I had all the things I needed, and when I opened the main door, Channing was standing there just about to press the doorbell. My body froze, watching him here all of a sudden. He returned after four days and the first thing he did came to my house because he still had the luggage bag on his back.

Channing was astounded by the renovated house and he licked his lips to bring his dropped jaw back in its place. "Umm, can I come in?" He asked, rubbing the back of his head.

"Oh yes, come in," I moved aside frantically to let him enter. I was so busy trying to understand why he was here and the things which I wanted to clear that I forgot to invite him in. His boots clicked as he walked inside and waited for me to close the door.

I turned around, conscious about the fact that he might find out Fang had marked me. There were a lot of questions I had for Channing and a lot of things to clarify, but I just swung my hands, rubbing my palms to my jeans, not looking into his eyes. I had decided to focus on my wedding, so it was important to draw the line between me and Channing while trying not to lose out on our friendship.

I had lost track of why I had come here, but it was all in the right line now. As a child, I was raised to serve the people of Adalolpha before I was in the dungeons. The fate that was received by me was an immense blow to my dreams.

This kingdom was a place that I did not want to serve anymore and it was better I take this golden chance of political marriage and go far away.

"Were you going somewhere?" Channing broke the silence between us and I looked at him with crinkled brows. He pointed at the sling bag I had on, "Did I come at the wrong time?" His voice was yearning and there was so much resistance that was coming from inside of me.

I looked at where he pointed and waved my hand, "Oh no, I was just headed to elders' quarters to hand in the documents from Waterwoods."

"Oh okay," came his brief and awkward reply.

Both of us were still standing near the main door with awkward silence weighing between us. I still remembered the intimate space we had shared a few days back, but that thought also brought the intimacy that Fang had shared with me. Fang was bolder with his actions and did not hold himself back from what he had desired to do. If Channing would have been bold enough to do that, then things might have been different right now. I might have slipped up and taken a chance with Channing.

I raised my eyes to look at him and speak when I saw Dandeline come out of the room absentmindedly, all covered and locked the bedroom door behind her.

The click of the lock made Channing turn and Dandeline froze, looking at me for what to do. She was not supposed to show an acquaintance with me, and here she was, getting out like a sneaky spy getting out of my bedroom. Channing's brows immediately creased with confusion. He turned to me questioningly, "I haven't seen her around here, mind explaining"

There was a sternness in his voice that said I shouldn't hide more than I already have, and better explain before he went interrogatively over it again.

I had told the half-truth to Channing, and it was no use hiding stuff when he had already seen Dandeline, "This is Dandeline. She used to serve my family and followed me here in concern. She has already registered and is willing to join the pack. But we don't want people to know we are acquainted with each other so we would pose as we don't know each other when she joins the pack."

Channing immediately walked to her with his friendly aura leaking out like a rainbow and extended his hand ahead for Dandeline to take, "Welcome Dandeline, I am Channing, the Alpha of Winterwells and you don't need to be formal here. You can refer to me by my name." Dandeline awkwardly shook his hand, her smile flattering on her lips, fearful of the fact that Channing knew some truth of her and my relationship.

"Nice to meet you, Alpha Channing," She tried to drop the formalities but her years working as a maid always had her refer to people with honorifics.

Channing tittered, "Just Channing, no one refers to me as Alpha"

"O-Okay," Dandeline stammered as she almost bowed in apology. I was quick to clear my throat, and she composed herself. If she would have formally bowed, Channing would have judged and formulated a lot of answers in his head. It was better to drop hints along the way. I was sure since I had said I could not reveal my identity, he was rummaging through possibilities, trying to reach the answer to who I was.

Just as I was trying to reach answers on Channing, the doubts that Fang had planted in my head. Apart from his unsure emotions, the question of Channing's ex-girlfriend had been burning inside my head.

Channing turned to me and said casually in his usual responsible Alpha tone, "Hand me the papers. You won't be able to enter the elders' headquarters as your temporary card has expired." I had almost forgotten that part in the haste of ticking off all the tasks. I guess then there was one task which I couldn't complete on time.

I got the papers out and checked them before handing them to him. "Channing, what advantages did Diana have as a winner of Stage two?"

It was something that I couldn't figure out for a long time. We had the same tasks, and I doubted she was probably allowed access to confidential information by looking at the receptionist, Shagen's, reaction I doubted that was the cheat she had received. Over it all, Diana had got herself imprisoned in Waterwoods, so I doubted it was something with the permit.

Channing passed me a look before going back to the papers and spoke casually. "I had allowed Diana to contact me and get my help with how to get things done when stuck somewhere. You weren't allowed to reach out to me. I don't think that made any difference, though. You performed well, even without help."

He spontaneously rolled the pages in his hand. I think he always had a habit to roll documents like that, similar to how he had carried it at court as well.

Channing noticed my gazed that was fixed on the rolled papers with a thoughtful expression and he hit my head with the roll, "Go to the ground and wait for me." I stroked my hand over my head where he had taped the roll and he turned to Dandeline and said. "Both of you go there with others. You can come a little late Dandeline, see you then."

"Okay," Dandeline spoke in a low voice when I did not even choose to respond.

Channing passed me a glance and left my house. When he was out, I turned to Dandeline and looked at her short frame, affected by the scene that played out here. I stepped in front of her in a dramatic manner, lifting her chin with my finger, "Did that man make your heart skip or something?" My voice came out as icy as it could.