Chapter Seven - The things of the dead

“Miss Evelyn,” Zayn's butler came to get her. She was still in the garden and only realized then, that it was nightfall already. That was how immersed she was in her thoughts.

“I think you should go in now, dinner would be served soon, you refused to have anything for lunch,” he told.

“Don't worry, I'll take part in dinner.” She needed to speak with Zayn after all, “Is Zayn back?”

“No, master Zayn is not back yet. But I'm sure he'd be home soon to join you for dinner,” the butler smiled at her. She returned the smile, he really had a warm presence. He was an omega Lycan.

She hasn't really seen any of Zayn's betas around since she came to his mansion, all alphas have, but it's only been three days she's been here consciously after all, maybe they were on errands or something.

She went inside but didn't go upstairs to her room. She walked around the house some more. She soon found herself at the ballroom. Of course, a house this big and ancient should have a ballroom this exquisite.

A chandelier hung at the center of the ballroom, it was much more fancy and bigger than any of the chandeliers she has seen so far in the house, and apart from this house.

The ballroom looked renovated, but it still looked like it has been used in years, it was clean of course, it just gave off that feeling.

Something was covered at one end of the ballroom. Curious, she walked over and uncovered it. It was a piano.

She smiled. She loved playing the piano. She had one in her house and she played almost everyday, well, before Wright threw her out of her own house.

She sat down on the piano stool. Her fingers caressed the keys producing a lovely sound. Then she began playing a tone.

She smiled, shutting her eyes, loosing herself in the music.

When she finally stopped playing and opened her eyes, she saw Zayn squatting close to her.

Her heart almost jumped out of her rib cage. “You startled me!”

“You play so well,” he smiled a little at her, as he praised her.

“Thanks, I've had all my life to practice,” she replied. “Did you just returned?”

“Hmm. Then I heard the sound of the piano,” something almost his smile seemed bittersweet. “It hasn't been played since the last owner died.” He revealed.

“Oh… Am-m I allowed to play it?” Evelyn asked. The person he was referring to must have been special to him- Evelyn thought.

“I'm not the kind to cherish the things of the dead, Evelyn,” he grinned. His countenance changing back to his usual charismatic self, from the bittersweet energy she never knew a man like him could emanate. But… everyone could feel such things after all, everyone has lost one or more people in their lifetimes.

“You can play it all you want. But let's go have dinner now.” He said and stood up. She stood up too and they went to the dinning room.

They sat the way they did in the morning. Zayn hadn't eaten much before he stood up to leave.

“Do you always eat this little?” She questioned as he was about to stand up to leave.

He took a while to respond, he just stared at her. “It's just… eating the same food for centuries, it gets tiring, no matter how delicious or different they make it. You just tend to no longer savour or appreciate it anymore.”

Evelyn looked at him with sad eyes, she felt a little bad for him, immorality without any joy in it was definitely not a blessing but a curse.

“Don't look at me like that,” he huffed, “Don’t waste your time feeling bad for me, I don't really appreciate you doing so.”

“It's just… I could never understand what it must feel like,” Evelyn stated.

“Of course. You could never understand.” He supported.

She sighed, “I want to join the council Zayn.”

It was as if the god of silence flew by.

“Why?” Zayn broke the silence.

“I want to ruin Wright completely, and what better way than to gather enough dirt on him, enough to strip him of the will to continue living. Knowing Wright, he's got to have enough dirt on him. Joining the council is my only chance to finding such dirts.” She explained.

“Please help me join Zayn,” she added.

"Can you do council work Evelyn? Aren't Sentry packs known more for being made for the battlefields?"

"I'm... I wasn't like the rest of my pack. I'm too weak. I'm just a weak omega Lycan and wasn't made for the fields, and that's why you see I'm still here and not dead like the rest of my pack, because I was never allowed to join them in missions, I wasn't even allowed to train with them-"

"So you were the black sheep of your family and pack?" He smirked at her.

"Uhm, no. More like doted and overly protected daughter." Eve responded.

“Let me find the dirts for you, Eve. Let me ruin him for you, you don't have to do anything.” He offered.

“No! I want to be the one to ruin him myself, I would just need your help occasionally.” Evelyn objected.

“I can't let you join the council-”

“Why?!”

“The council is a dangerous place Evelyn. Can you handle it?” He questioned.

“Can you handle it Evelyn?” He asked again when she didn't respond.

“Yes. I would have you.” She finally responded.

His lips pulled up in a wide grin as he scoffed, turning his head sideway. 

He turned to her again. “Okay Evelyn. But let's talk about it again after we get married. You also need to shove in your ex-husband’s face, that you are not ruined as he expected you to be.”

Eve smiled, “Thank you.” She appreciated his agreement.

“Let's get married next week. A quiet wedding, just the two of us,” it's not a union of love after all. She didn't have any family or friends and she bets he's the same.

“Okay.” He agreed.

***

“I believe he's in his study.” The butler told. She had inquired of Zayn's whereabouts from him, she really needs to discuss their wedding further with him.

“Okay, thank you.” She replied, and walked off to Zayn's study.

