Chapter 92

[Third-Person’s POV]

Alexander thought it was going to be sick. It was bad enough he had to witness Michael practically fawning over Evelyn from the side. But he truly thought that he had hurt her just before she’d stormed out of the office.

He kept making it a point to tell her that none of what he would say to her was real. And that was why! He couldn’t tell if that pained look of devastation that was painted across her face was genuine or if it was all a part of the act.

When Evelyn had stomped out of the room, Alexander had been deeply tempted to follow after her to make sure she was okay. But that would have easily blown his cover. No.

I have to stick back and get through the rest of the bullshit meeting.

Thankfully, Oliver stuck to the plan and carried on the pre-planned monologue. “Sir, perhaps, I can reach out to your grandmother and ask if she would be available to accompany Evelyn. That way Evelyn won’t be travelling alone and then someone would be able to keep tabs on her.”

Alexander nodded his head. “That’s a good idea,” he said. “Have one of the staff reach out as soon as possible.”

While Oliver stepped out for a moment, leaving the two Stepbrothers alone. Alexander did his best to not let his personal disdain toward Michael cloud his judgment at that moment. What he needed was for Michael to feel trusted and dependable.

“Why don’t you sit down, Michael?”

His Stepbrother hesitated briefly before sinking down into one of the available chairs.

“What is it that you wanted to discuss with me?” Michael asked.

“There is some important business that I need to attend to out of town for two, possibly three, days. Normally, I would have Oliver stay behind to deal with any potential issues and look after the soldiers; however, it would appear that I need his council during my time away,” he explained. “As you can probably guess, this whole predicament leaves me in an awkward position and I need someone to fill in—”

“I’ll do it,” he said instantly.

With all of the self-restraint he had, Alexander forced his smile back. He’d bitten his tongue so hard, he was certain he was going to draw blood. It came as no surprise that Michael would be eager to take over his position.

“Are you sure?” he questioned calmly. “Michael, this is not something to be taken lightly. God forbid there be a problem, you need to be available and ready to find an efficient, solid solution.”

“I can assure you, I am fully capable of taking charge should anything happen,” he told him with his usual air of confidence.

Alexander hummed in response. He held his fake contemplative silence for a short moment before tossing his hands up in agreement.

“Well then, I’ll have the staff make up a room for you.”

“Is that it?” Michael asked.

Alexander merely nodded while he reached into his desk and pulled out a blank sheet of paper. He gave the other man a curt nod and sent him off.

Michael’s smug grin hadn’t gone amiss as he got up from his chair and made a B-line toward the door. As soon as the Alpha was left alone, he finally allowed himself to show all the emotions he’d been forced to keep back.

It was almost too easy.

Michael would, technically, be a temporary fill-in. Of course, Alexander had already informed the head trainers and commanders of his army about this temporary happening. He’d thoroughly instructed that Michael was to be treated with respect as any family member would.

But, under no circumstances were they to follow any direct orders that he would most likely give them. This short-term setup was also going to count as a test in a way. Not only was Alexander trying to test his Stepbrother’s abilities when placed in a real position of power, but he was also going to see if Michael would take the role seriously and not try to be his usual deviant self.

“Sir, by giving Michael the chance to be Alpha—temporary or not, you would still be allowing the chance for him to cause some kind of uprising,” Oliver had told him.

“Don’t worry. Michael will only be made to think that he holds all the power. But he won’t.”

Was it horrible of him to make his own Stepbrother believe that he had achieved his greatest life’s ambition, only to have it snatched away?

Probably.

But, there again, this was concerning the same guy who was more than likely willing to put a hit out on his own Stepbrother. Michael was fully capable of causing harm to others—at the very worst, Alexander would be inflicting a bit of damage to the guy’s excessive pride.

In any case, Alexander got on with the letter that he intended for Evelyn to read once she was on her way.

As far as he was aware, she was in the middle of packing for her trip to head back home. Just when he was finally making some sort of progress in his relationship, she was being called away.

Alexander couldn’t help but feel cheated. It was as if the fates had played a cruel trick on him. He didn’t want her to leave.

Considering that it was her own brother who required her immediate attention, he could somewhat understand her obligation and need to leave. But something about the whole matter didn't sit right with him.

Unfortunately, there wasn't much he could do or say that would change anything. With any luck, Evelyn would be back at the manor and they would be able to put this whole unnerving matter behind them.

[Evelyn’s POV]

Granted I was glad that Wendy was willing to come with me, I sort of wished that it had been Alexander in her place. Things between us were still a bit rocky in some areas; however, I knew that if we were just given the opportunity to spend more time with each other, we’d be able to clear a lot of that away.

He really did seem like he was willing to give our relationship as much as he could. Yes, his work was still a huge factor that played against us at times.

But, unlike before, he was actually willing to include me in a few things that he hadn’t in the past. For instance, Alexander let me get a good look at all the networking lines he had going between all the other packs in the region.

“Holy shit,” I’d said under my breath. It was the most impressive map I’d ever seen. “Alexander, this is incredible. I don’t even think that the Alpha King, himself, has this many direct contacts.”

I swore to God, that I saw the man literally blush.

Once our bags were packed, the staff moved them directly to the car that was waiting outside for Wendy and me. A part of me was saddened by the fact that I wasn’t going to be able to say goodbye to Alexander for fear that it would blow our cover to Michael.

Wendy gave me a supportive smile and gestured for us to hurry along. My gaze dropped to the small envelope in her hand.

“What’s that?”

“Oh, Alexander wanted me to give this to you as soon as we headed off.”

She handed over the envelope and I took out the folded letter within. My eyes widened and my heart leaped into my throat.

Oh my God.