The moment Nene got into the car, she yanked out her phone and furiously typed.
Nene [8:42 AM]
- I HATE HIM.
- I HATE HIM SO MUCH.
- I wore a dress. A perfectly fine, long-sleeved, fully covered dress.
- AND HE MADE ME CHANGE.
- BECAUSE "MY LEGS WERE SHOWING."
Jiho [8:43 AM]
- LMAO.
- Babe, you do realize you just did an Alpha challenge, right?
- You basically waved a red flag at a bull.
Nene [8:43 AM]
- HOW WAS IT A CHALLENGE.
- IT WAS A SKIRT.
Jiho [8:43 AM]
- Oh, sweet summer child.
- You put on a short skirt ON PURPOSE to see if he'd react, didn't you?
Nene [8:44 AM]
- …
- I hate that you know me.
Jiho [8:44 AM]
- And let me guess.
- He did that thing where he backed you into a wall, got all close, used his "Alpha voice," and made you change?
Nene stiffened, glancing sideways at Alexander.
He was sitting beside her, scrolling through his tablet, looking like the picture of calm and control.
Like he hadn't just backed her into a wall thirty minutes ago.
Nene [8:44 AM]
- …Maybe.
Jiho [8:44 AM]
- HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
- YOU'RE SO SCREWED.
Nene [8:45 AM]
- I AM NOT.
- I AM IN CONTROL.
- I WILL NOT BE TAMED.
Jiho [8:45 AM]
- Sure.
- Keep telling yourself that.
- Anyway, where are you going?
Nene [8:45 AM]
- Stepdad's place.
- Apparently, it's my "official birthday party."
Jiho [8:45 AM]
- Oh, that's gonna be a sh*tshow.
- You ready for that?
Nene exhaled sharply, glancing at Alexander again.
He wasn't saying anything, but she could tell—
He knew she was texting someone.
And judging by the way his gold eyes flicked to her phone for half a second before going back to his work…
He knew exactly who.
She hunched over her phone, muttering.
Nene [8:46 AM]
- No.
- But I don't think I have a choice.
Jiho [8:47 AM]
- Babe.
- You do realize this party is fancy enough to get real-time updates online, right?
Nene [8:47 AM]
- What.
Jiho [8:47 AM]
- People are already posting.
- Your mom's love story is basically werewolf soap opera levels of drama.
- And since you look a LOT like her and her mother, people are already comparing you.
Nene gritted her teeth.
Of course they were.
Her mother had been a scandal.
An Alpha daughter who was supposed to have a political marriage, only to meet her fated mate at the wrong time.
A tragic illness, hidden deals, and a child stolen by fate.
It was practically a novel.
And now?
Now that the "lost daughter" had returned—
Now, strangers online were analyzing every feature, every expression, every detail like she was some kind of historical relic.
Nene [8:49 AM]
- I hate it here.
Jiho [8:49 AM]
- Oh, babe.
- You haven't even arrived yet.
Nene rubbed her temple.
This was going to be a disaster.
She glanced at Alexander, who was still calmly scrolling through reports, looking completely unbothered.
Meanwhile, her entire existence was trending.
Nene [8:49 AM]
- You sure we can't just fake my death and run?
Jiho [8:49 AM]
- Sorry, babe.
- Your name is too valuable now.
- Welcome to the world of power plays.
Nene slumped back in her seat, groaning.
She was going to need a lot more patience to get through this night.
Nene was still mentally preparing for disaster when Alexander finally spoke.
"Listen carefully," he said, setting his tablet down. "You need to understand what you're walking into."
She exhaled sharply, turning to him. "I already know it's a mess."
"It's more than a mess." His golden eyes locked onto hers. "It's a game of agendas. And you are the centerpiece."
Her stomach twisted.
Because she knew he was right.
This wasn't just some birthday party.
This was a political event.
Alexander's voice was calm, smooth, and dangerously clear.
"Your father—Lin Zhen—is about pack politics."
Nene's fingers curled slightly. "Obviously."
"He doesn't care about you personally. He cares about what you represent. You're a legal Alpha heir to his pack, which means you could have challenged him for leadership."
Nene gritted her teeth. "And this marriage bypasses that."
"Exactly," Alexander said smoothly. "By marrying me, you step out of his pack's internal struggle. But that doesn't mean he won't still try to use you."
She huffed. "Fantastic."
Alexander continued. "Your stepfather has fewer agendas. But the main one is his mate."
Nene paused.
Her mother.
Her stepfather—the Alpha who had taken in her sick, fading mother and given her a place to recover.
"What do you mean?" she asked, more serious now.
"Your mother is still fragile. And while your stepfather is a respected Alpha, his biggest concern has always been her well-being. That includes making sure she doesn't face unnecessary stress."
Nene swallowed.
So this party—this entire event—wasn't just about celebrating her existence.
It was about keeping her mother calm.
It was a message to the public.
A controlled way to show that the past was resolved—that there was no conflict between the families.
A complete public performance.
And she was expected to play along.
Nene rubbed her temple. "Great. And what about you?"
Alexander's gaze flickered.
Then, without hesitation—
"Mine is you."
Nene's breath caught.
For a moment, everything else faded.
The party, the politics, the disaster awaiting her—
Gone.
Because he meant it.
There was no calculation in his voice. No political maneuvering.
Just absolute certainty.
Her pulse kicked up, but she refused to let him see it.
Instead, she crossed her arms, forcing herself to stay steady. "You say that like I'm some business investment."
Alexander's lips tilted slightly. "You're more than that."
Nene's stomach flipped.
She hated how easily he said things like that.
Like he was just stating a fact.
Like she was already his.
She exhaled sharply, looking away. "So what do I do at this party?"
Alexander leaned back slightly, completely at ease.
"Smile."
Nene glared. "That's it?"
"Play the part." His voice was smooth, but his golden eyes didn't waver. "And don't forget, wife—"
He leaned in slightly, voice lower, quieter.
"You belong to me now."
Nene's heartbeat slammed against her ribs.
She hated that.
She hated how real it was.
She gritted her teeth, turning back to the window.
This night was going to be hell.