Chapter 73

[Evelyn’s POV]

I opted for a simple light blue dress that went just past my knees and decided against any form of a heel. Aside from my ring, I chose a pair of silver hoop earrings and a simple silver chain necklace to tie it all in.

Unlike the rest of the house which was currently making a big deal out of Alexander’s brother making an unexpected appearance, I was choosing to keep things casual. My only real concern was that this guy was going to turn out to be just the male version of Caroline.

I mean, to hear that he was able to get under Alexander’s skin was a notable feat. Because Alexander refused to ever speak of his brother, I had very little to go on when it came to forming a proper opinion.

Once I finished applying a little makeup, I took a deep breath and began making my way toward the dining room. The constant rushing around and prepping the house had finally come to an end. Now, everyone seemed to be catching their breath and going about their usual tasks.

I was glad to find that most of the negative tension had lightened up; however, the evening was still early. I wasn’t even certain if our ‘guest of honor’ had arrived yet.

The main hall was quiet. Suspiciously, quiet.

I narrowed my eyes and continued my way past the kitchens. As I got closer to the dining room, I began to hear the low mutters of people speaking. Suddenly, my nerves began to coil.

My footsteps slowed up and I tried to listen in on what was being said. I know, I know. I shouldn’t have been trying to eavesdrop at all. I was a mature adult and should have just walked into the room...It’s just...

I truly had no clue what I was walking into.

Of all the lessons and preparations that Alexander put me through, why hadn’t ever thought to fill me in on the dynamics of his own family?!

Did he think that we were never going to face them at some given point in the future?

I felt so underprepared for this, part of me was actually angry at Alexander for having placed me in this awkward situation. All the while, he remained locked up in his office, brooding.

Just go in. Introduce yourself. And sit down. Simple as that!

With one last deep breath, I braced myself for the unknown and stepped into the dining room. I slowly lifted my gaze up from the floor to find Alexander in his usual place at the head of the table. His expression was almost unreadable.

I noticed the line between his brows while his eyes were firmly fixed on the man who sat diagonally across from him. My heart fumbled in my chest as I struggled to comprehend the scene that was unfolding in front of me.

I thought my mind was playing some kind of trick on me because there was no way—not a single possible chance that the person in front of me was Alexander's Stepbrother.

“...Michael?”

It was him.

The very same guy that I’d run into back at the market. Those emerald green eyes stared right back at me.

For a second, Michael looked just as confused. But, gradually, his expression softened and I was met with that memorable celebrity-style smile.

I couldn’t believe it. All this time, I thought I was facing a stranger. Little did I know that this so-called stranger turned out to be Michael.

His voice contained the same amount of surprise as my own. “Evelyn?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the sheer coincidence of the situation. Unfortunately, my excited enthusiasm was swift to vanish when I caught a passing glimpse at Alexander who looked seconds away from flipping the table over.

“Care to tell me how the hell the two of you know each other?” he questioned harshly.

Reality set in like a harsh slap to the side of the face. Michael was Alexander’s Stepbrother...But that would mean that Michael was the cause of Alexander’s distress.

But, that would mean that Michael wasn’t the caring, gentle person that I’d met before...

People have many faces, Evelyn. There could very well be a whole other side to Michael that you don’t even know.

“Well, um...We met at the market,” I said sheepishly.

Alexander narrowed his eyes on me. “You met at the market? As in the most recent time you went there?”

“Yes.”

Oh God. It had been a long time since I was on the receiving end of Alexander’s death glare. I’d almost forgotten how unsettling it was.

Michael tilted his head and rolled his eyes at his brother. “Before you go freaking out, I merely approached her for a recommendation. Trust me, I had no idea who she was.”

“Why should I believe that?” he asked darkly.

I snapped my attention to Alexander and scowled. “Because it’s the truth,” I stated. “I was literally standing in front of the hibiscus table when he asked for my help, looking for a plant that held a lot of medicinal properties.”

“By the way, the chamomile is working wonderfully,” Michael chimed in.

“I’m glad to hear it.”

His smile actually eased some of the stress that I’d been holding in. Alexander, all the while, was not amused. He silently gestured for me to sit down and signed the staff to begin rolling out the first course.

Half the meal was eaten in silence. Uncomfortable and unbearable silence.

I knew I should have kept it that way, but my curiosity toward Michael was growing stronger by the second. I wanted to know how his work with his own plants was going. I wanted to know what sort of medicinal practices he was able to accomplish.

I lightly cleared my throat. “Michael, would you mind telling me about your current work?”

The corner of his mouth curled into a charming smirk

“Of course. But only if you tell me about your new tea mixture,” he said.

“Sure. If you like, I can show you where I keep my plants down in the greenhouse,” I offered.

Right as Michael was about to speak, Alexander hastily cut him off.

“I’m afraid that Michael doesn’t have time to go wandering around with you after this,” he remarked. “Caroline made it rather clear on the phone that his presence back home is required elsewhere.”

Michael flickered his eyes from me to Alexander.

“I’m sure I could give her a call and tell her that I won’t be able to make whatever plans she has in store for me.”

“She intends on introducing you to a few young ladies from the neighboring packs on the East. It would be considered rude for you to not show up and, at least, meet them,” Alexander said coolly.

Michael’s tone was dripping with sarcasm. “That’s rich coming from the guy who didn’t even have the decency to tell his own brother that he got married. I guess my invitation got lost in the mail?”

“It was a closed, private ceremony. Safer that way.”

Both Michael and Alexander glared at each other through narrowed eyes. The tension had returned with full force. At that point, I was fully anticipating something to go flying across the table.

Good God. No wonder everyone was in a slight panic before. The energy in the room was downright lethal.

“Michael, if that’s true, then you should head back to your pack so you can meet these ladies your mother has reached out to,” I suggested.