Page 94 of The Alpha's Crimson Vow

“Unfortunately, yes. Duty calls.” She gives me a small, almost apologetic smile. “I could only spare a couple of days for your birthday.”

I nod slowly. I get it. She’s a queen, and with that comes a million responsibilities, all demanding her attention. The fact that she even made time to be here at all means everything to me.

“What time’s your flight?” I ask.

“Not till later tonight.” She glances around the office briefly before turning back to me. “I wanted to drop by and say goodbye before I get ready to leave.”

I nod again, pushing back my chair as I rise to my feet. She does the same, smoothing out the front of her dress.

I take a step toward her. “Thank you for coming, Alice. I know you’re always busy, and it means the world to me that you were here.”

She smiles, a real one this time, warm and sincere. “Always, Katherine. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

She pulls me into a hug, and I let myself lean into it, soaking in the comfort of her presence. For a moment, we just stand there, holding onto each other, no words needed.

Then, slowly, I pull away. And just like before, her eyes immediately drop to my stomach.

I let out a groan, shaking my head. “Jesus, Alice. You’re acting like you’ve never seen a pregnant woman before.”

She just gives me that same unreadable, maternal stare. “If anything comes up, don’t hesitate to call. Okay?”

“Of course,” I say, walking with her toward the door. She opens it, pausing to glance back at me, giving me one last lingering look before offering a small smile. Then she’s gone.

I shut the door behind me, and the absence of Alice already feels heavier than it should. There’s just something abouther presence—steady, and reassuring in a way that doesn’t need words. She doesn’t hover, doesn’t coddle, but somehow, just knowing she’s around makes everything feel a little less overwhelming. And now that she’s gone? I feel the emptiness creeping in.

Or maybe I’m just being dramatic. Maybe my hormones are making me soft.

With a slow breath, I turn away from the door and walk over to the massive glass window that spans nearly the entire length of my office. My eyes lower to the parking lot below, scanning the rows of expensive cars and busy people coming and going.

A few minutes pass before I spot her. Alice, walking toward the sleek black car waiting for her. Her guards move in sync, opening the door with that quiet, professional efficiency that says they’ve done this a million times before. She slips inside, and just like that, the car pulls out, disappearing into the city traffic.

A small smile tugs at my lips.If anything comes up, don’t hesitate to call. That’s Alice—always calm, always looking out for me.

I take a slow step back, ready to return to my desk, when something catches my eye.

A black SUV, parked just beyond the office lot.

My breath stills for a moment, a strange sense of familiarity prickling at me as my eyes home in on the two men standing beside it. They’re dressed in black suits, sunglasses perched on their faces despite the overcast sky. A slow, unsettling realization creeps up my spine.

I know them.

It takes me a few seconds, but then it clicks.

I’ve seen them before—standing on either side of Alex during board meetings, their silent, looming presence impossible to miss. They were there when he came to my office once, positioned just outside the door like sentinels.

My stomach twists.

Alex left for Europe yesterday. But his guards are still here. Which can only mean one thing.

He left them to watch me.

A sharp, hot anger ignites inside me, spreading so fast it nearly makes me dizzy.

Are you kidding me?

What the hell does he think he’s doing? Watching me like I’m some helpless damsel who needs to be protected? Like I’m his property? He’s terrified of having kids, but apparently, he has zero hesitation about posting his men outside my office like I’m some kind of fragile possession that needs guarding?

I don’t even realize I’m moving until I’m storming out of my office, my heels clicking hard and fast against the marble floors. The anger in my chest is so thick it drowns out everything else—every thought, every second guessing impulse.

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