Anya's eyes widened slightly before she looked away, a small blush dusting her cheeks. A soft smile played at her lips as she murmured, "Good. Then we're dating now."
Alister chuckled, shaking his head. "That is… if you're okay with the fact that you're going to be number three."
At that, Anya's eyes flicked past him, glancing at Cinder and Mar'Garet in the distance. The two women stood not too far away, clearly keeping an eye on the situation. With a slight exhale, she refocused on Alister, her gaze sharp and unwavering.
"The old man warned me about that," she admitted, tilting her head. "But knowing it and accepting it are two different things. I'm not sure it's something I'll ever get used to—never been very good at sharing what's mine."
She stepped closer, her voice dropping just slightly as she looked up at him, her expression determined. "But here's the thing, Alister. I don't settle for third place. I don't take a backseat to anyone."
