Chapter 9

 

Evelyn's POV

I narrowed my eyes as I tried to read his body language and get exactly what he was thinking. “You're supposed to meet him yourself,” I pointed out as I reached for my drink, but he tightened his grip around it.

I arched a brow while his lips twitched. “I know that already. I'm just asking you to meet with him and discuss the project with him. Besides that's why we came?” He replied, looking impatient as he hissed at me.

Leaning back against the seat, he tucked a strand of hair behind my ears. “Alpha Raymond already emphasized that you're to meet with him and get his approval,” I looked at him curiously.

What was he thinking? Was he going to back down already?

“I know what I'm doing. Just meet with him and discuss the project with him. I believe you can handle that,” he pushed the drink towards me. “Just speak with him so we can leave here early,” he said.

Eyeing him, I took the drink and gulped the whole content before standing up. I just had to meet him and discuss the project. It wouldn't be that hard if only my heart would stop racing.

I made my way to the second floor in the hall where the Alpha King and his mother sat. “Greetings to the Alpha King,” I said in courtesy. “I'm Evelyn, the Luna of Jupiter Pack,” I started, keeping my voice neutral while the Alpha King stared at me with an expressionless face.

“How may I be of help?” His voice was deep and cold.

I swallowed the lump in my throat before forcing myself to continue. "I'd like to discuss the new project. If you don't mind then--"I was immediately interrupted.

“I won't hand over the project to Jupiter Pack,” he said straightforwardly, his tone filled with authority. He seemed nonchalant, like we never spent the past three years together.

“And why if I may ask?” I asked, unable to stop myself.

Voices of people conversing filled the room but at that moment, the sounds faded away. I could barely hear them as I kept my eyes locked on him. He met my gaze head-on but retained quiet.

“Is there a specific reason why you can't give the project to the Jupiter Pack?” I inquired again, hoping for a response this time.

A saw a glint in his eyes before he replied. “I don't recognize Jupiter Pack's next successor. I believe he is a coward that needs his wife's help just to discuss the project,” he stated without batting an eye.

“Do you refute the claim?” He threw the question at me and I blinked confused. “The heir to the Jupiter Pack isn't strong or bold enough and instead of working it out, he hid himself like a turtle,” he added.

Biting my lips, trying to calm my heart again before parting my lips to speak but pause when someone spoke.

“That's so true. You know, the Jupiter Pack's heir is incompetent and always full of himself? His course mates all say the same thing about him. He's never reliable and always finds a way to make things difficult,” murmurs erupted.

“That's so unfortunate for the Jupiter Pack. I wonder what it felt like to have someone like him who lacks courage as the heir to the throne,” another replied.

“Why are you doing this?” The voice was louder than the others and I shifted my gaze only to find Seth walking towards me. His face was crimson red and I could see the tension in his shoulders.

He stopped a few steps away from the Alpha king who sat unbothered by his presence. His eyes were still fixed on me before they shifted to Seth who was still seething.

“Are you doing this intentionally? Humiliating me just because you don't like me?” He questioned, and his voice laced with frustration.

The Alpha King narrowed his gaze at him. “Is that what this looks like?” He asked in return.

“Yes, I'd like to understand why you have to publicly humiliate me. There must be a reason why you find pleasure in doing so,” he countered back.

I could see the amusement in the Alpha king's eyes, but his face was unfeeling. He didn't look fazed by the accusing tone which meant he was enjoying the show.

“Is what he is saying true?” I found my voice after a while. Due to Seth's reaction, it meant this wasn't the first time he was humiliated by the Alpha King.

I flinched when his gaze met mine again but this time it was more intense than before. The murmurs had stopped and everyone was waiting for his response.  

“You want to know why?” He asked directly. My heart pounded painfully in their confines, but I tried not to show the effects he had on me. Since he wasn't making it obvious that we knew each other, then I could act the same way.

“Yes, please. Tell us why you can't give the project to the Jupiter Pack,” I raised my chin defiantly.

I noticed his corner of his lips raised slightly, but it was gone within a second, almost like it was the figment of my imagination.

“You owe me something Evelyn,” he replied after a long silence.

My brows drew into a hard knot as I stared at him in doubt, perplexed by his words. What did I owe him?

“How can I appease you then? What do I have to do so you could give the project to the Jupiter Pack,” I questioned, hoping whatever it is that he wanted would be something I could give and get this over with.

He looked thoughtful for a few moments before he beckoned for a servant to step forward. The servant stepped forward with a drink in his hands and gently dropped it on the table.

“If you finish the drink, I'll consider the Jupiter Pack but if you don't, then you might as well forget about the project,” he said to Seth.

Seth turned to me, a doubtful look on his face. I could relate to his confusion. The least I expected was the Alpha King daring him to finish a high-proof whiskey just so he could consider the Jupiter Pack. I was dumb enough not to understand the uncertainty of his words.

He wasn't going to give the project yet and this was just a test to pass for him to consider us. If we fall lucky, then we might have a slim chance of getting the project.

“I'll drink it then,” Seth replied, still unsure while the servants poured the drink into the glass cup. Seth had trembled slightly as he reached for the drink. He finished the first drink and the servant poured another drink for him.

It continued for minutes until the bottle was half empty. Seth's face was turning bright red and his movements were sluggish, but he kept drinking. Pressing my lips together, I couldn't help but spare a glance at the Alpha King who still appeared unamused by the scene.

If anything, he looked bored as he watched Seth continue to dim himself fit. The sound of the glass cup hitting the floor resounded, and I stared at the glass cup in daze.

Seth's head was buried low, his eyes half closed. This wasn't going to end well.

“I’ll finish the rest,” I offered promptly. My statement was met with silence, so I used the opportunity to pick the bottle drink, but before the cup could touch my lower lip, a hand came around my wrist.

The grip was firm but not strong enough to cause me pain. I looked up to find the Alpha King glaring at me. “I saw you’ve already had quite a bit; let the remaining sip be my forgiveness for you both.” He gulped the entire content, leaving me astounded.