Chapter 244
Chapter 245
ALEXANDER
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The sharp thud of fist against padded glove echoed through the training room as Cole’s punch connected with my guard. I absorbed the impact easily, but my counter came a beat too late.
Cole stepped back, eyes narrowing. “You’re distracted.”
I exhaled, rolling my shoulders. “I’m fine.”
He scoffed and bounced lightly on his feet. “You’ve been ‘fine‘ for the past five minutes, and I’ve landed more hits in that time than I usually do in twenty. So, of course, I believe you.”
I lifted my gloves again, but my stance lacked its usual edge. We circled once more, trading jabs. His fist clipped my shoulder–another mistake I wouldn’t normally make.
“Alright,” Cole said, dropping his guard and backing off. “That’s enough.”
I frowned. “We’re not done.”
“Oh, we are,” he replied. “Because you’re not here, and I think we both know that.”
I lowered my gloves slowly, irritation flickering through me. “I said I’m fine.”
“And I said you’re lying,” he shot back. “Which means something’s on your mind.”
I pulled the gloves off and tossed them onto the bench, running a hand through my hair. “I’m just not feeling it today.”
Cole stared at me like I’d just confessed to growing wings. “Since when do you quit a session? ”
“Since today.”
He folded his arms, studying me. “Let me guess. Diana.”
I stared at him blankly.
Cole’s lips curved into a knowing grin. “Of course it is.”
I turned toward him sharply. “It’s not.”
“Uh–huh.” He tilted his head. “You can play unbothered all you want, but don’t insult my intelligence. That woman never shows up without stirring something. Do you still have
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feelings for her?”
“I don’t have feelings for her,” I said flatly
Cole snorted. “You better not. Because if you tell me you’re still hung up on that witch, I wil personally knock some sense into you.”
I huffed. “I said I don’t, and I mean it.”
“But,” he added smoothly, “her presence stirred emotions.
I didn’t deny it.
“All she represents is bad memories,” I said instead. “For me. And for my mother.”
Cole’s expression sobered. “That part, I believe.”
I leaned back against the wall, arms crossed. “She even started apologizing.”
Cole’s eyes widened. “She started what?”
I nodded once. “Apologizing.”
There was a beat of stunned silence–then Cole burst out laughing.
He bent forward, hands braced on his knees, laughter filling the room. “No way. No way.”
I wondered what was so funny. “She wasn’t groveling,” I said dryly.
“I don’t care,” he shot back, still laughing. “The fact that Diana finally climbed down from her high horse is the best thing I’ve heard all week.”
I shook my head, a reluctant smile tugging at my lips. “You’re enjoying this too much.”
“After what she did to you?” He straightened, wiping his eyes. “I’m enjoying it exactly enough.
His grin softened. “What did you say?”
“That there was no need to apologize,” I replied. “That I didn’t need it anymore.”
He studied me for a moment. “And?”
“And that I was over it.”
Cole nodded slowly. “Huh.”
“What?”
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“I’m proud of you,” he said simply. “You spent years thinking you needed closure. Turns out you healed so well you don’t even need it anymore.”
I exhaled, something in my chest easing. “That realization hit me mid–conversation.”
“Growth,” he said smugly. “Looks good on you, Alpha.”
“Don’t get used to it,” I said.
“Oh, I am.”
I hesitated, then added, “That wasn’t why she came, though.”
Cole’s interest faded instantly. “Of course not.”
“She wanted help,” I continued. “An Iron Claw wolf is trying to push her family off their land.”
Cole blinked. “Oh.”
“That’s it?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I really couldn’t pretend to care. Diana and her parents deserve every problem that finds them.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that Iron Claw has no business stepping into Blood Crescent territory and claiming land,” I said calmly. “If I let that slide, they’ll try something worse next
time.”
Cole rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed–but after a moment, he nodded.
“Yeah,” he said reluctantly. “You’re right.”
Cole pushed off the wall, clearly ready to move on, when I spoke again.
“I’m assigning this to you,” I said casually.
Cole stopped mid–step.
He turned slowly. “With all due respect, Alpha–hell no.”
I folded my arms across my chest, a slow, knowing smirk settling on my face. “Why not?”
Cole just looked at me.
It wasn’t a glare. It wasn’t defiance either. It was a long, loaded stare that carried years of shared history, grudges, and very specific trauma tied to one particular woman.
I didn’t need words.
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I sighed, rubbing a hand over my jaw. “If you won’t handle it simply because you don’t like the idea of helping Diana, then I will have to.”
Cole’s expression darkened slightly.
“And that means,” I continued evenly, “I’ll be directly involved… Meetings, updates, constant communication.”
I paused deliberately. “With her,” I added.
That did it.
Cole grimaced as if he’d bitten into something sour. “Absolutely not.”
I arched a brow.
“You’re not doing that,” Cole said firmly. “I won’t let you.”
“Then you’ll take the assignment,” I replied, unfazed.
Cole stared at me for a moment, jaw tightening, then exhaled sharply. “Damn it.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “Fine. Say no more.”
My smirk returned, subtle but victorious.
“But,” Cole added quickly, pointing a finger at me, “let’s be clear. This is not about Diana. This is a personal favor I’m doing for you.”
I nodded. “For the honor of the pack too.”
Cole scoffed. “And what about my honor?”
“I’ll reward you,” I said.
Cole studied me, suspicion written all over his face. “That’s vague.”
“It won’t be,” I replied smoothly.
A beat passed.
Cole sighed again, already resigned. “I hate that you know exactly how to trap me into agreeing.”
I smirked again.
My phone buzzed in my hand, cutting cleanly through the tail end of my conversation with Cole.
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I glanced at the screen and frowned slightly before answering. “Irene?”
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Her voice came through tense, edged with concern. “Alex, I’ve been calling Mom since I landed. Her phone is off. That’s not like her–she was supposed to pick me up this morning.”
I straightened instantly, every trace of humor or banter gone.
“How long has it been off?” I asked.
“I’m not sure. But I’ve been trying since before my flight landed,” Irene replied. “I thought maybe she was sleeping, but… it’s been too long.”
My jaw tightened. “Don’t worry. Stay where you are.”
There was a brief pause. “Okay…”
“I’ll send someone to pick you up,” I continued calmly. “And I’ll have someone close check on Mom immediately.”
Another pause–shorter this time, relieved but still uneasy. “Alright. Thank you.”
The line went dead as Irene ended the call.