Chapter 152

Ella POV

Alexander’s mood was noticeably brighter than it had been all week. His team had won the race, and as we made our way toward the car, there was a lightness in his step and an irrepressible grin on his face.

"I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy," I teased.

"I can’t remember the last time I had a true night off," Alexander admitted. "Not a single work call, text, or even an email. Can I assume you had something to do with that?"

"I may have insisted that August put a pause on all communications," I confessed. "Unless, of course, there was an absolute emergency."

"I’m sure he was more than agreeable," Alexander said with a chuckle. "He’s always telling me I need to take more time off, do something besides work. It must have driven him crazy that you were the one to finally get me to do it."

"I think it might have annoyed him," I agreed, laughing. "But I’m not sure why. Have I done something to offend August?"

Alexander opened the car door, gesturing for me to step in first. He followed, and as the door closed behind him, he leaned back and considered my question.

"It’s not that he dislikes you," he said thoughtfully. "It’s more that he’s suspicious of the arrangement we have. And I can’t say I blame him—it’s an unusual situation, and there’s a degree of risk involved for both of us."

"And for our packs," I added. "I can see his position. It’s his job as your beta to protect you, so it’s only natural. Still, I hope he’ll eventually see that I’m true to my word."

"Maybe," Alexander replied with a slight smile. "But August is a stubborn man, very set in his ways. He might remain distrustful simply out of habit."

I laughed. "Some habits are hard to break."

The car began pulling away from the racetrack, and Alexander glanced curiously at the driver.

"Where are we heading now?" he asked.

"To dinner," I said, smirking. "You didn’t think that was all I had planned, did you?"

"I had a feeling you’d want to top off the night," he admitted, leaning toward me. "Where are we going?"

"The usual place," I replied with a knowing smile.

Alexander chuckled, giving me a look of recognition. We both understood there was still an element of showmanship to our outings. The destination was no mystery—the same restaurant where he had proposed, and the same place where we’d exposed David and Amanda’s affair.

"You’ve really thought of everything," he commented, his tone warm.

A few minutes later, the car pulled up outside the restaurant. Alexander stepped out first, offering me his arm as I followed. Together, we walked in, the air between us effortless and confident.

The hostess greeted us with a bright smile. "Mr. and Mrs. Black," she said warmly. "Your table is ready. Right this way."

When we reached our table, Alexander pulled my chair out for me with a graceful ease before seating himself. The bottle of wine I had requested was already waiting, and the hostess poured two glasses before stepping away.

Alexander lifted his glass toward me. "A toast," he said, his voice warm, "to our first week as a married couple."

I smiled, lifting my glass to meet his. "To us," I said, the soft clink of crystal punctuating the sentiment.

With my back to the entrance, I didn’t immediately notice why Alexander’s smile faltered. But the sudden flicker of tension in his expression made me glance discreetly over my shoulder. My heart sank when I spotted Lily and Derrick Lake entering the restaurant.

We weren’t the only ones to notice their arrival—a ripple of whispers swept through the dining room.

It had only been a week since David and Amanda’s disastrous wedding, and unfortunately for them, the gossip in magazines and online forums was still going strong.

Speculation abounded about why they had chosen the same date as us and what might have led to the alienation of so many of their guests.

For a brief moment, I almost felt bad for them. But then I reminded myself they had created their own problems. None of this had been a competition in my mind. They could have had their happy day—if Amanda hadn’t made it her mission to ruin mine first.

I turned back to Alexander, silently agreeing to ignore the Lakes.

We chatted happily throughout our meal, the evening nearly perfect. But as we waited for dessert, the sound of approaching footsteps broke through our conversation.

Alexander placed his hand over mine on the table, his touch firm but reassuring. His warning look was unmistakable, and I steeled myself, realizing who was walking toward us.

"Alpha Lake," Alexander greeted evenly as the man reached our table.

"Good evening, Alpha Black," Derrick replied. "I hope I’m not intruding."

"We can spare a moment," Alexander said, his tone polite but measured.

"I wanted to congratulate you," Derrick said, his expression unreadable. "I’m sure you understand our obligations were elsewhere on the day of your wedding."

"Of course," I replied, turning to face him.

My gaze shifted to Lily, standing silently by his side. She looked... different. Her face was pale, almost gaunt, as though she’d been unwell. Gone was the flawless composure I was used to seeing, and it startled me.

It was clear that everything involving David had taken a toll on her—far more than I had realized.

"Yes, congratulations," Lily said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Thank you," I said, though my tone was cautious.

"And..." Alpha Derrick began, drawing our attention back to him. His expression was measured, almost solemn. "I don’t mean to overstep, but Ella, I feel I owe you an apology."

I stared at him, unblinking, disbelief washing over me. This had to be a trick—some calculated ploy to lower my defenses.

"For what?" I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.

"For how things played out between you and David," he replied, keeping his voice low to avoid the ears of nearby tables.

I glanced at Alexander, uncertain how to respond. Alpha Derrick sounded sincere, and there was nothing in his tone or demeanor to suggest he was lying. Yet the idea of him apologizing to me felt absurd.

He had never liked me. He had made it painfully clear that he expected me to be the quiet, obedient wife to David. He was irritated every time I dared speak my mind.

He had embarrassed me before the king, belittled me in front of my own father, and treated me as though I were a burden rather than a partner to David.

What could have possibly changed to make him apologize now? And why here, in public?

I didn’t need to look around to know people were staring. The Lakes had already drawn attention just by entering the restaurant. This interaction would fuel weeks of gossip.

"I’m not sure I understand," I said hesitantly, wary of the trap I couldn’t yet see.

"I’ll make it clear then," Derrick said, his gaze steady. "My son is a fool—I’ve always known that—but I didn’t realize how much of one until now. He never should have thrown you away. He never should have chosen Amanda over you. And to do it in such a shameful, public way... It was an embarrassment to me as a father and an Alpha."

His jaw tightened slightly as he continued. "I thought he would see his mistake and make things right, but clearly, I was wrong about that too. And so, on behalf of myself and my pack, I want to offer my sincerest apologies. You deserve respect, Ella, and I am sorry that a member of my own family caused you distress."

Alexander’s hand tightened over mine, a silent show of support.

Ah, so that was it. Derrick’s apology wasn’t about remorse—it was about diplomacy. He wanted to ensure the Lake Pack wouldn’t face any issues now that I was married to a more powerful Alpha. This was about smoothing over relations with Alexander, and he thought placating me was the way to do it.

I smiled at him, cool and deliberate. "There’s no need to apologize," I said firmly. "If not for David’s shameful behavior, I never would have ended up with Alexander. And I couldn’t be happier now."

Alpha Derrick’s smile faltered, but it didn’t vanish entirely.

"I’m glad to hear it," Alpha Derrick said, his voice tight and measured, as though holding back words he dared not utter.

I continued to hold Alexander’s hand as I stared at Alpha Derrick expectantly. The tension between the four of us was impossible not to notice, and I had no idea what to expect from their next move.

Would they try something more, or were they really backing down? Were they as impulsive and chaotic as their son, or did they know better than to pick a fight with Alexander Black?