Chapter 150

Ella POV

“Ready?” I asked.

“Always,” Alexander replied with a confident smile.

We stepped out of the car, and before we’d even closed the door, the flash of cameras erupted like a lightning storm. I hadn’t expected such a large crowd of reporters at this event, though I’d prepared for the possibility of a few.

Alexander placed his arm around my waist, steady and protective, and raised his hand in a casual, friendly gesture toward the press. There was a barricade keeping them from rushing the sidewalk, but that didn’t stop them from shouting questions at us.

I kept a polite smile on my face as we walked slowly toward the entrance. The public’s interest in our wedding was still at a fever pitch, and most of the questions I could make out were related to that.

“Why didn’t you invite the media?” one reporter called out.

“It was a private event,” Alexander responded smoothly. “We didn’t want anything to distract from our day.”

“Did you plan to hold the wedding on the same day as the Lake wedding?” another voice asked.

“We chose our date before we knew theirs,” I replied evenly. “It was an unfortunate coincidence.”

“How did you book the Castle?”

“Christopher is an old friend,” Alexander said with a small, effortless shrug.

As we reached the entrance, we gave the press one final wave, our smiles unwavering despite the barrage of questions. The cameras continued to flash, and the reporters kept shouting after us, but the heavy glass doors closed behind us, muffling the noise and granting us a moment of peace.

We were greeted inside by a staff member who immediately recognized Alexander. The young man offered a slightly nervous smile as he said, “Welcome, Alpha Black. Your box is ready. I’ll show you the way, and if you’d like any refreshments, you can use the phone in the box to call us. We’ll have everything brought to you.”

“That sounds nice,” Alexander said graciously. “Thank you, but I don’t believe we need an escort to the box. If you’ll just tell me the number.”

“Oh,” the young man said, sounding surprised. “Have you been here before?”

“Not for quite a while,” Alexander answered, his tone warm but composed. “But I don’t think there have been any extensive renovations.”

“No, there haven’t,” the man confirmed. “You’re in Box Three.”

“Perfect, thank you,” Alexander said kindly.

With his arm still resting around my waist, Alexander guided me toward a door on the right, leading us out of the reception area.

“I had no idea you spent so much time here,” I said, genuinely curious. “I’m surprised.”

“Well, it’s like you said,” Alexander replied with a small smile. “Racing suits me.”

Before I could ask more, he gestured ahead. “There’s our box.”

We entered the door, stepping into a room that reminded me of the private box we’d enjoyed at a baseball game earlier in our relationship. There were sleek cases filled with cold drinks, a phone mounted on the wall for service requests, and a seating area arranged around a table.

Beyond a glass partition, the racetrack sprawled out below us, the perfect view for the race.

At the center of the table sat a basket filled with an assortment of sweets, along with a chilled bottle of wine and two glasses. I’d arranged for these little details as part of the surprise, and Alexander’s expression made the effort worth it.

He smiled warmly, walking over to the table. Without hesitation, he picked up the corkscrew and began opening the wine. “This really is such a thoughtful gift, Ella,” he said. “I’m not sure I deserve it.”

“Is that a joke?” I asked, laughing lightly. “You’ve done so much for me lately. I had to do something to show my gratitude.”

"I haven’t done anything beyond what a dedicated lover should," Alexander pointed out, his tone firm yet gentle. "If you’ve come to expect so little from the men in your life, well, that’s just one more reason for me to dislike David, isn’t it?"

"I suppose that’s true," I admitted. "But it’s exactly because of our contract that I felt the need to find some way to show my appreciation. You’ve done far more for me than I’ve done for you."

"I’m not so sure about that," Alexander said, pouring the wine and handing me a glass. His eyes met mine, a flicker of warmth softening his features. "I think you’ve helped me more than you realize. But we’ll soon find out if we’re right—especially with the election race beginning soon."

I tilted my head, puzzled. "I’m not sure what you mean. There were a few moments of scandal with the women who came forward about you, but that’s all been handled. And you’ve used your resources to protect me, repeatedly... Even when David..."

At the mention of the incident, a shadow crossed Alexander’s face. He shook it off quickly, taking a measured sip of his wine before speaking again.

"There’s a lot more to my past and reputation than you might know," he said thoughtfully. "For example, why do you think I know this racetrack so well?"

"I assumed you’ve had business meetings here," I replied, recalling how he’d once used a baseball field for networking.

Alexander shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. "When I was young, before my father died, I was an amateur racer. Even after he passed, I continued to race under an assumed name. The thrill of it—the adrenaline—it made me feel alive when nothing else did. I didn’t want to give it up."

I stared at him, trying to imagine the ever-composed Alexander chasing danger on the racetrack.

"I’m sure you can imagine," he continued, "that this was... problematic. For the son of an alpha, and later, an alpha himself. Not just because racing is dangerous, but because of the disreputable opinions many people have about it."

"But I’ve never heard that about you," I said, disbelief lacing my voice. "When I tried looking into your past to get ideas for this surprise, nothing about racing came up."

"My mother did everything she could to hush it up," Alexander said, staring into his wine glass. "It was an embarrassment to her."

"That’s a bit harsh," I replied, frowning.

"No," he said with a soft sigh, "it’s completely understandable. The pack was going through an incredibly difficult time, and my behavior was putting our reputation at risk. It was selfish of me."

"I’m sorry you had to give it up," I said earnestly. "I can tell it meant a lot to you."

Alexander looked at me, his emotions laid bare for a fleeting moment before his ever-charming smile slid back into place. "It did mean a lot to me once," he admitted. "But I’ve grown up since then—matured, much like you have. I’ve realized that taking care of my pack is more important than anything else."

I nodded, though his words made me feel profoundly sad. Alexander had sacrificed the things he loved most to step up for his family, yet what had he truly gained? A sterling reputation? Fans?

He worked tirelessly, and yet his mother still favored his younger brother.

Life had been unkind to him, and he hid it so well. I couldn’t help but wonder what else he kept locked away—what secret had he been on the verge of confessing to me the night of our rehearsal dinner?

Now wasn’t the time to bring it up, but I hadn’t forgotten. Eventually, I would have to ask him. I needed to understand the parts of Alexander he still kept hidden, the truths that even his captivating smile couldn’t conceal.