36.

**Eva**

I watched my dear friend closely waiting to see if this cool facade would drop as Caiden and Angelo talked to her about her newly acquired gift but throughout the conversation, she seemed fine. She wasn't the scared little girl anymore she was freaking badass in a sort of adorable way.

I mean come on she just killed her father and felt nothing. Well, I would have been the same if I heard his true thoughts like what he said before his death. What a disgusting man. No child can see their destiny I didn't even know I was going to be the protector of our future queen.

I looked behind me as the men covered up the hunter's body ready to remove him. Rosaline always wished that when she finds her parents it would be a happy reunion and that's what I wanted for her but faith has a way of changing things. I just wished faith was kind to me in the parents' department just thinking of the man who helped to give me life made my blood boil.

"Miss Hart" the calm deep voice of Prince Angelo. Damn this man was too much. He was so intimidating with his calm voice and expressionless face but his eyes spoke volumes. With the time I've spent in the castle, the constant whispers among the mateless she-wolves were so entertaining. I've learned what they compared his hair too, his eyes, the way he walks, his lips they all were infatuated with this silent prince. I don't blame them he was every inch of sexy and dangerous.

"Yes, your majesty" I answered bowing with respect to him.

"Your presence is needed in the courtyard in one hour after you have tended to your ward," he ordered.

My brows furrowed in confusion as to why this outrageous request but responded nonetheless. "As you wish your majesty" I answered.

He watched me closely and I tried my hardest not to squirm under his gaze what was with this man. Without another word, he took his leave leaving me in the visiting room with the last two guards. I looked to them but all they gave me was reassuring smiles. "You don't get him either huh?" I asked raising my eyebrow.

"Only King Caiden do." one answered while gesturing me to the exit. Shaking my head I walked out into the vacant corridor.



When we made it back to the castle we were stopped by the Royal Beta himself Micah. "That would be all," he said to the two sentinels while looking down at me.

"As you wish, sir," they said bowing in their departure.

A blush took over my face as his gaze raked over my body sensually. "I love your hair like this," he said huskily playing with the ends of my newly styled hair.

"Thank you, Micah," I said shyly. From the first time I met this hybrid, things I've never done I do it in his presence or whenever I hear his name. He makes my wolf and I so happy by his presence and the way his blue eyes were filled with adoration makes us feel so special.

"Are you busy at the moment?" he asked taking my hand in his and kissing my knuckles.

"I was about to visit Rosaline then I'm wanted in the courtyard in an hour upon the Prince's request," I said to him trying my hardest to keep my breathing normal.

His brows furrowed at my statement. "Oh. Well, Cay is with your ward now after what happened a while ago and we have enough time. Take a walk with me," he all but stated while tucking my hand in his arm. Ever the gentleman, this one. My wolf purred in delight as he tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ears, the slight brush of his fingers against my skin was electrifying. He led me into the serene forest using a well-worn path never once did he let go of my hand and I didn't mind at all. We stayed in a comfortable silence as we walked through the forest listening to the calling of the birds and the scampering of woodland creatures. We came to a halt by a shaded meadow filled with wildflowers of all kinds, he released my hand as I wandered in awe throw the flowers. "Micah this is beautiful" I exclaimed watching two rabbits playing tag with each other unknowing of our presence.

"Yes. Very beautiful" he said at last I turned to him know that he wasn't talking about the scene before us and I was right he was looking right at me. I said nothing as I too took in his form. To me he was sinfully handsome, his lean frame of 6feet 2inches was naturally toned, the t-shirt he wore fitted him closely, outlining his perfectly toned stomach. His blonde lengthy hair was in his evermore messy ponytail with a rugged five o'clock shadow on his chiseled jaw. His ocean blue eyes made my heart race every time they were focused on me. This man, Royal Beta Micah wanted me, a man whose name was every woman's tongue in the kingdom, I was lucky.... but only temporarily.

"I'm far from beautiful my dear Micah," I said sitting on the ground.

