The Wolf Came on Christmas (Johanna and Alexander) novel Chapter 80

Chapter 80-1

+25 Points

For a second, I truly believed Alexander was going to rise from the armchair and launch himself at Rex, because of his lack of respect and the galloping anger that made him clench his fists on the armrests. But he didn’t. One more proof that, although he was affected, he wouldn’t forget his status or who he was, or lose awareness of what he had to do.

He had said it: “We are not beasts, and I will not tolerate beastly behavior from anyone.” Everyone waited for his response impatiently, and finally, the “alpha” answered:

“….put that way, you’ve beaten me, Rex,” he said with a long, exhausted sigh. “All right. I give you command. Just until you get us out of this.”

The big man sighed and dismantled the hostile expression on his face.

Then I realized that Agent Aguilera had orchestrated his entire speech while terrified, because of the nervous smile that formed on his lips afterward and the trembling way his shoulders dropped in relief. That left me open-mouthed once again. Was the influence of an “alpha” over his subordinates so oppressive that Rex had actually felt afraid to challenge Alexander? I was deeply impressed. A soft yawn from Sasha brought me back to reality, and I found Alexander standing up and extending his hand to his “beta” in a gesture of goodwill. They sealed the new agreement by grabbing each other’s wrists, looking each other in the face.

“Good. I’m very glad to know you agree,” Rex accepted, pleased.

“Do I have a choice?” Alexander growled, pretending displeasure.

Hans smiled, relieved, and made it clear to me that he had influenced all of this more than anyone. Andre, meanwhile, was still watching his father with a furrowed brow, as if expecting something more from him. Perhaps the boy was thinking the same thing I was-that Alexander had given in too easily. But if I’d been given the same choice as him…

I think I would’ve reached the same conclusion.

“Well, you could’ve refused. We could’ve settled it the old-fashioned way, with a good fight. Your father never would’ve yielded, but you’re not your father, and thank God for that,” Aguilera said this time, enthusiastic and relaxed. “You can’t deny, though, that fighting would’ve been interesting. After eight years without seeing you and everything you left behind when you left, the chance to smash your face fair and square is nothing less than tempting.”

“You knew I wasn’t going to agree to such nonsense,” Alexander replied, calm but mocking.” Besides, you look like shit. You wouldn’t stand a single chance against me.”

“Sure. After fifty hours without sleep, anyone looks like shit.”

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:

Chapter 80-1

“…if you screw this up, I’ll kill you.”

+25 Points.

Rex burst out laughing, and Christian and Richie smiled at the same time. They had already turned around and were both standing beside Hans.

“Oh, try it,” the new leader challenged him sarcastically.

“All right. And what will be your first order, ‘alpha’ Aguilera?” Nika asked ironically.

Rex turned toward us, and looked at me especially.

“First, we’re putting this woman and those two kids somewhere safe. And once we’re there, we’ll see what happens next. Mrs. Grant, please pack only what you think you need in one suitcase. We’ll provide everything else.” Then he looked at his comrades and continued, striding toward the kitchen. “You too. Gather all the gear. We’re leaving in an hour.”

I stood up from the sofa with the intention of going to my room to do what Rex had just asked, but then I glanced back at Alexander over my shoulder to see if Andre was following me. The expression on the former leader’s face, for the first time since I’d known him, was indecipherable.

I had been selecting things to take with me for half an hour already. I had chosen the suitcase I would use and focused on filling it with the essentials: at least two changes of underwear, a thick sweater to change into, a pair of pants, a couple of T-shirts, a long-sleeve shirt, two button-up shirts, a scarf, gloves, socks, a pair of sneakers, and my toiletry bag. I put Álvaro’s claw in the back pocket of my jeans without much interest. The rest of the space left in my suitcase I set aside for my laptop, my cell phone, my wallet with my credit cards and…

H

Alexander looked at me for a moment, then went back to what he was doing.

“…depends on who’s looking at it,” he replied curtly.

I don’t know whether he was angry or just frustrated, but I understood him.

Not every day does your second-in-command come and overthrow you in an internal coup that is actually completely logical and coherent. After that last look in the living room, I figured it must hurt to have to bow your head to one of your “subordinates.” But shouldn’t it also relieve him to know he had support, and that now he could focus on what worried him most? It wasn’t that Rex had prevented him from acting-he had only said he wouldn’t be making the most important decisions. Leaving seemed like a good idea to me too. Rex was right about that, and Hans as well. It was obvious we couldn’t stay in my

It house anymore. wasn’t safe for anyone. Álvaro had demonstrated perfectly that we were like mice trapped in

1/2

Chapter 80-2

125 Points

a cage, and that the cats (literally and figuratively) were watching us with ravenous hunger from behind the wires.

“I think he gave you the chance to take a breath and regain strength for when it’s time to strike back,” I added, glancing at the clothes I’d set aside to change into before leaving…

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