Chapter 280
FAYE
I hadn’t planned for this.
That was the truth of it.
+25 Points
When I made the bet, it had been impulse–heat, adrenaline, the thrill of pushing Alexander into a corner he never expected just for the fun of it. I’d wanted the fight, wanted to feel that sharp spark between us, wanted to remind him and myself that I was still here… still alive.
But standing there now, I realized something with a quiet jolt of awareness.
I had to name my price.
Alexander stood in front of me. He’d just asked the question, voice steady, almost amused.
What do you want?
For a second, my mind went blank.
Not because there was nothing I could ask for… but because there was too much.
And then, just as quickly, the answer surfaced.
“I want you to paint me,” I said.
The words landed between us, softly.
Alexander paused.
Then he laughed, short and disbelieving. “You’re joking p>
I shook my head once. “I’m not p>
His brows drew together slightly as he studied my face, searching for the tease, the trick, the continuation of the game. When he didn’t find it, his mouth curved into something closer to
disbelief than humor.
“Really?” he asked slowly. “You could have asked for anything p>
“I know p>
“Anything,” he repeated, emphasizing the word. “Land… hell, half this territory if you wanted. And that’s what you choose p>
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< Chapter 280
I met his gaze. “I don’t want your territory p>
He scoffed softly, shaking his head. “You’re serious p>
+25 Points
“I want a painting,” I said again, more clearly this time. “Of me. Done by Alexander Blackwell. The one who painted before the world hardened him p>
That did it.
Something flickered behind his eyes–too fast to name, too deep to ignore.
“No,” he said.
The refusal was immediate, almost reflexive. Clean and final.
“Ask for something else p>
I tilted my head slightly. “Why p>
He looked away, jaw tightening. “Because I’m out of practice. I don’t even remember the last time I painted. Years. And it’s not something you just… do. It takes time. Focus. The right headspace. ” He let out a breath. “I don’t have that anymore p>
I watched him as he spoke, really watched him.
This wasn’t about time.
It wasn’t about skill.
It was about the part of him he’d sealed away and convinced himself no longer existed.
I knew that feeling too well.
Pain had a way of hollowing people out, carving away pieces slowly until you forgot what it felt like to be whole. You didn’t even notice what was missing until something brushed against the empty space and echoed.
I’d felt hollow myself lately. Strong, yes. Sharper than I’d ever been. But strength didn’t fill everything. Some spaces needed something quieter. Something shared.
I didn’t say any of that out loud.
I just held his gaze and said, “A deal is a deal p>
His eyes snapped back to mine. “Come on- ”
“You agreed,” I reminded him gently. “No conditions. No revisions p>
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He ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not refusing because I don’t want to,” he said. “I’m refusing because I don’t think I can p> That honesty got to me. +25 Points I stepped closer, lowering my voice even though no one else was listening now. “Then do it anyway… I don’t mind p> His lips parted slightly, like he wanted to argue again, but the words stalled. “I don’t want anything else,” I continued. “I want something that’s truly yours p> He thought about it for a moment. Finally, he exhaled. “Fine,” he said. “I’ll clear my schedule. We’ll… work it out p> Relief bloomed warm in my chest, catching me off guard with its intensity. I smiled, genuine and unguarded. “Thank you,” I said. “I’m going to freshen up p> I turned to leave, then hesitated when he spoke again. “Hey,” he said carefully. I looked back. “If you want… I could join you p> The way he said it mattered to me. My chest warmed a little with the weight of everything unspoken between us. Since the accident, since the loss, intimacy had become something fragile. He’d given me space without resentment, without guilt. Sometimes he slept on the couch, never making it feel like punishment, never making me feel broken for needing distance. I opened my mouth to answer- “Alpha Alexander p> Cole’s voice cut in, bright and unmistakable as he approached. Alexander groaned under his breath. “Of course p> Cole took in the scene–the two of us standing close, the lingering tension–and his grin widened. “Am I interrupting something p> 3/5 Chapter 280 “Yes,” Alexander said flatly. “No,” I said at the same time. Cole laughed, clearly enjoying himself far too much. “Right. I’ll just p> +25 Points “I’m going to freshen up,” I said quickly, stepping back and giving Alexander a brief, knowing look before turning away. ALEXANDER Cole’s voice cut through the quiet before I could fully settle my thoughts after Faye left. “Alpha Alexander,” he called again. I turned to him. “What’s the matter p> He nodded toward the administration wing. “Just a reminder. The council’s assembled. It’s, about the event p> I exhaled slowly. Of course it was. The council had a talent for choosing moments that were inconvenient without technically being urgent. I had totally forgotten about this one. “Now p> “They’ve been waiting,” he said. “Not impatient exactly p> I glanced toward the building, then down at the dust on my sleeves. Training never left you looking respectable. “Do I have time to freshen up p> Cole shook his head, almost apologetic. “I don’t think so. They said it would be brief. All they want is your confirmation p> I gave a short, humorless huff. “That’s never all they want p> He smiled, because we both knew it was true. I considered it for a moment. The meeting itself wasn’t complicated. I already knew what would happen once I stepped into that room–debate dressed up as procedure, old rivalries resurfacing under polite language, the same arguments recycled with new emphasis. Necessary, but predictable. “You take my place,” I said. Cole raised an eyebrow. “All they’ll do is argue about which packs should be invited and which ones shouldn’t,” I said. 4/5 0: “You can handle that p> +25 Points He studied my face, gauging whether I was serious. I didn’t elaborate, because I didn’t need to. He’d sat through enough of those meetings to know the rhythm of them as well as I did. “They’ll want a final word from you,” he said. “They want to feel heard,” I replied. “Let them talk it out. Remind them the goal is cooperation, not settling old scores. If they reach a consensus, bring it to my office p> Cole folded his arms, considering, then nodded. “I can do that p> “Good,” I said. “If they start circling the same argument too much, just shut it down p> A corner of his mouth lifted. “With pleasure p> I clapped him once on the shoulder. “Bring me the highlights later p> 1 Comments LUCK DRAW > Vote 321