Ella POV Alexander’s mood was noticeably brighter than it had been all week. His team had won the race, and as we made our way toward the car, there was a lightness in his step and an irrepressible grin on his face. "I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy," I teased. "I can’t remember the
Alexander placed his hand over mine on the table, his touch firm but reassuring. His warning look was unmistakable, and I steeled myself, realizing who was walking toward us. "Alpha Lake," Alexander greeted evenly as the man reached our table. "Good evening, Alpha Black," Derrick replied. "I hop
Ella POV Alexander and Derrick Lake stared at each other as our waiter returned to the table, bringing our desserts. That’s when Lily Lake spoke, breaking the tension. "Excuse me," she said, addressing the waiter. "If you don't mind, could you bring a bottle of nice dessert champagne?" "Ma’am?
Why should I be embarrassed? Alexander was my husband. This was exactly the kind of behavior expected of newlyweds, wasn’t it? Drunk, giggling, and falling all over each other—even in public. I couldn’t have planned it better if I tried. But this wasn’t a stunt. This was genuine. We’d had a wonder
Alexander POV I stared at Ella. The look on her face was teasing, but her eyes told a different story. They were dark, intent—appraising. She wasn’t just joking. At least, I didn’t think so. Her confidence when she said I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference wasn’t misplaced. It unsettled me.
Ella POV Alexander moved the moment the words left my mouth. His lips were on mine and his hand gripped my hips firmly. It was far from our first kiss, but it made my heart race and my skin tingle plesantly anyway. I wrapped my arms around his neck, returning the kiss eagerly. I hadn’t been ly
Ella POV The trip upstairs to the apartment was mostly silent. I couldn't speak for Alexander, but I was feeling strangely sober after what had just passed between us. I didn’t regret it exactly, but I knew it had been a mistake—a mistake I had insisted upon making. Alexander seemed composed, bu
Ella POV The rest of the evening with Alexander was quiet. We were both tired from the long day, and each seemed lost in our own thoughts. The next morning wasn’t much different. Alexander, to my surprise, seemed more hungover than either of us had anticipated and decided to sleep in—a rarity fo
Ella POVThe night we had been working towards for so long was finally here. It didn’t seem real, but it was finally happening.It was election night.All day Alexander and I had been answering questions from reporters and making phonecalls to voters, hoping to get as many people as possible to show
He glanced at me, a knowing look passing between us. We would face whatever came next together.After dinner, Sabrina and Alexander took Lexie up to get ready for bed. She wanted a bedtime story from Alexander and he seemed happy to do it.Once we were alone in the living room, my mother pulled me t
Ella POVAlexander and I spent the day in my family’s packlands with Lexie, a rare moment of peace before the election.The official statement revealing Lexie’s identity had been carefully crafted—Alexander had asked for privacy for her sake.The response had been mixed, but most people saw it as a
“It does,” Elizabeth said. “But people also fear what they don’t understand. Alexander has spent years in the shadows. Half of what he’s done is still a secret. People don’t know that he’s…” she hesitated, looking away for a moment. “Now, they’re being asked to trust him with the kingdom.” She sighe
Ella POVI sat across from Elizabeth at a quiet restaurant, a half-empty glass of wine in front of me. The air between us was lighter than it had been in months, but there was still an unspoken tension—a lingering wound that was still healing.Elizabeth had taken the revelations about Alexander, Dav
Ella POVThe news of Ironfang’s arrest tore through the kingdom like wildfire. Fear gripped the people as they learned the horrifying truth—powerful figures within their own government had been working with the North.For years, the enemy had been closer than anyone had realized, pulling strings in
Alexander POVI stood before the King, my body still weak from the poison, but my mind sharp and steady. Ella stood at my side, her presence grounding me, a silent promise that we would face whatever came next together.I could feel the weight of her gaze on me, the quiet strength she offered just b
Ella POVIt took several days before Alexander could stay awake for more than a few minutes at a time.Those days felt like an eternity to me, sitting at his bedside, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest, hoping for any sign of improvement. The doctors assured me that the worst had passed, b
The King’s orders were not something you ignored. And though I had no desire to leave Alexander’s side, I couldn’t risk further angering the King—especially when I had no idea what he would do with the information I had.Still, my resolve weakened as she glanced at Alexander one last time. “He’ll be