FAYE
The sun was already high by the time I stepped outside. The entire western field of Blood Crescent territory had transformed overnight–canvas tents rising, tables stacked in rows, lanterns being tested along the walkway, and warriors moving equipment like we were preparing for a royal coronation.
Well… in a way, we were.
Alexander’s Ring of Fire victory ceremony wasn’t exactly a small affair.
I spotted Irene instantly. She stood in the middle of the field, arms crossed, brow arched, watching the event planner like she was judging an amateur about to ruin her entire bloodline. The poor
planner’s hands shook as she directed her assistants to adjust the drapes on the main stage.
I sighed and walked toward her.
“Irene,” I called, “you’re terrorizing the staff.”
She didn’t look at me; she kept staring at the trembling planner. “I’m supervising.”
“I hired an event planner. Let her do her job.”
“You don’t understand, Faye. Some of them only do the job for money, not because they actually have talent,” she said flatly. “I’m doing the pack a favor.”
I snorted. “Your definition of ‘favor‘ looks like emotional destruction.”
Finally, she glanced at me, then gave me a once–over. “What are you even doing here? Shouldn’t
you
be at work?”
I rolled my eyes dramatically. “Why don’t you ask your brother? He has managed to make me lose my job by forcing me to be absent so often, like I’m the first woman in the world to be pregnant and employed.”
Irene’s expression softened a little. “Faye, I know he does too much sometimes, but he’s looking out for your health. And the baby’s. Besides-” she shrugged with a little smirk- “it’s not like you need the job.”
“Yes, I do,” I said before she could even blink. “Alexander might be providing everything now, but I need something for myself. What happens when-
I stopped.
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My mouth snapped shut as if someone grabbed the words right out of the
Irene turned to me fully now. “When what?”
Her tone wasn’t sharp. It was careful.
“Never mind,” I said quickly.
“No.” She stepped closer, lowering her voice. “Finish the sentence, Faye.”
But I couldn’t.
Because the moment the thought fully formed, nausea curled in my stomach.
+25 Points
She watched my face. And the realization lit in her eyes with a mixture of disbelief and something like hurt.
“You think there’s a possibility Alexander might stop caring for you,” she said quietly. “That’s what
you were about to say.”
I dropped my gaze. “It’s not like that. We’re not having problems. I just… I’m realistic, Irene. Anything is possible.”
She exhaled sharply. “In this case, not with him.”
I laughed because she looked like she genuinely wanted to strangle me for doubting her brother. I’m just being honest. I’d feel more secure making my own money, having my own identity. I don’t mean it in a bad way.”
Irene pressed a hand to her forehead. “So that’s why you refused to work at crescent Dynamics?”
Heat rushed up my neck. “Maybe.”
She groaned dramatically. “Faye…”
“What?” I raised both hands defensively. “If work there, then I become ‘Alexander’s mate who works for Alexander, in Alexander’s company, under Alexander’s authority.‘ What part of that screams independence to you?”
“It screams sense,” she snapped lightly. “It screams convenience, good pay, exceptional working conditions, and a boss who would literally die before overworking you.”
“See? That’s exactly the problem,” I muttered.
Irene opened her mouth–then shut it again. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she studied me, like she could piece together every insecurity I was trying so hard to hide.
“If Alexander heard you talking like this…” she started.
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I groaned. “Please, don’t tell him.”
“You think he would ever leave you?” she insisted.
+25 Points
I forced a smile. “It’s not about him leaving me. I just don’t want my entire identity to revolve
around him. I love him–more than I’ve loved anything–but that doesn’t mean I should disappear
into him.”
Irene sighed again, very dramatically–as if my existence exhausted her–and shook her head.
“Sometimes,” she said, “I don’t know whether to hug you or flick you.”
“Flicking would hurt the baby,” I said with a shrug.
“That’s the only reason you’re safe.”
We shared a smile, the tension melting a little.
Workers hurried around us, adding more ribbons to the walkway. The event planner glanced at Irene nervously from across the field, as if awaiting another execution order. Irene lifted her chin in approval this time, and the woman nearly collapsed in relief.
I leaned in closer. “See? She’s doing fine.”
“For now,” Irene muttered. “We’ll see how she handles the lighting.”
Alexander found us before Irene could resume terrorizing the event planner.
His eyes scanned the crowd once, sharp and searching. The second they la tension in his posture instantly eased.
He exhaled… relief, unmistakable relief… and walked straight to me.
on me, the
“There you are,” he said, reaching me in three long steps. “I went to the chambers and didn’t see you. You left your phone inside.”
“Oh.” I winced. “Sorry. I didn’t realize. Irene kidnapped me.”
“I was taking care of her,” Irene corrected.
“Same thing.”
Alexander cupped the side of my jaw briefly, his thumb brushing my cheekbone in that unconscious way he had when he was making sure I was okay. “You should have taken your phone.
My heart softened instantly, traitor that it was.
“I’m sorry,” I murmured, leaning up to kiss him softly.
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He kissed me back–simple, familiar, but still enough to make Irene loudly was being assaulted by affection.
Alexander ignored her.
+25 Points
hroat like she
“I need you to come with me,” he said quietly, his hand sliding down to hold mine. “I was just talking with Cole, and he mentioned an idea you came up with in my absence. I want to hear it properly.”
Irene crossed her arms. “Of course you do.”
I shot her a look before turning back to Alexander. “Alright, I’ll join you.”
He squeezed my hand once in thanks and turned to head back toward the packhouse.
The moment he was out of hearing distance, Irene smirked, then gave me a look so pointed I could
practically feel it stabbing me.
“This,” she said loudly, sweeping her arm toward Alexander’s retreating figure, “is the man you think
might leave you one day?”
I blinked. “Irene-”
“No, no, no, don’t ‘Irene‘ me.” She stepped closer, lowering her voice but not her intensity. “He is completely wrapped around you, Faye. Completely. It’s embarrassing. It’s disgusting. I’m actually
nauseous.”
I snorted so hard I almost choked. “Oh, please-”
J
you? The way he “Don’t argue with me.” She jabbed a finger in my direction. “The way he talk looks at you when he talks? The way he holds you even when he’s not trying to be romantic?” She made a face like she was witnessing a tragedy. “It’s sickening”
I laughed. “You’re dramatic.”
“Dramatically honest.” She flipped her hair. “If he stares at you any harder, you’ll start glowing.”
I shook my head. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And you’re not thinking clearly,” she said sweetly. “Now go. He’s waiting for you before he combusts.”
I rolled my eyes and swatted her arm lightly. “Whatever.”
Then I turned and started after Alexander.
And despite how much I tried to pretend Irene’s words were just her being… well, Irene….
A warm ache settled in my chest, because she was right.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
