Feral Bonds: Claimed By Rogue Alpha Brothers
Chapter 138: Embarrassed

Chapter 138: Embarrassed

Evaline:

When my alarm started buzzing at six, I was already awake.

I sat up and rubbed my temples gently, wincing as my fingers brushed over the sore bump on my forehead. It was throbbing a little but wasn’t as bad as I expected. Thank the moon for Rowan’s balm.

With a sigh, I got out of bed and started my morning routine. Today, I was planning to leave half an hour early, so I called Mr. Wood and confirmed with him.

Instead of going straight to the Council Headquarters, I made a quick stop at a dry cleaning store in Lakeshire Town. The boutique dress from last night, after being folded carefully and stored in a garment bag, was now hanging in my arms like an unwanted secret. I paid the dry cleaning charges and gave the Council headquarters’ address for delivery as I requested they deliver it by late afternoon.

The heels and jewelry from last night were neatly packed in a smaller bag, hanging from my shoulder. Once the dress would be delivered, I would return all these things back to River.

When I finally reached the Headquarters, I was met with the usual scent of fresh linen, brewed coffee, and expensive polish. The grand lobby was gleaming under the sunlight filtering through the tall windows.

I greeted the receptionists and a few passing employees on my way in.

"Good morning-"

Their heads turned, and then... their eyes widened.

Some halted in their steps, others blinked, obviously caught off guard. Not by my arrival, but by the giant, red, angry bump right in the middle of my forehead.

The balm might have helped with the pain, but it barely did anything to stop it from becoming a very highlighted and obvious bump.

"Ms. Evaline! Are you-?" the front desk lady, Tania, started to ask.

But I was already walking toward the elevator.

"Just clumsy," I called over my shoulder with a wave. "Ran into a wall."

It was a weak excuse. A lie, really. But not far from the truth, if you counted River’s head as a metaphorical wall. Besides, it wasn’t like I could go around telling people that Rogue Alpha King headbutted me in his drunken state.

Inside the elevator, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. Because of my pale skin, the redness of the bump was standing out far too much.

Rowan had suggested that I not cover it up with makeup, no matter how tempted I was.

"It’ll just trap the heat and irritate it more," he had said while pressing a cool compress to it. "Let it breathe."

And he was right. It wasn’t just about hiding it. Why should I be the one trying to conceal it? The one who should feel guilty, embarrassed, or concerned... was the idiot who headbutted me like a rowdy pup. Not me.

By the time I reached my floor, River still hadn’t arrived. I wasn’t surprised. If he was showing up today, it wouldn’t be until the world stopped spinning around him.

I got to work quickly - sorting through new reports, highlighting updates on border security issues, and flagging a few files that had gone untouched since last week.

Despite myself, I found my thoughts drifting to River more than once. Would he remember anything from last night? Would he recall headbutting me? Would he even acknowledge it if he did?

I let out a soft laugh under my breath.

The image of him with flushed cheeks, unsteady steps, and eyes that were sparkling with mischief instead of malice - that River felt so different from the man who usually sat behind this desk like he owned the world and everyone in it.

And I hated to admit it, but... I had smiled more in that chaotic car ride than I had in months with him.

You are hopeless, Eva, I told myself and shook my head to collect myself.

It wasn’t until close to noon that I finally heard the elevator ding again and the distinct echo of familiar footsteps in the hallway.

I didn’t have to look up. I was already able to feel his presence.

He walked in like a storm bottled in a finely pressed black coat. His dark hair was combed back, suit tailored, and face as expressionless as ever... or at least, it tried to be.

His eyes found me in an instant... and froze.

It was quick, subtle, and maybe no one else would have caught it, but I did. The slight widening of his eyes, the almost imperceptible pause in his steps, and the tight flicker of his jaw.

His gaze zeroed in on the bump.

And for the first time since I had met him, the cold, untouchable Rogue Alpha King... looked embarrassed.

He tried to school his expression into something neutral. But he failed.

His lips twitched. His gaze flicked toward his desk, then back to me, like he was trying to come up with something to say... anything... that would acknowledge what he did.

When he didn’t speak, I raised an eyebrow.

"Morning, Alpha Thorne," I said calmly, as if my forehead wasn’t screaming for attention. "Feeling better?"

His lips parted, then closed again. He cleared his throat and nodded stiffly, stepping around the desk and pulling out his chair.

He pretended to adjust his cuffs as he finally broke the silence. "I... trust the driver got you back safely."

"Eventually," I said, tilting my head.

A flicker of guilt passed through his eyes again before he forced his usual stoic mask into place.

Once again, his gaze drifted to my forehead and lingered this time.

"I..." He paused, then swallowed. "Apologize."

That stunned me more than anything else. Not because I didn’t think he was capable, but because hearing it from him was like hearing thunder in a clear sky - jarring and unexpected.

I blinked. "Excuse me?"

"I said I apologize. For the injury."

My lips twitched. "You headbutted me."

There was a pause before he spoke, "I’m aware."

I leaned back in my chair as I continued, despite knowing better. "You are lucky I’m not suing you."

He leaned in his chair and I noticed that usual gleam of pride and power returning to his eyes. "Don’t test me, Evaline."

Instead of feeling threatened, I just smirked and played with the pencil with my fingers. "I knew it."

That got his attention, causing a slight frown to appear on his face. "Knew what?" He asked as I turned my full attention to work.