Chapter Two

As Michael headed down to the hotel parlor, he pondered his dilemma. How could he tell Evelyn about his family's secret and the supernatural world hidden from ordinary people? Those thoughts weighed heavily on his mind as he sat at the bar and ordered a whiskey neat.

"Okay sir," the bartender replied, pouring the drink into an ice-filled glass. "Here you go, sir." He passed Michael the beverage.

Michael drank it in one gulp and asked for a refill. The bartender obliged, looking amazed. "Are you a regular sir?" he inquired.

"No, I am not," Michael responded flatly.

"Okay, my name's Charlie, sir," the bartender introduced himself.

"Nice to meet you, Charlie. Well, what do you want from me?" Michael asked brusquely.

"Well, you look familiar, sir. I just can't quite place how I know you."

Michael emptied his second cup and requested the entire bottle, hoping to drown his sorrows, though he knew no amount of alcohol could intoxicate him.

Charlie handed over the full whiskey bottle without protest. "Isn't it a bit early to get drunk, sir?" He asked.

Michael shot him a sidelong glance and continued pouring the ineffective liquor down his throat.

"Sorry sir," Charlie apologized quickly."Yes, I remember you now, sir. You're the billionaire, Mr. Michael Wolf," he said excitedly recognizing him.

"Can I be left alone, lad? I'm in no mood for talk," Michael grumbled.

"Okay, sir. Sorry, it's just I've been hoping to see you and thank you for your foundation. It helped sponsor me through school."

"You're welcome. Could I be left alone now?"

"Leave the bloody man be, Charlie. Can't you see he's gloomy?" A gruff voice interrupted from behind them.

"Oh, good morning Mr. Victor, sir." The bartender straightened, greeting his boss deferentially.

Michael could sense a strange aura emanating from Victor as the man took a seat beside him.

"What the bloody hell are you doing here?" Michael asked aggressively.

"Hey, calm down. I'm not looking for a fight," Victor replied calmly, taking out a cigarette and lighting it.

"Then what do you want, you monster?"

Victor signaled for the bartender to give them privacy.

"Kettle calling the pot black," Victor chuckled darkly.

"Well, my kind doesn't live off innocent people's blood."

"Heh, I don't even want to argue with you. I just came to congratulate you on your marriage," Victor continued smoothly. "I wonder why you didn't invite my family to the wedding?"

"My people want nothing to do with yours," Michael told him flatly. "We are like fire and ice - totally different species."

He was right. Both families were entirely different in nature. The wolves were hot-blooded, while Victor's kind were cold-blooded.

"Speaking of different species, how's your wife? I hope you perform the ritual soon. You wouldn't want someone snuffing the life out of her veins, would you?"

Already provoked, Michael stood and grabbed Victor by the collar, ready to strike, when a voice stopped him from behind.

"Michael, what in the world are you doing?!"

"Evelyn, it's not what you think," he said, releasing Victor's shirt.

"I'm so sorry," Evelyn apologized to the disheveled man.

"No, yeah, it's fine Evelyn."

She looked surprised that he knew her name. "Do I know you?"

"It's me, Victor, from high school," he told her smoothly.

"I can't believe my eyes! Victor?" She stared in awe, hugging him. "How is this possible? I thought I'd never see you again after you left before graduation."

"Do you know him, love?" Michael interrupted tersely.

"Yes, he was my best friend in high school," Evelyn answered. "Victor, this is my husband."

"Yeah, I know - we've met," Victor stated.

"Yes, love, we've met," Michael confirmed through gritted teeth.

"Okay, that's lovely," Evelyn said. "It was nice meeting you again, Victor. I hope to see you soon."

Victor took her hand. "Of course, this hotel is actually one of my many investments. So you'll be seeing a lot of me."

"That's awesome! I can't wait to catch up on old times."

Michael swiftly removed Evelyn's hand from Victor's grasp. "Are you heading out?" he asked his wife curtly.

"Yes, I'm going to the hospital," she replied.

"But you're still supposed to be on leave until next week," Michael said to his wife.

Evelyn pulled away from him. "I've decided to cut my break short since you won't talk to me."

"Come on love, we're talking right now," Michael protested.

"You're unbelievable," she sighed, bidding Victor goodbye before walking out of the hotel in frustration.

"Trouble in paradise?" Victor smirked.

"Stay away from my wife," Michael warned menacingly, rushing after Evelyn.

Outside, Evelyn was already in her car, preparing to drive away.

Michael rushed over and stood directly in front of her vehicle. "Let me drive you there." He said to her.

Evelyn stuck her head out the window. "Get out of the way, Michael. I can drive myself."

She started the engine, hoping he would move, but he refused to budge. Noticing they were starting to attract onlookers, something Evelyn wanted to avoid, she killed the ignition and exited, tossing the keys at Michael.

"Here, catch," she said brusquely before retreating to the backseat.

Michael got in the driver's seat and drove them out of the compound. During the drive to the hospital, Evelyn remained silent, staring at her phone while Michael wondered how angry she really was.

"Are you angry at me?" he finally asked, meeting her eyes in the rearview mirror.

"What do you think?" she retorted.

"Okay, I'm sorry. I promise I'll tell you everything in time," he said carefully. "I just need to confirm something first before explaining."

"You promise?" Her voice softened slightly.

Michael nodded his head in affirmation. "So we're okay?" He asked to confirm

"Hmm, I don't know," she answered after a pensive pause.

"I'll take that as a yes," Michael decided. "What are you doing on your phone, anyway?"

"What do you mean?"

"I noticed you've been engrossed with it since we got in the car."

"I'm chatting with your sister."

"About what?"

"Your father wants to see us this weekend."

"Is that all? Anything else she said?" He asked.

"No, just girl stuff."

"Okay."

Michael was curious about why his father wished to meet them. If it involved the ritual, he intended to try changing the old man's mind. He decided to return home after dropping Evelyn off.

"We're here," he announced, pulling up to the hospital entrance.

"Thank you, darling." Evelyn hastily exited and headed straight inside the hospital without looking back.

"Hey, no goodbye kiss or hug?" Michael called after her retreating form.

"You better be here when my shift's over!" she shouted back.

"And when will that be?" He asked her.

Evelyn refused to answer him and continued to walk towards the hospital's entrance without turning back.

He recognized her silence as her way of punishing his lack of transparency. Evelyn had an infuriating ability to keep him unbalanced, yet he loved her for it. He returned to his car and watched as she disappeared into the hospital.