.
“Of course he would help,” Faye said easily. “That’s who he is.”
I blinked.
“Alexander is a good leader,” she went on, her tone warm, almost proud. “He always looks out for his people. One of the many things I love about him.”
The words landed cleanly.
In that instant, the ground shifted beneath me.
I felt foolish for even trying.
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“Yes,” I said, forcing a nod. “He is.”
She didn’t linger; she just walked past me.
“Take care of yourself, Diana.”
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