Chapter 161
Evelyn’s POV
The lab was quiet. I entered the final data points. Everyone else had left hours ago, but I needed to finish this analysis. The research on reversing wolf instinct suppression was finally showing results, and I couldn’t afford to slow down.
My stomach gave a painful twist, reminding me that I’d skipped lunch. I glanced at the sad, cold pasta on my desk. 9:30 PM. I sighed and shoved a forkful into my mouth. It tasted like cardboard.
I packed up and headed for the underground parking garage. The click of my heels echoed in the empty concrete space. Then, a chill skittered down my spine. Something felt off. My primal instinct was screaming at me.
I slowed my pace. Footsteps. Heavy. Male.
I pretended not to notice, angling myself toward a security camera while I kept walking. Just as I heard the whistle of something slicing through the air, I spun around.
I didn’t hesitate. I drove a powerful kick straight between his legs.
“AHHH!” A scream ripped through the night. He dropped to the ground hard. The metal pipe slid across the concrete with a loud noise.
Under the harsh garage lights, I recognized the swollen, purple face. Randy. His bandaged groin was already soaking through with fresh blood where I’d connected.
“You bitch!” he howled, curling into a ball. “I’ll kill you p>
I stared down at him, bored. “I’m absolutely terrified,” I said, my voice flat. “Please. Spare me p>
Randy’s eyes burned with hatred. Whatever manhood he had left was gone. I could see the desperation as he struggled to stand, blood trickling down his legs.
“Today either you die or I do!” he screamed, lunging at me with the pipe.
I sidestepped easily and kicked him again. Harder. Each time he tried to raise his weapon, I put him back down. I wasn’t taking chances since this man wanted me dead, but I made sure the security cameras captured every angle of my “self-defense p>
When he finally passed out, I called the police. They arrived quickly. The footage was clear: I was the victim. Randy was toast. Attempted murder while on bail? He was never getting out.
As they loaded him into the ambulance, I saw Diana rushing out of the hospital entrance. The horror on her face when she saw her beaten brother was satisfying.
I drove home exhausted but satisfied. One problem down.
However, as I pulled up to my gate, I slammed on the brakes. An unfamiliar Rolls Royce was parked there.
A tall figure leaned against it, arms crossed, gazing up at my house.
The streetlights washed over him—the perfectly styled golden-brown hair, the piercing sea-blue eyes, the sharp jawline. He looked expensive and dangerous.
My heart hammered against my ribs.
Logan.
What was the Alpha of the Eros Pack doing here, so far from Duskwatch Bay?
He turned slowly. Our eyes locked. He looked exactly as I remembered—devastatingly handsome, with that warm, cultured smile that used to make me weak.
“Evie he said softly, taking a step toward me.
Panic flared in my chest. Without hesitation, I floored the gas and shot through my gates, leaving him standing in the exhaust.
I checked the rearview mirror. He was still there. Just watching.
From my bedroom window, I peeked through the curtains. He hadn’t moved. He stood there like he had all the time in the world. Stubborn as ever.
I yanked the curtains shut and headed for the shower, desperate to scrub the day off my skin.
That night, I dreamed of Duskwatch Bay. I was twenty again, brilliant and blind, with my whole future ahead of me. Before Calvin. Before everything went to hell.
I woke at dawn. Beside me, Alexis slept peacefully. I kissed her soft cheek, grabbed her empty bottle, and went downstairs.
The living room was dim. I didn’t bother with the lights.
A shadow moved on the couch.
Instinct took over. I hurled the baby bottle like a grenade.
“Eve! Eve! It’s me p>
Gary’s yelp stopped me from grabbing a lamp. He fumbled for the light switch, revealing himself in pajamas, rubbing a red mark on his forehead.
“What are you doing sitting in the dark like a creep?” I demanded.
“I woke up early,” he whined, looking wounded. “Wanted coffee. We’re out of beans p>
He was lying. He’d been waiting to ambush me with gossip. Now he was paying the price.
I found the beans and started the grinder. Seeing Gary’s pitiful face, I grabbed the ointment.
“Come here,” I sighed.
“Ouch! Easy, Eve,” he winced as I applied the cream. “I’m fragile. You’re being so p>
“I’m being gentle, shut up,” I said.
After washing my hands, I could feel Gary hovering behind me. He looked like he was about to explode with news.
“Spit it out,” I said.
“I saw your ex yesterday,” he blurted. “And that Alpha from Eros Pack p>
Gary knew my history. The Eros Pack and my old Norse Pack were tight back then. I practically lived there during med school.
“Your ex showed up, played ’Father of the Year’ with the kids,” Gary scoffed. “It was gross p>
I stayed silent, measuring coffee.
“He left at eight. Thirty minutes later, the Eros Alpha pulls up,” Gary continued. “You know, my half-brother. He didn’t knock. Just stood there like a statue p>
He paused, watching me closely. “Word is, he went abroad after you left. Never dated anyone. Hasn’t had a Luna for years.” Gary tilted his head. “You’re single. He’s clearly obsessed. Why not give him a shot p>
“Not happening,” I cut him off.
“Why p>
“Because p>
I left him confused and went to my study. I opened the window and stared at the sunrise.
Logan had chased me relentlessly back then. But I kept my distance. My best friend Helena loved him. Even though she was gone, touching him felt like a betrayal.
But seeing him again… it stirred up dust I thought had settled. Why was he here? Now?
I sipped my coffee. I had enough on my plate. Calvin, the kids, the research. I didn’t have room for Logan.
But my skin still tingled from his gaze.
The sun rose higher. Whatever game this was, I would handle it. I always did.