When she got there, she knocked but without waiting for a response, she opened the door and walked in. She did meet Zayn, but he was with two other good looking young men. They were standing, while Zayn sat on a couch.

“Oh, I-I didn't know you had company. I'll come back later,” She said to Zayn.

“No Evelyn, stay. They were about to take their leaves,” Zayn informed, and he stood up to walk over to her, as the men prepared to leave.

He held her across the shoulder, “Evelyn, meet Kael and Anthony, my two most trusted betas. Betas, Evelyn,”

So he did have betas, she was beginning to think he didn't, and he was just a lone wolf like her.

“It's a pleasure, Evelyn,” Kael smiled at her, while Anthony just nodded at her.

“So what brings you here?” Zayn questioned once Kael and Anthony were out of the study.

“Uhm, I wanted us to talk about our wedding. I've got a couple of ideas,” Evelyn answered.

“Okay, let's here it,” Zayn responded as he led them to a couch to sit.

“Well, it should be on this forthcoming Saturday, and since it's a really small and quiet wedding, we can just have it at the garden. I don't have anyone to invite, I know you do but can you please not invite many people, if not no one at all that is- It's just a marriage of convenience.

“But anyways leave the planning and decorations to me.” Evelyn emphasized.

Zayn's lips pulled up in a grin. “I love this flapping thing you do with your mouth.”

“What flapping thing?” Eve asked.

“When you blabber.” He replied, and she bit her lower lip.

“I was just-”

“Of course, you plan the own thing, I don't have time for that, and I wasn't planning to invite much people anyways.” He interrupted her.

“Good.” She said.

“Good.” He added, and moved closer to her, his hand resting on and across the top of the couch, making her feel the urge to move away but she didn't anyways.

“But you sounded so excited for a marriage of convenience,” he pointed out, staring at her eyes as if searching for something.

She swallowed- How is he able to manipulate situations so easily?- She thought.

“No I'm not,” she scoffed, only for him to move closer, her breath hitched nervously.

He smiled, “Whatever you say, love. Go get dressed, we have somewhere to go.”

She nodded and stood up.

She took a breath of relieve once she was out of the study and leaning on the door. Before she got to her room, an outfit was already prepared for her; It was a beautiful backless red dinner gown, with matching heels and purse.

She freshened up, and wore the outfit, after doing her hair and putting on a little makeup. She soon joined Zayn's downstairs. He opened the door to the shotgun seat of a sportscar.

“Are you driving?” She asked, a little surprised.

“Yes, can't I?” He offered her one of those smug grins, and she just returned it with a small smile.

She got into the car and he shuts it, walking over to get into the driver's seat. He shuts the door, and reached out to put Evelyn's seatbelt on as she hadn't put it on yet. When he was done, he still remained in that position, his gaze went to her pretty face.

“You look ravishing by the way,” he complimented and she smiled. Then he began speeding off, away from the mansion, without even putting on his seatbelt.

“Thank you. You look good too,” she finally responded to his compliment. He was wearing a fine suit paired with luxurious looking shoes and wrist watch, his raven black hair well gelled backwards with a few strands hanging freely on his forehead.

“I look good too? I look absolutely stunning!” He commented. Evelyn chuckled at his show of narcissism, making him smile too- This would be the first time she's laughing so freely with him.

They soon arrived at the place.

It was a jewelry house, and they were to attend an auction- Zayn told her.

They walked in and were escorted to where the auction was to take place. When they got there, it had already begun.

The arrangement of the event were high stools, decorated fancily, and so they were taken to a stool both of them could stand by and we're offered champagne immediately.

“One million! Do I have 1.1million?” The master of the event announced.

“No 1.1million? One million it is, sold to that beautiful woman over there.” He referred to a lady on a beautiful green gown. He was currently auctioning a pair of red diamond earrings and she bid the highest. The place was filled with rich looking Lycans, men and women inclusive.

“Next is the emerald of Ancoras,” the master of the event announced.

Wow- Evelyn admired the jewelry. It was a beautiful emerald necklace.

“Good. What I came here for.” She heard Zayn mutter, and she turned to look at him abruptly.

“Starting bid- One million!” The man announced, and most of the crowd murmured in awe at the starting bid. But it seems the necklace was an invaluable one.

“Two million!” A familiar voice said. Evelyn turned towards the direction the familiar voice had come from, only to see Wright and his new mate, Ava. It was Wright who said two million, he probably wants to get the necklace for Ava.

She turned away from them, they haven't seen her yet. She didn't think she'd meet them here. She could feel rage rise up to her throat. Zayn sensed it too.

“Two million! Do we have 2.5million?” the man inquired.

“Three million!” A woman said.

“Four million,” another announced.

“Five million,” a man yelled.

“Fifteen million,” Wright smirked, his face screaming 'Beat that!'

“15.1 million!” Zayn said, and Evelyn turned to look at him, a mischievous grin tugged at his lips.

Wright and Ava turned towards Zayn's direction. He was with a beautiful woman on a red dress, and when the woman finally turned fully towards them, they realized it was Evelyn.

An obvious frown appeared on their faces, why and how the hell is she with Zayn Malik?!

***