Chapter 89

Chapter 89: Chapter 89

Chapter 83

Tristan was waiting for Evelyn when she returned.

He stood near the sitting room window, his arms folded across his chest. The moment she entered, his attention shifted to her, searching her face for an answer before she had even opened her mouth.

"He agreed?"

Evelyn’s lips curved, amused by the question or not question. Still, she nodded, removing her gloves.

"He agreed."

Tristan walked up to her, hands in his coat, he stared at her, waiting for the ’but’ he tilted his head slightly seeing as Evelyn wasn’t saying a word.

"But?"

Evelyn rolled her eyes, "He laid a condition though. I have to go on a date with him."

Tristan’s expression shifted instantly, the ease draining out of it. "A date."

"One date." She kept her tone even. "In exchange for his plus one."

"This is exactly why I didn’t want you going there alone." He crossed the room, his jaw tight. "Men like Soren, Evelyn — men who’ve spent years waiting, hoping, courting from a distance — they take whatever opening they’re given. The moment you needed something from him, he found his leverage."

"I’m not a child, Tristan." Her voice sharpened, "I’m not some weak girl who wandered into a trap she didn’t see coming. I’m a woman, and I knew exactly what I was agreeing to before I agreed to it. Soren didn’t have his claws around my throat forcing my hand."

"My lady—You agreed to it?"

Evelyn’s brow arched at the title slipping back into his voice, the formal edge he only used when he was trying to hold himself together. "Yes, Tristan. I agreed to it."

"Just like that." He shook his head, dragging a hand through his hair. "A man corners you with a favor you need and turns it into a condition, and you simply... agree."

"He didn’t corner me." Her patience thinned, though she kept it from her voice. "He told me how he felt. For the first time, in all the years I’ve known him. And then he asked for something in return for his help, instead of giving it freely the way he always has." She crossed her arms. "That’s not manipulation, Tristan. That’s a man finally saying what he’s wanted to say for a long time."

"And you think that makes it harmless?"

"I think it’s one date." Her voice stayed level, firmer. "Not a courtship. Not a betrothal. One evening, in exchange for access I couldn’t get any other way. I weighed it, and I decided it was worth it."

Tristan’s jaw worked, clearly unconvinced, the muscle in his cheek ticking as he fought whatever he wanted to say next. "I don’t like this," he said finally, quieter now, some of the fight draining out of his voice.

"Noted." Evelyn softened slightly, though she didn’t relent. "But it’s my decision to make, Tristan. Not yours."

Tristan nodded, taking a step back. "Your decision My lady."

Just when she thought he was done, he stepped forward. "I will—No, I respect your decision but I want and I ask that you let me be present during this...date." He spat out the last word.

"Tristan."

"Please Evelyn, I’ll be a distance away. I will—" Evelyn shook her head, cutting him off before he could complete his words.

"Absolutely not, Tristan. It’s a date, one date. I think I can manage without you there. And I understand you’re so worried about me so why don’t you use that opportunity to go out, talk to the wolves, perhaps a mate might be—"

"Understood, my lady." He cut her off before she could complete her words.

Evelyn hid her smile but nodded, "Today has been quite a lot. I should rest. We’ll speak more tomorrow."

Tristan watched her go, his shoulders still tense but he didn’t press further, Evelyn was right. She knew what she was doing.

______

Evelyn shut the door to the room, tiredness weighing her heavily. She stood in front of the vanity mirror, quietly taking off the jewelry she had on and then she clothes.

Her mind drifting back to Soren’s study, to the shake in his composure when he’d said I want you to keep an open mind.

An open mind when she knew deep down in her that she wasn’t ready. It was simply the truth. Dating, courting, opening some door inside herself that had been shut and bolted since Kael — it felt like reaching for something with a hand that hadn’t finished healing.

She slipped out of her dress and stood before the mirror in her undergarments, studying the woman staring back at her.

Years of loving a man who had made her believe she was his home, only to discard her when the woman he truly wanted returned. Years of giving until there was hardly anything left of herself, convinced that if she loved him enough, if she sacrificed enough, she would eventually be enough for him.

And look where that had brought her.

Evelyn lowered her gaze, she didn’t hate the idea of being loved again. That was the problem. Somewhere underneath the hurt and the distrust, a part of her still wanted it.

She wanted someone who would choose her without hesitation, someone who wouldn’t make her compete for a place she had already earned.

But wanting something and being ready to receive it were two entirely different things and she knew she wasn’t ready for it.

A familiar dull ache settled in her chest, she pressed her hand over it, trying to soothe her aching wolf, her eyes shut tight. ’I know, I know. It’s okay.’

_______

Lily’s chambers were brighter than they’d been in days, it was probably the brightest it had been since it all went bonkers. Sunlight spilling through curtains someone had finally drawn back. At the center of it, Lily sat propped against her pillows, color returned to her cheeks, her small hands curled around a cup of warm broth a healer held steady for her.

Kael stood at the foot of the bed, watching his daughter the way a man watches something he’d been certain he’d lost.

"She’s really awake," he said, for perhaps the fifth time. "She’s really—"

"She’s healing well, Alpha." The healer smiled, though something careful lingered behind her eyes. "Luna Sophia’s remedy worked remarkably fast."

Kael turned to Sophia who sat on the other side of the bed, looking tired but pleased with herself. She had spent most of the previous night tending to Lily, and she had made certain Kael knew it.

"I told you I wouldn’t let anything happen to her." She said with a smile.

Kael crossed to her, taking her hands in his.

"You did this," he said, awe thick in his voice. "You saved her."

"I told you I could." Sophia’s smile was soft, practiced. "I’m her mother, Kael. I would never let anything truly happen to her."

"I should have trusted you from the start." He shook his head, bitterness creeping into his voice. "Instead I went crawling to Evelyn, begged her, and she turned me away without a second thought." His jaw tightened.

"And you — you saved our daughter when the great Lady Evelyn couldn’t be bothered to lift a finger. Let that put her precious reputation to shame. You’re as much a healer as she ever claimed to be. More, even."

For a moment, Sophia simply stared at him.

Then, she lowered her eyes, allowing a small, satisfied smile to form. It was exactly what she had wanted to hear. Her gaze shifted to the girl who was still being fed. She was okay, for now.

A knock sounded, and Beta Callum stepped inside, his eyes flickering over to Lily then Sophia and finally Kael, his stance became more urgent. "Alpha."

"No interruptions Callum! My daughter is finally awake." Kael snapped.

Callum lowered his head, "Forgive the intrusion Alpha but there’s news."

Kael’s brow lifted. "What is it?"

Callum glanced toward Sophia, then back to Kael. "Perhaps we should speak outside."

Kael hummed, then he lifted Sophia’s hand still in his and kissed it, sending a flying kiss to Lily who smiled even more. Then, he stepped out of the room with Callum.

"What’s this about?" He asked, making sure they don’t stray too far from the room.

Callum produced a sealed letter, the wax stamped with a crest Kael recognized instantly. "An invitation. From the Supreme Alpha himself."

Kael’s hands went still around the parchment. "What kind of invitation?"

"The Gathering of the First Houses." Callum’s voice carried something close to disbelief. "You’ve been shortlisted, Alpha. One of three considered for a seat, despite everything these past months. It seems your standing hasn’t been as thoroughly ruined as we feared."

Kael stared at the letter, reading the words twice before they settled, something swelling in his chest he hadn’t felt in longer than he could remember.

"Finally." The word came out low, almost reverent. "Finally, something is turning in our favor."