Betrothed To An Alpha? I Don't Think So!
Chapter 48: His Kind Are Among Us

Chapter 48: His Kind Are Among Us

Evelyn couldn’t stand that smug look on his face like he’d won. Yet, here she stood, listening to her chest hammering at the littlest of things he’d done.

"No, no. I’m in control," she said to herself. "Totally in control."

Clearing her throat and composing herself, she grabbed her bag and went to the room.

Stepping through the door, she found Zayne seated on the sofa, attention focused on his phone. But he did spare her a glance, raising a brow.

"I’ll buy you new ones," she said.

He furrowed his brows. "Don’t bother."

"I said I will."

"If you were just going to get me new ones, why did you snip them in the first place?"

Evelyn shrugged. "I found your angry texts funny. It made my day regardless of what happened at the company."

Now, that caught his interest, earning a tilt of his head. "The company? What happened?"

She approached where he sat and dropped onto the couch, legs thrown over the armrest. She lay down with her head against his lap, arms folded.

"What are you doing?" He stared down at her.

"What’s wrong?" Her forehead creased. "I can’t use you as a pillow? Will you even love me when you marry me?"

Zayne pinched between his brows, shaking his head. "What happened at work?"

"They all withdrew," she responded.

"What?"

"Yes. They withdrew, ready to sell their shares. But that’s not even the shocking part." She locked eyes with him. "Guess who they’re selling their shares to."

Zayne didn’t need to ponder twice to know.

"Preston."

"Yes." She nodded. "But not just that. They’re going to invest in his company."

He scowled. "Is he trying to—"

"Uh huh." Evelyn gave a nod. "It’s clear what he’s planning to do. He wants to use this chance to build his company further than it has already gone and in the middle of doing so, he’ll crush TDG. After all, since he can’t have it, why let it stand?"

"What are you going to do now?" Zayne’s fingers threaded into her hair subconsciously.

She didn’t mind it, answering, "I’m going to hold a meeting for new investors. Lucia gave me a list. I’ll see how it goes tomorrow."

"It’s not going to be that easy, Evelyn."

"I know that. What would be the point if it’s too easy?"

Her eyes dropped shut at the feel of his fingers. She breathed out softly, slurring, "And about the bodyguards you mentioned before. There is no need for that anymore."

"Why?" Zayne asked.

"Preston has called off the hit. So, I’m okay now. You don’t need to worry about my safety anymore."

Even though he didn’t express it, he felt deep relief for the first time in a while. "I guess your plan did work out like you wanted it to."

But there was no response from her. That prompted him to lower his gaze only to find her fast asleep.

"Evelyn?"

Nothing.

"Evelyn?"

Still nothing.

A deep breath fled his mouth and he dragged his hand through her hair for a few seconds before rubbing his thumb against her forehead. He trailed down to her long lashes, dark as her hair, almost as if they were inked. But they weren’t. He couldn’t see a smear on his finger.

He rubbed under her eye, her nose, and then her lips, plump and soft. It felt as though he were trying to define her face with every touch.

———

"Father, you can’t do this to me!"

"Evelyn—"

"No." Evelyn shook her head, taking a step back.

Her father, who was swathed in a royal robe, approached closer, cupping her cheek. He made her look at him, and then he said, "I know that you don’t want this, and if I had a choice, I’d never give you away. You are a princess and this is the least you can do."

"By marrying him?" she asked, green eyes watering up. "That man? Do you have any idea of what the people say about him?"

"Evelyn, I know—"

"No, you’re not aware," she forced the words through gritted teeth. "If you knew, father, I do not think you would’ve betrothed me to him. And with a lack of my consent at that!"

The man frowned, questioning, "Tell me, girl. What is this so-called rumour that I haven’t heard?"

"People say he’s a wolf man. A werewolf. Beast he is. Do you know that?"

She peered hard at him, hoping this would change his mind—that it would stop this entire marriage. This nonsense of a reality.

Her father, however, sighed, shaking his head.

"Father?" she mumbled.

He pinched between his brows, lifting his gaze with an apologetic look. "Evelyn, I’m aware. Do you think I’d betroth you to a man I know nothing of?"

Her lashes flickered. "You’re...you’re lying. You would never give me over to a beast like that while knowing!"

"But that is the entire point!" he snapped, frustrated. "This is for our good, for the benefit of the royal family and the kingdom. We agreed and you were all he wanted. I have not the slightest idea why he does, or what you mean to him, but he was adamant about it. He promised he’d never hurt you, so you do not have to worry about that. Evelyn, I promise you, he’ll be good to you. Think about us too. This marriage will do a lot for us."

The more she heard her father speak, the more her eyes grew wet, her chest tightening into a knot that was almost suffocating. "I’m a sacrificial lamb...no?"

"Evelyn!"

"No. I get it. I should’ve always known. You don’t care for me. You never have, and I suppose today was the reality check that I needed."

The man looked at her intently, sighing under his breath. This was nothing but a pointless argument. It would lead nowhere and it was best he stayed quiet.

"The door will open any moment from now. Please behave. His kind are present and among us."

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