Evelyn hadn't contemplated the shock to follow her like this, like a shadow loosely yet firmly taking each pace along with her and at once, at the right time, hammered her like an underestimated lightening broken in the sky.
When Evelyn stepped inside the threshold of his study, after walking a long way in the hallway in silence, she met not only the furious but criticizing looks of his pack members.
She was stunned but quickly veiled it. She inwardly cursed Michael for not warning her about the company beforehand as he sure seemed to enjoy the growing tension in the room. Evelyn wouldn't cause any trouble on her own, her wolf would be in check unless she was provocated or questioned.
"Eve . . . let me introduce you to the protectors of Moonstone pack." Michael motioned Evelyn to enter in his study after inspecting her hesitant behaviour. As soon as they're inside, his voice swiftly switched from an excited child's to an authorative, dangerous alpha's that made Evelyn feel weak at her knees.
He wasn't excited, he wasn't nervous or anxious but right here he was something else, another mystery that was twice as hard to resolve. She figured that it must be because of his wolf being addicted to hers that he was able to come clean in front of her. Right now there was nothing sweet about his voice, it was rough and intimidating like William's.
"You know my beta, Caleb and his mate Jasmine, Zoey and his mate my gamma Kyle." Evelyn received a heart warming smile from everyone of them except for the woman who was throwing daggers at her just by her mere gaze. Evelyn still couldn't figure out what her problem was and taking her mate's feelings into consideration, decided to keep shut.
"And last but not the least, Lawson, my delta." He gestured towards the brawny male standing afar from everyone near the book shelves who looked just as displeased as Zoey upon her presence but forced a smile regardless—possibly because of the alpha's compulsion.
Evelyn had this feeling that Lawson wasn't much fond of her and had taken her as his enemy just like Zoey and some of the other pack members. She just sighed unwittingly, well aware that she couldn't force anyone to like her, after all she couldn't make her own father to like her even in eighteen years. She just couldn't expect these people to fall head over heels for her, she'd have to prove herself capable enough for that to happen.
"I didn't know you have a delta." She asked to cut off the awkward silence in the room.
Michael eyed her perplexed before stating "Well being one of the seven cursed packs and the biggest one at that, a delta is needed for proper regulation and distribution of power to avoid unnecessary clashes and riots." Evelyn nodded her head in understanding like a good little student and much to her surprise Michael didn't react hysterically or laughed at her lack of knowledge. He seemed patient and happy to teach her about his pack.
Evelyn was eyeing every corner and wall of the study. The walls were painted in a deep azure and dark blue shade but the curtains hung veiling the windows were a lighter shade of white. It was a good boyish combination.
The lights were dimmed although the room was brightly illuminated. The shelves were in a V-shape afar from his desk, in one corner. The furniture were carved out of wood and vases of sweet scented flowers were present to lighten the mood. Even though he was a tough man, his choice was rather good and comfy and cozy.
Evelyn's eyes never blinked twice as she took in every corner patiently though less did she know, her curiosity was in nothing compared to the one with which her mate was checking her actions out. He was enthusiastic to find what she found so compelling about his study. After all for him it was just another blank space he'd use for work day and night everyday. There was nothing so captivating about it.
No one dared to break the silence as Evelyn looked around more, this time following not her gaze but her feet as they stole her away towards something adventurous. For a moment she forgot she was surrounded and being watched suspiciously by six pair of eyes. She was lost like a child who'd been introduced to the most fantasizing gift of his life. Her this passion and enthusiasm towards something so dull was out of their comprehension and sanity but if only they'd lived her life, they'd know exactly the reason behind her curiosity.
Evelyn was well aware if it had been William in place of Michael catching her roaming freely in his study, he'd have scolded her for touching his valueables and had even punished her for snooping into his workplace. But Michael was quiet and perceiving her with an intense gaze which she could now feel boring into her skin.
She turned swiftly as her wolf suddenly became conscious. She could see the trace of the eyes that had been watching her sternly for moments and she felt her cheeks burned at her foolishness. She shouldn't have snooped around this lost, they must think of her as an uncivilized being or something.
