Chapter 14
Calvin’s POV
Night had fallen over the city, the urban lights beginning to glow like stars against the darkening sky.
I stepped into the restaurant, immediately freezing in my tracks as a familiar figure caught my eye.
She stood there in a lavender dress that perfectly hugged her curves, her golden hair swept up in an elegant twist. The style exposed her graceful neck, making her emerald green eyes seem even more striking against her fair skin. She looked breathtaking, like a goddess under the light. Cyra, my wolf, growled with longing inside me.
Zeon followed my gaze and looked surprised. “Is that your Luna?” he asked.
I shot him an icy glare. “Call her that again and you can kiss your bonus goodbye p>
Evelyn sat with her back to the entrance, completely unaware of my presence.
My wolf snarled inside me, angry that she could sit there so calmly, looking so beautiful, after everything she’d done to our family.
Tonight’s dinner was held at The Grand Hotel’s rooftop restaurant to celebrate Wolfe Haven International’s new project in the East District. Several executives from human corporations were in attendance, and naturally, alcohol flowed freely.
I had planned to make just a quick appearance, but my encounter with Evelyn at the entrance earlier today left me unsettled.
Her cold, distant gaze lingered in my mind, making me strangely accepting of the alcohol being served.
Beneath the crystal chandeliers in the restaurant, I found myself taking one drink after another.
My business associates, seeing my unusual openness to drinking, grew more eager with their toasts.
Beta Zeon observed my odd behavior and attempted to intercept the drinks, but I silenced him with a stern warning.”We cannot display weakness in this environment p>
He could only quietly offer me mineral water, watching anxiously as I lifted another glass of whiskey.
Settling into the leather chair, I rubbed my temples. The alcohol coursed through my veins, my stomach twisted uncomfortably, and my body grew warmer.
A strange feeling overtook me as the wolf inside became increasingly agitated, sensing approaching danger.
Beta Zeon rose and spoke to the executives, “My apologies, but we must end tonight’s gathering. Mr. Wolfe is not feeling well, and I need to accompany him outside p>
Life is full of unexpected encounters. Just as Beta Zeon was helping me to the elevator, we ran into Evelyn, who had just finished her dinner. Our eyes met for a moment in the small space.
I kept my expression blank while she looked away on purpose, acting as if I wasn’t there.She wore very nice clothes tonight. I wondered if she was meeting someone. Maybe she was with her new mate.
Zeon, still supporting me, opened his mouth to address her as Luna, but caught himself. “Ms. Blackwell, what a coincidence p>
Evelyn merely nodded, the barest acknowledgment possible.
In the underground parking lot, she walked straight to her car without sparing us another glance. The rejection stung more than I cared to admit.
“Ms. Blackwell,” Zeon called suddenly. “We have a flat tire. Could we possibly get a ride p>
She rolled down her window, her expression coolly dismissive.”Zeon, this is Ravenshade. You know full well what your pack is permitted to do in this territory. You can call a cab if your car isn’t working p>
My Beta didn’t give up. “Ms. Blackwell, Alpha has consumed too much alcohol. He needs medical attention immediately p>
I could tell she had already noticed my condition in the elevator, my heightened temperature, my dilated pupils. The unmistakable scent of alcohol that any wolf would recognize.
When she still seemed ready to drive away, Zeon played his final card. “Please, for the children’s sake p>
Somehow, we managed to get into her car. My entire body felt like it was on fire. I leaned against the headrest, eyes half-closed, my throat parched as desert sand.
Every muscle in my body tensed against the pain.
When I opened my eyes and saw Evelyn behind the wheel, rage bubbled up inside me. Three years of bottled anger and hurt came rushing to the surface.
“Why do you keep showing up, Evelyn?” I growled, my voice rough with pain and fury. “Three years ago you chose to abandon your mate and pups, left our children without even looking back, and now you have the audacity to try and take them from me p>
My wolf was going crazy inside me, torn between the instinct to claim his mate and the betrayal we’d both suffered. “Unless I’m dead, you will never get custody of them p>
Red light. Hard brake.
She turned to me, her face cold as winter frost. “Get out p>
“Go get your treatment! Now!” she snapped.
The hospital loomed across the street. Zeon didn’t dare say a word as he helped me out of the car. Before he could even thank her, she had already sped away.
The next morning, I woke up feeling completely drained, memories of last night flooding back as I lay in the hospital room. My mood was as dark as a thundercloud.
Just then, my personal phone vibrated on the bedside table. I reached for it, surprised to see a video call coming through on Rowan’s account.
When I answered, little Alexis’s face filled the screen, her eyes crinkling into happy crescents. “Brother!” she exclaimed cheerfully.
Her once-gaunt cheeks had filled out, giving her face a healthy glow that reminded me of a cherub in a Renaissance painting. The sight of her well-nourished appearance sent an unexpected wave of relief through me.
When she noticed my pale face, Alexis leaned closer to the screen, confusion evident in her expression. She seemed to realize I wasn’t who she expected.
“Rowan isn’t here,” I said, my voice gentler than I’d intended.
Disappointment clouded her features immediately. She tilted her head, studying me curiously as she noticed the white-coated doctor entering my room. Then her expression shifted to one of sympathy,the kind children reserve for wounded animals.
“Bad Uncle,” she said softly, “take medicine p>
The simple concern in her voice made my chest tighten in a way I hadn’t expected.