Chapter 299
+25 Points
Roman was sitting up on the edge of the bed when Dr. Adams walked in. He wasn’t sleeping. Just sitting there, hands loosely clasped, gaze lowered like he’d been listening to something only he could hear.
“You look good,” Dr. Adams said lightly as she closed the door behind her. “You’re upright.”
Roman looked up.
There was no panic in his expression. No confusion. Just that steady, watchful calm he seemed to default
- to.
“Is there a problem?” he asked.
Dr. Adams almost smiled. “No. Quite the opposite.”
Roman exhaled like he had been holding his breath.
Dr. Adams walked closer, flipping open the thin file she carried more out of habit than necessity. She’d
memorized the contents already.
“You’ve responded well,” she said. “Physically, you’re stable. No residual complications from the injury. Your vitals have been consistent. You’re eating properly. Sleeping better.”
Roman nodded once.
“We’ll keep monitoring from a distance,” Dr. Adams continued, “but there’s no medical reason to keep you
here.”
A pause.
Roman absorbed that without visible reaction.
“So,” Dr. Adams said, closing the file, “you’re being discharged this evening.”
Silence stretched for a moment.
Roman’s mood didn’t brighten. He didn’t smile..didn’t frown.
He just asked, “Where am I going?” He already knew that, but he had to make sure.
“To the main house,” Dr. Adams replied. “The Alpha’s wing.”
FAYE
After Alexander drove out, I decided to face the next important task I had to do for today.
I didn’t summon the entire household.
Only those assigned to the Alpha’s wing.
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The message was simple: report to the sitting room off the central corridor. Immediate.
+25 Points
They arrived in less than ten minutes–the head of household operations, the internal security lead for this wing, the kitchen head, and two attendants responsible for the upper floor. No one wasted time asking
questions on the way in. They stood in a loose semicircle, waiting.
I stepped in and closed the door behind me.
“Thank you for coming,” I said.
They inclined their heads. “Luna.”
I didn’t sit. This wouldn’t take long.
“There will be an adjustment in this wing starting today.”
Their attention sharpened, subtle but present. Changes in the Alpha’s wing were never casual.
“A young male currently under medical supervision will be discharged this afternoon. He will be brought
here directly and housed in the guest suite. The second room.”
The head of operations nodded once, already cataloguing what needed to be done.
“He will be residing here under my guardianship,” I continued.
There was a brief stillness at that.
“His name is Roman.” I had to make that one clear, even though I was sure they already knew who I was
talking about.
“He is not registered within the pack,” I added. “His presence here is by my authority and with the Alpha’s
approval.”
The internal security lead spoke carefully. “Will his movement be restricted, Luna?”
“Yes. He is not to enter the yard or the general pack quarters. He remains within this wing unless
accompanied.”
“Understood.”
“Security adjustments should be quiet,” I said. “No visible increase in patrols. No discussion outside this
corridor.”
The security lead nodded again. “It will be handled.”
I shifted my gaze to the head of operations.
“The room is to be prepared immediately. Fresh linens. Functional furnishings only. Remove unnecessary
decorations.”
“Yes, Luna.”
“Keep the space simple.”
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She gave a short nod, already mentally assigning tasks.
I looked to the attendants.
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“You will treat him with respect. No speculation. No personal questions. If he requires assistance, you
provide it. If there is uncertainty about boundaries, you come to me.”
They both answered at once. “Yes, Luna.”
The kitchen head waited quietly, hands folded.
“Meals should follow the clinic’s dietary recommendations until further notice,” I said. “Balanced portions,
regular times. Ensure he eats well.”
The kitchen head inclined her head. “Of course.”
The security lead spoke again. “Excuse me, Luna. What if he attempts to exceed the limits?”
“You inform me first,” I said evenly. “No escalation unless necessary.”
He held my gaze for a moment, then nodded. “Understood.”
“This is not temporary in the sense of days,” I continued. “There is no defined end date. You will treat his
welfare as part of this household.”
That settled it. I briefly thought about Alexander’s ultimatum… but I brushed it aside.
The head of operations straightened slightly. “Is there anything specific we should be aware of?”
“For now, no. He is recovering. He will need space to adjust. Structure will help.”
I let the silence sit for a second before concluding.
“If there are concerns, they come to me. Directly.”
A chorus of acknowledgment followed.
“Very well,” I said. “You may begin preparations.”
They started to file out efficiently–security first, already thinking through shift rotations; the attendants
close behind; the head of operations moving with purpose.
“Martha,” I said before she reached the door. “Stay a moment.”
She paused. “Yes, Luna.”
The others exited, closing the door softly behind them.
When we were alone, I turned fully toward her.
“There will be a special dinner tonight.”
Her expression shifted slightly–alert but neutral. “For the household?”
“For the Alpha’s table.”
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She nodded once. “How many?”
“Five.”
She waited for clarification.
“Roman will be present,” I said. “And the Beta is bringing his mate.”
Understanding dawned quietly in her eyes. “Ah.”
“It will be her first formal dinner here.”
“Then it should be welcoming,” she said thoughtfully.
“Yes. Nothing excessive,” I replied. “But good enough.”
She folded her hands. “Any preferences?”
“Balanced courses. Not overly heavy. Something nice.”
She gave the faintest hint of a smile at that description. “I understand.”
“And set the table properly,” I added. “Not ceremonial… just correct.”
“Of course, Luna.”
I considered for a moment.
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“And… Martha, no discussion in the kitchen about Roman’s arrival,” I said calmly. “The staff already know he is coming. That is sufficient.”
Her face grew serious. “There won’t be.”
“I want the evening to feel normal,” I continued. “Not like an event.”
“Yes, Luna.”
I nodded once.
“That will be all.”
She inclined her head respectfully and left the room.
When the door closed behind her, a room was being prepared. Security patterns were being adjusted. The
kitchen would begin planning courses.
By evening, Roman would walk through the front entrance not as a patient, but as a member of the household…for now.
Yet I still had nothing to say to Alexander. But I was sure I was going to figure something out before
tomorrow.
