The Alpha Beast

Chapter 14: Deeds, not words

Evelyn

What was that?

I keep standing in disbelief in this gorgeous room but my attention left after Theodore.I feel like I was dragged back into the past with those anger outbursts.

It all seemed just fine for a while. We had some nice conversations although he seemed always quite reserved. He filled me in about the Lycanthropes, he even apologized for previous behaviour… We were making a progress. 

And now we're back to yelling.

But what bothered me as much as his rough voice were those words… Daddy's little princess.

Pf! 

Like he would know.

The most I got from my father's fortune were good schools. Not that it's not a big thing. But I never bought myself expensive clothes, never went travelling. I had a safe life in a golden cage. All my experiences gathered from books and movies.

And now he thinks he can decide who I am based on my last name!

Thank goodness I'm finally leaving. No one is going to treat me like that. I'm not going to be locked down anymore.

First thing in the morning, I'm out!

Theodore

What a total jerk I am!

I grit my teeth and pull my hands from my hair on to my face. 

I'm not gonna keep her here with my anger. Now she is probably even more determined to leave. And I just can't let that happen.

Many times I tried to tell myself that I have no obligation to help her. She may not be in any danger now. The old man is dead so no one can use her against him. 

But she is the daughter of one of the mightiest men in the world. She is going to inherit all his fortune, his businesses.. His place in the world. She's going to be dragged into his affairs.

I can't just do nothing and let her head right into that mess. I've got to keep her safe. I've got to change her mind.

***

She's standing by the window, looking into the distance, buried deep in her thoughts.

I knock on the open door and she stiffens a little.

"Hi..." No response from her. "About last night - "

"I'm not taking more apologies.." 

Oh she does talk.

"Only changed behavior."

I frown. Maybe everything is not lost.

"You know that takes time."

She is giving me a silent treatment again.

"I can't prove it right away. You should stay… At least for a little more."

"Not a reason enough to stay."

"And what's a reason enough to leave?"

She turns towards me, looking angry.

"What games are you playing with me? Why should I stay? Or is there something you're not telling me?"

She is piercing me with her eyes, waiting for my response.

But now it's my time to be quiet. She is smart enough to know there is something more. But this much that I know her, something tells me she won't believe me. Beside that, what should I tell her. I haven't digged out nothing that would lead me to any valid clue. Maxwell was working with a lot of people and had at least triple of that for his enemies.

"Be honest."

"I want you here." I finally say. And it's not a lie.

Evelyn

I must have heard wrong. He couldn't have said -

"Nanna wants you here… Kira too. They started to like you a lot. I know.. We didn't have a good start… or last night. But we could all be friends. And you could use a little more rest here…"

He continues to talk, giving me all kinds of reasons, convincing me. Seems like he is trying hard to make a distance between the first thing he said. But it's like that is the only thing I heard. It made me feel this tiny little mote of joy, relief even.

Maybe because it's coming from him. He is always so cold and distant. And the way he said it. Almost egging.

Snap out Evelyn! I does not make any sense!

Why in the world would he want me here. Like he would care for me.

Have I developed Stockholm syndrome or something.

It's no good staying here.

"Oh there you are!" Suddenly Kira emerges. "What are you two talking about?"

What were we talking about anyway? I got so lost in my turmoil thoughts.

"I was just telling Evelyn she should stay."

"You want to leave?" Said Kira pretending to be surprised: "You don't like it here?"

"It's not that I don't like it but I have my own home." I am repeating myself.

It was clear to me that she was here primarily to convince me to stay.

"But it's homey here too. You have food, bed, roof over your head.."

"I had it all before too."

"You have us.." she says grinning at me.

And just like that, she hit the spot. I literally have no one I'm closer to right now. Nanna and Kira are so kind and caring. And I always reminisce that day we all sat together at the dining table. Almost like a family.

Almost like I didn't get here by abduction.

Oh the irony.

"Come on! You have to stay here for the Andreas day!"