EVELYNOakley studied me with caution, the expression on his scarred face betraying a mix of emotions. It was rare, I was certain, to see him in such a state, and it was relieving to know I could have the upper hand for once“What are your conditions?” he asked me, his eyes holding mine for once instead of trailing over me lewdly. For a moment, he seemed almost innocent, normal, not the cruel warrior wolf I knew he was at his core.“I need to know what happened to Aiden first,” I said, chin held high. “As for the rest, I’ll keep them tucked away for later. I’ll need you to cooperate when I need it. Got that?”Oakley snorted and rolled his eyes “Quite a lofty statement, angel. How can I trust you? Besides, if Maria is really alive, I can find her on my own. Why would I need your help?”He rose from his seat and leaned over as his sharp eyes stared at me. I knew that it was just an intimidation tactic but I wasn’t about to falter, not when circumstances were so dire. No, I wouldn’t yiel
EVELYNOakley remained silent while he walked me back. He had changed his playful attitude and maintained a solemn face as if he had been deeply in his own thoughts.“What happened to Elsa?” I asked him quietly, unsure of how to speak of the ordeal. I was certain that if anyone knew what had happened in that room, it was the scarred man.Oakley hesitated and then spoke. “Elsa made the wrong decision and now… she’s approaching her doom.”I stopped dead in my tracks and studied him with a look of utter confusion. “Her doom? What does that mean?”He scoffed and came to a halt. “I can’t tell you unless you want to become the same as she is.”I blinked in surprise.He glanced behind his shoulder. “I’m sure Elsa expected it. The moment we vow our loyalty to Master, we know what will be our undoing. Our doom.”“Do you… do you mean that Elsa will die soon?” I asked, my voice breaking at the very thought.Oakley didn’t speak but his somber expression told me everything. The world felt as if it
EVELYNAfter being dropped off by Oakley, I spent the otherwise quiet morning with my parents and as the sun rose high in the sky, we had lunch together. Staying with my family always soothed me, but the happier I felt when I was spending time with my family, the more uneasy I felt deep down. How could I relax knowing that my friend was preparing to meet an alleged doom for betraying Jack Elrod?How could I be at ease when her fate was practically condemned?It was impossible to go about my day pretending that I hadn’t seen what I’d seen.So, after we ate, I went to see Elsa.Jack had told me that I could see her “later”, so I saw no harm in visiting her now that the ordeal was technically over. Oakley had taken me away as instructed and enough time had passed that it felt less dangerous to get involved again.When I reached Elsa’s chamber, I knocked gently on the door, and when I heard no reply, my heart raced in my chest. I knew it wasn’t my best idea, but I couldn’t just turn back
EVELYNI couldn’t shake the feeling that his words seemed like a threat, and despite the panic that swelled within my belly, I managed to remain calm as I awaited his response.“Well, I can’t exactly babysit my little brother,” Jack remarked with a small, near smirk. “And I have nothing to do with how his condition progresses. It seems as if it’s deteriorated quickly. Maybe he’s just too weak to hold on-”“He’s not weak,” I cut him off sharply. “You must have done something to him to keep him from healing.”Enragingly composed as ever, Jack shrugged. “Regardless, you’d better decide quickly if you still want to save that pathetic boy. Time is of the essence, it seems.”As my temper flared, I clenched my fists. “How do I know he can be saved since his condition has deteriorated so quickly? How do I know that you wouldn’t just kill him the moment I agreed to marry you?”“I never made a promise that I would save Cole,” Jack corrected me with a chuckle, crossing his arms against his chest
EVELYNI would never forget that day—the day of my trial, when my life fell apart. The man I loved sat on the throne, declaring my doom. Pain shot through me like lightning as I was forced to kneel, bowing my head before him. His familiar dark eyes stared into my soul with contempt and hatred.Tears welled up in my eyes.“Evelyn Caddel, as the Alpha King of Hescor, I hereby pronounce you and your family guilty of treason. Your noble titles shall be revoked, your lands confiscated, and your honor erased. You shall endure the harshest punishments under the law of Hescor.”Then, he reached out, cupping my chin, and lowered his voice into a chilling whisper. “I told you—you’d regret choosing the wrong man, Evelyn.”***"It's a lovely day," Elsa said, spreading her arms out and facing the sun streaming in through the window. "A shame we have to spend in the palace."I laughed at that, pulling the cart down the hallway."There are worse things.""Like what?"Humiliation. Hopelessness. Tortur
EVELYNNo one in the entire courtyard dared speak on the subject, but no one could ever forget Jack or the fierce, brutal struggle between the two princes.The violence, heartbreak, and bloodshed.No one wanted to relive it.After a long, tense silence, Anastasia finally spoke.“You must be exhausted. I’ve prepared a welcoming banquet for you this evening. Perhaps you should get some rest after your long journey.”The Alpha King did not respond, but I saw his boots move forward as he presumably walked toward the palace.As his footsteps grew distant, I raised my eyes.He continued up the steps of the marble staircase leading to the palace. As he ascended, he waved a hand and called Mr. Barrett over. The head servant moved swiftly, and after a quiet exchange, Cole turned toward us, his gaze meeting mine.My heart raced.Mr. Barrett glanced at me as well and then nodded.Cole tensed his jaw, then walked into the palace, followed by the Beta and the King’s Guard. After they disappeared th
EVELYNI stopped. I knew I should have simply walked out the room. Normally, I tolerated remarks like that without pause, but today… I just couldn’t accept it. Agitation flooded through me.I walked straight toward Melanie, and her rosy cheeks went pale as she gulped in surprise. Panic painted her expression as I stopped in front of her and stared into her eyes coldly.“What—what are you—” she began to say, but I cut her off before she could finish her statement.“Mr. Barrett is outside of this room,” I said harshly. “What do you think he would do if he heard you all gossiping about the King and his private affairs? Do you think he would be pleased to hear your insults?”All around me, the others stiffened at once.As Melanie’s lower lip quivered, I leaned in closer and spoke just low enough for her to hear.“You should mind your tongue if you don’t want to lose it,” I threatened.The maid grew even paler, surprised by my growl. Her eyes glanced at the door, as if checking to see if Mr
EVELYNMy heart flinched when Aiden called me “Eve”, my old nickname. My expression softened for a brief second and I nearly gave in to a smile.But I couldn’t allow him to speak to me like that, especially not here in the Alpha King’s domain. It was too risky, too familiar.Even if I wanted to be, I wasn’t that girl anymore.“I’m a maid of the royal palace,” I reminded him, carefully slipping from his gaze as I spoke. “And it’s only proper for a maid to greet the King’s Guard with respect.”Aiden’s brow furrowed.“You shouldn’t call me by a nickname.” I glanced around. “Especially not here. Speaking to a lowly maid like that would threaten and demean your reputation, Sir.”He ran a hand through his thick copper hair and then uttered a small sigh. “I don’t care about my reputation.”I wasn’t sure if his words were true. I straightened my posture and made my expression as neutral as possible.“I must leave,” I managed. “The King isn’t fond of waiting in his chamber alone. It was a pleas