Chapter 7 Negotiation

Evelyn’s POV


I was astounded by Wyatt's words. How could he act as if nothing had happened, as if his reckless actions hadn't pushed my pack to the brink of ruin?


"Wyatt, don't you find it a bit dull to pretend everything's fine?" I asked, my voice calm and even, masking the turmoil inside. "You don't have to do this. I don’t want the house, either.”


We had already divided our assets when we signed the divorce papers. I wanted no further ties with him.

His face faltered, surprise flickering across his features as if my disinterest was the last thing he expected.


"Really? Then how should I leverage my connections to assist you?" He turned to Alpha Bennett, who was sitting nearby. "Ben is my best friend, my most powerful ally. You know that, don’t you?”


I clenched my fists, fighting the impulse to lash out at him physically. Yet, deep down, I knew he was right.


"Oh, of course," I replied, though my attention was fixed on Bennett. A chill ran through me as I met his gaze.

Subconsciously, my fingers brushed the scarf around my neck, feeling the lingering trace of last night's kiss. The fabric itched against my skin, heightening my nerves.


"No one understands your situation better than you two," Wyatt continued, clueless to my discomfort.


"I mean it. If you reconsider our relationship, I can explain everything to him and get his support," he added, still oblivious to the distress his suggestion caused me.


My crisis might be trivial to him... but perhaps, it’s a rare opportunity for him.


The audacity of Wyatt's words left me reeling. Our marriage had been over since he started his affair with Judy, and given my strained relationship with Bennett, Wyatt's suggestion that Bennett could help was laughable at best. They were more likely to revel in my downfall than offer any support.


I was tempted to just walk away, but Bennett's piercing gaze held me in place. It was clear that Wyatt's proposal had piqued his interest, and departing now would undoubtedly offend them both—a risk I couldn't afford with my pack already in crisis.


I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself.


"I think I'm ready to head home now," I said to Wyatt, forcing a friendly tone.


"Do you mind giving me a ride?" It was the most diplomatic request I could muster.


"Of course, it would be my pleasure," Wyatt replied, his smile tinged with triumph, as though my request meant I had yielded.


But his smile soon softened into a genuine expression of joy, reminiscent of the days long past, like when I had awakened in the hospital all those years ago.


"See, if you had just agreed sooner, we could have avoided so much trouble," he said, reaching to wrap an arm around my waist.


I felt a gaze burning into me and turned to meet Bennett's eyes. His stare was icy, paralyzing me momentarily. Unsure of how to respond, I offered him a tentative smile, hoping to diffuse the tension.


He simply stood there, wine glass in hand, yet the air around him seemed to grow colder.


I suspected his icy demeanor stemmed from his status as a super Alpha and his close ties with Wyatt. No doubt, Wyatt had filled his ears with slanders about me, ensuring Bennett would never side with me. Worse, he might even seek retribution against my pack to stay loyal to his friend.


Moon Goddess! Is there a more dire situation?


"What's wrong? Like I said earlier, if you want his help, you'd better not cross me." Wyatt's voice snapped me back to the moment as he reached out and grabbed my arm. He raised his hand, waving amiably at Bennett, who acknowledged with a nod.


"Otherwise, he won’t waste his time on someone of your standing. He only deals with the most powerful Alphas.” Wyatt warned in a proud tone.


"I understand," I sighed, more to myself than to him.


My confusion was palpable, yet it had little to do with Wyatt. All this while, my thoughts had been preoccupied with Bennett.


It was perplexing that Bennett continued to stare at me with such intensity. Could he truly harbor such disdain for me?


If my memory hasn't failed me in any way, I should have never met Bennett before today.