CHAPTER 5

*EVELYN'S POV*

The scent of freshly brewed coffee mixed with scrambled eggs filled the room as I sat at my usual spot and devoured my breakfast.

My mood has improved from how I felt last night. The coffee and scrambled egg also helped because I'd gone to bed without dinner. As I pulled out my phone from my bag, still in flight mode, I felt a sense of readiness to face the day.

I was stopped in my tracks when I heard familiar footsteps down the hallway. She was calling on a servant to get her something to eat.

She was surprised to see me in the dining room and abruptly, her shock soon turned into a slight frown.

"Good morning, Mum," I said without looking up.

"I heard you came home crying," my mother said as she took a seat beside my father's chair, "you don't look it one bit."

"I hope whoever told you also had the nerve to tell you why I was crying," I retorted and picked up my cup of coffee.

"Please pass me some of that coffee you brewed," she said, ignoring my remark.

I took the coffee pot to her side of the table. She held my hand as I poured her coffee.

"I was worried, Eve, you know that," my mother said curiously, "you asked for me, didn't you?"

"I was so overwhelmed and didn't know who to turn to," I said with a faint smile, " but now I'm feeling better."

"Well, here I am," she said with her hands wide open, "you know you can talk to me about it."

"Of course," I said as I returned to my seat. I was trying very hard to keep my emotions in check.

"I'm sorry we didn't come home early last night," my mother said, "something dramatic happened at the Chamber last night."

She spoke in hushed tones but I could sense the horror in her voice. I wasn't in the mood for her usual gossip, but then, my silent breakfast was ruined.

"It's alright, Mum," I reassured her, "I think I need time to process what happened yesterday. For now, I have to rush off to work."

"What's so important that will make you have to rush off to work this early?" my mother said as she looked at the clock behind me. I turned to look at it too. It was just past 7 AM.

"Let's say I have a new client who needs me to make an assessment," I said as I took what remained of my breakfast and stood to leave.

"Since when?" my mother said in astonishment, "your staff are becoming lazy. If you had a man in your life…"

"Mum!" I screamed in protest. I picked up my bag and headed for the exit. No one was going to entangle me with the story of another man.

At that moment, my father walked into the room with a newspaper in hand.

"What has your mother done this time?" my father said.

"Good morning, Dad," I said. He planted a kiss on my forehead.

"None for your darling wife too?" My mother said, referring to the kiss.

We all laughed as my father moved and kissed her fully on the lips.

"Well, speaking of dramas," my father said, "there is something critical I need to speak with you about."

"Dad, it has to wait," I said, "I have an early morning assessment before heading to the office."

My father thought for a moment and nodded his approval for me to leave. As I turned to leave, I remembered something.

"Quick one, Mum," I said as I turned to face them, "Did you guys have any visitors yesterday or any guests over?"

My parents exchanged a puzzled look. "None that I know of," my mother said, "I left the house as soon as the rain fell and only came back in time to meet your father's absence."

I looked at my father.

"Well, I left earlier to meet with Alpha Moonblade," my father replied, "that's part of what I wanted to discuss with you. But that can wait."

"Why do you ask, darling?" my mother asked.

"It's nothing." I shrugged, "I was just curious. Catch you guys later."

With that, I headed for the garage. My mind was not at ease as I took in the smell of freshly cut grass. It did nothing to ameliorate the anxiety I felt. Thankfully, it wasn't raining this morning as it did yesterday so the sun was already out.

Who could've been at my door? And why was I feeling this ominous feeling?

As I entered my car, I remembered that I hadn't removed my phone from flight mode. I took out my phone and did that. It buzzed so hard with voicemails and texts from work, then I saw the message from Lucas and several from Vee.

I felt an instant headache. Maybe today wasn't going to be as smooth as I proposed.

*************

*UNKNOWNS POV*

From the corner of my car, I watched as a car glided through the gates and onto the adjoining street. I counted to twenty before following it. I knew her scent so it

was safe to travel from a distance. I had to be very careful so she wouldn't perceive that someone was following her. That was an easy thing for a werewolf to do when they sensed danger.

I didn't know if I portrayed danger or safety, all I knew was that I needed to make sure that my mission was accomplished today.

She rode into the expressway and in no time, she was speeding so hard that I couldn't keep up. By the time I got to the intersection, she was way past me and I almost ran a red light.

"Damn it!" I howled. That was so close, I thought to myself. I shouldn't do anything to draw the attention of the law enforcement in Mooncrest. So much depended on it.

When the lights turned green, I glided around toward the direction she took hoping to take in the now-familiar scent of her body.

If I didn't find her now, at least I knew where to find her in the evening. But by all means, my task must be accomplished today.