“I’m going,” I stated tly. “With or without your support.”


    Alexander’s expression hardened into something I’d never seen before. “No<i>, </i>you’re not.”


    “You can’t stop me.”


    Hisugh was cold and devoid of humor. “Actually, I can.”


    Before I could respond, he turned on his heel and strode from the room. I heard the distinct click of a lock


    engaging.


    For a moment, I stood frozen in disbelief. Had he just…? I rushed to the door, twisting the handle


    frantically. Locked. Through the door, I heard him giving instructions to someone–probably guards to


    ensure I stayed put.


    “You can’t do this!” I shouted, pounding on the door with my fists. “Alexander! You have no right!”


    Nothing.


    “Alexander! Open this door right now!”


    Silence.


    “ALEXANDER!” I screamed, rage and betrayal washing over me in equal measure.


    I couldn’t believe it. He had actually locked me in. Like a child. Like a prisoner. Like… like Alpha Foster


    would have done.


    Theparison struck me like a physical blow, and I slid down the door to the floor, hugging my knees to my chest. Of all people, I never expected this from Alexander. Not him. Not the man who had shown


    me what it meant to be respected, to be treated as an equal.


    Hours passed. I alternated between pacing the office like a caged animal and sitting in numb silence. As darkness fell outside the windows, my anger congealed into something cold and resolute. If Alexander thought he could control me like Alpha Foster had, he was about to learn a painful lesson about who I’d be.


    When the door finally opened again just past night, Alexander stood in the doorway with a tray of food. His expression was guarded but determined.


    “You need to eat,” he said simply.


    I stared at him, letting the full weight of my contempt show in my eyes. “You locked me in.”


    “To protect you,” he replied evenly. “My team is already tracking Alpha Foster. We have leads on three possible locations where he might be keeping Felix.”


    “Congrattions,” I said coldly. “Is that supposed to make me feel better about being treated like a prisoner?”


    Alexander set the tray down on his desk with a heavy sigh. “Summer, please try <i>to </i>understand-”


    “Oh, I understand perfectly,” I cut him off. “You’re just like him.”


    The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted them. Alexander flinched as if I’d pped him, genuine pain crossing his features before his expression shuttered closed.


    “What did you just say?” he asked, his voice dangerously quiet.


    “You heard me,” I continued, unable to stop now that the dam had broken. My voice was hard as steel.


    “I am nothing like Alpha Foster,” he said, each word precisely measured. “But if you can’t see the difference between someone trying to control your entire existence and someone trying to prevent you from throwing your life away, then perhaps you’re not thinking clearly right now.”


    “I need to be doing something, Alexander!” I cried out, desperation wing at my throat. “I can’t just sit


    here while my son is in danger!”


    “And you think I’m not doing everything possible?” he demanded, frustration evident in every line of his powerful frame. “My best trackers are out there right now. Beta Ethan is coordinating with Council security. I’ve called in favors from three neighboring Alphas.”


    “But it might not be enough,” I insisted, my voice breaking. “Alpha Foster said midnight tomorrow. That’s less than twenty–four hours away!”


    “We will find him before then,” Alexander stated with absolute conviction.


    I shook my head, tears finally spilling over. “You can’t promise that. Nobody can.”


    Alexander approached me cautiously, as if I were a wounded animal,he gently reached out to wipe a tear from my cheek with his thumb.


    I jerked away from his touch, unable to bear the tenderness when I was still so angry. His hand fell back to his side, rejection shing briefly in his eyes.


    Alexander’s jaw tightened. “You can hate me all you want, but I’m doing what’s necessary, I’ll bring Felix home, Summer. I swear it.”


    He turned to leave, pausing at the door. “There’s food on the tray. Please eat something. And try to rest if <b>you </b>can.”


    The door closed behind him, the lock clicking into ce once more. I stared at it for a long moment before my gaze drifted to the tray he’d left. Despite my anger, my stomach growled at the sight of the steaming soup and fresh bread.


    I approached the tray and began to eat methodically. If I was going to escape, I would need my strength. Alexander might think he was protecting me, but he didn’t understand–a mother would walk through


    hell itself for her child, and no locked door would stop me.


    I finished eating, pushing the tray aside with a quiet tter. Some time passed in silence.I sat on the edge of the sofa, hands clenched in myp, thoughts spiraling.


    Then, the lock clicked quietly.