Chapter 175 Complicated Relations

Chapter 175 Complicated Relations
Amelia's POV

I grabbed my purse and keys from the hall table, calling out a quick goodbye to Mom who was busy in the kitchen. The smell of her homemade cinnamon rolls lingered in the air, making my stomach growl despite the breakfast I'd already eaten.

"I'll walk you out," Nathan said, following me to the door.

Outside, the morning air was crisp with the promise of autumn. Nathan stood with his hands shoved in his pockets, his expression suddenly serious.

"Listen, Lia, about Alexander..." He hesitated, running a hand through his dark hair. "I can drive you home from now on. You don't need to rely on him."

I sighed. "Nate, I appreciate the concern, but I promise everything's fine. I'm actually... I'm doing really well now." I couldn't stop the small smile that formed on my lips.

"I can see that," he said, studying my face. "You look happier than you have in months. After what happened with Daniel and then at the Luna Festival..." He trailed off, not wanting to resurrect painful memories.

If only you knew the full story, brother. I wanted to tell him everything—how Alexander and I had grown closer, how we'd shared those intense moments in private, how my heart raced every time he looked at me.

But the words stuck in my throat. How could I explain something I barely understood myself?

"Tomorrow's your birthday," Nathan said suddenly, changing the subject. "Any big plans?"

My pulse quickened. I'd been thinking about my birthday for weeks, planning exactly what I would say to Alexander. It was time to stop dancing around what we both felt. Time to embrace the mate bond that had formed between us, regardless of the complications.

"Nothing special," I lied. "Maybe dinner with Mom."

Nathan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Just be home early tonight, okay? Mom's planning a surprise."

I nodded, though my thoughts were already racing ahead to the day that waited for me—to seeing Alexander.

"I will. Promise." I hugged Nathan quickly and hurried to my car.

---

The elevator ride to Alexander's floor felt endless. My reflection in the polished metal doors showed a woman I barely recognized sometimes—more confident, more determined than the girl who'd stumbled into that first interview months ago.

When I reached Alexander's office, I hesitated for just a moment before stepping inside. He sat behind his massive desk, head bent over paperwork, dark hair falling slightly over his forehead. The morning sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows highlighted the sharp angles of his face.

I cleared my throat softly.

His head snapped up, those piercing blue eyes locking with mine. My heart stuttered in my chest, that familiar heat spreading through me.

"Good morning," I said, my voice softer than I'd intended.

"Morning." His gaze lingered on my face before returning to his papers.

I stepped closer to his desk, fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of my blazer. "You're not still mad about yesterday, are you?" The question came out more vulnerable than I'd planned.

He looked up again, his expression unreadable. "No."

That single word, so typical of Alexander's economy with language, somehow made me breathe easier. I moved closer, intending to place the coffee I'd brought him on his desk, when the door burst open behind me.

"Boss, why the hell aren't you answering your phone? I've been—" Carlos stopped abruptly when he saw me. "Oh. Sorry, I didn't realize you had company."

Alexander's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "What is it, Carlos?"

Carlos glanced at me, then back to Alexander. "Richard has called five times this morning, and his son Ca—" He cut himself off, suddenly aware of my presence.

The tension in the room thickened instantly.

"Amelia," Alexander said, his voice controlled, "would you mind getting me some coffee?"

It wasn't really a question. I nodded, recognizing the dismissal for what it was—a need for privacy.

"Of course," I murmured, turning to leave.

Alexander's POV

As the door closed behind Amelia, I watched her silhouette disappear through the frosted glass. The light scent of her perfume lingered in the air.

"Now that we have privacy," I said, turning my attention to Carlos, "speak freely."

Carlos's face was tense as he dropped into the chair across from me. "Richard Blackwell has called five times this morning. His son Caius is also looking for you."

I reached for my cigarettes, tapping one out of the pack with practiced ease. "Richard again. What is it this time?"

"Yesterday's situation was worse than we thought," Carlos said, leaning forward. "He's done with your excuses about postponing the engagement ceremony with Cassandra. He's demanding a formal answer."

I lit my cigarette, the flame briefly illuminating my face. Ever since the Luna Festival when I'd abruptly halted the marking ceremony with Cassandra, Richard had been seething. For months, he'd been sending messages, making calls, demanding explanations about when I would complete the ritual with his daughter. Each time, I'd offered vague responses and diplomatic delays.

"Let him call," I said, exhaling a stream of smoke toward the ceiling. "He's been harassing me about this engagement for months."

"It's different this time," Carlos warned. "His son Caius has returned from the Northern Territories. They're coming together, and Caius is... unpredictable."

I felt my lip curl involuntarily. Caius Blackwell – arrogant, volatile, and perpetually in his father's shadow. His return complicated matters.

"Richard mentioned something else," Carlos continued, his voice dropping lower. "He's heard rumors... about you and Amelia."

My eyes snapped to his. "What exactly did he say?"

"He claims to have proof of a mate bond," Carlos said carefully. "If what Richard is saying is true, no one can stop you from claiming what's yours. Not even the Council. Mate bonds are sacred under pack law."

A cold smile touched my lips. Richard had spent years pushing his daughter toward me, seeking power through alliance. Now he was desperate to salvage what he could of his wounded pride.

"Is it true?" Carlos asked, studying my face.

I took another long drag of my cigarette, revealing nothing. Richard's timing was not coincidental – with Amelia's birthday tomorrow, he was making his final play before the inevitable.

"What are you planning to do?" Carlos pressed, clearly concerned.

I tapped ash from my cigarette, watching it fall. "Everything is proceeding exactly as I've planned."