: The Power Players

Nene could feel it.

The tension. The calculations. The unspoken strategies playing out in real time.

This wasn't a family reunion.

This was a table of high-ranking Alphas quietly determining where she fit into their world.

Her grandmother, Li Hua, was the first to speak.

"You married fast," she said, sharp but not unkind, her gaze flicking between Nene and Alexander.

Alexander didn't flinch. "I don't hesitate."

Li Hua's lips twitched slightly. "Good. Hesitation is weakness."

Her grandfather, Li Fang, gave a quiet hum. "And yet, claiming my granddaughter so quickly could be seen as reckless."

Nene stiffened.

Alexander didn't.

Instead, he turned fully toward Li Fang, unshaken, completely in control.

"Not reckless," he corrected. "Necessary."

A slow, deliberate silence.

Then—

Li Fang smirked. "You speak like a man who knows what he's doing."

Alexander's gold eyes glinted. "I do."

Nene watched the exchange carefully.

Her grandfather wasn't challenging Alexander outright.

He was testing him.

And Alexander?

He was passing every test effortlessly.

Li Hua's gaze flicked to Nene. "And you? Do you approve of this match?"

Nene opened her mouth, then closed it.

Did she approve?

No.

Did she have a choice?

Also no.

She gritted her teeth. "It's done, isn't it?"

Li Hua chuckled. "A practical answer."

Li Fang studied her. "You have three bloodline claims, girl. Do you understand what that means?"

Nene's stomach twisted. "I do now."

"Good," he said simply. "Then act like it."

Nene tensed.

Li Fang wasn't speaking to her like a child.

He was speaking to her like a potential Alpha.

Like someone who needed to prove herself.

Her fingers curled into fists.

Before she could speak, her mother stepped in smoothly.

"Tonight is a celebration," Li Xiu said, voice calm but firm. "Not a challenge."

A pause.

Then, finally, her grandparents nodded.

For now, the conversation was over.

But Nene knew better.

This was only the beginning.

Nene exhaled slowly, forcing herself to loosen her shoulders as the tension in the conversation settled—for now.

This wasn't a battlefield.

It was a brunch party.

A high-stakes, political, full-of-Alphas-watching-her-every-move brunch party—but still, technically, brunch.

She just had to get through it.

The long banquet table was already set, lined with expensive porcelain plates, fresh fruit, gourmet dishes, and delicate desserts that screamed "rich people food."

Servers moved effortlessly between guests, refilling drinks, ensuring everything was perfectly timed.

It was all so controlled.

So organized.

And yet, despite the elegant setting, Nene could feel the tension simmering beneath the surface.

Her stepfather, Zhao Zhenyu, sat at the head of the table, looking only mildly annoyed as a server placed a beautifully decorated cake in front of her.

He let out a slow breath, then pushed it toward her.

"Happy birthday," he said, flatly.

Nene blinked.

She looked at the cake. Then back at him.

"Wow," she said, deadpan. "So much enthusiasm. I feel so loved."

Zhenyu gave her a bored look. "I was informed by my mate that this was necessary."

Nene huffed. "Of course you were."

Li Xiu, her mother, sent them both a warning glance. "Be polite."

Nene exhaled sharply but didn't argue.

Instead, she looked down at the cake—elegant, expensive, decorated in soft creams and gold.

It was… surprisingly pretty.

She wasn't even sure if she wanted to eat it or admire it.

Then, from beside her—

A smooth, confident voice.

"You should try it," Alexander murmured. "If he went through the trouble of ordering it, it's probably decent."

Nene rolled her eyes. "You act like he baked it himself."

Zhenyu gave Alexander a look. "She's your problem now. You deal with the attitude."

Alexander smirked. "I don't mind the attitude."

Nene froze.

Because the way he said it—**low, smooth, too damn amused—**sent unwanted warmth down her spine.

She ignored it. Completely.

Instead, she picked up a fork, cutting a small bite of cake and tasting it.

And—

Oh.

It was… really good.

Rich vanilla, light cream, perfectly balanced sweetness.

Nene chewed slowly, then grudgingly muttered, "Okay, fine. It's good."

Zhenyu didn't look impressed. "It should be. It cost enough."

Nene scowled. "You could've just taken the compliment."

Alexander chuckled softly.

Nene barely had time to process the fact that she was actually enjoying the cake before she felt it.

A shift.

A change in energy.

She knew it before she even turned her head—before she even looked at Alexander.

Because the second she relaxed, the moment she let her guard down—

He moved.

Subtle. Effortless. Completely calculated.

He reached out, took her wrist lightly, and guided her hand toward him.

Nene stiffened. "What are you—"

Alexander's golden eyes flickered with amusement.

"Trying it for myself," he said simply.

And before she could react, protest, or process—

He took a bite.

From her fork.

The one she had just used.

The table went quiet.

Her stepfather froze mid-sip of his drink.

Her mother's expression barely changed, but there was a flicker of something in her gaze.

Her grandmother and grandfather—both powerful Alphas—watched with interest.

Because this wasn't just casual.

This was deliberate.

A silent, undeniable display of possession.

Nene's breath hitched.

"You—" Her fingers tightened on the fork. "You did that on purpose."

Alexander's lips tilted slightly. "Did I?"

Her face burned. "There were literally a hundred other forks on this table!"

He smirked. "I liked yours."

Her pulse jumped.

Oh, he was enjoying this.

And everyone at this table knew exactly what he was doing.

Claiming space.

Claiming her.

Without a single aggressive movement.

Without saying a word.

Just one small, calculated action that sent a very clear message to the entire room.

Nene wasn't just his wife on paper.

She was his.

Her stepfather let out a slow, deep sigh, rubbing his temple.

"Must you do this here?"

Alexander took a sip of his drink, completely unbothered.

"She's mine, isn't she?"

The room tensed slightly.

Because the implications were there.

She wasn't Lin Zhen's daughter anymore.

She wasn't a rogue Alpha with a bloodline claim.

She wasn't an asset for negotiation.

She was Zhao Alexander's.

And now?

Every single person in the room understood it.

Her grandmother smirked.

Her grandfather nodded slightly.

Her mother watched carefully, unreadable.

And Nene?

She wanted to throw the fork at his smug face.