My Fated Alpha's Cruel Game (Elena and Marcus) novel Chapter 74

Chapter 74: Chapter 74 Hidden Treaty Revealed

Elena’s POV

Both Damien and Gage remained frozen in the office doorway, their eyes fixed on me at the bottom of the staircase.

The silence stretched between us as they searched for words that refused to come.

"I have assignments to finish." I announced, pivoting toward the stairs with deliberate calm. Please don’t follow me, I silently begged.

My bedroom door clicked shut behind me as I settled at my desk. The familiar weight of textbooks should have been comforting, but my mind was spinning.

What the hell had I just witnessed downstairs? Had Damien really mentioned second chance mates? I always assumed those were myths whispered among pack elders.

Rejected mates were already uncommon enough in our world. The idea that those same wolves could find new destined partners seemed impossible.

I positioned myself by the window, cradling my coffee mug while lighting a cigarette. The setting sun painted the forest in brilliant oranges and purples, nature’s daily masterpiece unfolding before me.

"Focus, Elena. One crisis at a time. School comes first, then the baby. Nothing else matters right now." My voice sounded steadier than I felt. "No hunting for another mate. Deal with what’s actually in front of you."

The coincidence wasn’t lost on me though. My first mate had been an Alpha, and now this potential second chance was also an Alpha. Was the Peak Goddess sending me a message?

After forcing my racing thoughts to settle, I opened my textbooks and dove into the mountain of assignments waiting for me.

The pre-med coursework surprised me with its accessibility. Science had never been my strongest subject, but these concepts clicked into place effortlessly. Everything made perfect sense.

Hours passed in focused concentration until knuckles rapped against my door.

"Enter." I called out cheerfully.

Damien appeared in my doorway carrying a dinner plate, his expression cautious.

"You missed eating with everyone." He observed, and I glanced at my clock in shock.

"Damn. I completely lost track of time working on this stuff." I admitted.

He approached my desk, and I cleared space for the plate and soda can he’d brought.

"How are your classes treating you?" He asked, hovering awkwardly.

"Better than expected. I’m genuinely enjoying every single one." I replied.

"Gage mentioned you’re excelling in creative writing. Is that a career path you’re considering?" His tone carried genuine curiosity.

"Possibly. Between creative writing and English literature, I might pursue something in that direction." I said.

"Writers can make decent livings." He agreed.

The forced small talk made my chest tighten. This awkward dance between us was exactly what I’d feared. Our easy friendship was dissolving into uncomfortable tension.

"Look, I’ve got school and pregnancy to handle. Can we pretend I never overheard that conversation earlier? You’re an incredible friend, Damien. I can’t lose that." I said directly.

"I feel the same way. But now I understand why protecting you felt so instinctual. Those feelings probably started at the Alpha Ball when we first met, even while you were still mated to Marcus." His voice carried weight.

"I had the same realization. But we don’t need to complicate things right now. Can we please just return to normal?" I pleaded.

"My feelings aren’t something I can switch off." He said quietly.

"I understand that completely. But you admitted you’re not even certain these feelings are genuine. Could be pregnancy hormones affecting us both." I reasoned.

"Maybe. It’s tearing me apart inside not knowing." His confession made my heart ache.

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