Chapter 160

Chapter 160
Fiona's POV

The air in the conference room felt stifling. The budget dispute over the northern district expansion had dragged on for two hours.

"The cement shortage is severe. If we can't secure another batch from the surface, the construction timeline will be delayed by at least—"

"Emergency!"

A shrill howl brutally tore through the meeting's atmosphere.

Raymond burst in, his face deathly pale, abandoning even basic protocol. "Fiona! We have a problem! Outside the city... there's a large armed force outside the city!"

The conference room fell into instant silence.

I shot to my feet, my chair scraping harshly against the floor.

"How many? What's their equipment?" My voice was terrifyingly calm.

"Not many—maybe twenty or so—but they move in perfect formation, highly trained, definitely elite forces!" Raymond gasped for breath. "They've stopped on the wasteland five kilometers out. No attack yet, but the pressure they're radiating... it's terrifying!"

My heart sank. This didn't sound like the ragtag rogue packs from the surrounding areas.

The tall tree catches the wind.

Sunlight City's rise had been too rapid, catching everyone off guard. I'd known this day would come—when powerful forces would covet our resources or fear our order.

"Level one alert," I commanded coldly. "All guards to their positions!"

When I climbed onto the city wall, the biting wind carried wasteland sand against my face.

At the front of that group stood a man.

Even across such distance, even with his aura deliberately restrained, I recognized that figure instantly.

Alexander.

My heart seemed to stop beating for that single moment, then began hammering wildly against my ribcage.

He had come.

What was he here for?

A mixture of fear, fury, and unwillingness surged through me.

I didn't fear war, but I feared being trampled beneath his feet again, feared watching him effortlessly destroy everything I'd built.

Yet the anticipated attack never came.

That formidable force halted one kilometer from the city gates.

Then that man raised his hand.

An emissary in a black windbreaker walked out alone, carrying no weapons, only a white flag.

"I am an emissary of the Volkov family."

The emissary's voice, amplified through a speaker, echoed across the walls, clear and resonant.

"On behalf of Alpha King Alexander, I request an audience with Her Majesty the Queen of Sunlight City, Fiona Sterling."

Her Majesty the Queen.

Those words struck like thunder in my ears.

I froze.

This was recognition.

A recognition with absolute political significance. An equal recognition.

"Open the gates. Let him in."

I drew a deep breath, suppressing the tumultuous waves in my chest, and turned to descend from the wall.

---

Half an hour later, in the makeshift conference room.

No flowers, no red carpet—only two cold iron chairs and a long table piled with blueprints.

I sat in the primary seat. Alexander sat across from me.

This was the first time I'd scrutinized him so closely, from an equal position.

He'd grown thin.

That face, once handsome enough to steal breath, now appeared pale almost to the point of translucence. His eye sockets were sunken, shadowed with faint darkness beneath, his entire being radiating an indescribable exhaustion and weakness.

But he still sat ramrod straight, like a blade that would shatter before it bent.

"Queen Sterling."

He spoke first, his voice somewhat hoarse yet still carrying that unquestionable authority. "Sunlight City's construction is impressive. You've done well."

"You're too kind," I replied coldly. "I hope your personal visit isn't solely for compliments."

"I'm here to find Diana."

Alexander said.

I frowned. "Diana? She did come here three days ago, but she's already returned."

"She hasn't returned." Alexander's fingers tapped lightly against the table. "Moreover, her mental link has severed. None of us can sense her, so I had to come personally to confirm her safety."

"You don't think I've detained her, do you?"

I clenched my fists tightly.

"You wouldn't have the audacity. Of course, I also believe you wouldn't do something so despicable. Queen Sterling, I know you are good friends."

"So what exactly are you asking!"

My anger filled the entire conference hall. Rita materialized instantly on my shoulder.

I could feel her ready to engage in the battle with Alexander's wolf that had been delayed for half a year—

But strangely, I didn't see Darius—Alexander's wolf.

"I'm only here to confirm Diana's safety. A neighboring country's princess has gone missing in your territory. Don't you owe me a reasonable explanation?"

Alexander's tone was flat.

"She did come here," I also moderated my tone. "Diana said... after coming of age, she sensed her fated mate, right here in Sunlight City."

Alexander's eyes flickered slightly. Clearly, the term "fated mate" was a raw taboo for both him and me.

"She came to me saying she was going abroad to study and didn't want to leave carrying that bond. She wanted to see that person, then... sever it." I paused, my lips curling into a mocking smile. "After all, the Arctic Wolf Clan excels at doing such things, don't they?"

Alexander's face instantly turned ashen, but he didn't refute me, simply listening quietly as I continued.

"My trusted companion Yulia personally escorted her out of the city. Of course, she could enter on her own and leave on her own. That's beyond control. However, even without your pressure and coercion, I wouldn't let Diana fall into unclear danger."

I looked into Alexander's eyes and made a solemn promise: "Give me three days. I'll mobilize all of Sunlight City's resources to assist you in finding Diana."

---

During the farewell, I insisted on using the highest ceremonial protocols.

Fully armed honor guards, perfectly synchronized steps, escorting him all the way to the city gates.

The sun was setting, the残阳 blood-red.

Alexander stopped and turned to look at me.

"I'll take my leave here," he said.

I nodded, but my gaze involuntarily fell on the hand he pressed against his chest.

That hand was trembling slightly.

"Alexander."

I called his name as if possessed.

He raised his head, his eyes somewhat dazed.

"Your physical condition looks terrible," I said softly. "Is it the backlash from rejecting the bond?"

Alexander froze for a moment, then gave a bitter laugh. "What about you?"

I looked at him, my lips curling into a smile of release. "I'm fine now. The pain stopped long ago."

Wind swept through my hair. Looking at his pale face, my heart felt unexpectedly calm.

"Thinking of you doesn't hurt anymore."

I paused, then added the final sentence, cruel yet honest: "To be precise... I don't really think of you much anymore."