: Instinct Log Begins

Nene stormed out of class, gripping her tablet like it personally offended her.

Because, honestly?

This whole "instinct log" assignment was already stupid.

Who the hell wanted to write down their personal failures every day?

Still, she pulled up the blank document and sighed, tapping in the date.

Might as well get it over with.

Instinct Log – Day 1

1:00 PM – Class started. Didn't want to be here. Instincts: Annoyed, but under control.

2:15 PM – Got called out for being an Alpha. Instincts: Mild irritation. Didn't punch anyone. Progress.

2:45 PM – Dominance test. Tried not to react. Failed. Instincts: Immediate aggression. Clearly, I suck at this.

3:00 PM – Instructor assigned homework. Instincts: Wanted to throw tablet. Didn't. Self-control? Questionable.

She stared at the screen, frowning.

Yeah. This was dumb.

But whatever.

At least she could bullshit her way through it.

She shoved her tablet back into her bag, ready to leave—

Only to find the instructor still standing near the door, watching her.

Nene narrowed her eyes. "What?"

The instructor smirked. "Don't cheat the assignment."

Nene bristled. "How do you even know I was thinking that?"

The instructor's grin widened. "Because you're an Alpha. And Alphas always think they can outsmart the system."

Nene huffed. "Whatever. I'll do it."

She turned on her heel, marching out.

The moment she stepped outside, her phone buzzed.

She glanced down.

[Text from Alexander:]

Alexander: You're late. Where are you?

Nene scowled.

[Text to Alexander:]

Nene: I had class, husband. Unlike you, some of us have to study.

A pause.

Then—

[Text from Alexander:]

Alexander: I'll be home in an hour. Try not to bite anyone before then.

Nene's eye twitched.

Oh.

Oh, he was going on the log for this one.

She pulled up her tablet, typing furiously.

4:10 PM – Husband is insufferable. Instincts: Violent. No actual murder committed (yet).

She smirked.

Maybe this assignment wouldn't be so bad after all.

By the time Nene got home, she was already exhausted.

All she wanted to do was take a shower, eat something unhealthy, and ignore her instinct log until tomorrow.

But, of course—her husband had other plans.

The second she walked into the estate, Alexander was already waiting.

Seated in his usual spot in the living room, calm, composed, and way too observant.

Nene tried to ignore him.

Tried to walk past like he wasn't there.

She almost made it.

Almost.

Until—

"Stop."

Nene froze mid-step.

Her entire body reacted before her brain could catch up.

She clenched her jaw, slowly turning around.

"What," she muttered.

Alexander's gold eyes flickered over her, sharp and assessing.

"You're limping."

Nene tensed.

Damn it.

She thought she had hidden it better.

"It's nothing," she muttered, waving him off. "Just a rough training session."

Alexander didn't look convinced.

"Come here."

Nene huffed. "I'm fine."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "I wasn't asking."

Nene bristled.

Because of course he was going to be like this.

Of course he was going to play the overbearing Alpha routine.

She sighed, dragging her feet toward him.

Alexander reached out, gripping her wrist gently, before pulling her down onto the couch beside him.

His hands were warm, but his touch was firm—practiced.

He carefully pushed up the sleeve of her jacket, eyes scanning over her arm.

A few light bruises from training.

Nothing serious.

But the moment he saw them, his jaw tightened.

"These weren't from camp," he murmured. "This was earlier. Your grandmother?"

Nene shrugged. "Yeah, yeah. She thinks I'm too slow."

Alexander's fingers ghosted over the bruises, his expression unreadable.

Then—before she could react—

He reached down, grabbed her ankle, and pulled her leg onto his lap.

Nene yelped. "Excuse me?!"

Alexander ignored her, carefully inspecting the sore spot on her calf.

She tried to pull away—

But his grip tightened, firm but careful.

"Hold still," he murmured.

Nene scowled. "I'm not broken, you know."

Alexander glanced up, smirking slightly. "Debatable."

Nene rolled her eyes.

"Any fractures?" he asked, pressing lightly against her ankle.

Nene sighed. "No. Just bruises."

Alexander hummed, clearly displeased.

Still, he didn't say anything else—just set her leg down gently, brushing off his hands.

Then, smoothly—

"You're getting a personal trainer."

Nene blinked. "What."

"You need better conditioning," he said simply. "Your body's strong, but your defense is weak."

Nene bristled. "Excuse me? I think I did just fine today."

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "You're limping."

Nene jerked her leg off Alexander's lap, crossing her arms.

she muttered. "I'm already doing combat training with my grandmother."

Alexander tilted his head slightly, unimpressed.

"And yet, you're still getting injured."

Nene bristled. "That's called learning, Alexander."

"It's called inefficiency," he corrected smoothly. "You're fighting like an Alpha with no control. That's dangerous."

Nene rolled her eyes. "Oh, so now you're a combat expert?"

Alexander smirked. "I fight wars for a living, wife. What do you think?"

Nene paused.

…Okay.

Fair point.

But still.

"I don't need a babysitter," she muttered.

Alexander leaned back, watching her carefully.

"Fine," he said after a moment. "Then spar with me."

Nene froze.

Her eyes snapped to his, narrowing.

"What?"

Alexander smirked. "If you're so confident in your training, prove it."

Nene stared.

Because—oh. Oh, hell no.

She had seen Alexander fight before.

Not in person—but in videos, news reports.

The man was a monster in combat.

Fast, ruthless, completely unreadable. He'd fought a twenty to one fight with out breaking a sweat.

And now, he wanted to spar with her?

Absolutely not.

"Pass," she muttered, standing up. "I don't fight people who could literally break my spine."

Alexander chuckled.

"Smart choice."

Nene scowled.

Because—ugh.

She hated that he sounded so damn smug about it.

She turned away, heading for the stairs.

"Goodnight, husband," she called over her shoulder. "Try not to gloat in your sleep."

Alexander's voice followed smoothly behind her—

"I don't need to," he murmured. "I already won."

Nene gritted her teeth.

Damn it.

Now she had to find a way to prove him wrong.