A Warrior's Second Chance (Faye and Alexander) novel Chapter 215

Chapter 215

FAYE

I stepped out of the bathroom with my towel still wrapped tightly around me, steam curling behind me like a soft cloud.

My hair was damp, sticking to my shoulders, and all I wanted was to collapse into bed and pretend my mind wasn’t running in ten different directions.

But my phone began to ring.

I sighed, walked over to the dresser, and flipped the screen over. Helen.

I quickly cleared my throat and answered, “Good evening, Helen.”

“Oh, sweetheart,” she breathed, relieved. “I hope I didn’t wake you?”

“No, no… it’s fine,” I said, adjusting the towel with one hand.

She immediately launched into motherly questions. “How are you feeling? Did you manage to eat anything proper today? And the baby–are you resting well? No headaches? No dizziness? You’re not overexerting yourself, right?”

I couldn’t stop the small smile from forming. It was sweet–adorable even–but also a little funny. For some reason, everyone assumed I turned helpless the moment Alexander wasn’t beside me.

“I’m alright,” I reassured her gently. “Truly. Everything’s fine.”

“Are you sure?” she pressed. “You sound tired. And you shouldn’t be carrying all the pack weight on your shoulders right now.”

I balanced the phone between my ear and shoulder as I picked up my lotion and rubbed it into my arms. “I’m taking care of myself, Helen. I promise.”

“But you shouldn’t be overwhelmed with pack duties at all,” she insisted. “Rest, Faye. The pack can manage. Cole is very capable.”

“I know. He’s doing a lot already,” I said, moving the phone to my other ear as I moisturized my legs. “But in Alexander’s absence, I have to oversee things. It comes with the position.”

“Then shift some of that responsibility,” she said quickly. “Let Cole handle more. Honestly, sweetheart, it would make me feel better.”

I paused.

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444

+25 Points

Of course she wouldn’t relax unless I agreed. Helen worried in the way only a seasoned Luna and a devoted mother could worry.

So I softened my voice and said, “Alright. I’ll let Cole take more off my hands.”

“Oh, good,” she exhaled. “That gives me some peace.”

I smiled again, slipping into my nightwear. “I appreciate you checking on me.”

“Well, you’re Alexander’s mate, and my soon–to–be daughter–in–law… who’s carrying my grandchild,” she said with a hint of excitement she clearly couldn’t hide. “And you’re going through this without Alexander beside you for a few days. I know it’s not easy.”

“It’s just a couple of days,” I murmured. “I’ll survive.”

“Of course,” Helen said.

The call ended with a warm goodbye, and I sank onto the bed the moment the line disconnected.

I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

The room felt too quiet, too still, too… empty.

This was the longest I had been without Alexander since we met.

And even though I knew why… even though I respected the ritual… it didn’t make the distance any easier.

I climbed under the covers, hoping exhaustion would finally pull me under, but after several minutes of tossing, turning, shifting my pillow, adjusting the blankets, and staring at the ceiling, I knew sleep wasn’t going to come.

My thoughts were too loud. My heart too restless. And this bed too big without him.

I groaned softly and sat up.

Fine. If sleep didn’t want me, I wouldn’t force it.

I got out of bed, slipped my feet into a pair of socks, and grabbed the soft sweater lying across the chair. I pulled it over my head, smoothing the fabric over my stomach, then reached for my phone.

If I stayed here, I’d just keep spiraling, worrying, wondering. Thinking myself into corners I didn’t need to be in.

The office was a better idea. Not because Alexander was there–he wasn’t. And wouldn’t be.

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& Chapter 215

But work… work was grounding. Work would keep my head still.

And Cole would definitely still be awake.

He practically lived in the office these days.

+25 Points

Sure enough, when I pushed the door open, Cole was seated at the desk, files spread out around him, a half–drunk mug of coffee beside his elbow.

He looked up immediately. “Luna? You should be resting.”

“I tried,” I admitted, walking in and shutting the door softly behind me. “It didn’t work.”

Cole studied me for a moment, concern flickering briefly in his eyes, but he didn’t question me further.

“Alright,” he said, pulling a seat out for me. “In that case… we’ve got updates.”

Good.

Updates were exactly what I needed.

I slipped into the seat beside him and exhaled.

If I couldn’t sleep, I could at least keep things moving until Alexander came back.

“Where do we begin?” Cole asked, referring to the updates.

“Anywhere is fine… You can start with one that could actually bore me to sleep,” I said.

He smirked lightly. “There’s… an update from North Ridge.”

My stomach tightened… not out of fear, but out of pure annoyance. “Patrick?”

“Yes.” Cole hesitated, as if deciding how best to package the stupidity he was about to relay. “He sent a formal message. And Faye… he’s pretending he has no idea why Alexander closed

the borders.”

I blinked. Then blinked again.

“You’re joking.”

“I wish.” Cole picked up a folded sheet from the table. “He said–and I quote-‘This abrupt withdrawal of alliance is a personal attack on my leadership and a hostile act that could be interpreted as a first step toward war.”

My jaw dropped. “He said that? Like that? Word for word?”

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Chapter 215

Cole nodded.

425 Points

I let out a short laugh–the kind that escaped when anger was hitting faster than common sense. “Unprovoked hostility? From us? After all that maniac has done?”

“That part seems to have slipped his mind,” Cole said dryly.

“Oh, how convenient.”

Cole continued, flipping the page. “He’s also demanding a proper explanation. Says Alexander owes him one.”

‘Owes him,‘ I repeated slowly, as if testing the absurdity on my tongue. “I see.”

Cole’s expression mirrored mine–complete disbelief shadowed by irritation. “There’s more.”

Of course there was. Men like Patrick never stopped at simple arrogance.

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