Chapter 231: Her Distress

{Third Person}

Amara turned to Mrs. Woods and nodded slowly.

"I know that." Her voice was quiet. "But that is why I don’t understand how things could remain the same."

Mrs. Woods’ expression softened further. "My lady..."

Amara shook her head. "I know what his mate means to him." She paused, struggling to keep her voice steady. "If she comes here, how can I expect him to look at me the way he does now?"

Mrs. Woods had no immediate answer, so Amara looked back toward the mirror.

She could still remember Alexander’s hand holding hers during their walks. The way he placed food on her plate without asking. The way he watched her in the garden. The way he carried her inside when she fell asleep beneath the tree.

Those memories had become precious to her. But now she feared they belonged to a time already ending.

Mrs. Woods reached for her hand. "You shouldn’t assume that your place in his heart will disappear."

Amara looked down at their joined hands. She wanted to believe her. She truly did, but there was a part of her that could not accept it.

Because whatever affection Alexander had developed for her, Amara knew there was something far more powerful waiting for him.

His mate.

And if that woman really existed, Amara could not imagine how she could possibly compete with someone who had been destined for him long before they had ever met.

She squeezed Mrs. Woods’ hand gently. "Thank you."

Mrs. Woods smiled sadly.

But even after the conversation ended and she returned to styling Amara’s hair, she could see the worry hadn’t left her eyes.

Amara had heard her words, but she simply did not believe them.

---

By the time Mrs. Woods finished preparing Amara for the day, the morning was already well underway.

Amara stepped out of her room and made her way downstairs. As soon as she reached the entrance of the house, she found Alexander waiting outside.

He was dressed simply for their morning walk, his hands resting behind his back as he stood near the steps.

His eyes settled on her the moment she appeared.

"Good morning," she greeted.

"Good morning," he replied.

His gaze moved over her for a moment, taking in her clothes before returning to her face. His attention lingered briefly on her hair.

"Your hairstyle is beautiful today," he said. "It suits you."

Under different circumstances, the compliment would have made her happy.

Not long ago, she would have smiled without thinking, perhaps touched her hair self-consciously and asked whether he truly liked it.

Today, she didn’t know how she was supposed to receive his words.

She managed to meet his eyes. "Thank you."

Alexander noticed the difference. It was another small thing, but he’d had too many small things lately to ignore. Still, he said nothing.

He reached for her hand. She looked down at their hands for the briefest moment before allowing him to take hers.

They began their usual morning walk.

The path around the estate was quiet at this hour. The morning air was cool, and sunlight filtered through the trees as they walked side by side.

Alexander kept his pace matched with hers, neither of them speaking much.

Amara had spent most of the walk trying to gather enough courage to ask the question.

She had rehearsed different ways of saying it in her mind.

She could simply ask him whether he had found his mate. But every time she imagined the words leaving her mouth, her chest tightened.

She was afraid of the answer. More than that, she was afraid of what the answer would mean.

When they reached the fruit trees, Alexander slowed.

This had become one of Amara’s favorite places on the estate. The trees provided enough shade to make the area pleasant even as the morning grew warmer, and she often stopped here to inspect the fruit or simply sit beneath them.

Alexander guided her toward one of the benches beneath a large tree. They sat beside each other in silence.

Then he glanced at her. She was looking toward the trees, but he could tell from the tension in her expression that her thoughts were somewhere else.

"Amara."

She turned toward him. "Hmm?"

"Is something bothering you?"

Her heart skipped. Then she looked away again, shaking her head. "No."

He studied her face. Though he did not believe her, he decided not to press her. He just decided to wait.

Amara took a slow breath. "Alexander?"

"Hmm?"

She hesitated for a second, then asked, "Werewolves... when they find their mate, do they know immediately?"

Alexander became very still. The question itself was ordinary enough. But coming from Amara, after three days of unexplained distance, it was anything but ordinary.

"Yes," he answered.

Amara nodded slowly. "So they know?"

"They know," he confirmed.

She picked at a loose thread on her sleeve. "How?"

He considered the question. "There are different signs. The bond is usually difficult to mistake."

Hers fingers stopped moving. She forced herself to continue. "And if they already have a wife?"

Alexander’s attention sharpened. He turned toward her fully.

Amara immediately realized that she had asked too much and quickly said, "I was only asking out of curiosity."

He continued staring at her. "Why are you asking?"

She lowered her eyes. "I told you. I was curious."

"Amara."

There was nothing harsh in his voice. If anything, it was quieter than usual. But she could hear the seriousness in it.

She didn’t answer.

Alexander watched her. After three days of wondering what had changed, he sensed an answer.

"Is this what’s been bothering you?" he asked.

Amara met his eyes but didn’t say a word, so he waited.

She wanted to tell him—to ask directly if he had found her. But the words wouldn’t come.

So, she looked back at the trees. "I wanted to understand."

"Understand what?"

She swallowed a gulp. "What happens to a wife when her husband finds his mate?"

Alexander’s expression shifted. He heard the question beneath it, but not why she asked.

His wolf stirred. "She is hurting."

Alexander narrowed his gaze. Amara’s face was calm, but hidden sadness clouded her eyes. He tightened his hold on her hand.

"Why are you worried about that?"

Her breath caught in her throat. She looked down at their joined hands. Any answer would reveal more than she was ready to admit, so she stayed silent.

Alexander waited for her response, as he finally suspected her distress involved his mate.