: Waking Up in the Lion’s Den

Nene groaned, her brain foggy as she stirred awake.

Her body felt too warm, too heavy, too comfortable.

Which was weird.

Because she was pretty sure she had fallen asleep in her own bed.

…Right?

Her eyelashes fluttered open, and she blinked against the soft morning light filtering through the curtains.

It took exactly two seconds for her to realize—

This was not her room.

And then—

One more second to realize why.

Because there, lying beside her, was a very shirtless, very warm, very much an Alpha husband—Zhao Alexander.

Nene's entire body locked up.

What. The. Hell.

Her heart slammed into her ribs, her breath caught in her throat.

Alexander was on his back, one arm resting casually behind his head, the other lazily draped across the space between them.

His bare chest rose and fell steadily, golden skin illuminated by the morning light, shoulders broad, muscles sharp and defined.

He looked utterly relaxed.

Like this was normal.

Like she hadn't just somehow ended up in his bed. Again.

Nene's brain short-circuited.

Step One: Panic.

Her eyes darted around the room.

Big bed. Dark sheets. Familiar scent of cedar and smoke.

Yep.

Definitely his room.

Step Two: Remember.

What was the last thing she did?

Oh. Right.

Rage-streamed.

Lost her mind.

Screamed into her pillow.

Went to bed—in her own room.

So how the hell did she end up here?!

Step Three: Escape.

Very, very slowly, Nene shifted, inching toward the edge of the bed—

Only to freeze when she felt something warm brush against her thigh.

She glanced down.

Alexander's hand.

Resting lightly against her leg.

Like he had reached for her in his sleep.

Nene stopped breathing.

And then—as if sensing her hesitation—

Alexander stirred.

His fingers flexed slightly against her skin, his body shifting, his breath exhaling in a slow, deep sigh.

Then, without even opening his eyes—

He muttered, voice low, lazy, rough from sleep—

"Trying to run, wife?"

Nene froze, her heart slamming against her ribs.

Because—WHAT.

Alexander's voice was low, rough from sleep, and way too casual for someone who had just been caught holding his wife in bed.

She whipped her head toward him, face burning.

"What the hell do you mean, 'trying to run'?" she snapped.

Alexander finally cracked one golden eye open, unbothered as ever.

"You always do," he murmured.

Nene's eye twitched.

She tried to move again, but Alexander's fingers—still resting against her leg—gave the lightest, laziest pressure.

Not enough to trap her.

But just enough to remind her that he was there.

Her entire body stiffened.

"Why am I here?" she demanded.

Alexander sighed, stretching slightly.

Then, too casually—

"You walked here."

Nene's stomach dropped.

Her breath caught, because—no. No, she didn't.

She had gone to bed in her own room. She knew she did.

She would have remembered walking here.

Wouldn't she?

Alexander must have seen the horror on her face, because he finally turned fully toward her, one arm propping up his head.

"It's normal," he said smoothly.

Nene glared. "Normal for who?!"

Alexander's smirk was lazy. "For Alphas."

Her stomach twisted. "Explain. Now."

Alexander exhaled slowly, like this conversation was boring him.

"It happens when instincts settle," he murmured. "Alphas gravitate toward those they consider theirs in their sleep. Packmates, mates, bonded partners. It's subconscious."

Nene stiffened.

She did not like that answer.

At all.

"Well, I didn't 'gravitate' anywhere," she muttered. "I was in my own damn room."

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "And yet, here you are."

Nene's fingers curled into the sheets.

She hated this.

Hated the way her own mind was betraying her.

Hated the way Alexander was just lying there, all smug and shirtless and way too comfortable with this.

She inhaled sharply. "So what, I'm just supposed to accept that my body is moving around on its own now?"

Alexander shrugged. "It'll pass."

Nene scowled. "And if it doesn't?"

Alexander's smirk widened slightly.

"Then," he murmured, voice too smooth, too knowing—

"You'll have to accept that you want to be here."

Nene threw a pillow at his face.

Nene was still fuming, arms crossed as she stomped out of Alexander's bedroom, when her phone buzzed.

She snatched it up, already expecting more nonsense from Alexander—

But instead, it was her assistant.

[Call with Assistant: Lian]

"Nene," Lian said the second she answered, sounding way too awake for this hour.

"What?" Nene muttered, still half-distracted by her ongoing rage.

"Your grandmother sent a car."

Nene paused.

Then blinked.

"What?"

Lian sighed. "She wants you at training. Now."

Nene groaned, rubbing her temple.

Oh, great.

Because that was exactly what she needed—combat training immediately after waking up in her husband's bed.

She scowled. "Can I ignore it?"

A pause.

Then, flatly—

"You could," Lian said. "If you want your grandmother to personally drag you out of this house."

Nene winced.

…Okay. Yeah. That tracked.

Li Hua was not the type to be ignored.

Nene sighed sharply, already regretting her life choices.

"Fine," she muttered. "Tell the driver I'll be down in five."

"Good," Lian said smoothly. "Also—"

Nene narrowed her eyes. "Also what?"

A beat of silence.

Then—

"Your husband already approved your departure," Lian said.

Nene stopped mid-step.

"What," she said slowly.

"He was informed about the car five minutes ago," Lian said casually. "Didn't object."

Nene gritted her teeth.

Because of course he already knew.

Of course he was monitoring everything.

She inhaled sharply, forcing herself to stay calm.

"Great," she muttered. "Love that for me."

Lian chuckled. "Have fun at training, Miss Zhao."

And then?

She hung up.

Nene stomped downstairs, still scowling, as she spotted the sleek black car waiting just outside the estate gates.

The driver, a silent and efficient Beta, bowed slightly at her approach.

"Madam Zhao," he greeted smoothly. "Lady Li Hua is expecting you."

Nene resisted the urge to groan.

Of course she was.

She crossed her arms. "Do I have a choice?"

The driver smiled. "Not really."

Nene huffed.

Fine. Might as well get this over with.

She stepped toward the car—

Only for a large, familiar presence to block her path.

Her stomach dropped.

She looked up.

Alexander.

Leaning casually against the doorway, arms crossed, golden eyes unreadable.

Nene immediately tensed.

"What now?" she muttered.

Alexander studied her for a long moment.

Then, too smoothly—

"You're eager to leave."

Nene rolled her eyes. "Obviously. Grandma is waiting."

Alexander's gaze flickered slightly.

Then—before she could move—

He reached out, adjusting the collar of her training jacket.

The movement was slow. Deliberate. Possessive.

Nene's breath caught.

His fingers lingered, just for a second.

Then, voice low, calm, absolute—

"Don't get hurt," Alexander murmured.

Nene bristled. "I can take care of myself."

Alexander's lips tilted slightly.

"We'll see."

And with that, he stepped aside.

Nene exhaled sharply, pushing past him and sliding into the car without another word.

The moment the door shut behind her, the driver smoothly pulled away.

Nene leaned back, arms crossed.

Because as much as she hated to admit it—

That tiny exchange?

That felt like a warning.

And somehow, she knew—

Alexander wasn't just letting her go.

He was watching.