Chapter 0131 +25 BONUS Still , the idea lingered just a faint hint of suspicion that I couldnt ignore .
Id have to look more closely into her and see what I could learn .
In the meantime , though , I focused on the task at hand .
I did genuinely want to surprise Alexander , and these butterscotch cookies were going to be delicious .
Keep stirring , Bethany instructed , patting my shoulder .
You want everything to be well mixed .
I tried to focus on Bethanys instructions , but my mind kept drifting back to the unsettling possibility that someone had been poisoning my food .
There was one night in particular that stood out the last time Id truly felt connected to my wolf .
I remember getting violently sick after a dinner party at my home , where David and Amanda had been guests .
It was possible that one of them had slipped something into my meal .
Or perhaps David had bribed someone to do it , just as hed paid the barista to poison my coffee a few days ago .
The memory of that night sent a chill through me .
Id been so sick afterward , barely able to get out of bed for days .
My weakened state had masked the gradual fading of my wolf , so it never occurred to me then that the illness might be connected .
But now , it felt all too obvious .
I glanced at Bethany as she moved around the kitchen .
She navigated the space instinctively , putting together delicious looking appetizers for dinner tonight .
I couldnt help but consider the idea of asking my father to bring her back to work for us .
I trusted Bethany , and having someone by my side someone who would notice and alert me to anything suspicious would be invaluable .
Watching her , it was clear that she missed this place .
Asking her to return might bring her joy , and I could probably arrange for her to work independently from the head chef .
My parents rarely denied me anything , so I felt confident theyd allow me a private cook if I requested it .
I slid the cookie tray into the oven , already feeling a flutter of anticipation as I thought of Alexanders arrival .
Hed said hed barely make it in time for dinner due to a meeting , yet just the thought of him being here made my pulse quicken , pushing all other worries into the background .
Ever since that night with him , I found myself reacting to even the briefest thought of him in ways I couldnt control .
Tonight was sure to be … challenging .
Not only would I have to face my mothers skeptical gaze on our engagement , but Id also have to mask my own embarrassment around him .
Still , Alexander was my fiancé I couldnt afford to let anyone think there was anything less than steady ground between us .
I didnt know you could cook .
I whirled around , startled , to see Alexander leaning against the doorway , his lips curving into that familiar smirk .
In one hand , he held a bouquet of fresh flowers ; several elegant gift bags hung from his other arm .
What are you doing here ? I asked , still processing his presence .
My meeting ended early , he said , stepping forward and extending the bouquet to me .

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I thought Id surprise you .
My fingers closed around the delicate stems as I took the flowers from him , their fragrance wrapping around me .
Youve certainly succeeded , I murmured , feeling warmth rise to my cheeks as I brought the bouquet to my chest .
( ( 1/2 +25 BONUS Chapter 0131 Alexanders smile brought a wave of calm over me , easing the tight knot of anxiety that had been building in my chest .
With him here , the evening suddenly felt manageable .
I could do this I could find the answers about my wolf , uncover the truth hidden in shadows , and take back control of my life .
I just had to be patient , steady , and relentless .
Alexander would help me find what I needed , and together , we would face whatever came next .
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