Chapter 26 #2
He finally released her chin, but didn’t step back. “I did what I could to keep my pack safe.”
Evelyne’s hands curled into fists. “Well? Did I pass your test? If so, can you please leave?”
She just wanted him gone so she could charm her way past this Kaldrek and finally get out. She was tired of being treated like a prisoner, examined day after day. She wasn’t infected or corrupted, but if they didn’t let her out of this tent soon, she might start acting insane.
He didn’t answer. Instead, his dark eyes flashed with something like curiosity or predatory instinct, before he seized her wrist and yanked her forward. Before she could even protest, he leaned in dangerously close, and—
Gods above, was he sniffing her? Like a damn dog?
Disgust propelled her hand before thought could catch up, and it slapped across his face.
The impact stung her palm more than it seemed to affect him. His body stilled. His hands fell to his sides as he turned away, jaw tightening with such force she half expected fangs to burst through his skin. She had gone too far, and she knew it.
She took a step back, her heart hammering in her chest as she forced words out. “Don’t ever come that close to me again.”
For a heartbeat, she thought he might tear her limb from limb. But then his shoulders dropped, as if something in her eyes caught him off guard. “You are free to leave, Evelyne,” he said, steady as stone.
It was the first time a stranger had spoken her name without the burden of her title, and somehow, it felt achingly personal.
She stiffened in surprise. “I thought that decision was up to—”
“Your friend,” he interrupted, crossing his arms. “Who is he to you?”
Why was he asking her that? “He’s…” Evelyne hesitated, confused. “My betrothed.”
The alpha’s mouth curved slightly—not quite a smirk, but something close to it. “Cute.”
For once, her wit abandoned her. Not that it made a difference, since Holden pushed into the tent seconds later, Alaric following close behind.
Her chest tightened at the sight. He looked tired, but alive. His bruises had faded to faint traces, and though she had never seen him this unkempt, the rough stubble along his jaw somehow suited him. Most importantly, he was here. Standing. Whole.
“Kaldrek, he’s clear,” Holden said, his green eyes flashing to Evelyne.
She snapped her head toward the alpha, her voice caught between a question and a realization. “You’re Kaldrek.”
Of course.
“That’s me,” he said smoothly. “Try not to look too impressed.”
She sighed in frustration before rushing to Alaric, wrapping her arms around him. Yes, she was still angry and likely would never see him the same way again, but he was still her friend. And she still cared.
“Tonight is the moon ritual,” Holden interrupted. “You can stay another night, but come dawn, the Ironwolf pack will be gone. You’ll be on your own.”
Ironwolf. The name sounded powerful, a pack she would never want to fight against. Evelyne couldn’t help but wonder why Holden was issuing commands while his alpha was present.
Perhaps he held the position of beta or second-in-command.
She couldn’t picture Kaldrek, this arrogant brute, allowing others to make decisions.
“Moon ritual?” Alaric asked. He had changed into new clothes as well—sturdy leathers that looked similar to Holden’s, though noticeably less battle-worn.
“It’s a full moon tonight. Our time to shift as one, to run with the alpha and elders.
A way to display our strength and unity as a pack.
” Holden’s mouth spread into a wide grin as he added, “And, of course, a good excuse to drink, dance, and enjoy the company of our women.” He threw Evelyne a wink.
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. The last thing she wanted was to spend another night stuck here, but slipping away into the dark? That would be as good as signing her death warrant.
“Why should we believe you’ll let us stay another night unharmed?” Alaric asked.
Holden scoffed. “We’ve had plenty of chances to gut you, human. Didn’t take them, did we?”
The alpha gave a simple nod. “You already have a tent, and the pack leaves at first light. There’s no reason to send you off when nightfall is only hours away. The choice is yours.”
Oh, now they had a choice? Evelyne folded her arms and lifted her chin. “And what if we decide to kill you now that we’re not at your mercy?”
Kaldrek huffed a short laugh, shaking his head before turning and stepping out of the tent without a word.
Evelyne’s jaw tightened. She could have smacked him for brushing her off so quickly.
