Chapter 5

Evelyn’s POV

I watched them traveling away. Shock still rippled in my heart.

Why would Asher ask for me so forcefully?

The only time I met him was at my graduation ceremony, and he was looking at me with that burning, strange gaze as if I were a piece of cheesecake with a cherry on top—or his prey.

I was sure he wasn’t a psycho, but I still kept my distance.

Mostly because I knew that, aside from being the world’s strongest Alpha, he was also a huge fuckboy, known for never sleeping with the same girl twice.

I couldn’t afford to get involved with someone like him.

We never met again after that. I thought he had completely forgotten me.

But judging by today…he still remembers.

I looked around and found that everyone had went into the packhouse for tonight’s party. I needed to talk to Tristan. But I wouldn’t be allowed into the door dressed in this dirty rag.

So I rushed back to my room to change.

My maid Mandy helped me choose a silver backless dress that clung to my curves like moonlight. A dazzling diamond necklace lay on my chest, giving a radiant glow.

Mandy styled my hair with pearl hairpins and fresh lilies. The natural floral floated in the air as I walked, smelling was better than any perfume.

“My god, you are so beautiful!” Mandy adjusted the lilies and gasped, “You are going to be the center of attention tonight!”

I looked at my own reflection in the mirror, a little surprised myself.

I used to have many pursuers back in college. And I enjoyed dressing up and looking good in front of people.

But I gave that all up after I married Tristan. Because I want to spend more time on being a good Luna than looking good.

But that did not work out for our marriage.

At roughly 8 o’clock, I left my room and went to the banquet hall.

Fancily dressed guests were arriving. All of them had heard that Alpha Asher was here, and all were eager to meet him.

I found Tristan, Leah, and all the Blazewood Pack elders on the top of the staircase, talking anxiously.

“...So we still can’t find Luna Evelyn?” an elder asked.

Tristan frowned. Leah wiped the corner of her eyes and sobbed, “Maybe she’s hiding because of me. I’m so sorry Tristan. It’s all my fault that you and your Luna are apart…”

“Don’t be silly.” Tristan said deeply, “I’ll have more soldiers look for her. She won’t hide for long.”

Leah hugged his arm with a sweet, innocent smile, “I hope she can be back for our engagement party. Do you think she’ll be happy for us?”

I couldn’t stand it anymore.

So I strode forward and called him, “…Tristan!”

They jerked around together. Leah quickly let out a small scream.

Tristan rounded his eyes. He stood there, ignoring his mistress, and stared at me. I could see shock, admiration, and lust in his eyes.

“…Evelyn…Where have you been?!” he murmured, “You look amazing tonight.”

“You are marrying her?” I asked shakily.

His eyes grew dark.

“Don’t blame Tristan. He thought you ran away.” Leah quickly said, her face still pale. “Anyway, it’s nice to have you back. We are all worried.”

I directed my gaze upon her.

“Worried? Well…you should be!” I cried, my voice trembling. “You hit me with a truck! You’re a murderer!”

There’s a collocative intake of breath.

“A truck? What are you talking about?!” Tristan asked, astounded.

I pointed a finger at Leah, “She hit me with a truck and dumped my body in the woods. If hikers hadn’t found me, I would have been dead!”

All the elders gasped in shock, looking at Leah in horror.

A shadow flickered across Leah’s face before she burst into tears again:

“This is ridiculous! Tristan, you know I can’t even hurt a little bird. Evelyn… she’s crazy.”

“We can check the surveillance camera outside of my office. Or find the truck driver. Then you’ll know that I didn’t lie!”

Tristan nodded at a soldier, who hurried to find the surveillance footage. 15 minutes later, he rushed back, a reluctant look on his face.

“…I checked the footage,” he mumbled. “But there’s no truck or car accident…”

My mind went blank.

How could this be?

“M—Maybe the footage was edited…” I murmured.

“Enough!” Tristan growled darkly. “Why do you have to go after Leah?! She didn’t do anything!”

Leah swayed on her feet, letting out a sob.

“…Don’t blame her…I broke your marriage. She has a reason to hate me…” she said with pouring tears. “I’m so humiliated. Maybe only death can prove my innocence!”

She suddenly dashed toward a pillar.

BANG!

She crashed into it, blood pouring from her head as she collapsed.

“LEAH!!” Tristan shouted.

Holding her in his arms, he turned to glare at me, “Leah wants to kill herself! Are you happy now? When do you become so heartless and cold?”

“…I’m cold?” I asked shakily, tears welling up. “This woman tried to hit me…She also killed my unborn child! She admitted herself before the car accident—”

Tristan growled, “You are crazy! If anything, I’m glad that our kid wasn’t born! At least he wouldn’t have a crazy woman as his mother!”

Cold disappointment overwhelmed me.

He admitted it.

My mate, my husband was glad that our child died.

Numbly, I turned to leave, desperate tears blurred my vision. My legs were too soft to walk. But I just wanted to be as far away from them as possible.

“Where’re you going?” Tristan called behind my back, “Evelyn, come back!”

“…Let her be, Tristan…” Leah softly said.

I barely made it to the gate before falling.

A large hand caught my arm just in time.

I jerked up and saw Alpha Asher.

The grand chandelier painted his handsome profile with a golden hue. His soldiers surrounded him, blocking the other guests out. Only I could come near him.

His emerald eyes darkened when our eyes locked.

His gaze was dominant and straightforward as if I were his prey, and he wanted to eat me alive.

“Luna Evelyn.” He called my name in a deep, seductive voice, “Good to see you again.”

I quickly regained my balance, “Hello, Alpha Asher.”

He was still holding my hand.

Suddenly, electricity shot through my body, nearly making me moan. There’s even a tingling sensation between my legs.

I quickly withdrew my hand, my heart pounding.

…What the hell was that?

“Can I have a word with you in private before the party begins?” Alpha Asher asked politely, unaware of the change in my body.

“Oh…OK.”

“Wait!” Tristan called behind my back. He didn’t want me to leave.

But I ignored him and left quickly.

Asher led me back to his suite and ordered the soldiers to close the door.

“Please sit.”

He sat on the sofa, gesturing to the seat across from him.

I sat down. His enticing scent filled my nostrils, making my head dizzy. I secretly pressed my legs together.

“What do you want to talk about, Alpha Asher?” I asked, trying to maintain my composure. “It this is about the project, maybe you should talk to Tristan directly—”

“It’s not about that.”

He pulled out a document and slid it across the table to me, his eyes still locked on mine.

Again, that intense, possessive gaze.

“This is a contract,” he said. “I want you to be my Luna for a year after you divorce Tristan.”