Chapter 35 CHAPTER 22

Chapter 35 CHAPTER 22
Bronte's POV

Someone is shaking my shoulder.

"Bronte, wake up."

I open my eyes and Irina is standing over me, already dressed, her face tight with concern.

"What time is it?" I ask, my voice rough from lack of sleep.

"Late. You missed breakfast." She sits on the edge of my bed. "Alexander was asking for you."

I sit up too quickly and the room spins. "What did you tell him?"

"That you weren't feeling well. He wanted to come check on you but I said you were sleeping and needed rest."

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet." She crosses her arms. "He's waiting for you downstairs and he doesn't look happy."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean he's been pacing his office for the past hour asking everyone where you are. He's in a mood."

"What kind of mood?"

"The suspicious kind." She lowers her voice. "Bronte, did something happen last night?"

"No."

"You're lying."

"I'm not."

"Yes you are, I can always tell when you're lying." She leans closer. "Did you see Sebastian?"

"Irina—"

"Did you?"

I don't answer.

"Oh god, you did." She stands up. "What happened?"

"Nothing happened. We talked."

"Talked about what?"

"I don't know, books, everything, nothing." I rub my face. "He left before anything could happen."

"And Alexander knows."

"He doesn't know."

"He suspects, which is almost worse." She pulls me out of bed. "Get dressed. Now. The longer you make him wait, the more questions he's going to have."

I drag myself out of bed and get dressed quickly, splashing cold water on my face.

When I go downstairs, Alexander is in his office with the door open, clearly waiting.

"There you are," he says when he sees me. "Come in."

I step inside and he closes the door behind me.

"Sit," he says, gesturing to the chair across from his desk.

I sit.

He doesn't sit. He leans against his desk and looks at me.

"Are you feeling alright?" he asks.

"I'm fine, just didn't sleep well."

"You've been saying that a lot lately."

"It's true."

"Is it?" He tilts his head. "Or is something else bothering you?"

"Like what?"

"That's what I'm trying to figure out." He moves closer. "You've been distracted. Distant. Like your mind is somewhere else even when you're standing right in front of me."

"I'm just tired from all the preparations."

"Are you sure that's all it is?"

"Yes."

He studies my face for a long moment. "I spoke with Sebastian this morning."

My heart skips but I keep my expression neutral. "Oh?"

"I sent him on extended border patrol. He'll be gone for a few days."

"Why?"

"Because I need him focused on pack security and lately he's been distracted too." He watches me carefully. "Funny how you're both distracted at the same time."

"I don't know what you're implying."

"I'm not implying anything. I'm just making an observation." He reaches out and takes my hand. "You're my mate, Bronte. My future Luna. If something is bothering you, I need to know."

"Nothing is bothering me."

"Then look at me and say it."

I meet his eyes. "Nothing is bothering me."

He holds my gaze for another moment before nodding. "Good. Then you won't mind staying close to me today. I have meetings all afternoon and I'd like you there."

"Alexander, I have things to do—"

"They can wait." His voice is firm. "I want you by my side today."

It's not a request.

"Of course," I say.

He smiles and kisses my forehead. "That's my girl."

The first meeting is with his beta about border security. Alexander keeps his hand on my knee the entire time.

"We need to rotate the patrols," the beta says, spreading maps across the desk.

"Agreed. Double the eastern border. That's where we've had the most breaches."

"What about the northern territories?"

"Leave them as is for now." Alexander squeezes my knee. "What do you think, Bronte?"

I look up. "About the patrols?"

"Yes."

"I think whatever you decide is best."

"That's not an answer."

"I don't know enough about pack security to have an opinion."

"Then maybe you should learn." He turns back to his beta. "She'll be Luna soon. She needs to understand how we protect our territory."

The beta nods and continues explaining patrol routes while I sit there and pretend to listen.

The meeting drags on for an hour.

Then there's another meeting with pack elders about ceremony logistics. Alexander keeps his arm around my shoulders this time.

"The ceremony arch is ready," one elder says.

"And the seating?"

"Being arranged as we speak."

"Good. And the guests?"

"Confirmations are coming in daily."

"Bronte, did you want to add anyone to the guest list?" Alexander asks.

"No, I think we have everyone."

"You're sure?"

"Yes."

"Because if there's anyone you want there, now is the time to say."

"I'm sure."

He nods and the meeting continues.

By midday I'm exhausted from sitting still.

Then there's lunch, which Alexander insists we take together in his office while he reviews more documents.

"You're not eating," he says.

"I'm not hungry."

"You need to eat."

"I will later."

"Eat now." He pushes my plate closer. "I need you healthy."

I force myself to take a few bites while he watches.

"Better," he says, and goes back to his documents.

After lunch there's another meeting, this time with the pack coordinator about the ceremony timeline.

"We'll start at sunset," she says.

"Perfect." Alexander looks at me. "That gives you plenty of time to get ready."

"How long does it take to get ready?" the coordinator asks me.

"I don't know."

"We should schedule extra time just in case," Alexander says. "I want everything perfect."

"Of course, Alpha."

The meeting ends and I think I'm finally free, but then Alexander's beta returns with more security concerns.

"There's been activity on the western border."

"What kind of activity?"

"Unknown wolves. They haven't crossed into our territory but they're close."

"Increase patrols there too." Alexander looks at me. "See? This is why security matters."

"I understand."

"Do you? Because you look like you'd rather be anywhere else right now."

"I'm just tired."

"Then rest your head on my shoulder." He pulls me closer. "We'll be done soon."

But we're not done soon.

There's another meeting after that, and another after that, and by the time evening arrives I feel like I've been sitting in this office for days.

Serena appears during a break between meetings.

"There you are," she says to Alexander. "I was looking for you."

"I'm busy," he says.

"I can see that." She glances at me. "Can I borrow Bronte for a moment? I need her opinion on something."

"Whatever it is can wait. She's staying with me today."

Something flickers across Serena's face. "Is everything alright?"

"Everything's fine."

"It's just you two seem very... attached today."

"She's my mate. We're supposed to be attached."

"Of course." She smiles. "I'll come back later then."

She leaves and Alexander turns to his beta.

"Where were we?"

"The western border patrols."

"Right. Double them."

I sit there and try not to scream.

Finally, after dinner, Alexander gets a call he has to take privately.

"Go rest," he tells me. "You look exhausted."

"I am."

"I'll come find you later." He kisses me. "Don't stay up too late."

I practically run to my room and close the door behind me.

I move to the window and look out at the grounds.

It's raining, heavy drops hitting the glass.

That's when I see him.

A figure walking across the grounds toward the pack house.

Sebastian.

He's supposed to be gone for days.

But he came back.

I watch him disappear through the entrance below and I don't move from the window.

Minutes pass.

The rain gets heavier.

Then I see movement in the corridor outside my room, a shadow passing under my door.

A soft knock.

I open it.

Sebastian stands there, soaking wet, his hair plastered to his face, rain dripping onto the floor.

"You came back," I say.

"I shouldn't have."

"But you did."

He looks at me and water runs down his face.

"Can I come in?" he asks quietly.

I step aside and he walks into my room and I close the door behind him.