Chapter 0123

The dinner was perfect.

I could feel every eye in the room tracking our movements, watching Evelyn. This was her first official appearance as my chosen mate, and just as I’d anticipated, my mother had strategically surrounded her with high-ranking pack members to ease her nerves.

I moved between conversations, engaging with the others while keeping my focus locked on Evelyn. Ready to intervene if the crowd became too much. When she excused herself to find the restroom, I pointed the way, understanding she needed a moment to breathe.

My gaze never left the hallway. If she took too long, I’d go after her. This night had to be flawless—her comfort was non-negotiable. The pack needed to see her as their future Luna, and that meant ensuring she felt at ease among them.

Then I spotted Bianca slipping toward the bathrooms.

Hell no.

I was on my feet instantly, cutting through the crowd. Bianca rounded the corner without noticing me, and what I overheard made my blood boil.

But Evelyn—goddess, she was magnificent.

She didn’t rise to Bianca’s bait. Didn’t flinch when that venomous she-wolf claimed I’d discard her. Instead, Evelyn simply arched a brow and said, "Jealousy is such an ugly look on you."

As if I’d ever give her up.

The sheer audacity of Bianca’s delusion bordered on insubordination. So I did what any self-respecting Alpha would do—I claimed my mate. Again.

Every wolf in the room fell silent as I listed every reason Evelyn was the only she-wolf worthy of standing beside me. They knew her strength in training, but they had no idea the depth of her resilience.

By the time I finished, even the doubters couldn’t deny it.

Announcing our official match on Monday had already sent shockwaves through the betting pool, but I didn’t care. Let them adjust their wagers. No one was foolish enough to bet against me now.

Evelyn’s compromise—betting on the match’s duration—was clever. I had no intention of hurting her, but I wouldn’t make it easy either. This would be a battle of endurance, and I’d savor every second of wearing her down until she was pinned beneath me.

Then Selene stepped forward, declaring she’d shift tomorrow for their run.

Theron nearly shoved me out of my own mind in his eagerness. He’d been restless for days, desperate to be near his mate. When he leaned in, his voice was a low purr against Evelyn’s ear. "Tomorrow, little guardian. Just you and me."

Her smirk was pure challenge as she twisted in our arms. "Think you can keep up, Theron?"

A growl ripped from my chest. "I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth if I have to. You can’t hide from me."

Her eyes flashed gold before Evelyn reeled her wolf back and leveled a warning look at Theron. "Behave, or no more runs. Understood?"

He nuzzled her cheek, unrepentant. "Define ‘behave.’"

She scoffed. "You’re just as bad as she is." A sharp nip to my chin, then she pushed at my chest. "Give Adrian control. He’s walking me home."

I wrestled Theron back and took her hand. She hadn’t pulled away yet, and I wasn’t about to stop.

"Let me say goodbye to your parents first," she said, tugging me toward them.

My mother embraced her warmly. "I hope we’ll see you again soon, Evelyn. Tonight was wonderful."

Evelyn’s smile was wry. "Well, since I’m apparently losing on Monday, and part of our deal means I’ll be here more often… you might get sick of me."