Chapter 243
Sarah’s POV
I was genuinely happy–I hadn’t expected to see Alexander here. In my memory, he rarely attended social events like this, usually spending his evenings at the pack house.
But the warmth of my greeting met a wall of ice. His grey eyes, usually so intense and expressive, regarded me with a coldness that made my smile falter.
There wasn’t a hint of pleasure at seeing me–only something dark and dangerous lurking beneath his carefully controlled expression.
“Is something wrong?” I asked, my voice growing uncertain as the silence between us stretched uncomfortably.
His lips curved in a smile that never reached his eyes, a gesture so devoid of warmth it sent chills down my spine. Without a word, he thrust my phone into my hands and turned to leave.
“Alexander, wait!” I reached out instinctively, my fingers grasping his forearm.
Even through the fabric of his suit, I could feel the tension in his muscles, coiled tight like a predator ready to strike.
“Where are you going? Why are you looking at me like that? Are you angry with me p>
He turned his head slowly, his gaze dropping to where my hand gripped his arm. The contempt in his expression was so palpable I nearly flinched.
“Remove your hand,” he said, each word precise and frigid.
“Not until you tell me what’s wrong,” I insisted, tightening my grip despite the warning bells clanging in my head. “Your expression clearly shows you’re upset. I deserve to know why p>
A harsh laugh escaped him, the sound lacking any trace of humor. “Let go of me. Now p>
“Only if you promise to stop being angry,” I countered, stubbornly holding on despite the dangerous energy radiating from him.
His eyes narrowed, a flash of something primal turning the grey to liquid mercury for just an instant. Then his face settled into a mask of disdain.
“ You think too highly of yourself,” he said, his voice deceptively soft. “What makes you believe you’re important enough for me to waste anger on you p>
The cruel dismissal hit like a physical blow, stealing my breath and making my heart constrict painfully in my chest. I released his arm as if burned, taking an instinctive step back.
“What happened?” I whispered, searching his face for any trace of the man who had looked at me with such intensity just days ago. “Please, Alexander. Tell me what’s wrong p>
“Wrong?” he echoed, his mouth twisting into something between a smirk and a snarl.
“What’s wrong is that I almost fell for your little performance. Quite the actress, aren’t you, Ms. Winters p>
Confusion washed over me. “Performance? What are you talking about p>
“Sarah?” Nate’s voice called from down the hallway, concern evident in his tone. “Everything okay? You’ve been gone a while p>
Alexander’s eyes flickered past me, hardening as they focused on something–or someone–behind me.
A muscle jumped in his jaw, the only betrayal of emotion in his otherwise perfectly composed facade.
“Your Alpha is calling,” he said, venom dripping from each word. “Better not keep him waiting. I’m sure you have plenty of strategies to discuss p>
“My Alpha?” I repeated, completely lost. “Alexander, I don’t understand p>
“Sarah!” Nate appeared at my side, his hand coming to rest protectively on my shoulder. “Is there a problem here?” His eyes assessed Alexander with the wariness of one predator recognizing another.
Alexander’s gaze shifted between us, a flash of something that looked almost like pain crossing his features before it was replaced by cold fury.
“No problem at all,” he said with dangerous civility. “Ms. Winters and I were just concluding our business p>
“Alexander, please-“I began, desperate to understand what had changed.
“Goodbye, Ms. Winters,” he cut me off, turning away. “Give my regards to your daughter p>
The deliberate emphasis he placed on those last words felt like a knife between my ribs. Before I could respond, he was striding away, each step purposeful and final.
“Who was that?” Nate asked, his arm sliding around my waist in a gesture that would look merely supportive to outsiders but that I knew was subtly possessive–a territorial response to the presence of another Alpha.
I stared after Alexander’s retreating form, my mind racing to make sense of his cold fury, the accusation in his eyes, the contempt in his voice.
“That, ” I said softly, “was Alpha Alexander Blackwood. My former mate p>
Nate’s head snapped toward me, eyes widening with surprise. “Mate? Why haven’t you ever mentioned this before p>
“It’s complicated, “I sighed, my voice barely above a whisper. “You know I lost my wolf. So p>
“So he abandoned you?” Nate’s expression darkened, his protective instincts flaring. His hand tightened at my
waist.
“That’s why you never speak of him? Because he rejected you when you were at your most vulnerable p>
“No, it’s not like that,” I insisted, shaking my head emphatically.
“He didn’t abandon me. Nate, the reason I’ve always declined your advances is because I still love him. I’ve never stopped p>
The admission hung in the air between us, my heart pounding as I finally voiced the truth I’d been carrying silently for so long
Nate’s expression shifted from anger to understanding, his hand dropping from my waist as he stepped back slightly.
“Then you should go after him,” he said quietly, surprising me. “I sensed it the moment he saw us together–he misunderstood our relationship completely p>
I blinked, processing Nate’s words. “You think so p>
He glanced in the direction Alexander had disappeared. “And the way he looked at you when he thought I was your… partner? That wasn’t indifference. That was a wounded Alpha trying to protect himself p>
My breath caught in my throat as hope bloomed in my chest. Could it be that simple? That Alexander’s cold demeanor was jealousy, not rejection?
“Go ahead, “Nate said softly, his tone surprisingly gentle, “I know this is what you want p>
“Sarah, I’ve known you long enough to recognize when you’re truly happy. The way your face lit up when you first saw him–I’ve never seen that look before p>
“What about dinner? Elena’s expecting us,” I said, torn between obligation and the desperate need to fix this misunderstanding.
“I’ll handle Elena,” Nate said firmly. “You go find your mate and clear this up before it festers any longer. Aria and I will be fine–we’ll save you some dessert p>
I hesitated only a moment before impulsively hugging Nate. “Thank you,” I whispered.
Then I was moving, my heels clicking rapidly against the marble floor as I followed Alexander’s path, praying I wasn’t too late.
I pushed through the restaurant’s main doors and scanned the parking lot, my heart racing.
There – a tall figure about to slide into a sleek black SUV at the far end of the lot.
“Alexander!” I called, my voice carrying in the evening air. “Alexander, wait!