hapter 58


    Maybe I just wasn’t used to someone like him being so… human.


    Not a mystery or a myth. Just a man with parents who arranged dates and a pack waiting for a Luna.


    “You okay?” Mike asked.


    “Hm? Oh. Yeah.” I smiled. “I just thought someone like him


    would be immune to things like blind dates.“”


    “Even the mighty Alexander can’t dodge Mama’s wrath.”


    “I guess not.” Iughed. “Anyways, I wish him a good luck. I hope he finds someone he can actually fall in love with!”


    Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice.


    “I didn’t expect you to still be here,” came Alexander’s voice from behind us, startling both me and Mike in the kitchen.


    I turned quickly, almost dropping the spoon in my hand. He had just walked in from the hallway, dressed in a crisp ck suit, his cufflinks catching the warm kitchen light. There was no coat, no briefcase, just his signature detached expression–except, this time, there was a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.


    “Oh, wee back,” I said, awkwardly wiping my hands on the kitchen towel. “We were just… talking about the weather.“”


    Alexander raised an eyebrow. “The weather, huh?” His eyes shifted briefly to Mike, who looked like he was trying to


    disappear into the rice cooker.


    I didn’t want him to know we were talking about his blind date.


    Toote.


    “You two seem to be very invested in my romantic future.” he added, voice cool with a sarcastic edge. “Maybe next time you can help my parents pick the girl too.”


    I opened my mouth to respond, but he waved his hand lightly.


    as if dismissing the entire situation.


    “Don’t worry,” he continued, tugging slightly at his cuff. “I


    wouldn’t want to miss ‘the one! Wouldn’t want to let a once–in-


    a–lifetime blind date pass me by.”


    With that, he turned and walked back down the hallway, his


    footsteps slow and deliberate. I stood frozen by the counter, a


    strange mix of irritation and embarrassment tightening in my


    chest.


    Mike, still hovering near the sink, gave me a look. “That wasn’t


    about you,” he said after a pause, “even if it felt like it.”


    I sighed, finally sinking into the nearest kitchen chair. “No?


    Because it definitely felt like it.”


    “He doesn’t like being talked about when he’s not there. That’s


    all,” Mike offered gently. “And if it makes you feel better–he never takes these dates seriously. Last time he walked out


    halfway through.”


    That actually did make me feel better, though I refused to let it


    show. I just nodded.


    Later that evening, my phone buzzed. Unknown number.


    I hesitated, then picked up.


    “Olivia,” came a deep voice.


    “Who’s this?” I asked cautiously.


    “I am Bob Hawthrone.”


    “Hello, Alpha Bob. How are you?” He’d never called me since he


    was always busy on his overseas business.


    “I am good. I hope I’m not interrupting.”


    “No, not at all,” I said, even though I kind of hoped he was.


    “I’ll get straight to the point,” he continued. “I’d like you toe


    home tomorrow night. You and Ethan need to have a proper


    conversation.”


    My throat tightened, but I didn’t speak. He was back?


    “This situation between you two has gone on long enough.


    Whatever happened… It needs to be settled face to face. You


    owe yourselves that much.”


    I bit down on my lip, unsure if I wanted tough or scream.


    “Mr. Hawthrone, I don’t owe Ethan anything. He-”


    Bob cut in, still calm. “I’m not defending him. I know exactly


    what he’s done. And believe me, he’s not in my good graces right


    now. But running from the mess doesn’t clean it up.”


    He paused, letting his wordsnd. “Avoidance never helps,


    Olivia. I would like it very much if youe here tomorrow


    night.”


    Olivia’s POV