"You have a natural beauty that most women I've known failed to have. You don't need makeup to highlight those lovely blue eyes of yours. No dye to bring this fire red hair of yours. Your lovely pale skin as creamy as ever which I long to kiss. I can go on and on to tell you how beautiful you are but I would wait because we have a long time together for that." I couldn't say a thing I was truly speechless as to how easy he complimented me of things my mother and her boyfriend told me were flaws. Ugly flaws. They told me every day how I was unworthy of any man, that no man would ever love an ugly duckling like me but here was this man telling me how gorgeous I was.

"Your words sound so truthful," I said softly while picking the flowers trying to distract myself.

"Because they are," he pressed. I gasped as his face appeared close to mine I didn't know when he got so close to me.

His fingers brushed my cheek so gently along to my neck they created a fire within me as he continued down to my bare arms.

"I believe the goddess has blessed me with you," he said kissing my cheek. My heart sank at his words causing me to move away slightly from him, how can he say that when we both know the position of a protector.

"I'm not your forever Micah. We both know this." I said.

"Then why do I feel so complete around you. You invade my very thought, Eva. All I can ever think about when I first met you are your wild blue eyes that held a fire that can burn any man's soul. Or your silky red hair that I want to feel falling through my fingers. When I touch you don't you feel the connection? You're mine, Eva. I know you're mine."

He was talking foolishness why would the moon goddess give me this duty then to bring Micah into my life. I feel the connection but I have written it off as sexual attraction.

I summoned enough confidence to look up at him and pretended at that moment that he was my mate. When this all over I would have these sweet memories to live with. Slowly I moved my head closer to his wanting to taste his lips, "You're mine Red. Please believe me" he said against my lips before claiming them. Instantly I melted in his arms against his lips, his kisses were a drug to me. I never want to come down from this high. His fingers ran through my hair before he fisted it in his hand tugging back my head gently allowing me to reveal my bare neck. He trailed hot kisses along my neck onto my shoulders stopping where every mate wears their mark. A low growl escaped his lips then I felt the grazing of fangs against my skin.

"Micah, don't. Think of your future mate." I blurted out. He stopped immediately and stood up from my embrace. His eyes were dark as he looked down at me. "You are my future mate," he said harshly as the wind blew around us. Tears formed in my eyes as I looked up at him. "Micah please don't do this. Let's just continue with this thing we agreed to and forget about this mate thing" I snapped at him.

He said nothing while looking down at me. "Just say okay. Please, Micah," I said with my voice breaking. It hurts that he believed that I was his mate when I know I'm not, that another she-wolf with no responsibility to the crown was his true mate. Someone who can give him a family, a picture-perfect family.

"No, I won't. You may think I'm delusional but I don't care. I would wait till you see that I am right. No other woman has brought me to my knees as you do. I never grew jealous of men watching a woman I date with desire. All of these things that I do are because you Eva. If I have to tell you every day of our time together that you're the one I love and has my heart, I will do so," he proclaimed.

My ears were deceiving me I am sure of that. He said he loved me?

"What?" I stupidly asked.

His brows furrowed in confusion for a moment then clarity came into play as he realized what he just said. His eyes soften as I stood up to face him, "I love you, Eva."

I shook my head in denial and began to walk away from him. " I-I gotta go. I'm sorry Micah but this is wrong," I said to him hiding the tears that were running down my face.

"Eva. Don't do this. Don't do this to us" he shouted after me. The pain I heard in his voice was enough to break me.

"Why did you have to go and ruin it. I agreed to be your lover no strings attached because I couldn't deny the attraction I held for you but you just have to go and ruin it by saying those three words that aren't for me" I snapped at him.

"I never asked for a lover Eva. If I wanted that I could have any girl to my picking. I want you in my life as my girlfriend. My future." he retorted.

"Then I guess what we have has ended before it even started," I said calmly holding my head high and walked away.

"Eva!" he called out to me but I ignored him I had to even if my heart was breaking into a million pieces and my wolf was devastated I had to keep walking.

