Chapter 7 Linda the Gamma

Evelyn's POV

"All the ordinary werewolves have to abide by the school's rules and walk home by themselves. Why can't he?" I questioned icily as I calmly opened my eyes and met Mark's gaze through the rearview mirror.

"Have you forgotten who pays your salary? If you can't take it, then go ahead and resign. What gives you the authority to lecture me?"

Based on my memory, the current me simply had a bit of admiration for Wyatt. It wasn't as if I'd started obsessing over making him my mate. So why did Mark think he could talk to me like that, like I was already his future daughter-in-law that he needed to put in her place?

If I hadn't called Father and told him about the situation, would Mark have left me stranded outside the school and made me fend for myself?

Seemingly sensing the displeasure in my tone, Mark tried to say something, but when he saw my frosty gaze, he swallowed his words back down.

When I arrived at the estate that was my home, Linda Green was already standing at the entrance waiting for me.

For as long as I could remember, Linda had taken care of me, making up for the lack of maternal love in my life.

She was initially the Gamma in charge of managing the pack's rubber plantations. However, due to various reasons, including Mom's death and the pack's inner turmoil, Father decided to move our pack from the southern continent to the northern continent.

From then on, Linda remained with me and looked after me. She became my personal butler.

"Why didn't you come home with Young Master Wyatt today, miss?" Linda, a plump woman in a black-and-white butler's uniform, asked me.

She was gazing at me with concern as she gently took my schoolbag and helped me change into my indoor slippers.

Upon hearing her question, my hands stilled.

I quietly stared at her face, which was starting to show its years, and the care in her expression.

I still remember what happened in my previous life. To defend my reputation, she publicly confronted Wyatt, but he cruelly cast her out of the pack.

When I broke free of the guards and went after her, she was gesturing for me to go back when, all of a sudden, she was knocked down by a Rogue that appeared out of nowhere. Its sharp, foul-smelling fangs sank viciously into her slender chest. Her blood streamed down its filthy fur and slowly formed a pool on the ground.

No matter how much I screamed, weakly and desperately, I couldn't change the fact that Linda had just died before my eyes—eaten by that rogue werewolf.

A bitter pain rose inside me. I blinked hard, tipping my head back to keep the tears from spilling. Before Linda could notice anything, I rasped out, "Don't call him Young Master Wyatt anymore."

I could see the way her expression instantly lit up with a joyous smile, but it was swiftly replaced by a frown of concern.

Smiling faintly, I shook my head, but I couldn't stop myself from hugging her tightly. "Linda, I used to think that by giving him my all unconditionally, he'd be able to notice me and care about me, too.

"I've finally regained my senses now. I shouldn't try to pursue someone who doesn't care about me. I should spend my time and energy on those who truly love me instead."

Still wrapped in my arms, the stunned Linda didn't know what to say. She held me tightly and stroked my hair the way she used to when I was a child.

Then, she quickly eased me away. It was hard to miss the sparkle of delight in her eyes. "This is great news, Eve. We should have a proper celebration tonight. What do you say?

"We'll have corn tarts and roast venison, two of your favorites. What else do you want to eat?"

Her figure, moving busily into the kitchen, merged with the fragile silhouette I remembered from long ago. I swore to myself that this time, I'd grow stronger and do whatever it took to turn the Silvermoon pack into the most powerful pack in the werewolf world.

I would see to it that Linda could live a peaceful life even in her old age.

By my count, there were only a few days left before my 18th birthday and coming-of-age celebration.

In my previous life, I'd gone behind Father's back and given the shifting herb to Wyatt. I'd also been malnourished after starving myself for ages. Thus, on the day of my coming-of-age celebration, I wasn't able to awaken my wolf spirit.

Not only did I upset Father, but I also disappointed all of the werewolves in our pack who had high hopes for me. Even though I eventually managed to awaken my wolf spirit, she was extremely weak.

I wanted to head upstairs and formulate a detailed plan to ensure that I could awaken my wolf spirit this time. Just then, Linda came over with a glass of dark-colored juice.

Smiling, she said, "This is your favorite mulberry juice. I specifically kept it chilled in the fridge until you got home. I was going to bring it out right away, but I was so emotional just now that I almost forgot about it entirely."

Black mulberries were exceedingly rare in the northern continent. In my previous lifetime, even after my father died and life became incredibly tough for both Linda and me, she made sure there was always mulberry juice for me.

I had to thank the Moon Goddess for letting me taste something that had once only lived in my memory.

After accepting the glass of juice, I nuzzled my cheek against Linda's affectionately. Just as I was straightening up, I heard the sound of horses galloping outside.

"Oh. Look at me. I was so caught up in my emotions that I forgot to tell you about this. Our Alpha has established a new partnership project with Alpha Bennett of the Blackmoon pack. They're over at the grassland right outside the estate, testing a new breed of horses," Linda said.

I followed her gaze and looked over.

Golden sunlight drenched the green fields. Bennett Morris, the Alpha of the Blackmoon pack, was wearing a dark-colored riding outfit. He was sitting on a horse, his back straight. The fabric clung to his powerful figure. Even through the layers, I could see the contours of solid muscle.

His riding cap hid most of his eyes, but nothing could hide the commanding authority in his gaze. It was as if he were the king of the land, and everything before his eyes was his to rule over.

At that moment, his amber eyes shot toward me with a sharp, threatening gaze, but when he noticed me, his expression softened at once, and his eyes filled with affection instead.

My heart stuttered against my ribs like a frantic drum. If my wolf were here, she would be howling in my head, "Mate! Our mate!"

Flustered, I withdrew my gaze, only to end up catching Linda's teasing smile. Clearing my throat, I said, "When dinner's ready, Linda, just bring it upstairs. I'll have dinner with Father and the others."

Linda eyed me searchingly. "You're not going to wait for Wyatt anymore?"

I'd made similar claims to Linda in the past, whenever Wyatt pissed me off. But in the end, I would still end up having dinner with him.

But this time, I looked Linda in the eye and shook my head firmly. "I won't be waiting for him. From now on, he's not welcome here!"

Right now, the two males who loved me the most, both in my previous life and this one, were right there before me.

I was certainly going to make the most of this precious opportunity to spend some quality time with them. As for Wyatt, that jinx of a male, the further away he was from me, the better!