Chapter 0271
Ella POV
“How did Fiona trick you into coming out with her tonight.” Alexander asked, a teasing smirk tugging at his lips as we settled into a dimly lit booth at the warm cocktail bar up the street.
Fiona kicked him under the table. Alexander winced and hissed in pain.
I laughed, unable to help myself, though Carlos looked uncomfortable, his eyes darting toward Fiona.
“Where are you from?” I asked, turning my attention to Carlos to ease the tension.
“Red Oak,” he said softly.
“Are you related to the Alpha?” I asked, taking note that they shared a last name.
“He’s my uncle,” Carlos replied, glancing at me briefly before lowering his gaze.
“He’s a good man,” I said, smiling kindly to reassure him. I’ve met him a few times. Our packs have good relations.”
Carlos nodded. “He told me all about your wedding,” he said. “He was very impressed with how well–planned it was. That sort of thing is very important to him. He says if someone can plan an event well, they can lead well.
“That’s an interesting metric to go by, but I can see the logic in it,” I replied thoughtfully.
It did make sense–planning an event was like leadership in some ways. You had to anticipate the needs and desires of others and find efficient, effective solutions to address them.
“I didn’t see you at the wedding,” Alexander interjected, his tone curious. “You weren’t Fiona’s plus–one?”
“I had to work that night, unfortunately,” Carlos answered
“What do you do?” I asked.
“I’m a border guard at the moment,” he said.
Beside me, I felt Alexander stiffen slightly. The Oak Pack’s territory was to the north of Alexander’s, and one of three territories that directly bordered the Roguelands. Being a border guard there was an incredibly dangerous job.
“That’s impressive,” Alexander said, his voice serious now Thank you for your work.”
Carlos shifted uncomfortably, mumbling a response I couldn’t quite catch.
“He g
nervous when you praise him,” Fiona said with a fond smile, nudging him playfully.
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“I’m sure you’ve seen some crazy things working at the border,” Alexander added, his tone conversational but lined with genuine curiosity.
Carlos shrugged slightly, his voice soft. “A little,” he said. “Nothing worth talking about, really.”
Carlos seemed like a nice guy, but his discomfort was evident. Hoping to ease the tension, I decided to change the subject. I turned to Flona, who was engrossed in the cocktail menu.
“Are you still taking that yoga class?” I asked.
“Yes!” she replied enthusiastically, looking up with a bright smile. “Have you been thinking about joining me? It’s a lot of fun, I promise.”
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Chapter 0271
“I might,” I said, hesitating slightly. “I want to speak to my doctor about it first. I’m focusing my exercises on helping my wolf resurface, so I need to make sure the classes will actually help with that.”
“Oh,” Fiona said, her expression softening as her eyes widened. “I’d heard a little about your illness, but I didn’t know you were in treatment.”
“It’s a complicated situation,” I admitted, shifting in my sent. “But the doctors seem to think I can fully recover in time.”
“That’s so fantastic to hear!” Fiona said, her excitement genuine.
“It’s not something we’re being public about,” Alexander interjected, his tone carrying a quiet warning.
“As if I’d spread rumors about Ella,” Fiona said, pretending to be offended.
“You do have a hard time keeping your mouth shut,” Alexander said pointedly.
A guilty look flickered across Fiona’s face before she smirked. “Well, if you didn’t keep so many secrets, you wouldn’t have to worry about what I say,” she retorted.
Alexander glared at her, but Fiona only rolled her eyes.
“You two actually behave like siblings,” I said, hoping to steer the conversation away from their bickering.
“Alexander would be the most annoying big brother in the world,” Fiona said dramatically. “I don’t know how Michael puts up with you.‘
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Chapter 0272
Chapter 0272
“Michael’s far more mature than you are,” Alexander shot back.
“As if he had a choice,” Fiona quipped.
“What does that mean?” I asked, curiosity piqued.
“With a mother like Diana, it’s not like he had the luxury of a normal childhood,” Fiona said casually, her tone light but her words weighted.
“That’s true enough,” Alexander agreed, his gaze fixed on the drink menu. “Mother forced Michael to take every extracurricular activity, class, and training available.”
“You’d think he was being groomed to be Alpha,” Fiona murmured under her breath.
The word hit me like a shockwave. I turned to Alexander, searching his face for a reaction, but he said nothing, his attention still firmly on the menu.
“Why would Diana even consider the possibility of Michael becoming Alpha?” I asked, my voice low, “That would mean… something terrible would have to happen to you.”
Alexander’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond.
Fiona leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Diana’s always been like that,” she said softly. “For as long as I can remember. She’s… a lot. I don’t mean to speak ill of her, but there are times I really wonder what her motivations are.”
“I understand,” I said, nodding slowly. “The way she talks sometimes puts me on edge.”
“Trust me, it’s not just you,” Fiona said with a faint smile, glancing toward Alexander.
His expression remained unreadable, but the tension in his shoulders spoke volumes,
“You mentioned before that Diana is a gossip,” I said, leaning slightly forward. “Do you really think she might say something that could cause problems for us?”
Fiona shook her head. “I don’t think it’s anything we need to worry about,” she said thoughtfully. “But sometimes she speaks without thinking–or at least that’s how it seems to me.”
“There’s nothing to worry about,” Alexander interjected firmly. His tone left little room for debate. “We appreciate your concern, but my mother isn’t going to cause us any problems.”
“You seem very certain about that,” I said, studying him.
Fiona reached across the table and patted Alexander’s forearm gently. “I’m not trying to be a pain,” she said, her voice warm. “I’m just worried about you, honestly.”
Alexander placed his hand over hers absentmindedly. “I understand,” he said, his tone softening. “And I appreciate your help, but in this case, it’s not needed.”
The quiet moment between them sparked a memory. Details from the original timeline came flooding back to me
the specifics of Fiona and Alexander’s wedding.
It hadn’t happened until after the scandal that derailed Alexander’s political career. The marriage must have been as much of a façade as mine to him, a calculated move to salvage his reputation.
Seeing them now, it was clear Fiona had stepped in not out of romance, but loyalty. She cared deeply for Alexander, and he trusted her implicitly.
Chapter 0272
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All my previous jealousy felt misplaced. There had never been anything romantic between them–just a profound bond between two friends willing to do whatever it took to support one another.
Alexander caught me staring and quickly removed his hand from Fiona’s. She noticed the abrupt movement, leaning back in her seat and glancing at me with a curious expression.
I offered them both a reassuring smile. There was no need to feel jealous–there never had been.
Now that I recalled the timing of their marriage, it all made sense. Alexander had needed her, and Fiona had agreed to step in. That was all.
If anything, this realization made me feel more confident. Having someone as loyal as Fiona on our side could only help us in the months ahead, as the election process heated up.
Alexander hadn’t even announced his candidacy yet, but it already felt like we were entrenched in the battle.
For now, though, tonight was about relaxing and enjoying a pleasant evening together. Soon enough, everything would change.
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