Mated to My Intended's Enemy novel Chapter 215

Chapter 215: Chapter 215 The Alpha’s Thanks

Freya’s POV

"Cici."

Alpha Xander approached and took the little girl from my arms. It was only then that he realized she was completely soaked.

Great. Now he probably thinks I’m some kind of negligent babysitter.

He paused, looking at me questioningly. "What happened...?"

I hadn’t expected the child to be his niece. "She fell into the hot spring pool," I explained quickly. "I saw her and pulled her out."

"...Thank you," he said, his tone carrying that gravity that all Alphas seemed to possess.

"Don’t mention it," I replied. The air between us felt charged, and I had to resist the urge to step back. "You should get her into dry clothes before she catches cold."

Alpha Xander nodded, appearing to want to say something more, but his little niece was crying inconsolably against his shoulder, clearly shaken from the experience.

Poor thing. She’s been through enough without having to deal with adult awkwardness.

He simply gave me a brief acknowledging nod before carrying her into the elevator.

With my good deed done, I returned to the hot springs to continue my soak, trying to push away thoughts of how surprisingly gentle he’d been with Cici.

After finishing my bath, I changed into fresh clothes and headed to the buffet area. I had barely started eating when Alpha Xander appeared before me, holding his niece’s hand.

Oh, come on. I was hoping that would be the end of it.

"May we join you?" he asked.

I honestly don’t want much interaction with another Alpha—especially one connected to wolf pack politics. But refusing would be both rude and awkward given the circumstances.

"Please, sit," I gestured to the empty chairs, forcing a polite smile.

"Cici, stay here with the nice lady. Uncle will get you something to eat," he instructed the child.

Cici gave me a shy, hesitant glance before nodding. "Okay..." she answered in a small voice.

Alpha Xander turned to me. "Would you mind watching her for a moment?"

"Of course," I replied, though internally I was calculating how quickly I could extract myself from this situation.

Once he left, Cici and I were left facing each other. She seemed timid, and I worried about frightening her if I spoke too abruptly.

She’s just a child. Whatever complicated politics exist between the adults, she doesn’t deserve to be caught in the middle of my discomfort.

After a moment’s hesitation, I spoke gently, "Your uncle will be back soon."

Cici’s beautiful dark eyes studied me before she finally nodded.

She has his eyes—that same intensity, but innocent.

"Does your nose still hurt from when the water went in?" I asked.

She shook her head in response.

At least she seems to be recovering from the scare.

Alpha Xander returned shortly after, placing a plate in front of Cici and handing her utensils. She began eating quietly, taking small, deliberate bites.

Well-behaved kid. Someone’s been teaching her proper manners.

"Is it good?" he asked her.

She nodded.

Alpha Xander glanced at me, then said to Cici, "This lady saved you earlier. Say thank you to her."

Cici looked up from her cake, her little tongue still licking frosting from her fork, and said softly, "Thank you, ma’am."

My heart shouldn’t be melting this much over a polite child.

"You’re very welcome," I replied warmly.

Cici looked back at her uncle, who nodded. "Go ahead and eat."

She returned her attention to her food while Alpha Xander turned his focus to me. After taking a bite himself, he asked, "Are you here alone?"

And now comes the polite interrogation. Perfect.

"Company team-building event," I explained. "I’m here with colleagues."

Not knowing I’d left Shadow Pack Corporation, he naturally assumed I meant a company outing with them. He paused briefly before saying, "I see."

Just then, Johnny spotted me across the room and waved.

Thank God. Perfect timing for an escape route.

This was exactly what I needed—I had no desire to deepen connections with anyone from Silvano’s world, and I certainly had nothing to discuss with Alpha Xander that wouldn’t lead to uncomfortable territory.

Seeing me, she hurried over to express her gratitude again. "It’s nothing," I assured her.

I’d assumed that after yesterday’s scare, Cici would be afraid of the water, but it seemed Alpha Xander had helped her overcome her fear.

Good for him. It would have been terrible if she’d developed a permanent phobia.

Holding her nanny’s hand and wearing a swim ring, she tentatively tested the water with her foot before slowly getting in.

After a while, she paddled over to me, calling softly, "Ma’am..."

She remembers me. That’s... actually really sweet.

I turned toward her. "Yes?"

She didn’t say anything more but seemed content to simply paddle around near me.

She’s just seeking comfort from a familiar face. I can’t begrudge a child that.

"She really seems to like you," the nanny observed with a smile.

Great. The last thing I need is to get attached to a child I’ll probably never see again after this weekend.

I smiled back but didn’t comment.

When it was time for me to leave for another company activity, I made sure to say goodbye to Cici. To my surprise, she stretched her arms toward me. "Up, please," she requested.

How am I supposed to say no to that?

I obliged, lifting her out of the water. After we’d both changed into dry robes, I carried her to the elevator, planning to part ways once we reached our floors.

As we waited, Alpha Xander appeared. Cici’s small face lit up with a smile. "Uncle!"

Perfect timing. Now I can hand her off and end this before I get any more attached.

Alpha Xander approached and reached out to take her from me. Cici, however, seemed reluctant to let me go even as she wanted her uncle’s embrace. She extended one arm toward him while keeping the other firmly gripped on my collar.

Oh no. She’s not making this easy, is she?

When Alpha Xander took her, she still held onto my robe, and the sudden transfer caused my bathrobe to be pulled open.

Shit!

My wolf Selene bristled at the sudden exposure, and I quickly clutched the fabric closed, heat rising to my cheeks. The thin hotel robe had revealed more than I would have liked in the brief moment before I secured it.