Chapter 77

[Evelyn’s POV]

Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.

I wasn’t too certain how my reaching out to Wendy was going to turn out. I mean, she was Alexander’s grandmother, after all. It would have made sense if she were to side with him once I got through explaining what was happening between him and me.

There again, Wendy was an independent-minded woman. For as long as I had known her, she was a woman of logic. Although she had the ability to empathize with others, I wanted to think that she would be willing to hear my side of the situation.

Because, honestly, I had no idea what else to do.

After Alexander and I’s failed conversation, we hadn’t seen each other since. He’d taken his dinner alone in his office—something he’d never done.

I tried to think nothing of it; however, this morning, he pulled the same stunt. That time around, it had captured both Nina and Wendy’s attention. The two shared a confused look before turning their heads to glance at me for an explanation.

All I could do was shake my head and shrug my shoulders.

He’s avoiding me.

But I couldn’t very well say that without me getting thrown at least a dozen questions.

For the time, I let my eyes drift down to my plate and pick around my food with my fork. Before I knew the words were tumbling out of my mouth, I’d asked Wendy if she was available to talk that afternoon.

“Of course, dear,” she said with a smile. “Why don’t you come to my rooms around twelve-thirty? I'll have tea prepared.”

I noticed the glint in her eyes. The woman, probably, already knew about the struggles I was going through.

Knowing her, there was always a chance of that being true.

No matter, my plans were set. I figured that if anyone was able to understand Alexander and his sudden shift in behavior, it would be her.

So, as the afternoon rolled around, I made my way off toward Wendy’s rooms. I was greeted as soon as I knocked on the door and was ushered over to her comfortable sitting area.

“Now, why don’t you tell me what’s been bothering you,” Wendy prompted.

I watched her busy herself with prepping each of our tea. I suddenly felt tongue-tied.

“Wel...I...”

“Come now, dear. You should know that you’re able to tell me anything, especially if it’s something that’s troubling.”

I tried to offer an understanding smile. “I know, it’s just something I’m finding to be extremely complicated.”

“Would any of this happen to be about Alexander?” she asked.

The corner of my mouth quirked upward as I shook my head. The woman was impressive.

“It’s like he’s become a completely different person,” I explained. “Ever since the night of my birthday, I thought he and I were finally getting closer and then...Jesus, it’s like everything disappeared.”

Wendy handed me my tea and sat back in her chair. She took a few silent seconds to contemplate her response. At that time, I took a few sips of my tea, hoping that it would calm my nerves.

“I believe I know what you’re referring to,” she commented. “Would this happen to be in regards to Michael?”

“...Yes.”

Wendy nodded her head. “When it comes to those two, you’d have an easier time getting two starving wolves to stop fighting over the same piece of meat.”

My brows drew together and I slumped back into my seat. Well, that wasn’t exactly what I wanted to hear...

“Between you and me, I’ve always found Michael and Alexander to be very, very similar to each other.” What? I lifted my eyes up, giving her a blatant stare. “Growing up, the two boys were heavily driven by their ambitions. They both excelled in their schooling and had great plans for the Kingston Family. To put it short, they both had what it took to be great Alpha’s.”

But only Alexander was the Alpha of the family. I merely figured that because like every firstborn son of an Alpha would likely inherit the title, given it was their birthright.

“I can see the wheels turning in your head, dear,” Wendy chuckled. “Yes, Alexander, having been the legitimate Kingston Heir, was always set to inherit the title as Alpha of the family. However, before Caroline and Michael joined the Kingston line, Michael was set to become the Alpha of their family bloodline.”

Oh. Well, I could see how that would cause tension between the two of them. I took my lip between my teeth and lightly bit down as I slipped into a deeper thought.

“If they both had the ability to be great Alphas then why hasn’t Michael tried to branch out and establish his own pack?”

Wendy gave a sympathizing look. “Lack of resources, I’m afraid. When Alexander took the title of Alpha, he gained nearly all control of the family assets. It made the possibility for Michael to branch out to be extremely difficult, if not impossible.”

“Would Alexander not give anything over to Michael to at least help him get started?”

“He has,” Wendy claimed. “Many times, in fact. Alexander truly felt for Michael’s discouragement when he realized that he would never likely be Alpha if it remained under the Kingston line. He understood the frustration and wanted to help.”

“But what happened?”

“Every attempt that was made to help better Michael’s future, he ended up squandering it on some failed project. He never was able to get the kind of support that Alexander had crafted on his own. Alexander had merely reached a point where he had to put his foot down and stop giving Michael handouts. So, Caroline suggested that Michael return back to school, so he could place his time and energy into one spoiled focus.”

“So, that’s why there’s so much resentment between them,” I said mindlessly.

“They’ve always been in competition with one another. As time went on, feelings between them have just gotten worse and more sensitive,” she said. “Also...Word has been traveling around that Michael may have taken an interest in you.”

I practically choked on my tea. “What?? No! God, no. Why would people be saying that?”

“Michael is known for being very particular with the kind of people he chooses to be around. Some of the staff say that they noticed the way he was looking at you. He seemed rather charmed.”

I blew out a long breath and shook my head. “Would this happen to be part of the reason why Alexander has forbidden me from ever seeing Michael again?” I asked stiffly.

Wendy raised a questionable brow and let out her own tempered breath.

“Oh, boy. Let me guess, he approached and declared that you were to now follow some ridiculous, out-of-pocket order?”

“Pretty much,” I said, dryly. “I basically told him no. Trust me, I have no feelings toward Michael. But I had asked Alexander to tell me why I needed to stay away from his Stepbrother and he refused to tell me anything. I got really angry and frustrated with him and I basically turned my back on him.”

I took in a tremulous breath.

“I keep thinking back to that conversation and replaying it over and over in my head. But there’s no alternative that could have taken place. I was already annoyed at the way Alexander had been shutting me out before Michael came into the picture. I’m his wife. Why can’t he tell me about the things that trouble him?”

“Well...”