Chapter 16 New Neighbor

Evelyn's POV

"Ring--" The shrill ring of my alarm jolted me awake, and I reached for the clock by my bed. "I can't believe it's already this late!" I exclaimed.


Despite the man running a fever all night, I had to admit it hadn't dampened his vigor. By the end, I even noticed his temperature had returned to normal.


But I couldn't let this delay my work; I needed to leave immediately. I grabbed my suitcase and rushed out the door, only to realize Alex hadn't arrived yet.


I stood in the doorway, scanning the surroundings anxiously.


"Oh!" I couldn't help but exclaim. Then something caught my eye—the previously vacant house next to mine was now occupied. The new resident was leisurely watering the plants. But there was something very familiar about him. In fact, I had just seen him a few days ago.

"The Moon Goddess!" The realization hit me like a bolt of lightning.

It was Alpha Bennett. I wondered, 'Why was he here, right next to my house? A super Alpha like him should be incredibly busy.'


My mind raced with possibilities, each seemingly worse than the last.


Instinctively, I wanted to flee, but escape was not an option. As long as I lived here, avoiding his scrutiny would be impossible. I had to maintain my distance. Given his close ties with Wyatt, almost like twins, he was bound to side with him. I couldn't count on his help and needed to stay alert for any potential threat.


However, I still had duties related to the Pack's ore affairs, and the villa's location was too convenient to give up just yet. The best course of action was to pretend I hadn't noticed him. I took a deep breath.


After all, he was my neighbor and a super Alpha. Even though I knew he wouldn’t offer his support, considering his many obligations, I had to at least be cordial.


“Hello, Alpha Bennett,” I greeted him, forcing a smile that probably looked as strained as it felt.


“I hadn’t realized you were my new neighbor. It’s truly an honor.”


"This has always been my house." Bennett replied, shutting off the water hose and fixing me with a serious look.

Strangely, his intense gaze didn’t overwhelm me as it had before. He carried that intoxicating scent, reminiscent of the man from the other night, and it oddly put me at ease.


I nodded, taking his word for it despite knowing the house had been empty since my arrival. Our paths had never crossed enough for me to recognize him just by his back.


I sighed, shaking my head. “To be honest, the banquet the other day wasn’t our first encounter. I heard about you when I was in high school,” I admitted, managing a more genuine smile.


"You were quite famous at our school. My classmates all admired you," I continued.


We had attended the same high school, albeit in different grades. I had known of him even then.


“How did you see me back then?” Bennett asked, turning to face me fully.


I searched my memory, trying to find the right words.


“Everyone knew who you were, and almost all the girls were smitten,” I recalled earnestly.


Every time the cheerleading captain performed at games, Bennett was there, watching attentively. I always sat near the cheerleaders, giving me a clear view of everything.


“But... when we saw you with the cheerleading captain afterward, we all thought you two made a perfect couple,” I added, a nostalgic smile creeping onto my face.



Bennett’s POV


"Is that so?" If it had been possible, I would have liked to explain to Evelyn what had really happened back then. But reason held me back.


I wasn't as taken with that cheerleading captain as she had suggested. In fact, I didn't even know who she was referring to.


In truth, my attention had always been on Evelyn, no matter where I was. I just didn't want to get too close and disrupt her life.


But she had never noticed my interest. She was always buried in her books, oblivious to the gazes of those around her.


And whenever she looked up from her reading, her eyes invariably found Wyatt.


I knew the reasons, but they were all based on misconceptions. Those truths... perhaps she shouldn't know them, as they were too harsh.


I couldn't bear to hurt her any further.


I glanced down at Evelyn's hand.


Just like a few days ago, she wasn't wearing a wedding ring. And yet, despite how Wyatt had treated her, she had always worn that ring before.


I stifled a chuckle.


"You're quite well-known too. And I've heard that you've always had feelings for Wyatt," I said, turning slightly to catch her expression.


Her smile vanished instantly.


"Sorry, I'm running late, I need to leave right away," Evelyn said hastily, picking up her luggage. She turned and rushed out.