Chapter 32

[Evelyn’s POV]

For what it was worth, I appreciated Wendy trying to salvage whatever dignity I still had left at that point. Honestly, the moment I found out that Alexander wasn’t going to be able to attend, I should have found an excuse myself not to show up to this mess of a gathering.

Having saved me from what would have been an embarrassing fall, Wendy patted my arm and turned to greet the Queen.

“Hello, your Majesty.”

The Queen Luna practically lit up with jovial excitement. “When I heard that Wendy Kingston was in attendance, I nearly ran here on foot.”

Wendy gave her a light-hearted chuckle. “And may I say, only you would be able to run a marathon in those heels, your Majesty.”

I marveled over the friendly exchange between the two older women. Meanwhile, I awkwardly glanced back at Princess Rena, feeling my cheeks slightly flush from my earlier mishap. Surprisingly, Rena had offered me a small smile in return.

“It’s alright,” she said softly. “The first time I tried to curtsy, I did fall to the floor.”

Some of the weight seemed to lift off my shoulders and I was able to breathe a little easier for the time being.

“I’m sure it wasn’t an easy thing to master,” I commended.

For at least a minute, Rena’s gaze drifted over me with a look that I could only classify as curiosity. Surely, I was wrong...Right? I mean, why would someone like her be even remotely interested in me?

“Is it true that you’re married to Alexander Kingston?” she asked bluntly.

“Uh, y-yes,” I answered.

“Perhaps, you and I could meet again sometime,” Rena suggested with a hint of unexpected eagerness in her voice.

I more than graciously nodded my head in agreement and allowed the air to re-enter my lungs once more as the two royals moved on to the next group. Truthfully, I felt as though I had gotten over the worst of the encounters for the day and was finally able to relax.

“Would you mind getting us some tea, dear?” Wendy asked.

“Of course, I’ll be right back,” I told her.

As I made my way back over to the refreshment table, I felt a lingering presence hanging over me like some dark shadow. A sharp, menacing voice filled my ear. Fiona.

“You may be the Moonstone Pack’s Luna, but you’ll never be Alexander's true love,” she hissed. “That gentle, perfect Luna Princess, Rena...Is Alexander’s first love and unforgettable ex. You will never compare to her.”

And just like that, she was gone like a ghost in the wind. Just like that, the same foreboding sensation that had crashed over me once before had rushed back.

Why should I care what she says?

If I had learned anything from our unfortunate encounters, it was that Fiona only spoke with the purpose to hurt and diminish other people. Who knew if what she was claiming about Alexander was true?

The problem was, that my sense of logic was not enough to outweigh my insecurities.

Alexander and I were not intimate—hell, we weren’t even close speaking terms with one another. My thoughts were still haunted by what Fiona had said to me earlier.

Alexander had basically settled for me because he didn’t have any confidence in himself due to his injuries and physical state.

Was Rena the reason why he never showed any interest in dating or marriage?

[Third-Person’s POV]

“Are you sure you want to do this, sir?” Oliver asked. “You know that I can easily have one of the cars be brought around to pick up Evelyn and your Grandmother. Or, if you wish, I would go in your place.”

Alexander had returned back from the grounds where the section of the border wall had been damaged. Many of the soldiers were already in the process of reinforcing the barrier by the time he got there. All that he needed to do was take into account what happened and give out new direct orders should the rogue make the flourish decision to come back.

Alexander hadn’t realized how quickly the business would have taken him. He felt sort of bad for telling Evelyn to attend the event without him, even though he knew she was in good hands.

Better still, he’s made the decision to be there when the car came around to pick them up for the event.

“I’m sure,” he confirmed. “But, feel free to accompany me if you want to.”

While yes, it was one of his first public appearances since being injured. He had no doubt that many people were going to be curious and intrigued by his sudden presence.

Once the car was brought around, the Alpha made his way off to the event and braced himself for the unwanted attention. Right as the car pulled up outside of the event hall, he instructed the driver to inform one of the staff members, letting Evelyn know that he was outside.

A few minutes passed before the doors opened and a mildly perplexed-looking Evelyn came out with his grandmother at her side. Before he knew it, most of the other guests started making their way outside as well.

Wearing his usual mask, it didn’t take long for him to capture everyone's attention. However, strangely enough, none of them appeared too frightened by the spectacle. It seemed that they all realized he didn’t look as intimidating as they had imagined.

Interesting...

“How are things going back at camps?” his Grandmother asked.

“Everything has been resolved,” he said. “I wanted to come by and take the two of you back home.”

Much of the tension around them eased when people were able to overhear how concerned and caring he was toward his Luna and family.

Out of the corner of his eye, Alexander spotted a figure he wished he hadn’t.

Rena...

Goddamnit, she looked as beautiful and enchanting as when he’d last seen her. In her usual heir of confidence, she came gliding over to the car where she glanced through the window to see him. Alexander fought back the mix of emotions that were trying to surge forward.

Evelyn, who remained silent, couldn’t help but witness the whole interaction between the two of them. Hearing the unmistakable truth from Fiona, she eagerly searched for any possible trace of lingering emotion that he may still feel toward the Princess. She honestly felt a bit foolish. Before Alexander had arrived, she was debating about the matter of which she should even care about Rena and his past relationship.

What did it matter if he still had feelings for her?

It mattered because Evelyn made the personal discovery that she felt a subtle pang of jealousy about it all. It bothered her greatly that her own husband could potentially still have deep feelings for another woman.

“Hello, Alexander,” Rena greeted him.

“Princess.”

Rena’s features pinched with desperate attention. “How have you been?”

“As good as I can be, I suppose,” he answered vaguely. “I apologize to cut this meeting short, I need to get these two back home.”

Evelyn did her best to hurry up and step into the back seat. Alexander was quick to maneuver her movements and spun her around to where she landed next to him on the seat. He curled an arm around her and half-hazardly pulled her in close to his side.

“Next time, I promise I’ll be here to introduce you to the Alpha King,” he said.

All Evelyn could do was nod her head while Rena was positively stunned by the entire interaction. She was tense and uncomfortable having, practically, been manhandled to be at Alexander’s side.