"You're mine Red. Remember that. I will wait for you" I heard him said at a distance. I kept the tears at bay until I reached my room to let it all go, so this is what it feels like. To have your heart ripped apart.



It took a lot of strength for me to compose my self before I made my appearance in the courtyard. I took a hot shower and dressed in dark jeans, combat boots, and a white cami with my hair in a high ponytail along with matching the dark jean jacket. Comfort was the main thing as a protector. I kept my face devoid of any emotion as I made my way to the courtyard. What I met confused me a lot. Prince Angelo and King Michael stood regally on a platform as sentinels stood in a line on either side of a makeshift aisle. Prince Angelo gestured for me to take his side. As I walked down the aisle the men slightly bowed to me that when I recognized a few spectators behind them. As I stood on Prince Angelo's left, King Michael gave me a sympathetic smile before turning back his attention to the now empty aisle. The prince said nothing to me his gaze was also to the end of the aisle with a mean scowl on his face. I stood at ease with my hands clasped behind my back just as the sentinels. I've been training with them for the past few weeks to adapt to certain postures.

I was brought out of my reverie when loud growls erupted, the sound of shameful growls made to the now outcasts of the kingdom.

The person who stepped arrogantly in front of Delta Noah and Jonah was someone who I didn't expect to see. The last time I saw him I was seven and it wasn't pleasant. The memories of that day came back so quickly I stumbled backward a bit, I was steadied by the prince his eyes looked worried and sympathetic but for me?

The man who now knelt before us kept his head low reluctantly, his salt and pepper head and his tense body were right in my view. It took all my strength to hold back my wolf.

Another set of growls brought me up from my musings a total of twelve men chained by their hands and legs came marching towards us their faces show how well the silver was affecting them. They were all so young as I looked upon them but was only one other familiar face I saw and my heart ached for him. My breath hitched as I swallowed a sob and turned away.

"Rise" King Michael commanded and the man did, by that time I was looking over at him. He has yet to notice me, I couldn't blame him I was seven when he last saw me well the glance that he gave me.

"You are hereby charged with treason towards the crown and attempted murder on the now newly appointed king. How do you plead?" the king stated.

I nearly scoffed audibly when I saw how he now stood with his arrogant smirk and exclaimed, "Guilty"

"Thank you for your honesty."

"You're most welcome your majesty," he said cockily. I heard Angelo's warning growl loud and clear and wondered if the stupid man heard. Oh yes, he did as his attention turned to the prince then myself.

A look of confusion came across his face, I smirked.

"You don't recognize me, do you? Let me give you a hint the last words you said to me were, 'You can never sire a child like me. Let alone a cretin of my size,'" I said coldly as I stepped towards him.

"Evangeline?" I froze at the sound of my given name only one person calls me that, the man who named me and was there for me as best as he can.

"Uncle Mark," I said rushing to him but froze looking back at the king and prince. Prince Angelo nodded and a guard released him the first thing he did was run to me. It felt so good to be back in his arms I felt safe. I felt at home. "They said you died. I didn't believe them till I smelled your blood in your old room. Oh, my little red-headed princess, I missed you so much. You've grown so beautiful" my uncle Mark cried holding my face in his hands scrutinizing me thoroughly.

"You still went after the little bitch after I commanded you not to" the man behind me snarled.

"Why father? Is that the way to treat your firstborn?" I sneered. Alpha Janovich made an attempt to lunged at me but Delta Jonah reflexes were quick, as he grabbed the alpha by the neck and slammed him to the ground. He groaned in pain, "Have respect for our queen's protector" Jonah said coldly to him.

"Well I'll be damned, firecracker," uncle Mark said laughing out loud. I blushed at the name he gave me when I was two.

"Eva, come, my dear," the king ordered.

"Yes your majesty," I said kneeling before him.

"It is true then, my son's suspicions are correct. Alpha Janovich is your father?"

I looked into the crystal blue eyes of my king shock and sympathy clouded them as he looked down at me.

"He is. I'm his bastard child. His firstborn to be exact. He paid my mother to get rid of me at conception but his brother Beta Mark saved my life" I explained to him sending a smile at my uncle's way.

