Chapter 179
Evelyn’s POV
Tonight there’s a pre-auction party for all the wealthy bidders and corporate representatives.
I stepped into the glittering ballroom with my arm through Eryx’s, putting on a calm smile.
I felt Calvin’s gaze before I saw him. When our eyes met across the room, his darkened instantly.
“Remember, I’ll be close if you need me,” Eryx murmured as we reached the center of the ballroom.
I released his arm with a grateful nod.
As Eryx melted into the crowd, I was immediately surrounded by curious pack members eager to probe about my relationship with Calvin.
Word travels fast in wolf circles, and everyone knew Calvin had publicly claimed Alexis as his daughter at Alpha Harold’s birthday celebration.
“So refreshing to see you back in society, Evelyn,” purred a woman. “How are things between you and Alpha Calvin now? I heard he’s been quite… attentive since your return p>
I sipped my champagne. Polite smile. Nothing more.
After thirty minutes of deflecting intrusive questions and fake pleasantries, I felt suffocated.
My phone buzzed with Alexis’s special ringtone, giving me the perfect excuse to escape.
“Excuse me,” I murmured, “I need to take this p>
I slipped through the doors onto a secluded balcony overlooking the hotel’s gardens. The cool night air was a relief after the stuffy ballroom.
“Hi, sweetie,” I answered, smiling at my daughter’s face on screen.
Alexis lay on her bed, wrapped in her favorite unicorn pajamas. “Mommy! When are you coming home p>
“Just one more day, baby. Are you being good for Uncle Gary p>
She nodded earnestly. “I helped make dinner and I didn’t spill anything p>
“That’s my girl. Mommy will bring you something special when I come home p>
“Promise?” Her big eyes stared expectantly at me.
“Promise. Now be a good girl and listen to Uncle Gary, okay p>
She suddenly beamed, looking past me. “Pretty Uncle p>
I turned around to find Logan standing a few feet away, looking impossibly elegant in his charcoal suit.
I heard Gary’s voice from my phone. “Looks like your mom’s got company. Say goodnight, squirt p>
“Goodnight, Mommy! Love you p>
“Love you too, sweetie p>
Gary’s face appeared briefly. “Seems like you’ve got admirers lining up tonight. Enjoy your flowers while I handle this little monster p>
I rolled my eyes as I ended the call.
When I turned to face Logan, the playfulness I’d expected was nowhere to be found. Instead, his blue eyes were red-rimmed, his usual confident stance replaced by something fragile and wounded.
“Logan? What’s wrong p>
He crossed the distance between us and pulled me against his chest in a tight embrace.
“I’m so sorry, Eve,” he whispered. “I had no idea my grandmother would… I should have protected you better p>
I froze, unsure how to respond.
“What happened?” I asked, still rigid in his arms.
Before he could answer, a cold voice cut through the night air.
“What exactly is going on here p>
Calvin stood at the balcony entrance, his eyes flashing with anger. He stepped forward and closed the doors behind him, shutting us off from prying eyes.
“Logan,” he said, his voice low. “Let her go. Now p>
I pushed against Logan’s chest. “Logan, please p>
But he only held me tighter, his breathing uneven against my hair.
“Logan,” Calvin growled, his fists clenched. “I won’t ask again p>
The tension between the two Alphas was suffocating. I was caught between them, unable to breathe.
“Logan,” I said firmly, patting his back. “Whatever it is, we can talk about it. But you need to let me go first p>
This time he complied, releasing me slowly. His eyes were moist when he stepped back.
“Eve, I had no idea my grandmother would do this to you. The men at Red Cedar, the threats… she set everything up behind my back p>
My throat went dry. So he knew. But what difference did that make? Logan was still Eros Pack’s Alpha. His loyalty would always be to his pack first, his family second. I was neither.
Before I could respond, the balcony doors flew open.
Marcia Walton herself appeared. Elegant, regal, and radiating contempt.
“Well, isn’t this cozy,” she sneered, her gaze cutting between Logan and me. “I spend decades building Eros Pack’s legacy, and you throw it all away for this… Omega p>
“Grandmother,” Logan warned, “that’s enough p>
She ignored him, stepping closer to me. “You’ve always been good at seducing men, haven’t you? First Calvin, now my grandson. Turning him against his own blood p>
Her hand rose, aiming for my cheek, but I caught her wrist.
“Don’t,” I said quietly, squeezing just enough to make her wince. “You might be an Elder, but that doesn’t give you the right to disrespect me p>
Marcia yanked her hand away, her eyes blazing. “You think your little company has a chance against Eros Pack? You’re delusional. What’s your strategy? Sleeping your way to the top? Is that why you’re playing both my grandson and your ex-husband p>
Without thinking, I lifted my champagne flute and slowly poured the sparkling liquid over her hair.
“You disgusting little she spluttered, golden droplets streaming down her face.
“For someone who acts so classy, you sure have a dirty mind,” I said calmly. “I don’t need to sleep with anyone to succeed. Unlike you, who’s been coasting on your dead husband’s name for decades p>
Her face twisted with fury. “You’ll regret this. I will destroy your pathetic little company p>
“Grandmother, stop!” Logan stepped between us. “You’ve gone too far. Those men you sent could have hurt her p>
Marcia’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected Logan to know.
I set down my empty glass. “I’d love to stay and continue this delightful conversation, but I have an auction to prepare for p>
I smiled coldly at Marcia. “Let’s see just how much power you really have, shall we p>
As I walked away, Marcia called after me, “You’re nothing! Nothing but a defective Omega playing at business p>
I didn’t turn back. Let her think what she wanted.
I had nearly reached the lobby when a hand gripped my elbow, spinning me around. Calvin stood there, his expression unreadable.
“You need to withdraw from the auction,” he said without preamble.
I stared at him, incredulous. “Excuse me p>
“You just made an enemy of Marcia Walton. Do you understand what that means? Even if by some miracle you won the bid, she would make it impossible for your company to develop that land p>
“So I should just give up because I’ve offended someone powerful?” I pulled my arm free. “Is that what you do, Calvin? Back down when things get difficult p>
His expression hardened. “Be realistic, Evelyn. You work as a doctor. It’s a respectable position, but your small company doesn’t have the resources to take on a project of this magnitude. Not against Wolfe Haven and Eros Pack p>
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said, turning to leave.
He grabbed my wrist, pulling me back. “Ever since you returned, you’ve acted like you have some powerful backer. Is that it? Is the mysterious founder of Evelink your lover? Your benefactor? Is that why you think you can compete with me and Logan p>
I laughed then, I couldn’t help it. The absurdity of his assumption was almost comical.
“What if he is my lover?” I challenged, stepping closer. “What would that make you, Calvin? The desperate ex trying to win me back? The other man p>
His grip tightened momentarily, then released as if my skin had burned him.
“Save your breath,” I said, stepping back. “I’m not withdrawing from the auction. Let’ see who really has what it takes to win p>