Chapter 36 #2
Evelyne seemed to catch their reactions, too. There was still history between these packs; whatever uneasy alliance had been formed, it hadn’t wiped the past clean. Obren, naturally, appeared completely unbothered. He leaned an elbow on the table, his posture relaxed and his eyes locked on Evelyne.
“You’ve managed to remain remarkably untouched.” He smiled. “Impressive, considering the company you keep.”
“Is that your way of calling me delicate, or are you just bragging about your pack’s superior resilience?”
“A little of both, if I’m being honest,” Obren said smoothly.
“How generous,” she replied, her voice cool.
“I give where I can.”
Alaric watched, paying close attention. He recognized the game for what it was: the charm, the banter, the easy pull into conversation.
He’d used the same tactics himself, back during the courting season.
It meant Obren might actually be interested in Evelyne, or he was deliberately trying to provoke someone.
And if Alaric had to guess, it wasn’t Evelyne he was aiming for. It was Kaldrek.
The Ironwolf alpha had been keeping his distance from Evelyne.
No lingering looks. No quiet moments. He hadn’t spoken to her in days.
Alaric had wanted to ask her about it more than once, but she seemed withdrawn and didn’t want to talk.
So he hadn’t pushed, especially now when things between them had finally started to feel normal again.
Instead, he watched and waited. Evelyne would talk when she was ready. He was almost certain Obren had picked up on Kaldrek’s deliberate silence and the distance he kept from her. The difference was that Alaric suspected Evelyne hadn’t realized it was intentional.
At first, he’d wondered if Kaldrek simply didn’t like her.
But when Obren pointed out the alpha’s scent on her and Heidara quietly confirmed it was true, everything shifted into focus.
Kaldrek wasn’t avoiding her out of indifference.
He was trying to hide his feelings. And now, seeing how easily Obren slipped into flirtation, Alaric understood why Kaldrek might want to keep those feelings buried.
Obren leaned closer, voice dropping just enough to make his intent clear. “You know, Lady Evelyne, for a woman raised among nobility, you handle yourself far better than I expected.”
Evelyne smirked. “And you, for a man raised among wolves, talk far more than I expected.”
Holden choked on his drink.
Obren let out a booming laugh, tapping his fist against the table. “I do believe I like you.”
Evelyne tilted her head, smiling sweetly. “How tragic for me.”
Alaric laughed, but his gaze flicked to Kaldrek, deep in conversation with Garek near the bar. The alpha’s face gave nothing away, but his fingers were clenched too tightly around his drink.
The tavern soon filled with chatter, laughter rising from a nearby table, the scent of fresh ale lingering in the warm air.
Obren lounged beside Evelyne, a cocky grin plastered across his face as he volleyed playful jabs her way.
To Alaric’s quiet amusement, she gave them right back.
He had expected eye rolls, maybe a dry remark or complete disinterest. But instead, Evelyne was sharp, engaged, and unfazed by Obren’s charm.
It was like she saw right through him, and Alaric couldn’t help but admire that.
Obren poured a shot of something strong and slid it her way, waiting.
Alaric thought she might pause or play it safe, but Evelyne didn’t.
She grabbed the glass and knocked it back like water.
It had to have burned going down, but she didn’t flinch.
Instead, she set the glass down, tilted her head, and gave Obren a smirk.
“Alright, Glaciermaw. Why is the room tense whenever someone mentions your pack?”
The table fell silent for a beat.
Then, Obren exhaled a quiet laugh. “Straight to the point. I like that.”
He leaned in, elbows resting on the table, his eyes trailing over her with a playful glint and a focus that felt far too intimate to be casual.
“It’s simple, really.” He traced the edge of his cup, glanced at Kaldrek by the bar, then looked back at Evelyne. “I love competition. I live for it. And Kaldrek?” He grinned wider. “Well, I always knew one day we’d both be alphas. It only made sense to challenge him whenever I could.”
“Ah,” Evelyne said, nodding slowly, “so you weren’t a menace. You were just testing your future opponent?”
Obren chuckled, swirling his ale. “Something like that.”
“Hmm. And did you win?”
“Depends on who you ask.”
“Oh, please.” Heidara rolled her eyes, cutting through the tension with disdain. “The truth is, the Glaciermaw pack is full of hotheaded assholes who can’t stand to admit there’s a stronger pack among these lands.”
Holden smiled and lifted his drink in salute to his sister’s words. Obren, to his credit, didn’t bristle. Instead, he slouched further in his chair, releasing a long, exaggerated sigh.
“She’s just upset I never took her to bed.”
Holden moved before the words even fully landed. His fist slammed against the table, and a thunderous crack sounded over the low hum of the tavern. Evelyne jerked slightly at the sudden noise, as did several others.
The room shifted. Conversations quieted. Across the tavern, Kaldrek turned toward them. His eyes were dark, and his relaxed demeanor from earlier was gone. He wasn’t just watching, but assessing like a wolf sensing a threat.
Obren lifted both hands in surrender, completely unbothered. “Calm yourself, Holden. I’m joking.”
