Chapter 5

Evangeline's POV

The next morning when I opened my eyes, the sting of light from the ceiling pressed against my eyelids, before I could even stir. My head throbbed with a dull pain. The taste of the liquor is still there on my tongue, dry and a bit bitter.

I roamed my eyes around the room, realizing that I wasn't in my uncle's cabin.

“What have you done, Evan!” I scolded myself, while checking if I was still wearing my outfit. 

A deep relief escaped out from my throat when I realized that nothing worse had happened to me. But, I really do not remember everything that happened last night and when I tried, my head started aching.

“I'm glad that you are finally awake, Evan.”

I was stunned in my direction when that voice suddenly echoed inside the room. My heart just pounded so fast, as if it wanted to come out from my ribcage. My fists clenched as my way to control myself from overreacting. 

No, that can't be. This man is not him. It's just a coincidence that they have the same voice.

“W-Who are you?” I still can't find the courage to face him. 

Something stopped me from looking back. I couldn't find the will to find out who he was because I'm not yet ready. I am not ready to face the reality that there might be a chance we will meet again.

“Evan…”

Biting my lower lips, I slowly turned my head at the back and then that was the moment when I confirmed it. His face and the way he stand, still carved into my head.

He might have improved, but his presence never changed. I could still remember him. The man who owned my heart before.

“Maximus…”

It's been a while since I mentioned his name. The name I cursed not to encounter anymore.

“How are you? I am glad that you're awake now. You were too drunk last night, that's why I brought you here,” Maximus replied. 

I gritted my teeth, while my fists still clenched. If I just knew that it's him at the bar last night, I would have not talked to him. 

I remember everything that happened last night. No wonder he looks familiar to me, but because of liquor, I wasn't able to remember him deeply.

And now, everything is clear to me. It was Maximus who brought me here. The Alpha I tried to bury into the past.

“We should not see each other anymore, Maximus. If I just knew that you were at the bar last night, I would have not come!” I exclaimed, while getting up from the bed.

I rushed towards the direction of the door to leave when Maximus grabbed my hand. I turned at him, and threw my hand across his face.

“How dare you touch me after everything you've done to me five years ago!?”

Maximus sighed, and said, “I know what I did before was unforgivable, Evan. But believe me, I already regretted it. I—”

I slapped him again when he dared to speak about our past. 

“It's over already, Maximus. It was already five years ago since that happened. We should not discuss it and most of all, we should not cross paths anymore. I don't want to see your face. Ever.”

I removed his hand that's grasping mine and looked him straight in the eyes, before leaving him. 

“I know I've hurt you before, Evan, but I really regretted it. You have no idea what I went through while thinking about you. Just listen to me and—”

Shaking my head, I pointed my finger to him.

“I am no longer interested to listen to it. Just like what I've said, it's already over. Five years have passed already and don't expect that I will forgive you.”

After that, I rushed out of the room. Maximus was still calling my name, but I never bothered to stop. I fastened my movement, not wanting him to reach me. 

When I arrived at my uncle's cabin, I found him sitting on the couch. He looked at me, his face filled with questions. 

“Where have you been last night, Evan? I am so worried about you.”

I bit my lower lips, still composing myself about the fact that I met Maximus again. And not just that, he's also the same man who brought me out from the bar. 

Damn it.

“U-Uncle Raven, can I ask you something…” I muttered. 

Uncle Raven got confused even more, but then he chose to nod his head in response. 

“What is it, Evan?”

“It's about Maximus. He's here and we've met again, Uncle…”

When Uncle Raven heard these words, he immediately looked away. It's as if he wanted to avoid looking at me. I was confused by his reaction. 

“Uncle, answer me.”

“He's the Alpha of this pack, Evan. I am working with him.”

I stepped backward as I heard his explanation. My heart skipped beating for a moment and then I found myself gulping. I didn't expect that Alpha Maximus would be the new Alpha of this pack.

“You didn't tell me, Uncle,” I looked at him in surprise. 

He turned around and sighed. 

“I didn't tell you about it because you have been dealing with a crisis about what your husband did, Evan. I don't want to add that to your problem. And perhaps, it has been five years ago. I know you've moved on from him already, haven't you?”

Damn. I wasn't expecting my uncle's words. But scared of being judged and scolded, I nodded my head, pretending that I already did. 

But the truth is, I wasn't. The pain is still engraved in my heart and this will never be forgotten. 

“Let's not talk about him anymore, Uncle. I will just avoid him.”

I turned away and went to my room when Uncle Raven spoke up. 

“Did you know that he comes here almost everyday to ask about you?”

I froze.

“W-What?”

“Alpha Maximus has been asking a lot of things about you when he became the Alpha of this pack.”

I couldn't help but bit my lower lips at Uncle Raven's revelation. Never did I expect that he would do that. 

“Why would he do that, Uncle Raven?”

“I don't know it either, Evan. But I think—”

And before Uncle Raven could finish his words, we just heard knocks at the door, making my heart pound so fast.