Chapter 73: Chapter 73

Chapter 0073 Chapter 0073 Alexander POV I stepped into the hallway, leaving the door open behind me, waiting for Ella to follow. She hesitated for a moment, giving me a strange, quizzical look.

I chose not to ask about it. We were in her pack’s territory, in her father’s house–there was no room for mistakes now. Our performance had to be flawless.

I had expected more resistance from Alpha Roman, if I were honest. The fact that he had so readily agreed to let Ella enter another relationship, especially after the disaster of her marriage, spoke volumes about just how much he doted on her.

I had heard plenty about that, of course–rumors that she was treated like a precious only child, given everything she desired without question.

Still, it surprised me.

Not that it was a bad thing for a father to care deeply about his daughter, but I couldn’t help wondering if that same overprotectiveness had led to Ella’s trouble with David.

If her parents never questioned her decisions or intervened when she was making obvious mistakes... well, it was no wonder she found herself tangled up with him.

Maybe that was too harsh. After all, Ella hadn’t told me much about how she ended up with David. I was working with second–

hand information, whispers and rumors, public perceptions I knew better than most could be dangerously flawed.

Ella walked quietly beside me, her cheeks still pink with embarrassment. I resisted the urge to comment on it, though a smile tugged at my lips. There was something undeniably cute about her blushing, the way she seemed to shy away from acknowledging the tension between us.

For all her poise, Ella’s emotions were written so plainly on her face, and I found myself watching her more closely than I should.

A warmth built inside me as I wondered what thoughts were racing through her mind in that moment. Her silence spoke more than words ever could.

Together, we stepped out of the house, walking down the path toward where my car was waiting.

“I’m glad that went well,” I said, stopping at the end of the walkway to glance at Ella.

She smiled up at me. “Me too.” Her eyes darted around nervously, and I could sense the tension building in her. Her family’s guards stood nearby, their watchful eyes making her uneasy.

I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice to a whisper. “I suppose we shouldn’t kiss goodbye with so many prying eyes.”

Her blush deepened, and she hesitated before opening her arms with a small, shy smile. “A hug will have to do.”

Her response caught me off guard, but I didn’t miss a beat. stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her. The difference in our height made her chin rest awkwardly on my shoulder as we embraced. She felt warm in my arms, and to my surprise, my heart began to race.

I lingered in the hug longer than I should have, enjoying the closeness. When I realized it, I quickly pulled away, trying to compose myself. “We’ll talk soon,” I said, stepping into the car.

“Drive safe,” Ella said, her voice soft, and I noticed the slight embarrassment in her eyes as she waved. I watched her through the rearview mirror as she walked back toward the house, her figure growing smaller with each step.

1/2 +25 BONUS Chapter 0073 August glanced at me from the driver’s seat as he began to drive. “I take it things went well?”

“Exactly according to plan,” I replied, though a sinking feeling tugged at me.

“So, she agreed to the date tomorrow?”

My heart dropped, and my eyes widened. Somehow, in all the tension of the moment, I had completely forgotten to ask Ella out. How could I have made such a ridiculous mistake? Getting her father’s permission to date her was only the first step–the next was making sure we were seem together in public.

August stared at me, and my silence gave him all the answers he needed. “Are you feeling all right, sir?”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, pulling my phone from my pocket.

“You forgot to ask her, didn’t you?” August asked, raising an eyebrow.

“It’s not a big deal,” I replied, trying to brush it off. “I’ll just text her now.”

“It’s not like you to forget something like that. You’re acting weird.”

I couldn’t help but smile at his bluntness. It was just like him to say exactly what he thought, no concern for sparing my feelings.

It’s time to make our relationship public, I texted Ella. I’d like to take you on a date tomorrow.

Hardly any time passed before Ella’s reply came through: a simple, joyful yes. I couldn’t help but smile at the words.

“What’s with that lovesick smile?” August asked, breaking my moment of bliss.

My head snapped up, shock evident on my face. “Lovesick? I echoed, disgust lacing my voice.

“The way you behave around her... I’m starting to worry that you’re actually falling for her,” he said, a hint of concern in his eyes.

Chapter 0074