Holden didn’t look convinced. His lips curled into a quiet snarl, his hands clenched into fists, but he sank back into his chair after a long breath.
Alaric, sensing the need for a distraction, lifted his tankard and grinned. “Please, let’s not start tearing into each other just yet. I’d like to finish my ale and a hot meal before getting mauled by two enraged wolves mid-shift.”
The words did the trick. Evelyne turned to him, laughing loudly, nodding as she raised her cup. “Agreed. Cheers.”
The others followed suit, the heavy moment melting away as their glasses clinked together in a quiet toast.
Heidara was the first to steer the conversation back toward something meaningful. She leaned back, glancing toward Eda and Garek, then at Evelyne.
“This town has always been home to the surrounding packs—or, at least, to what’s left of them.
” Her voice was softer now, more thoughtful.
“The people here have provided us with food, shelter, and kindness for generations, so long as we protect them in return. We aren’t bound by blood, but it might as well be family. ”
Alaric couldn’t take his eyes off Heidara.
She looked stunning even after a long day of travel beneath the spring sun.
The warm lantern light made her skin glow, and the flicker of the flames danced in her emerald eyes.
A few strands of golden hair had slipped loose from her braid, but instead of looking messy, she looked—
Beautiful.
Tearing his eyes away wasn’t easy. It took Holden clearing his throat—a quiet sound, but unmistakably a warning—for Alaric to blink and finally look away. He let out a slow breath and reached for his drink. Holden didn’t need to say a word. They both knew it. Alaric had been staring too long.
Obren leaned back and stretched, moving with the ease of pure confidence. He picked up his ale and stood. “Alright, beautiful,” he said to Evelyne, that maddening grin still plastered on his face. “Time I found myself a place to sleep for the night.”
He leaned in, mouth close to her ear, but did not attempt to keep his voice down—ensuring every wolf at the table, and likely beyond, could hear him.
“You’re welcome to join me if the alpha isn’t keeping you warm enough.” He winked, entirely too pleased with himself.
The tension at the table shifted as steady bootsteps sounded behind them. Alaric didn’t need to turn to know Kaldrek was approaching. And judging by the charged energy rolling off him, he had heard every word.
The alpha stopped at the table’s edge, and Alaric could feel the intensity of his stare. But Evelyne, damn her, didn’t so much as waver. Instead, she gave a smile that was sweet on the surface but sharp underneath and purred, “I’ll be sure to consider your offer.”
Obren’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he slowly turned to Kaldrek. It wasn’t subtle. It was a challenge. And Kaldrek? He looked like he might rip Obren’s throat out.
Obren lifted his tankard in casual acknowledgment before strolling out of the tavern, completely unfazed.
Evelyne didn’t spare Kaldrek a single glance.
Instead, she reached for her ale, tipped it back, and finished it in one swift motion.
Kaldrek finally sat down, his movements calm on the surface, but Alaric saw the tightness in his shoulders and the tension running through every line of his body.
“Take it easy on that ale,” Kaldrek said firmly. “Or you won’t even be able to walk out of here.”
Evelyne lowered her glass, licking the last drop of ale from her lips. “Oh, hush. I’ve only had one.”
She turned to Heidara, and the two shared a mischievous, knowing smile.
Alaric couldn’t help but love the bond between them, love that Evelyne had finally found someone she could truly trust. He supposed he could call Heidara a friend, too.
She was the one who had patched him up every day after his capture, the one who’d checked on him—twice a day—after the Noskari attack.
She was kind. Too kind. And gods, he needed to get his mind off her.
The ale clearly made him reckless. Holden remained at the table, and he would likely tear Alaric apart if he even thought about looking at his sister the wrong way.
So Alaric wisely dropped his gaze to his plate, took a bite of his meal, and said casually, “Eh, let her drink up. After all, it’s her birthday tomorrow. ”
He shot Evelyne a wink just as Heidara gasped and spun toward her, eyes narrowing in mock accusation. “You didn’t tell me that!”
Evelyne shrugged. “It’s just another day.”
“How old?” Holden asked.
“Twenty-three,” she said, her voice quieter now, almost like she was reluctant to admit it.
Maybe the others missed it, but Alaric didn’t.
Back home, twenty-three was considered old for a noblewoman without a husband, though she was still technically engaged to him.
He wasn’t even sure where they stood anymore.
Sooner or later, he knew he’d have to ask.
“Oh! I must take you, and you,” Heidara said, pointing at Alaric, “on a tour through town tomorrow. I’ll show you all the best shops!”
Evelyne smiled slightly. “I’d like that.”
“So would I,” Alaric added.
Heidara practically vibrated with excitement, clapping her hands together. Then, as if something even better had just occurred to her, she let out a delighted squeal. “And it’s a full moon tomorrow! This is going to be so much fun.”
Kaldrek raised his drink in an easy salute. “Well, in that case,” he said, “drink up, Lady.”
Alaric caught it. The way his eyes lingered on Evelyne’s just a little longer than necessary. Like he was thinking something he wouldn’t say aloud. And Evelyne didn’t look away.