Holden stared at her, mouth slightly open. “He’s not someone you want to cross. Push him the wrong way, and you won’t live to regret it.” Despite the words, amusement flickered in his eyes. With that same smug arrogance, he added, “You wouldn’t even leave a scratch on us.”
Evelyne’s face burned with a mix of frustration and embarrassment. But he was right. There was no way she or Alaric could actually hurt the shifters. They’d both be dead before they even had a chance to try.
Holden turned to leave, but paused at the tent’s entrance. “Oh, and I’d cover those pretty eyes of yours tonight, little viper,” he mused. “You’re about to see a lot more men shift, and you know where our clothes end up.” He smiled wickedly before leaving them alone.
Evelyne let out a long breath and looked over at Alaric. “Are you okay?”
He sank onto her cot and slowly shook his head. She knew it wasn’t from pain, but from disbelief. Everything that had unfolded over the past week, and what had happened to Reuben, was simply too much to process.
“I’m fine,” he murmured, but she didn’t miss the deep sorrow in his eyes. “Did they hurt you?”
She sat beside him. “They didn’t lay a hand on me—aside from Kaldrek, of course, with his daily ritual of searching my eyes.”
Silence stretched between them. And then, as if something inside him finally cracked, Alaric spoke, everything spilling from his lips in a rush.
“I’m so sorry, Evelyne. For everything. For keeping the truth from you, for kissing Callista, for humiliating you.
” Tears welled in his eyes as he reached for her hand.
She didn’t pull away, though part of her wanted to.
“Please know my feelings for you were real. Are real. I never meant to hurt you. And I’m so sorry I couldn’t keep us safe. ”
She sighed, her heart aching at his sincerity.
“There was nothing you could have done to stop us from being hunted down by a pack of wolves.” Her voice softened as she shook her head.
“And I know you didn’t mean to hurt me. I wish none of this had ever happened.
And I want to forgive you for lying to me… I really do.”
But she couldn’t. Not yet.
“You’re still my friend,” she continued. “And I understand you were put in an impossible position. But friends don’t keep secrets like that, Alaric. Not ones that toy with someone’s deepest emotions.”
She had meant every word. That day in his study, when he kissed her, she’d trusted him completely—felt as if she could give him every piece of herself. But now, something was fractured. And she wasn’t sure it could ever be made whole again.
Alaric lowered his head, shoulders sagging. “I’m sorry,” he repeated.
She nodded and let out a long exhale before changing the subject. “I haven’t seen anything on the map since the night we were captured. I’ve checked it every time I’ve been alone.”
Alaric’s head snapped up. “They didn’t take it from you?”
“No. I don’t think they even thought about opening it. They only took my weapons, and they better return them to me.”
She reached for her bag, pulled the map free, and unfolded it. No black. Thank the heavens.
Alaric frowned. “What do you think happened to Reuben?”
Evelyne had been waiting for this moment. To say the words out loud, and finally speak the thing that had been clawing at her mind for days.
“You saw his eyes. He wasn’t himself. It was like he wasn’t even there.” She held the edge of the map like an anchor before forcing the words out. “That night in the carriage… he cornered me. Grabbed me.” She turned to Alaric, voice trembling. “He was so strong. I thought he’d snap my wrist.”
Alaric stiffened. “He hurt you?”
“I’m fine,” she said quickly. “Honestly, with everything that happened after, I almost forgot about it. But when he talked to me, it wasn’t him. It was something else. Something hateful.” She glanced back down at the map before passing to Alaric. “Here. It’s yours.”
“Thanks, but you keep it for now. It seems to give you comfort.”
She nodded and tucked it back into her bag. “I think the pack is hunting the darkness. Maybe they know more about Vaelora than we do, but I need to know more.” She sighed softly. “And as much as I want to leave, I think staying tonight might be our best chance at finding answers.”
Alaric slowly nodded. He understood what they had to do. “Then I guess I’d better get ready,” he said with a playful wink.
Evelyne huffed a laugh. “Good. We’re going to need your Stonebridge charm.”
He turned to leave, then glanced back over his shoulder. “That’s quite the look on you, Ev. Not at all what I’m used to… but I can’t say I mind.”