The Alpha King Call Boy
Chapter 92

Kayden and I were up at dawn. When we made it to the dining car for breakfast, though, we found Iris already there ahead of us, gazing out the window, an empty teacup on the table in front of her. "You're an early riser," I commented as Kayden and I joined her.

She smiled. "Always been."

A server arrived at our tableside then and took our breakfast orders. Once he departed, I told Iris I wanted to run something by her.

"Considering everything you told us last night, I think it might be best for you to move, instead of into an apartment, into the palace instead."

Iris gaped at me. "Really? Me, live at the palace with you?"

"I think it will be best for your medical care. We have doctors on staff who would be able to treat you in the comfort of your own room, so you wouldn't have to travel to see a doctor and can receive on-call care for your headaches."

"Oh, wow." She shook her head, her mouth ajar in disbelief. "Of course, I would love that. I would feel so much safer there with you than alone somewhere else, anyway, to be honest."

"Alright then. We'll set you up with a room in the West Wing. Kayden and the pack live there, too, in addition to me and my fiancée. You'll be very safe."

Iris tilted her head sideways. "You have a fiancée?" she asked curiously.

"Yes. Her name is Fiona."

My face wanted to slip into a dopey smile just thinking about Fiona. I missed her so goddamn much.

I cleared my throat and refocused on my present company.

"So it's settled, then. We'll head straight to the palace from the airport. Kayden will get you all set up in one of the available rooms. And I'll make sure we get a doctor in to see you the next morning."

Iris looked at me intently. I couldn't read the expression that had come over her face.

"Thank you," she said quietly. "I just can't believe how good and kind you're being to me."

"It's my pleasure," I told her. "You served my mother well for many years. I'll forever be grateful to you for that."

Fiona

I was eating lunch at my desk while reading a bunch of boring emails when one popped up at the top of my inbox that grabbed my attention immediately.

It was from Kayden. He'd forwarded me a copy of their return flight itinerary.

I grinned.

The flight wouldn't arrive till after eight p.m., and I knew they'd need at least another hour to get out of the airport and back to the palace after that. That gave me a good amount of time to work late, get back to the palace myself, and doll myself up for my Alpha's homecoming.

My mind started drifting into images of Alexander. I thought about that intense look he got in his eyes that told me he was brimming with desire. Thought about the way it felt when he touched me. The way it felt when his mouth was on me. It took a concerted effort to snap myself back to the present moment.

The alarm bells did start to sound. That alarm I'd set to remind myself not to slip back into love-like feelings with Alexander.

I decided to hit the snooze button on that alarm.

I gave myself permission to just enjoy Alexander tonight. I was tired, achy, and sick of sleeping alone. Good things were coming soon. There was no need for overthinking right now.

I spent the rest of the workday swatting away more intrusive thoughts about him.

I couldn't focus on my tasks enough for it to be worth it, after all, to stay at the office very late.

And I was glad I didn't linger too long in the city. Because I was exhausted. I absolutely had to take a nap as soon as I made it through the door of our bedroom.

I forced myself out of bed after twenty minutes of sleep that seemed to pass in an eyeblink. I was definitely feeling the effects of Alexander's absence. And now that I knew he'd be here soon, I was feeling almost desperate for his presence.

I soaked in a hot bubble bath, which improved my pain and energy levels a little. I washed my hair and shaved my body. Removed my work makeup, exfoliated my skin, and perfected my eyebrows. Dusted my lashes with a touch of mascara, blew out my hair and styled it in loose mermaid waves.

And then, wrapped up in a bathrobe, I spent an inordinate amount of time in my dressing room. I must have touched every single garment in there as I tried to make up my mind about what to wear.

In the end, I opted for a pale lavender dress. It was nothing fancy. But the color flattered my complexion, and it was stretchy, soft, and comfortable. And easy to take off quickly.

I took a minimalist approach with my jewelry selection as well. I had a pair of gold and amethyst earrings that were a perfect match for the dress, but they were long, dangly, and could get in the way. I went with some simple, shiny gold studs instead, and a matching gold bangle that I clasped around my wrist.

I dared not return to the bed as I waited, not wanting to fall asleep again. I set myself up at the table instead, bringing some pillows along with me to cradle my aching back. I tried to read a magazine, but my eyes could hardly register anything on the pages. I couldn't think of anything but Alexander.

Finally, my phone chimed, signaling a text's arrival.

My heart started racing when I saw Alexander's name on the screen.

The text read: Hey gorgeous. Hope I'm not waking you if you went to bed early. We're pulling up to the palace now. Can't wait to see you. X

I was up and striding out the room and heading for the parking lot in the next minute.

I watched Alexander's SUV pull up and park. He was in the passenger's seat and Kayden was driving. They didn't notice me as I approached from one of the big outdoor hallways, which was cast in shadow.

Alexander stepped out of the car first. Then he opened up the back door, held out his hand, and helped someone out of the back seat.

It was a woman.

She kept hold of Alexander's hand longer than seemed necessary for the purpose of balance as she stepped out of the vehicle. I froze in place, watching the unexpected scene unfolding before me. My heartrate ramped up to a new level of overdrive. To my relief, Alexander shook his hand free from the woman's grip and stepped away from her quickly. Then, as if sensing my presence, he swiveled on his heel and turned to look right at me.

His face burst into a smile and he made a beeline in my direction, meeting me where I stood at the curb moments later.

"Fiona." He swept me into his arms immediately, pressing his warm mouth and nose to my neck, kissing my skin tenderly and breathing in my scent. "Welcome home," I whispered.

For a moment I forgot all about the distracting scene near the car. Alexander's honey-colored eyes locked on mine, and the rest of the world melted away.

He stroked my hair, tucking a loose wave behind my ear. Then his fingers trailed down my neck, and he let his eyes follow. "Wow. You look beautiful."

Before I could reply, my peripheral vision tore me out of our moment. Kayden and the woman from the car were now approaching. Kayden was carrying his and Alexander's two small bags. The woman was, for some reason, also toting luggage of her own. "Who is that?" I asked quietly before the pair made their way over to us.

Alexander sighed, glancing back over his shoulder at the advancing company. "That's the witness," he said. "We found her."

"Fiona, this is Iris. She used to be my mother's maid and caretaker. Iris, this is my fiancée Fiona."

The woman, standing right beside us now, flashed me a toothy grin. "Hi, Fiona!"

"Hello, Iris. Pleasure to meet you."

"Oh, you too. Wow, you're pregnant!" Her big eyes fixed themselves, rudely, on my middle.

I was too stunned to respond. I flashed a look at Alexander.

He caught my meaning, looking embarrassed, and intervened. "Yes, Fiona and I are expecting a child," he said awkwardly.

"Well, it's such an honor for you to welcome me to come and live here with you guys," Iris replied.

"Excuse me?" I asked quietly.

Alexander sucked in a fast breath. "I have invited Iris to stay at the palace for a little while," he started explaining, speaking fast. "She is need of some medical care, so we'll have the palace doctors treating her here while she aids with my investigation." He was looking at me while he spoke. And so was Iris.

I felt her eyes on me and met them.

A flood of fury washed through my system when I saw that she was openly scowling at me.

She fixed her face, though, by the time Alexander glanced back to her, giving him a faux-innocent smile.

I endured about one more tedious minute of this person's presence.

And then I asked, very calmly, if I could please speak with my fiancé in private.