Silence fell over the room. The weight of the situation settled heavily on their hearts, neither of them speaking for a long while.
Finally, Jaxon exhaled and returned to his usual calm self.
"What are your symptoms?"
Alexander almost smiled, as it felt as though he was being diagnosed with an ailment. But he knew Jaxon was just worried.
"The first day wasn't so bad. Aside from the sudden attraction and Ace nearly losing control, I was fine. But since then… the pull's only gotten stronger."
He swallowed, his prominent Adam's apple bobbing up and down.
"I can smell her now—her innate, unique scent. Roses and frankincense. It's driving me insane. What's more…"
"Every time I get close, my body reacts. Tingling. Burning. Urging me to get closer… to…"
He trailed off, covering his face with one hand as he forced the words out.
"…mark her."
At this point, what more was there for Jaxon to not understand?
Alexander had been raised to be a man extremely disciplined and strict to himself, always holding himself to impossible standards. So this growing attraction to Katharina left him deeply conflicted.
The more he felt for her, the more he tried to resist.
As a result, he had became desperate to uncover all the clues he could from her and let her return to the crypt—before he lost the battle against himself.
Out of sight, out of mind.
But...
Jaxon sighed quietly.
If the mate bond was that easy to unravel, it wouldn't be called 'fated.'
And considering how both of them bore the surnames tied to the prophecy, Jaxon had a sinking feeling none of this was a coincidence.
He thought for a moment, then offered an idea.
"The routine inspection of Silver City's auction house is coming up in two days. Why not go in my place? Get out of the manor, get some fresh air. Maybe it's just the proximity playing tricks on you."
Even as he said it, he didn't believe it himself. But he had no better solution.
If he were just Alexander's best friend, he might've told him to stop holding back and chase this once-in-a-lifetime bond. But as the Beta of Clear Moon Pack, his duty was to the whole.
When he thought of how, just a week ago, he'd joked to himself that things would get 'livelier' with Katharina around, he wanted to go back in time and slap himself back to his senses.
Livelier, my foot.
Meanwhile, Alexander seriously considered his suggestion and felt that it was feasible.
Indeed, distance might help in clearing his head, and hopefully, setting things straight.
But after a pause, he shook his head.
"No. I can't leave."
"She's been quiet and hasn't stepped out of her room all week, but that's exactly what worries me. Because that means she's unpredictable."
"What if after I leave, she goes on a rampage? Who's going to stop her?"
"As Alpha and the strongest in the pack, walking away now would be no different from being irresponsible."
Jaxon opened his mouth to argue—that he and the others could hold their own—but the truth was, they had no idea what Katharina was truly capable of.
In the end, his lips tightened into a thin line.
Seeing him like this, Alexander gave a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"Don't worry too much," he said.
"We'll figure something out."
Just then, a soft ding echoed through the room.
A.message notification.
Jaxon pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced at the screen.
"It's from Dan," he said, frowning slightly. "He says we have an uninvited guest. Someone claiming to be an old friend of your father."
…
In her room, Katharina suddenly caught a whiff of a familiar scent while watching a movie.
Her brows drew into a frown.
Cain?
No, it couldn't be him.
He was human.
Technically, it had been two millennia since she'd gone into slumber. He should've long since turned to dust.
But…
Katharina's eyes narrowed.
What if he'd been turned afterward?
The moment that thought crossed her mind, the movie lost all appeal.
Tossing the tablet onto the bed, she vanished from spot and reappeared at the door in a flash.
Seconds later, she appeared downstairs where the scent was strongest, just as Alexander and Jaxon stepped out from the library.
Both paused, clearly surprised to see her.
"Katharina?" Alexander stepped forward, a flicker of doubt in his eyes. "Do you need something?"
Ignoring him, she walked past, heading straight for the man seated in the living room, his back to her.
As if sensing her presence, the man rose and turned to face her.
The moment her eyes landed on his familiar face, something unreadable flickered across her expression.
It really was him.
Before anyone could react, the man dropped to one knee, placed one hand over his chest, and spoke with solemn reverence.
"Queen."
Alexander and Jaxon exchanged a heavy glance.
They recognized the man.
Ashford. Uncle Ashford.
The vampire who had once been friends with Alexander's father, the previous Alpha—Edward Moonstone.
They had only met him twice, but his name had come up more than once. According to Edward, Ashford had saved him from rogue werewolves attack years ago.
A debt he never forgot, which served as a bridge leading to an unlikely friendship between vampire and wolf.
But now, looking at him kneeling before Katharina without hesitation or surprise…
As if he'd known she was here all along.
Which brought an unsettling question to mind:
When Ashford saved Edward—was it truly a coincidence… or part of long-laid plan?
Unaware of their thoughts, Katharina said nothing as she stared down at the man in front of her. He, in turn, remained frozen in place, waiting for her to speak.
A while later.
"Cain," she said, her voice emotionless. "How are you still here?"
Alexander's brows furrowed.
That was an odd question to ask.
Not how are you or what are you doing here, but how are you still here?
As though…
He wasn't supposed to be alive.
Beside him, Jaxon also realized how strange it was.
The two men exchanged another glance, their expressions growing tense as they stared at Ashford.
Especially Alexander.
He'd never felt anything particular toward Ashford before, but now, he felt a something deep within him stir.
Dislike.
Rejection.