"Is this your first time in a study?" Zoey ultimately asked with utter enthusiasm. There was no double meaning behind her words, she was truly intrigued to know why Evelyn had been acting like she was teleported to heaven.
"It is my first time in his study." Evelyn tried to sound convincing. She couldn't lie but she also also didn't have the guts to get embarrassed on her own accord. Her words were genuine though she just hoped they'd buy it as Zoey didn't seem like the girl to leave a matter so easily.
However much to Evelyn's surprise she did. And Evelyn swiftly guessed it must've been for the warning she'd gained from her mate. They're truly afraid of their alpha.
"Alpha shall we discuss about last night now that she's here." Lawson asked his alpha politely even though he couldn't shake off the venomous tone with which he addressed her.
'William had surely messed up something in his life.' Evelyn thought towards Lawson.
After getting a quick nod from Michael he slowly took his seat near the rectangular desk in one of the loveseats. Michael's chair was however the most comfy one and had space for almost three people. With a quick indication he gestured Evelyn towards himself.
At first she wasn't sure. First he invited her to his study and now he wanted her to seat next to him? It felt not good. All the mates were hugging closely to each other because of the bond and suddenly she felt her wolf get encouragement at the sight. His wolf was calling out to hers and she didn't waste any time stalking close to the chair, far away from him though.
Michael sighed after observing her reluctance to snuggle up to him unlike all those shameless mates in front of his eyes. His wolf was depressed but he quickly veiled it up, focussing on the matter at hand.
Evelyn heard Michael beginning from the top, he started from taking her to a run to announcing the race. "As I ran I felt this . . . empowering aura and . . . before I knew there were three wolves tackling me down." Evelyn could see how hard it was for him to keep his straight posture and at once talk about his defeat. His wolf was going mad and because of the growing bond, Evelyn could lightly feel his wolf crawling out on the surface which wasn't a good sign.
She was quick to envelop his hand in hers and intertwine their fingers before the beast could get released and create havoc in this charming study. He instantly tensed at the abrupt contact but relaxed just as easily at her touch. It seemed as though her contact was making it easier for him to speak yet he couldn't help but feel ashamed talking about his defeat at the hands of merely three rouges.
"The last thing I remember before going unconscious is hearing Eve talking to one of them." Evelyn stiffened as he ended his confession and she took the hint that it was her time to talk as all the eyes landed on her. She shifted uncomfortably under their scrutinizing gazes, unable to talk. She didn't have the guts to tell Michael what she'd done, especially not in front of them.
Eventually she took a deep breathe before speaking, "Michael . . . can I talk to you alone for a minute?" Her voice was barely audible but enough for her mate to sense the discomfort and mounting tension in her heart.
"Eve you can tell us." Jasmine encouraged from under her mate's embrace.
Evelyn said nothing. She was too busy paying attention to the growing fear in her stomach. She bit her bottom lip furiously hoping Michael would understand but out of all the 365 days he chose to be a gentleman and ignore her thoughts just at this while.
"Michael I need to talk to you alone." This time it didn't come out as a plead but rather as a demand. He was failing to grasp the gravity of her voice.
She had no idea how he'd react in front of them and it was unquestionably a topic to make his wolf go absolutely insane. She hoped she could hold his rage and temper if she was alone with him and make him understand why she did what she did.
'Please.' She thought slowly to him.
The next moment everyone of them were stalking each other outside the room hurriedly. Michael had mind-linked them to give them some privacy and they obeyed without hesitance. Even though they left, they gave her a skeptical look before running away on their heels.
And now that she was alone with him and his wolf, she felt helpless. Was it a wrong decision to be alone with him when his wolf was going insane? It certainly was but it was too late to abort from this suicidal mission.
She sighed as a huge, brawny palm perched atop her knuckles and squeezed it with love and care, ensuring her that it was okay. She looked into his caring eyes and melted instantly. She was like chocolate that was kept close to a boiling furnace and couldn't help itself from surrendering to its terrible fate.
"Promise me you won't lose it." She took his hand in both of hers as his brows scrunched up in confusion. She knew he was troubling, she could feel it but she needed him to ensure her.
"I promise." He ensured in a serious tone, proving he was in no mood of kidding at all.