After few more comments that were meant to shake either Alec's confidence or Adam's confidence in him, Maryse left the room. Alec knew he'd pay for that confrontation later, but for now he'd won. For the second time in only a few weeks. The thought shocked him. His mother had never backed down when he stood up to her but somehow he had managed at least a stalemate twice.

Once the door shut, Alec's shoulders sagged and he began rubbing the base of his thumb, barely noticing that he had fallen into the old habit. "You heard everything about the wedding and Magnus. And how I failed the last time I was given guard duty."