CHAPTER NINE
1424 Words
CHAPTER NINE
Anna’s POV
I smiled at the king, trying my best to ignore Evan’s glare at my back.
The king nodded, pleased.
“You can go now… and oh, remember to come to the festival,” he told me.
I bowed. When we finally came out, I took a deep breath of relief.
The pressure inside the throne room just now was terrifying. Although it didn’t press down fiercely on me, merely being in the presence of the most powerful person in the pack was still overwhelming.
Then I remembered what the king told me. What festival?
“Had fun?” Evan said behind me.
I turned around to see him standing there, looking annoyingly handsome, even with his hair tousled and ruffled.
I took a deep breath before responding.
“No.” My voice was steady.
He raised a brow but didn’t say anything. He simply held out his hand.
I looked from his smooth hand to his handsome face. I took a deep breath and moved to take his hand—
—but someone else grabbed me, spinning me flush against him. My hand was roughly held behind my back so hard my mind felt dazed for a moment.
Damn, can’t you guys handle me gently?
Before the dizziness even faded, I knew it wasn’t Evan. The hand was cold and rough—nothing like Evan’s.
“Hello, brother,” a cold, rough voice whispered close to my ear.
I snapped my eyes open, which I had closed out of impulse, and saw a glaring Evan… and one of his brothers. I guessed it must be his second brother, which explained why his voice sounded familiar.
“Let her go,” Evan said, his fangs and claws extending.
“Why should I? She hurt my mate!” Luke yelled angrily.
Oh crap.
Mate?
Melissa again?
Seriously I'm getting feed up by this.
Evan rolled his eyes.
“A mate who is obsessively in love with your younger brother. Get a grip, brother.”
Luke scoffed. I could feel his anger rising, his claws digging into my hand.
I winced.
Oh God… did I just escape one death to land in another?
“She wouldn’t love someone like you. You seduced her! And now you’ll regret it!” Luke growled.
I nearly rolled my eyes.
That b***h was obviously obsessed with him.
But the next second when I felt his claws on my neck my heart raced in panic. I couldn’t see his face since my back was to him, but I could feel his eyes changing color—the sign of a werewolf losing control.
Damn… I’m only human. Even if there’s a possibility I’m not.
I was still scared.
I closed my eyes, then opened them to look at Evan hopefully—
—but my heart sank when he withdrew his claws and fangs.
Evan shrugged nonchalantly, leaning against a car boot as if this were some kind of show.
“Say whatever helps you sleep at night,” he said flatly, his eyes indifferent. But I noticed them flicker briefly to my wounded hand where Luke’s claws had left a bruise.
“Let her go,” Evan said again, his voice gentle—too gentle.
Luke scoffed. “Why? Because you love her? Or because she’s your mate?”
Evan smirked cruelly.
“If you’re looking for someone I love, you’ll wait a hundred centuries. And about that ‘mate’ thing—you, of all people, should know I don’t give a damn about it.”
I winced.
I don’t know why… but my heart hurt.
Luke smirked, raising his claws to my neck.
“Let’s find out.”
Oh God… am I going to die?
I shook my head and glanced pleadingly at Evan— I mean I'm in this mess because of him.
—but he just stood there, emotionless, with no intention of saving me.
A tear slipped from my eyes. Why do I keep mistaking him for an angel?
Before the claw could reach my neck, a loud commanding voice rang out.
“Stop!”
The claw froze instantly. A force suddenly threw Luke off me and dragged me into strong arms.
The scent—olive trees and morning dew. That unique smell only he had.
Evan.
A man in his thirties—who I guessed must be the first son—walked forward. He looked more mature and defined than the others. He glared at Luke, who had just gotten up from the ground.
Speaking of force… I discreetly glanced at Evan.
I didn’t even see when he moved.
“Big brother Alex,” Luke greeted the long white-haired man.
Looking at him, I couldn’t help but think—
God… why are they all so handsome?
I felt Evan’s glare on my head.
I turned to him in confusion but quickly looked away. His face was dangerously angry… and somehow, I felt like it was directed at me.
What did I do?
Evan’s POV
Seriously… that’s what she was thinking about?
I had been curious—maybe even a little worried—that Anna would start thinking badly of me again for not saving her when Luke had his claws at her neck.
Not that I cared.
But I had this urge to hear her thoughts.
I could read minds—one of the abilities that came with my wolf—but only for a limited number of people. Normally, only an Alpha King could do that to his subjects, and even that, was rare.
Still…
I couldn’t help but feel irritated at what she was thinking.
The damn girl was actually thinking about how handsome my brothers were.
I glared at her… then at my stupid, white-haired, cold-faced bastard of a brother—Alex.
“What did Father say about not fighting in the royal house?” Alex asked Luke calmly, his face cold and commanding.
“She hurt my mate,” Luke said, glaring at me. Alex turned to look at me.
I rolled my eyes, completely uninterested.
I grabbed Anna’s hand, ready to pull her into the car, when Alex stepped forward.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
I smirked.
“You’re not blind, are you?”
“But Luke hasn’t apologized to the lady,” Alex insisted.
I sighed.
I didn't have time for this.
But God, how I hate this two-faced bastard.
“You should stop pretending and learn from Luke and Matt. At least they don’t hide their hatred for me.”
With that, I got into the car with Anna.
“He was trying to be nice, you know. You should have been kinder to him,” Anna said softly as we drove off.
I turned to her with a scowl.
“Either you shut up, or I’ll shove you out of the car. Your pick.”
She immediately went quiet.
Good.
Silence filled the car for the rest of the drive—something I actually appreciated.
Soon, we arrived in front of her house.
One minute.
Two minutes.
She didn’t move.
I turned, annoyed, ready to snap at her—but stopped when I saw her sitting there, looking pitiful, fidgeting with her hands.
“Speak,” I said.
Why does she always act like a child?
“Thank you.”
I raised a brow.
“Thank you for protecting me in the king’s hall,” she said.
I smirked, amused.
I just couldn’t understand her.
A few minutes ago, she was driving me insane—now she’s thanking me?
“Is that your way of thanking me?” I asked, leaning closer as she shrank back.
I loved how clearly her emotions showed in her eyes.
Excitement. Fear. And something else… desire.
My hand traced from her face to her chin… then lower.
Her eyes clouded.
Damn. Just one look at her was enough to undo me.
And I hate it.
I hate that I can't control my eyes from staring at her lips. It took effort to pull my gaze away—only for it to land somewhere worse.
Damn.
I ran a hand through my hair and cursed under my breath. That seemed to snap her out of it.
She pushed me away, opened the door, and rushed out—
—but still had the nerve to turn back and mouth a “thank you.”
Damn.
She was going to pay for that.
But first I have to figure out what's wrong with me. I've been acting unusually non-Evan lately
- Writer