"Thank you my dear please take your position beside Angelo," he said and I quickly obeyed. The prince once again said nothing but what he did shocked me, even more, that day, he subtly took my hand and squeezed it reassuringly. Prince Angelo showing his support for me an outsider to his family? He was truly an enigma.

"And I thought this day couldn't get any more interesting. Beta Mark, please be truthful when you answer this next question. Did you and your men follow in your own free will to be part of the Alpha's plan to bring down the royal family?" King Michael asked.

Beta Mark looked at his men who now hung their head in shame then to his brother who was now stewing in anger by the events around him.

"No sir" he answered.

The king looked at his son who looked at my uncle intently a slight smile played on his lips before he nodded. The guards immediately released them, the men bowed to the king, and the prince begging for forgiveness then was taken away for medical care. Uncle Mark stayed back glaring at his older brother.

"On to other business which is Janovich's pack in lieu of his charges his title of Alpha is hereby striped......" with those words said by the king, Angelo stepped down and stood in front of the now past alpha. Both father and son looked at him in disdain and I don't blame them one bit. He was a very cruel and selfish alpha and did anything to gain power.

The prince stood at ease in front of the man who sired me and said nothing then the screams of Janovich were heard as he clutched his chest frantically.

"You can't do this" he screamed now holding his head writhing in pain on the ground. Angelo waved his hand over Janovich whose screams subsided to whimpers. Note: do not get on Prince Angelo's bad side.

"Now it's my duty to present the next Alpha of the pack. Beta Mark. Eva. You two are the candidates for this position I'm giving both of you three days to decide on who would be the next leader."

We nodded solemnly and watched in interest as Delta Jonah stepped in front of Janovich as Angelo and Delta Noah held his both arms outwards in a tight grip. His composure was failing as he figured out that this was his execution "I-I have a wife. My daughter Katie would grow without a father. H-How can you be so cruel? You can't do this" he screamed while struggling to get out of the two men's hold. A painful thud hit my heart as he only mentioned his second daughter, his princess. I was dead to him as he was dead to me.

"Finally the moment I've been waiting for," Delta Jonah said darkly. In a flash he shifted into his powerful grayish-brown wolf, he growled at Janovich baiting him, fear was evident on my father's face.

Uncle Mark turned to me I mirrored the same look in his eyes cold indifference for this heartless man begging for his life. We both held our heads high and looked on.

In one bound Delta Jonah lunged towards Janovich aiming for his jugular, his screams were heard throughout the castle grounds as Jonah ripped his head off his body in one bite while Prince Angelo and Delta Noah ripped his arms from his body leaving his torso and legs in a pool of blood before them. Their eyes were dark as night as they threw the dismembered limbs next to the late alpha's body. Their breathing was erratic as they looked back to Jonah who was now strolling back towards us with the decapitated head of my father in his mouth. The blood dripping from the head stained the Delta's muzzle but he didn't mind. We all saw the satisfaction in his wolf's eyes as he walked through the bloody mess without a care in the world and dropped the head before the king.

The king's eyes were cold as he nodded to the three. I felt Angelo's gaze on me I knew it was him, I grew used to them. I looked down at the body of the man who turned my mother so bitter, the man who disowned me at a young age, the man who gave my mother's boyfriend to break me, he was gone for good. I looked at my uncle who was doing the same looking at his dead brother. I felt nothing at the moment. Not one thing.

Stepping closer to the twins and the prince I felt a bit of weight on my shoulders lifted. One part of my past was gone, "Thank you" I said to them. Angelo nodded along with Noah while Jonah shrugged. "It's my job," he said who just shifted back and donning shorts.

"Burn the remains" the king ordered.

Uncle Mark came up to me holding me by my shoulders giving me a short squeeze as we turned away from the bloody remains. Quietly we walked back into the castle to talk to his men about the loss of their alpha, to me, that was one issue I had no problem with. What was really on my mind and has been taking it over slowly, was the one person my wolf and I could never have.

Micah.