Chapter 3

Evelyn's POV

Adrian pulled me back, stepping between me and the car. His Alpha aura was everywhere now, trying to crush me.

"Is that him? The guy on the phone?"

His voice was low, possessive.

I didn't answer.

"What did you call him?" He leaned in, his breath on my face. "Babe?"

He said it like a curse.

"In all the years we were together," he growled, "you never called me that once."

"Probably because you never gave me a reason to," I thought.

"None of your business."

I wrenched my hand away.

He went to grab me again, but a soft voice interrupted.

"Adrian?"

Charlotte. Perfect timing, as always.

She looked like she'd stepped out of a magazine—soft curls, expensive sweater, and that fake, sweet smile.

She slid her arm through his and looked at me with those cold, calculating eyes.

"Miss Carter. Nice meeting you here."

I looked at her.

It was obvious she had watched the whole scene and picked the most suitable moment to appear.

Five years had passed, and her tactics were still exactly the same.

I didn't say a word to her. I just got in the car and slammed the door.

As we drove off, I saw them in the mirror—Adrian staring after us, and Charlotte clinging to him, whispering in his ear.

Lila was at the apartment waiting for me.

She handed me some warm milk and immediately noticed the red marks on my wrist.

"You saw him," she said.

"Yeah."

"What happened?"

"He saw your boyfriend picking me up and lost his mind."

Lila hit the counter. "And let me guess, Charlotte showed up?"

"Right on cue."

Lila set her cup down hard on the counter. "How does she always show up at that exact moment? Does she have some kind of radar?"

I sat down on the sofa, holding the milk in my hands. I said nothing.

Lila paced the room. "Why didn't you tell him he's my boyfriend? He probably thinks—"

"I don't care what he thinks, Lila."

I took a sip of the milk.

"Our mating bond was broken long ago, and he has already agreed to mated with Charlotte. I even saw it trending on the X today." I put the cup on the coffee table. "I have no obligation to explain anything about my life to him."

Lila softened. "You aren't even mad?"

I looked at the ceiling.

"With or without her, we were never going to work."

She sat down next to me.

"So... you're really done with him?"

"Totally. You can't fix something that was never there."

Lila stared at me for a while, then finally sighed and reached out to ruffle my hair.

We sat in silence for a minute, but my mind went to Ethan.

When Adrian mentioned him, it actually stung a little.

Five years. He's ten now. I wondered if he still liked my bagels.

I wondered if he called Charlotte "Mom."

Suddenly, the bathroom door burst open.

A tiny, wet-haired girl came running out and dove into my arms.

"Mommy!"

Nora. She was like a little warm ball of energy.

I caught her and wrapped her in a towel.

"Nora Carter! Dry your hair or you'll slip!"

She pouted, her big eyes looking up at me. "But I missed you..."

My heart just melted.

"You start school tomorrow, remember? You have to be a big girl."

Nora was my daughter. She had my last name.

Adrian had no idea she existed, and I planned to keep it that way.

I was done with that pack.

The next morning, at the Academy gates.

Nora looked at the big iron gates, clutching her backpack.

She didn't cry, but she hugged my leg tight.

I squatted down to look her in the eyes.

"Mommy," she whispered. "Be the first one to pick me up, okay?"

"The very first. I promise."

She did a pinky swear with me, gave me one last hug, and then ran inside.

I watched her go until she disappeared around the corner.

I turned to walk to my car, and then... I smelled it.

That scent. My wolf went wild.

Ethan.

I spun around, looking at all the kids going into the school. But I couldn't find him.