Chapter 46

Ella POV

"David cannot be allowed to continue making these slanderous statements," my father said angrily.

"I agree," my mother added, "but we have to handle this carefully."

"I'm beginning to think we've handled it too carefully," my father replied, his anger evident.

I felt a pang of guilt. By opening up to him about my plan to expose David and Amanda's affair, I had placed him in a difficult position. He knew now that all of the fallout with David was caused by my decision to expose him publicly.

In a way, this was all my fault, and my father knew it.

I didn’t know if he had told my mother about it or not, and I was afraid to ask. Her opinion of me might change if she knew I had been keeping such important secrets from them.

"I don’t see that there’s anything we can do," I said softly.

I was sitting in the living room chair, watching as my parents paced in front of the TV, where a report on David’s latest social media attack was being discussed.

It bothered me that the news kept picking up on his temper tantrums, but speaking out against the media would make it seem like I was trying to hide something.

"He continues to insult our family," my father said. "There has to be a price for that. It makes us look weak to allow him to get away with it, and it might embolden others to come out against us. That can bring unexpected consequences."

"But what do we do?" I asked. "I don’t want any violence. I don’t want anyone to get hurt."

"I know you don’t, Princess," my father said gently. "And I’m not saying it's come to that point yet, but I am going to have to meet with Alpha Derrick. He needs to rein his son in or face the consequences."

"What consequences do you mean?" I asked.

"I don’t know yet," my father replied honestly. "It will depend on his reaction."

"I think we can reliably guess what his reaction will be," my mother pointed out. "He’ll say we’re liars, or claim that David’s accounts have been hacked, or that he was driven to this by Ella's rejection. I don’t see the point in asking Derrick or Lily Lake to be reasonable when we know they are not reasonable people."

"Then what do we do?" my father asked, throwing his hands up in frustration. "The longer we allow this to continue, the weaker it makes us look!"

My mother stared at him with a critical look, and after a moment, my father lowered his arms. In a softer tone, he said, "I'm sorry. I don’t mean to take my frustration out on either of you."

"That's all right," my mother said. "We must remember that we’re in this together, and we can figure this out as a family."

My father gave me a meaningful look, and I averted my gaze. My mother was right. I should have been honest with them from the start. Maybe things wouldn’t have escalated like this.

"It’s only gossip," I said, trying to remain calm. "It’s just online gossip. I don’t know if it’s even worth a reaction. David looks pathetic with the way he’s behaving. Everyone can see that. I think stooping to his level and responding would be a mistake."

"I cannot allow him to continue talking the way he has been," my father insisted.

"I’m not upset," I said, doing my best to sound calm. "His words don’t offend me because I see the desperation behind them. If you're doing this for my sake, it isn't necessary."

"That’s sweet of you, darling," my mother said, standing in front of me and smiling in her usual reassuring way, though it only made me feel more guilty. "But this is more complicated than just your feelings. Your father is right. This makes the pack look bad."

"I never should have gone forward with the wedding," I muttered. "It was such a mistake."

"We all make mistakes," my mother said softly. "There’s no use dwelling on it now. We need to think about what we’re going to do moving forward. That’s what matters most."

"Okay," I said. "Right, we focus on the future."

"Exactly," my mother agreed.

Suddenly, the image on the television screen changed. I looked up, shocked, as I recognized Alexander. His photo was being shown on the screen.

"What is this?" I said in surprise. Both of my parents turned to face the screen to see what I was staring at.

"Alexander Black?" my father said with a slight frown. “What’s he got to do with this?”

“I don’t know. Turn up the volume," my mother urged.

My parents sat on the couch, their eyes glued to the screen as the reporter's voice filled the room.

"In response to David Lake’s continued statements, more prominent members of the kingdom have begun to come forward in support of Ella Rowan. Just this morning, Alexander Black, Alpha of the Black Rock pack, made the following statement:

‘David Lake was never good enough for Ella. I believe that we all knew that. I, myself, have been interested in Ella for a very long time but have kept my feelings hidden out of respect for her relationship with David.”

My mother looked at me in surprise, but I kept focused on the tv. I hadn’t expected Alexander to make such a bold confession so soon.

The reporter continued to read out Alexander’s statement. “I had no desire to interfere with her happiness. It has become clear to all of us, through David’s continued slander and insults, that he never truly cared for Ella. In light of everything that has happened in the past month, I now feel it appropriate to be honest about my feelings. The truth is, I have been waiting for Ella all along.’"

My mouth fell open in shock as I stared at the screen. I had only thought he would rebuke David. I wasn’t prepared for this.

My father turned toward me, his eyes filled with curiosity, but I couldn’t find the words. I just stared at Alexander’s photo on the TV, my mind reeling, struggling to process the shock of what had just unfolded. It was as if time had stopped, and I was frozen in place, trying to make sense of it all.

"That’s... unexpected," my mother said, casting a glance at my father.

"Very unexpected," he agreed, his voice thoughtful. "And maybe I was wrong to think we needed to defend ourselves. It seems Ella has allies willing to come to her defense—from very unexpected places."

“It seems so,” my mother echoed, amusement dancing in her voice, as if she saw something more than I did.

My father turned back to me, raising an eyebrow. "I didn’t know you were acquainted with Alexander Black."

"I’m not," I stammered, feeling the weight of both their stares. "At least, not well. We’ve only met a few times and... barely spoken." My voice trailed off, uncertain.

The truth was, we had spoken, but nothing like this—nothing that would justify the intensity of what he had just said on national television.

My mother’s lips curled into a slight smirk. "It seems you’ve made quite the impression on him."

"Yes," my father added, his tone more skeptical, yet filled with intrigue. "Quite the impression."

I could feel my pulse quicken under their scrutiny. I should’ve been ready for this. I knew this was part of the plan—Alexander and I were supposed to end up together for appearances, for political strategy. But I hadn’t been ready for the reality of it, for the world to see us this way.

Because it wasn’t real.

It was all for show. Carefully orchestrated. Just an act to benefit us both.

So why, then, did my heart race at the sound of Alexander’s words? Why did hearing him defend me in front of the entire kingdom send a shiver down my spine? Even now, with him miles away, he had this power over me—stirring emotions I couldn’t control.

I swallowed hard, trying to remind myself that it wasn’t real. But no matter how much I tried to convince myself, the truth was clear. Alexander’s words had gotten under my skin, and I wasn’t sure I could pretend it didn’t affect me.