A War inside me

Chapter 7

Evelyn’s POV

“Why was I not informed again of their arrival?” Kaden whispered angrily at Ben.

“I didn’t get a link from anyone stating they were on our territory,” Ben frowned.

The Alpha Princes walked towards the altar slowly, their auras darting out menacingly, making the pack bow in submission.

Ben tucked me under his arm, seemingly blocking their aura from me.

A low growl resounded in their throats, but their eyes looked straight forward towards the king.

“We told them not to notify you; we didn’t want you to be bothered during your ceremony,” said one of the twins to Kaden.

“Like father, like sons,” said Kaden with a forced smile.

They exchanged handshakes while our pack members were getting suffocated by their auras. I could see beads of sweat dripping from some of their foreheads.

Their eyes met mine, and they both gave me disapproving stares. What in the world could I have done that’s so disapproving of me?

“And whose this?” One of the twins commented.

Kaden pulled me from Ben’s side. “Don’t you remember Evelyn? Or Evie as we like to call her?”

They both raised a brow.

“This is the bratty little girl that used to run around in her party dresses, pushing all the boys around at the age of 6?”

I gave them a tight smile.

“Yes, and if you’d be so kind to withdraw your aura, you’re hurting our pack members,” I said, trying to talk about anything else but me. Their eyes widened looking over and seeing the pack still bowing.

“Sorry,” he muttered. They retreated their auras, and the pack relaxed.

“Please go on and make your way to the courtyard; no need to wait,” I told them. Everyone quickly made perfect lines to head to the party.

“So, everyone, let’s go out to the courtyard and enjoy the rest of the festivities, shall we?” said Mira, breaking through the awkward tension as she wrapped her arm around Kaden.

Ben, who was still standing right next to me, was quick to grasp my hand and intertwine our fingers together.

And followed Kaden’s lead with the royals directly behind us. They were all quiet as we made our way to the courtyard.

When we arrived, outside the king and queen were placed right next to Kaden, and we were set to sit on the left.

“Ben, since the Alpha princes are here, we can find a separate table that way the whole royal family can sit together,” I linked him. “Good thinking,” he linked back.

I tapped Kaden on the shoulder. “We’re going to find a table on the floor. Enjoy your dinner, brother. I’ll see you at home.” I told him, leaning in to give him and Mira a hug.

“There’s no need for that, Evelyn. We can just pull up a seat. No big deal,” Nathan said.

I shook my head. “No, please. There’s no inconvenience. Me and Ben are used to sitting off to the side. I promise,” I reassured them.

There, his eyebrow creased, and annoyance crossed his features.

“I said, N-.” The queen cut him off.

“Actually, dear, what Nathan suggested wasn’t a bad idea at all. Plus, I’d love to get to know you. It’s been so long,” the queen added.

I looked at Ben. “I’ll arrange for more seating up front,” he sighed, not wanting to argue with the queen. She clapped her hands at her victory, and Ben linked Miriam to send over more chairs. In seconds, the main table was set for 8. The king and queen insisted on having me sit next to them, but I wanted to stay with Ben, so we compromised, and I sat in the middle of the queen and Ben. With the Alpha Princes, we were seated in front of us.

“So tell me, how old are you now?” asked the queen.

“Oh, uhm, I’m 17 currently. I’ll be 18 next month,” I responded.

“Oh, marvelous! And are you excited to get your wolf and to find your mate?” she asked excitedly.

I swallowed hard as the staff placed a bowl of my soup in front of us all. I thought Dad had told them I had already gotten my wolf? I could have sworn it was the king that ordered my wolf to stay dormant till my eighteenth birthday.

I shook off the question.

“Well, I already know whose my mate,” I told her, steering off the question of my wolf.

The queen stops mid-bite and everyone at the table turns to look at me with wide eyes.

“It’s Ben, I can feel it,” I announce, looking over at Ben. He smiles widely.

“Yess!” Kaden shouts happily, running over to give Ben a clap on the back.

“I knew it ! And Dad knew it! You’re the only man he approved of!” Kaden boomed.

“Woah, aren’t we getting a little ahead of ourselves? The girl can’t know for sure, not without her wolf,” said the king.

“I don’t know about that, my king, because they have always had such a strong connection. Even our Father recognized it, which is why he always encouraged them to get to know each other.” Said Kaden.

“And what if he’s not your mate ? What then?” Said a deep voice from in front of me. I turn to the sound of the voice and meet the intense blue eyes of Noah, his wolf eyes flashing at me with unspoken words. My heart felt like it dropped into my stomach.

“Mine,” says a voice I don’t recognize in the mind link. I look around. Whose voice is that?

A throat clears beside me, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“You haven’t answered his question, Evie,” Ben said with a frown on his face.

Shit, he’s right. How disrespectful of me.

“I guess that’s a conversation Me and Ben will have after I turn 18 and confirm whether he’s my mate or not,” I shrugged, trying to shake off the sound of the voice I just heard inside me.

“Very well,” Noah mumbled, taking a swig of his drink.