Chapter 164
Calvin’s POV
I was rubbing my temples, exhausted from reviewing business proposals, when my phone pinged. It was the specific ringtone I’d set for the boys.
I opened it immediately. A message from Rhys.
[Rhys: Dad, handsome uncle here! Danger! Danger p>
There was a photo attached. My jaw clenched as I looked at it.
Logan Walton stood there, looking at Evelyn. He looked at her like she was the only woman in the world. It was sickening.
The way he gazed at her made my wolf pace uncomfortably.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. The tension in my chest coiled tight. My wolf was growing restless, snarling in my mind.
I opened my desk drawer and grabbed the medication Dr. Chandler prescribed. I dry-swallowed the pill. The bitter taste spread across my tongue, sharpening my senses.
The side effects were brutal, but necessary.
Logan Walton. Alpha of the Eros Pack.
We were both elite Alphas, but Duskwatch Bay and Ravenshade were worlds apart.
I first met him at my wedding. He came as a guest. He kept his face blank, but I saw it. I saw how his eyes followed my mate.
The second time was business. He came to Ravenshade for a partnership. Professional. Polite. Cold.
It wasn’t until this year, when I dug into Evelyn’s past, that I learned the truth. She stayed with the Eros Pack during college. Logan’s parents treated her like family.
And Logan? He clearly wanted to be more than family.
I was a rational man. Business is business. We shook hands. We signed deals.
But seeing him chase Evelyn?
My rationality snapped.
I couldn’t just sit here and watch.
Evelyn’s POV
Alexis stared at Logan. His warm smile reminded me of spring in Duskwatch Bay—something I’d buried years ago.
“He’s pretty,” Alexis said. Her voice was full of awe.
There was no mockery. She genuinely thought so. I couldn’t blame her. Logan had that refined, scholarly look that drew people in.
Logan’s eyes softened. “Thank you, sweetheart. You’re the pretty one p>
Alexis beamed. Her eyes turned into little crescents as she hid her face and went back to eating.
I watched Rowan carefully peeling shrimp for his sister. Rhys tried to copy him, but his hands were clumsy. The shrimp ended up mangled, but Alexis looked happy. That was all Rhys wanted.
“Eat your own food, boys. She’s fine,” I said, putting some meat on their plates. They loved spoiling her, but they were still just kids.
The boys kept passing me food. Alexis, stuck in her booster seat, waved her spoon. “Mommy, eat p>
My heart felt full. They were my world.
I noticed Logan watching us. His expression was unreadable. He snapped out of it when Alexis tugged his sleeve.
“Pass, please,” she said, pointing to the veggies.
Logan looked surprised, then used the serving spoon to give her some greens.
“Thank you,” Alexis said. Her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk as she chewed.
“She eats just like you,” Logan said. He was smiling.
My hand froze. I ignored him. I put some egg custard in front of Alexis.
Alexis attacked her custard like it was her job.
When dinner ended, Rhys pulled out his card. But Logan had already paid.
Rhys’s face fell.
“Mom,” he said, looking disappointed. “I wanted to treat everyone p>
I smiled. “That would be lovely, sweetheart. Next time p>
As we got up to leave, Logan offered to drive us.
“No,” I said. “My driver is here p>
Logan looked at me, then at the children. Frustration flickered in his eyes. He clearly wanted to talk, but he couldn’t say what he wanted to say with an audience.
“Can I see you again?” he asked, his voice low. “There’s so much I want to say p>
I gave him a measured look. “Wait here p>
I buckled Alexis in and turned to the boys. “Rowan, Rhys, stay with your sister. I’ll be right back p>
I walked back to Logan. I kept a deliberate distance. “What is it p>
His eyes traced my face, as if memorizing me. The tenderness in his gaze was unsettling. It was too open, too raw. It made me want to put up walls.
“How have you been, Evie?” he asked.
“Fine,” I said.
It was a simple answer to a complicated question. His warmth tried to pull me in, like a comfortable blanket on a cold night. But I had learned not to lean on anyone else for warmth.
“Is that all?” I checked my watch.
Logan hesitated. He looked like he was wrestling with a thousand words.
“Logan,” I softened my tone just a fraction. “It’s been a decade. You can’t summarize a life in a few questions p>
I gestured to the car. “I have three kids. They are my joy. I hope you find your happiness too p>
I gave him a polite smile. “The Eros Pack helped me once. If you need a favor in return, call my assistant p>
I held out a business card. It was a wall between us. A clear signal that the past was closed.
Logan didn’t take it. “I don’t want your assistant. I want to talk to you p>
The disappointment in his voice tugged at something inside me, but I pushed it down.
I dropped the card on the table. “Take it or leave it p>
I had walked away from the complicated waters of the Eros Pack years ago. I wasn’t wading back in.
I turned and walked to my car. I didn’t look back.
Logan caught up. “Eve, wait p>
He kept his voice low, glancing at the car window. “What happened? We were friends. Why did you cut me off so suddenly p>
I paused. I didn’t want to do this. He had been kind to me once. He had been the one bright spot in a confusing time. But then I thought of Helena. My best friend, who loved him in silence.
I couldn’t betray her memory. Not then. Not now.
“Logan,” I said firmly.
He stared at me, waiting.
“It’s late. You should go home p>
I looked at the kids watching us through the glass. “Say bye p>
“Bye!” three little voices called out.
I got in the car. We drove away.
In the mirror, I saw him pick up the card. He handed it to his assistant.
He didn’t know I’d already texted the manager to refund his money.
Some debts I refused to carry.