Chapter 33

[Evelyn’s POV]

The second the car pulled away from the event hall, I felt Alexander’s hold on me lessened tremendously. He even went as far as to ease an inch away and glance out the window beside him, making me feel all the more self-conscious.

Alexander had never touched me in that kind of a way. Ever. Then again, he and I weren’t exactly close in any sense of the word to begin with. When he’d initially wrapped an arm around me, I had a very big feeling that it was because of who had approached us.

That public display of affection wasn’t for me. It was to show Rena that he and I were doing just fine as a newly married couple.

That much was obvious.

Now that she was no longer in anyone’s line of sight, he didn’t have to pretend anymore. This caused the muscles around my heart to pinch with a spurring irritation and growing frustration. I had half a mind to tell the driver to pull over so that I could get out and walk back to the house the rest of the way.

I had no desire to be around the Alpha for another moment longer.

“Still think I’m wrong?” Oliver asked out of nowhere.

Wrong? Wrong about what?

I glanced over at him and saw that he was focused solely on Alexander who refused to even acknowledge his question. This was clearly a private conversation the two of them had been having prior to this whole debacle.

Alexander merely shrugged and the rest of the ride was driven in an awkward silence. Without any other conversation going on, it became far too easy for me to slip into my own thoughts. The dark recesses of my mind were a dangerous place that held my doubts and worries.

Rather than jealousy, I felt an odd mixture of anger and, weirdly enough, sympathy for Alexander. I knew it must not have been easy to face the one person who was once your first and only love, feeling and looking lesser than he would have wanted.

Alexander was a man of pride, after all. His actions were that of self-preservation. I couldn’t fault him for that.

But he didn’t need to use me in spite of it all.

“Well, her Majesty seemed to be looking well,” Oliver said.

“Indeed, she did,” Alexander added.

This time, I felt the two of their gazes drift over to me. For someone who proclaimed to adore Alexander, I’m sure they were searching for some trace of jealousy. I simply offered a light smile.

“Princess Rena is very kind,” I noted dully. “I’m glad I got a chance to speak with her.”

I could have asked a number of questions about their previous relationship. Hell, I could have inquired why he saw the need to act intimate. But I chose to drop the conversation entirely for the sheer fact that I just didn’t have the energy.

With that, they both turned their heads back as Wendy gave me an appreciative smile in return.

I leaned my head back against the seat and tried to flush out whatever bitter emotions were trying to pick at my mind.

[Third-Person’s POV]

When the car pulled up to the house, Alexander noted that Evelyn was the first one to practically jump out of the back seat and head toward the door. He noticed her disposition shift since she commented on Princess Rena.

Once they were all inside, Wendy tossed out the offer to anyone who would be interested in joining her for tea. Naturally, Evelyn would have said yes. But, instead, she shook her head.

“No, thank you,” she said coolly. “I think I’ve had enough ‘socializing' for one day. I’m going to head back to the room and change out of this dress and rest for a little while.”

“Alright, dear. You take some time to collect yourself. It's been quite the day.”

Alexander felt a bit perturbed that Evelyn didn’t even so much as bother to look at him before she turned on her heels and walked off.

Alexander felt a strange jabbing sensation in his lower chest.

She looked so exhausted and completely despondent that he was tempted to call out to her. But he didn’t.

It’s as if she wants to purposely distance herself from everyone, which isn’t normally like her.

Alexander was worried about how the event had gone for her. Part of him still felt guilty for not having been able to attend at her side. Was she upset that he hadn’t been able to attend with her like he’d promised? Or was it because of something else?

Evelyn had actually looked relieved when he came to pick her and his grandmother up if he recalled correctly. She looked more than ready to leave which only begged the question as to what went on during the gathering.

Alexander considered asking his grandmother about the possible ordeal, knowing that Evelyn wouldn’t likely tell him anything.

“You know, should Evelyn happen to find out the truth regarding your injuries, her reaction just might surprise you,” Wendy said evenly. “She’s proven herself to be a very trustworthy person.”

Alexander lowered his gaze. “I know.”

“Perhaps, it would be better to tell her the truth rather than let her find out for herself,” the older woman hinted to him. “Otherwise, I fear that it will only cause further misunderstandings between the two of you.”

What had she meant by that?

Alexander turned to look at his grandmother with furrowed brows. Did she know something he didn’t? Had Evelyn said something about their relationship?

“There’s a very good chance that someday Evelyn will take her rightful place as Luna of this pack.”

A surge of anger and resilience spiked through him.

“No!” he stated firmly.

He didn’t need a Luna to share in his current dealings with running his pack. His feelings and thoughts toward the matter were far more complex than he’d care to openly share. It had very little to do with sharing the basic responsibilities as Alpha and Luna would.

What really concerned Alexander were the risks. He didn’t want to place Evelyn in any possible danger. One thing he knew was that his future was uncertain, and he didn’t want anyone else taking risks for him.

Wendy let out a deep sigh which hit him like a wave of disappointment.

“I know that your past with Rena has left you hurt. But I fear that it’s left you incapable of believing in a love that could endure through hardships,” she told him softly.

He clenched his jaw and bit back whatever harsh response was dangling off the tip of his tongue. Clearly, he wasn’t being as inconspicuous about his feelings as he thought. Both Oliver and his own grandmother were able to see through his ruse of denial.

“Believe me, there are no lingering feelings when it involves Rena, alright? What happened in the past has remained just that. In the past.”

Wendy merely raised her brow in obvious skepticism.

“If you say so, my grandson.”

Without another word, she turned and headed back toward her wing of the house, leaving Alexander alone with his thoughts.