Chapter 12

~Grace~

“I need to speak with you in person,” Alex told me. “I’ve already spoken to my lawyer, but I don’t want to discuss details over the phone.”

I crossed my legs, leaning back on one hand, sinking into the mattress.

“Where do you want to meet?” I asked, stiffly. I was still upset that he’d call me while he was-

Ugh, it made me so mad!

“The council is meeting the day after tomorrow. Let’s meet then,” Alex replied.

It seemed he was keeping his word about keeping our relationship strictly professional. His voice no longer carried the same amusement it had before.

I nodded to myself, pleased that he had done what I had asked.

I would do the same. Not wanting to draw the conversation out, I shortly agreed and hung up.

The council was open to all Alphas, Betas, Lunas, and Gammas, but only Alphas held voting rights.

The Alpha King and the Lycan King sat at the top, having the most power–and the ability to veto.

Although I didn’t have any decision-making power, I had never missed a council meeting.

I swore I would change the policy so that Lunas, as well as other classes, had voting rights as well. Everyone deserved representation.

I always attended with Liam, to co-govern the Nightshade pack. It wouldn’t be unreasonable for me to go.

After showing up at the charity event last night, Liam would likely expect me at the council, anyway.

But, would he expect me to sit by his side, as I always have?

As I think about the previous council meetings I attended, I remember hearing the excited whisperings of other women, pointing out how handsome Alex was.

At the time, I couldn't understand what they were talking about.

Being married to Liam, and only ever having eyes for him, I never took much notice of Alex, other than sitting tall and powerful on the stage.

However, with fresh eyes and mind, freed from my love for Liam, I realized now what the women were so thrilled about. Alex was stunning to look at.

His sharp bone structure, the prominent shape of his lips and his radiant golden eyes…

I thought of the shiny black hair that often fell over his eyes, and the leather jacket he wore that stretched over his built frame. He awed everyone around him, men and women alike.

Had I really been that blinded by Liam? It was as if Alex hadn’t even existed to me before I met him.

I’d be lying to myself if I didn’t admit Alex was the most handsome man I had ever met.

Arriving at the council in a modest, yet elegant dress, I found the room Alex had texted me directions to.

I stepped inside. It looked to be a very small meeting room, with a few chairs lined up and a whiteboard on the wall.

Alex was already inside, and he stood up once he saw me, towering over me. I was always intimidated by how tall he was–and I was just like a child in front of him.

He was dressed formally for the council, in his typical black, three-piece suit. I was starting to get used to seeing him dressed so nicely.

I didn’t mind. I thought he looked better in a suit, with his hair slicked back, anyway.

He moved close to me. Too close.

I took a step back, the back of my leg hitting a chair, and I stumbled slightly.

A sturdy force stopped me from tumbling backwards, and I quickly realized Alex had caught me, holding me up by the waist.

I stared into his assumed eyes for a moment, face red with embarrassment. It was as if he liked being my knight in shining armor, swooping in to rescue me during my times of need.

I didn’t need him, though. I hadn’t forgotten the phone call from a few days ago where he definitely crossed some boundaries.

“Thank you,” I said quickly, taking his hands off of me.

I couldn’t be mad at him–had he not caught me, I would have fallen. But, I didn’t want him to get the wrong idea about my intentions.

Alex said nothing about it; he only watched me.

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, becoming nervous under his powerful gaze. I felt small, and I knew he could kill me in an instant if he wanted to.

I simply wasn’t strong enough to stop him.

As this thought crossed my mind, my heart skipped a beat. I suddenly disliked being in this small, isolated room with just the two of us.

“Are you satisfied with the gift?” Alex said, suddenly breaking the silence.

I almost jumped.

‘Calm down, you’ve met with him alone, before. You’re being ridiculous,’ I scolded myself as I took a slow, deep breath.

I touched the moonstone necklace.

“It’s gorgeous, I’ve never owned anything so beautiful,” I admitted honestly.

I stared at his neatly tied black tie, unable to make eye contact with him.

What had he brought me here for? He told me there was something important to tell me. Surely, he hadn’t brought me here just for small talk.

Alex placed his hand under my chin and gently, yet firmly, tilted my head upwards.

What was he doing?

I looked into his eyes, trying not to break eye contact.

There wasn’t an imperfection on his face. Other than the disgustingly smug look he wore.

“Who do you think is stronger, me or your husband?” Alex asked, eyes glinting with a wicked type of amusement.

I lowered my brows. What kind of question was that? Did he think he was funny?

Was he trying to intimidate me, or was this entire meeting just about his endless ego battle with Liam?

I slapped his hand away, furious.

For the first time, I saw surprise on Alex’s face, and he stared for a moment at the hand I had struck.

A brief flash of fear seized me, terrified of what Alex would do in repercussion, but I quickly decided to stand my ground.

I had to show him I was not a doll to be played with.

“I am uninterested in such trivial questions. I’m here to discuss what you’ve discovered during your investigation into my husband,” I told him, firmly.

Alex stayed silent for a moment, and I instinctively shrank into myself. Had I angered him?

Slowly, he lowered his hand and shoved it into his pocket. He shifted his weight, leaning against the wall.

“Liam is more cunning than he makes himself seem,” Alex responded finally, tone casual. “His Gamma makes it quite difficult to get close to him.”

“I see,” I responded, anxious. He must have found something worthwhile, otherwise he wouldn’t have brought me here.

“I did manage to get this, however,” Alex said, presenting me with a paper.

I stared at it. What was this?

Taking it, I scanned through the information. Sophia’s name was on it, and it seemed to be a medical report of some kind…

No-!

My heart stopped, and I clasped my hand over my mouth.

Sophia was pregnant!