The man adjusted his sleeve casually then exhaled. "They are already watching you."
Evans' heart skipped. "Who?"
The man did not reply; instead, he walked to the door and when he got to the doorway, he stopped. Without turning back, he said.
"Don't trust too easily....and don't show weakness when you meet your pack."
Then he left.
Evans stood there silently. His heart beat returned to normal but his mind wasn't the same.
He ran his hand through his hair then crouched on the floor.
"Are you okay?"
"What the hell is going on with me?" He questioned in a low tone.
"Why were you two in a scuffle?"
"He approached me." He answered back then raised his gaze to Ophelia. "He knows what I am. He knows about everything we said...he knows that I'm an Alpha. What should I do?"
Ophelia's expression changed. It was serious and dangerously serious. "You know what? We are not meeting the pack in two days anymore. I wanted to educate you on something but plans have changed. You're meeting them tonight."
Evans shook his head as he slowly rose to his feet. "That is not possible. I'm not in the right state to meet them tonight."
"If they are already watching you as that man said, we have to move fast. Delaying things would only make things worse...there could be no second chance to make a grand entrance or impression," Ophelia replied firmly.
Evans leaned back against the sink as he let out a shaky breath. "I am not ready, Ophelia."
"It doesn't matter. What they care about is your presence and dominance....not your fears or your comfort." She shot back.
Evans scoffed. "You think I have those great attributes you're talking about? Dominance? Strength? Presence? Are you kidding me?"
Ophelia stepped closer. "You do, Evans. I saw it right now...you displayed those attributes."
"That wasn't me. It is my wolf or whatever you were talking about earlier. My hands moved on their own," Evans answered back.
"Exactly! It is your wolf whether you like it or not."
Evans closed his eyes.
"What if I'm not able to control it?" He muttered.
Ophelia placed her hand on his shoulder. "I am here. I will stop you..I'll try my best, trust me."
Evans opened his eyes and their gazes locked. She wasn't teasing him. There was no sarcasm..just the truth.
"Tomorrow? Can we shift the meeting to tomorrow? My mom just got back from work after so many days, even though she has not been truthful to me..I have to spend time with her. We've got each other's backs since my sister's death. When I'm okay, I'll question her about the things she hid," Evans explained calmly.
Ophelia nodded. "You are right. Rest well tonight because tomorrow you're going to face your pack and address them."
Evans nodded.
A faint smirk tugged at Ophelia's lip. "Good."
She walked out of the restroom expecting him to follow her.
Evans hesitated.
He glanced at the mirror and stared at his reflection. The same glasses and the same face, but behind his eyes, something had changed.
He straightened. "Alright. Tomorrow night."
Then he walked out.
The drive home was quiet.
Evans didn't ask questions, he was lost in his thoughts. Streetlight blurred past the car as it moved. The sky had begun to darken and shadows were stretched across the road.
Shortly after, they arrived in front of Evans' house.
Ophelia shifted her gaze to him. "Clear every thought in your head and sleep well tonight. Have it at the back of your mind that you're the Alpha."
Her words prompted a smile out of Evans. "An Alpha with glasses."
Both burst into laughter, clearing the tension in the air.
"Exactly."
Silence settled into the car.
"I can't thank you enough for the things you've done for me, Ophelia. I've not been able to make friends since Eva's death but now, you're my best friend," Evans let out calmly.
"Well, I can't reject it, can I?" Evans shook his head. "Arghh, we are friends then."
"Alright then. See you tomorrow," Evans replied as he opened the door.
"Bye, four eyes."
Evans paused then embraced her gently, catching Ophelia by surprise. "Thank you...really."
Ophelia felt her heart skip a beat as his cologne filled her nostrils. His embrace was warm and so gentle.
She felt strange and that was the first time she'd feel that way.
"Alright, alright. Get off me," she said jokingly and he obeyed. Then he alighted while she started the engine.
"Bye." He waved as she drove off.
Evans adjusted his glasses and turned his gaze to his mother's car which was parked outside the house. He summoned courage and then walked towards the house calmly.
Meanwhile Ophelia on the other hand did not drive off immediately. She drove idly while Evans disappeared into the house. She finally exhaled as she parked near a streetlight.
"Idiot." She muttered even though there was no real irritation in her voice. She leaned back into her seat and closed her eyes then heaved a sigh.
Evans' face refused to leave, leaving her mind. The way he looked at her helplessly in the restroom and the shift in his intense gaze.
She knew there was no fear in his eyes again, just awareness.
The way he hugged her..the way her heart leapt.
Her fingers tightened around the steering wheel as she opened her eyes slowly.
"Focus, Ophelia." She said under her breath then drove off, finally pulling away from the curb.
The door closed behind Evans as he stepped in. The sweet aroma of freshly prepared meals wafted in the air. As he reached his hand to the wall, he switched on the lights.
"Ta da!" Jane declared happily.
She was standing in the middle of the living room.
An apron around her neck and a sweet smile on her face.
Evans didn't react. He was not seeing his mother the same way he saw her a few days back. Suspicion had grown in his heart and he knew if he did not control his emotions, he would explode.