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Chapter 106
Summer’s POV
I curled against Alexander’s warm body in the early morning light, tracing the strong lines of his chest with my fingertips. He captured my hand, bringing it to his lips for a tender kiss.
“What’s on your mind, little wolf?” he asked, his voice still husky from sleep.
“The gala’s only two weeks away,” I sighed. “I still need to finalize my speech, and I don’t even have a dress yet.”
Alexander chuckled, pulling me closer. “You could wear a potato sack and still outshine everyone in the room.”
“Easy for you to say,” I teased. “Men just throw on a tux and call it a day.”
His expression grew serious as he brushed a strand of hair from my face. “This foundation means everything to you. To us. It’s more than just a charity–it’s Felix’s legacy.”
I nodded, emotion tightening my throat. “I want it to be perfect. For him.”
“It will be,” Alexander assured me, placing a gentle kiss on my forehead. “And I’ll be right beside every step of the way.”
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These quiet moments with Alexander had become my sanctuary–a place where the pain of losing Felix didn’t disappear, but somehow became bearable.
“Lyra called,” Alexander mentioned as he reluctantly got out of bed to prepare for his morning meeting with the pack elders. “She’s insisting on taking you shopping today.”
I groaned. “Your sister is pregnant. She should be resting.”
Alexander’s laugh echoed through the bedroom. “Good luck telling her that. My sister has terrorized Alphas twice her size–you think a little thing like pregnancy is going to slow her down?”
“Fair point,” I conceded, admiring the play of muscles across his back as he dressed. “Still, I’ll keep an eye on her.”
Before leaving, Alexander returned to my side of the bed, cupping my face in his large hands. “I love you, Summer Winster. More than you’ll ever know.”
The intensity in his eyes made my breath catch. After everything we’d been through, his devotion still amazed me.
“I love you too,” I whispered back.
After he departed with a final kiss, I prepared for my shopping date with my very pregnant sister–in–law.
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“Are you absolutely sure you should be out shopping right now?” I asked Lyra for the third time as we stepped through the gleaming doors of New York’s most exclusive shopping district. “You look like you could pop any minute.”
Lyra rolled her eyes, cradling her heavily pregnant belly with one hand while linking her other arm through mine. “For the last time, Summer, I’m fine. The doctor said I have at least two more weeks, and I refuse to miss helping you pick out the perfect dress for Felix’s foundation gala.”
Her eyes softened at the mention of Felix’s name, and I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. Alexander’s sister had been my rock through everything – from the moment I arrived at Blackwood territory, through Felix’s surgeries, to planning this charity event. Beneath her fierce exterior beat a heart of pure gold.
“Besides,” she added with a mischievous smile, “if I go into labor in Dior or Chanel, imagine the story we’ll have to tell this little one.” She patted her stomach affectionately.
We made our way through the exclusive boutique section, where sales associates immediately recognized us as the Blackwood Alpha’s mate and sister. Doors opened, champagne was offered ( sparkling water for Lyra), and collections not yet available to the public were presented for our perusal.
“This one,” Lyra declared, pulling a silver gown from the rack. “This is absolutely stunning.”
The dress was breathtaking – a floor–length silver slip dress with a delicate mother–of–pearl overlay that caught the light with every movement. It was elegant without being flashy, memorable without being
ostentatious.
“Try it on,” Lyra insisted, practically shoving me toward the fitting room.
Inside the spacious changing area, I slipped out of my clothes and carefully stepped into the gown. The material whispered against my skin as it fell into place. When I emerged, Lyra’s gasp told me everything I
needed to know.
“Holy shit,” she breathed, momentarily forgetting her usual ladylike persona. “Summer, you look… Alexander is going to lose his fucking mind.”
I turned toward the three–way mirror and barely recognized myself. The dress hugged my curves in all
the right places, the silver fabric illuminating my skin with an ethereal glow. It was sophisticated yet
sensual – perfect for hosting the foundation’s inaugural event.
“This is it,” I said softly, smoothing my hands over the fabric, “I think Felix would have loved seeing me in
this.”
A lump formed in my throat as I imagined my son’s bright smile, how he would have told me I looked like a princess. I swallowed hard, reminding myself that this gala was about honoring him, about creating
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something meaningful from our shared pain.
“I’ll take it,” I told the hovering sales associate, who nodded and discreetly began preparing the purchase.
“Wait,” a sharp female voice interrupted. “I’ll pay double for that dress.”
I turned. There she was.
Natalia Thompson.
Impeccably dressed, lips painted blood–red, and eyes gleaming with the kind of satisfaction only a woman who thought she owned the world could wear.
I blinked once. Then turned back to the associate.“You heard me. I’ll take it.”
The saleswoman hesitated, caught between the two of us like a rabbit between wolves.
Natalia stepped forward, her heels clicking against the marble like gunshots.
“Are you deaf?” she said, voice sweet as venom. “I said I’ll pay double. I don’t think she can afford it anyway.”
I didn’t even look at her.Instead, I reached into my handbag and pulled out Alexander’s black titanium Centurion card,I handed it to the associate without a word.
But before the card could reach her hand, it vanished.
Snatched.
In one swift, entitled motion, Natalia had stepped in and plucked it from between us like a magpie claiming something shiny.
She held it up between two fingers, her red nails gleaming under the boutique lights.
“You have his CARD?!” she sneered. Her voice was sharp and incredulous, like the idea physically offended her.
“Of course I do,” I replied calmly, though Luna was bristling beneath my skin. “I’m his mate. His wife.”
“Give it back,” I said, extending my hand toward Natalia. “Now.”
Natalia’s painted lips curved into a cruel smile. “You know, it’s almost cute how you play house with him.
Alexander doesn’t do commitment. Never has. I should know.”
She leaned in closer, her expensive perfume choking the air between us. “When he gets bored of playing daddy to your broken little family, he’ll come back to me. He always does.”
“You’re mistaken,” I said, my voice deadly quiet. “What Alexander had with you was fucking. What he has with me is a life.”
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Her perfectly made–up face contorted with rage. “You pathetic little bitch! You think because you trapped him with your sob story about your damaged son that he actually wants you?”
I saw her hand rise, palm open, ready to strike.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
The deep, commanding voice froze Natalia mid–motion. Alexander stood at the entrance of the boutique section, his broad shoulders filling the doorframe, his expression thunderous.
