A Warrior's Second Chance (Faye and Alexander) novel Chapter 110

FAYE

I sat curled on the couch in my room, my knees pulled tight against my chest, my eyes staring blankly at the far wall.

The day had been a storm I couldn’t seem to step out of, and even now, wrapped in the silence of my room, the echoes refused to fade.

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The video. Gerald displaying pure hatred…he’s evil. Maya’s involvement. Gerald’s meltdown when the mask finally cracked and he realized he didn’t need to pretend anymore. It all replayed in my head like a cruel memory that refused to blur.

And then… Alexander.

I pressed my forehead against my knees and shut my eyes, but it didn’t stop the image from flashing again–the moment his eyes turned into red. I could still feel the chill that had swept across the room when it happened. It hadn’t just been anger. No, anger I could understand. This was something else. Something far more dangerous, something even Gerald seemed to recognize instantly because he had shriveled into silence the moment those eyes locked on

him.

I exhaled.

He had every right to be furious. So did I. Gerald had schemed against me, lied to the pack, tried to strip me of everything and bury me in shame. If there was ever a time to be angry, it was today.

But Alexander hadn’t moved. That was another thing that baffled me. He sat frozen in that chair, fury rolling off him in waves so violent I thought the room itself might shatter. His body hadn’t shifted, and yet I was certain if he had stood, if he had so much as twitched in Gerald’s direction, blood would have followed.

Why hadn’t he?

And why did it feel like the only thing holding him back was some invisible chain I couldn’t

see?

And why did it feel like everyone else in that room understood it but me?

I remembered the council members shuffling out, their voices hushed, their eyes downcast, as if they knew exactly what was coming and wanted no part of it. Even Cole had looked slightly troubled. Concerned, but not surprised. As if he’d seen this before.

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Chapter 110

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I rubbed my palms against my legs, trying to calm my thoughts. Obviously, there was a part of Alexander I didn’t know.

The silence of my room was broken by the sharp buzz of my phone vibrating on the table. I jumped, my heart jerking into my throat. I grabbed it quickly, almost desperately, as if I could stop the sound from echoing in the stillness.

The name flashing on the screen made me pause.

Alexander.

For a moment, I froze, staring at it. My fingers hesitated, hovering above the screen. The image of those red eyes came back. I hadn’t been afraid of him…but of whatever that was.

I squeezed my eyes shut and forced the thought away. No. This was Alexander. The same man who had stood up for me.

I pressed the answer button and lifted the phone to my ear.

“Faye.” His voice was calm.

“Yes,” I answered softly.

“Can you come to the office?”

He didn’t sound like he was asking. But he wasn’t ordering me either. Just… expecting.

A beat of silence stretched between us before I said, “Of course.”

I lowered the phone, staring at the black screen long after the call ended. I wondered why he called. I guess It had to do with Gerald.

I pushed myself up from the couch, my legs stiff and uncooperative. I reached for the jacket draped over the chair and pulled it around me.

It felt good, in a way, knowing Gerald’s schemes had finally been dragged into the light. That his poison was no longer festering in shadows. That I had been vindicated. But it didn’t erase the trauma. It didn’t wipe away the humiliation of standing accused in front of those who were supposed to trust me, the memory of cold stone walls in the dungeon pressing against my back. The scar of it lingered, even as justice crept closer.

I exhaled, pulled my jacket tighter, and walked to the door.

When I walked into Alexander’s office, I sank into the chair across from him.

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< Chapter 110

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“What’s the matter?” I asked.

A small thought crept in–maybe, just maybe, he would explain what happened to him back there. That look in his eyes, that terrifying rage that had frozen him in place instead of making him lash out. But I knew better. If I wanted answers, I would have to fish them out myself. Still, first things first. I had to hear why he called me here.

He leaned forward, hands folded on the desk, and said evenly, “I want you to see the rest of the video. After that, you’ll decide what you want before I take action.”

“The rest of the video?” My brows furrowed. “There’s more?”

Without another word, he slid his phone across the desk to me. My pulse quickened as I picked it up. I pressed play.

The video, which I thought had ended earlier, continued. Gerald’s voice filled the silence. My stomach twisted when I heard him mention Bella’s name. He said it plainly. It was Bella who

got him the picture of the ring to begin with.

So…Bella was involved.

Of course she was. Deep down, I always knew Bella wanted me out of the way. She had made it clear from the beginning, in every sneer, every taunt, every deliberate attempt to humiliate me. But this… this was another level. She hadn’t just plotted behind my back, she had actively fueled Gerald’s schemes.

My fingers tightened around the phone. I shouldn’t have been surprised, but still, it stung.

Alexander’s voice pulled me back. “That’s how the ring came to be. Bella must have stolen the sketch from my phone and given it to Gerald. He had something similar crafted. And because no one knew the actual ring, it was easy for everyone to believe.”

I let out a sharp dry laugh. “So that’s the depth she’s willing to sink to.”

“I’ll deal with Gerald. He didn’t just set you up and have you mistreated, he also spoke against you–and against me. He’s already buried himself.”

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