Chapter 26

Nicole "You will never guess who showed up," Dodie said, her voice a mix of guilt and... maybe a little bragging? I rolled over and flipped my hair off the pillow. "Who? Xavier?" "Yeah," she sighed. "He drove all the way to my hometown. Brought a car full of gifts, too." I let out a short laugh. "Wow. And you're just telling me this now? My best friend got snatched by one of my wedding groomsmen and kept it a secret?" "We weren't planning anything... it just kind of happened," she said quietly. "And then... things got a little complicated." "Fine, fine. I'll let it slide. When are you coming back? You're buying hotpot next time." "I'll be back the day after tomorrow," Dodie replied. She explained she was worried her family might discover what was happening between her and Alpha Zavier if she stayed longer. We drifted into idle chatter about hospital gossip and other mundane topics. "Oh, by the way, how are things with Alpha Damien?" she asked casually. "Damien? What's there to talk abo