Chapter 4

Caspian:

I adjusted my cufflinks, trying to do my best as to pass time to get ready. The idea of going there was not one that I wanted. The ceremony was minutes away and the weight of expectation settled heavily on my shoulders. However, it was not the event that bothered me. It was the fact that Valerie's presence loomed over like a dark cloud. And I could already feel the tension that I would bring. It was the tension that I was doing my best to avoid.

“Caspian?” Eva’s voice broke the silence, pulling me from my thoughts. I looked at her over my shoulder and I frowned before turning to face her.

She stood by the doorway, her red dress clinging to her like a second skin. My jaw tightened at the sight. She made her choice and it was delivered and calculated. She wasn't wearing the dress for the ceremony. She knew that it was not fit for it.

“Can you help me with the zipper?” She asked, turning slightly to expose her back. A small smile formed on her lips, and I knew that she was doing her best to have an effect on me, an effect that she hadn't had for a very long time, something that she had noticed.

“Change it, Eva.” I sat looking away from her, my eyes narrowed, and it took everything in me not to roll my eyes at her. I did not want to hurt her feelings, especially not now, especially when I knew that I was not in the mindset to actually speak to her.

“What’s wrong with it? I already fixed my hair and makeup. You can’t expect me to change everything now.” She had just shaking her head in question, trying to pretend that she did not understand why I wanted her to change the dress in the first place.

“You know exactly what’s wrong with it. That dress belongs in a nightclub, not at an Alpha’s ceremony. You are no concubine. You are my Luna. You represent me. And you need to start acting like it.” I said, snapping at her.

“Caspian, this is ridiculous. I don't need you to remind me that I'm your wife and your Luna. Whatever I wear, it concerns me. It is not their part to actually touch me based on what I wear. You are over exaggerating.”

“It matters because you represent this pack.” I snapped, looking her up and down, eyeing her carefully. With each moment that passed, her heart raced and I could tell that this was not a reaction that she liked. “You’re supposed to reflect strength, respect, and dignity, not... whatever this is.”

She moved closer, her hands reaching for my collar. She wanted to get her way. That was not something that I was going to do. That was not something I was going to allow her to do. I was already letting her go with everything that she was doing. This was not going to be one of them.

“You’re not upset about the dress,” she said quietly, her tone laced with accusation. “This is about her, isn’t it? You're angry because she's going to be there.”

“Stop it.” I caught her wrists, lowering her hands from my chest. “Don’t start, Eva. This is not the time for us to have the conversation.”

Her eyes flickered with defiance, but she didn’t press further. Instead, she turned her back to me, tugging at her zipper. She would be ripping her dress up but she didn't care right now she was proving a point. One of the maids was going to end up helping her considering that I chose not to do so.

“I’m not changing,” she said flatly.

“Eva…”

“No. I won’t let her steal my light tonight. I’m your Luna, and I’ll wear what I please.” Stopping me, her voice louder than she wanted it to be, and I knew that she rarely ever raised her tone, but when she did, she was reflecting that she was angry.

Her words stung, but I forced myself to stay calm. There was no time for an argument. We were already late enough as it was. I was going to deal with her later.

“Do whatever you want,” I said coldly. “But don’t forget, you’ll be standing beside me, representing more than just yourself. And you’d better keep an eye on Adrian. I don’t want any trouble tonight.”

“He’s a good kid, Caspian. If there’s trouble, it won’t be his fault,” she shot back, her tone defensive.

I didn’t respond. Instead, I walked past her, the conversation dead in the air. Her footsteps followed mine, hurried but hesitant.

“I’ll be waiting downstairs,” she said stiffly as she left, her heels clicking against the floor.

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I stood in silence, watching Eva’s composure crumbled. The other women wore elegant gowns, their presence refined and fitting for the occasion. Beside them, Eva’s daring red dress stuck out like a thorn. I could see the regret written across her face, but she held her head high, unwilling to acknowledge it.

“Caspian, how are you?” Elias said, his voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I turned to him, extending a handshake. “I’m well, Elias. How are you holding up? My condolences for your loss.”

“Thank you,” he replied, his smile tight.

Our conversation was brief, but the air between us was heavy with unspoken tension. Valerie’s presence lingered in the back of my mind, but I forced myself to stay composed.

Eva remained quiet at my side, her gaze fixed on the floor as Elias studied her briefly before turning his attention back to me.

The moment was broken when her scent filled the air, stirring my wolf to alertness. Valerie’s presence hit me like a shockwave, her steps purposeful and her gaze cutting.

“Alpha Caspian. Luna Eva. Thank you for coming to my brother’s ceremony,” Valerie said, her tone perfectly cordial.

Eva hesitated but eventually took Valerie’s hand, her smile forced. “Of course. It’s an honor.”

Valerie stepped back, but before the tension could ease, a small voice spoke up behind her.

“Mom, who are they?”

Everything inside me froze. The boy stepped into view, his small frame shyly clinging to Valerie’s side. My heart thundered in my chest as my wolf grew alert, a growl threatening to escape.

Valerie ran her fingers through his hair, her movements calm despite the rapid beat of her heart. Her gaze met mine, her eyes swimming with unspoken emotions.

“I’d like to introduce my son,” she said, her voice steady but cracking ever so slightly. She took a deep breath before continuing. “Adrian.”