A Warrior's Second Chance (Faye and Alexander) novel Chapter 428

Chapter 428

THIRD POV

Helen held his gaze for a brief moment after his apology, studying him in that quiet, assessing way of hers before giving a small nod.

“It’s fine,” she said.

Her voice carried no irritation, no impatience. Just acknowledgment.

Roman straightened fully, though the slight tension in his shoulders didn’t leave completely. It wasn’t fear–not exactly–but there was still that careful awareness about him. The kind that came from knowing his place here wasn’t entirely secure yet.

His eyes flicked briefly toward the door behind her before returning to her face.

“What are you doing here… at this hour?” he asked.

The question was respectful.

Measured.

But it was still a question.

Helen’s brows lifted slightly–not in offense, but in quiet surprise. Then her expression shifted into something almost amused, though it didn’t quite reach her lips.

She gave him a look.

A simple one.

But it said enough.

And Roman caught it.

He paused for a second, then exhaled softly, a faint shift of realization crossing his face.

Right.

He had asked a question that could easily be turned back on him.

He dipped his head slightly again, not quite apologizing this time, but acknowledging the unspoken correction.

“I couldn’t sleep,” he said after a moment, his tone steady again. “And when I can’t sleep, I usually go out to train.”

+25 Points

He shifted his weight slightly, one hand brushing briefly against the back of his neck before dropping again.

“But I thought I saw someone heading this way,” he continued. “Which was… unusual.”

His gaze moved briefly down the hallway, then back to her.

“So I came to check.”

Helen listened without interrupting.

Without reacting too quickly.

Her posture remained composed, but her eyes didn’t miss the details–the slight hesitation,

the careful choice of words, the way he explained himself without overexplaining.

He was still learning.

Still adjusting.

Still trying to find where he stood.

She nodded once, accepting the explanation.

Then, without hesitation, she answered his earlier question.

“This used to be my chambers,” she said.

Her voice didn’t carry emotion, but there was a quiet weight to the words.

Not heavy enough to draw attention.

But enough to be felt.

Roman’s gaze shifted to the door again, this time with a different kind of understanding.

“Oh.”

That explained it.

Helen continued, her attention returning to the door as well.

“I left something in there a long time ago,” she added. “Something important.”

Her fingers brushed lightly against the fabric of her robe as she spoke, almost unconsciously.

“I was hoping I could still find it.”

Points

Roman’s eyes narrowed slightly–not in suspicion, but in thought–as he looked at the door, then back at her.

The lock stood out now that he was really paying attention.

Different.

Newer.

Not something that had been there long–term.

He raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Do you have the key?” he asked.

Helen shook her head.

“No.”

There was no hesitation in that answer.

Roman’s gaze lingered on the door for another second, as if measuring it, considering it,

before he looked back at her.

“Then maybe you should wait till morning,” he said.

His tone remained respectful, but there was a practical edge to it now.

“Alpha Alexander should have access to all the doors in the house.”

That part felt obvious.

Logical.

If anyone could get her in there, it would be him.

Helen considered that for a moment.

It wasn’t like she hadn’t thought of it.

Of course she had.

But waiting…

That was the part she didn’t like.

Still-

Roman wasn’t wrong.

She nodded slowly.

“Yes,” she said. “He should.”

+25 Points.

Her gaze shifted back to the door again, lingering there just a second longer than before.

There was something about standing here like this–so close, yet completely locked out–that didn’t sit well with her.

Not when time wasn’t something they had in abundance.

Not when every moment mattered more than anyone wanted to admit.

“I would have preferred to go in tonight,” she added quietly.

Roman didn’t respond to that immediately.

Because there wasn’t really anything to say to it.

He understood the urgency–even if he didn’t fully understand the reason behind it.

The situation with Faye….

It had changed the atmosphere of the entire house.

Everyone could feel it.

Even if not everyone knew the details.

Helen let out a soft breath, her decision settling into place.

Then she turned slightly away from the door, her attention shifting back to Roman briefly before moving past him down the hallway.

“But I guess I’ll have to wait,” she said.

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