Evie

“Here’s to us.”

The sound of glasses clinking together echoed throughout the room.

As I looked around at familiar and unfamiliar faces, I was taken back to my childhood days with Penelope.

We’d been practically inseparable since birth. Our moms were even labor-room buddies, and Penelope was born a mere three minutes before me. A fact she would never let me forget.

Every childhood memory, from scraped knees to first kisses, I shared with her.

But then I went away.

Now, seeing Penelope all grown up and ready for her mating ceremony, all those memories came flooding back.

Seeing her surrounded by so many friends, laughing loudly and soaking up the joy, I thought about how she had always been the more popular of the two of us.

Being the alpha’s only daughter had its perks, but she had a personality beyond that, which is why everyone loved her so much.

And she was beautiful, too, especially now. Breathtaking even. Her golden hair flowed down her back, and the red dress clinging to her curves accentuated her figure.

She moved through life with a grace and ease that I could never master, but I never felt a twinge of envy. I loved her too much for that.

“Ev, I’m so glad you’re here,” she said, coming over to me, her voice slightly slurred from the mimosas.

She kissed my cheek. “I was worried you wouldn’t want to, umm, come back. But I’m so glad you did.” Her blue eyes sparkled.

“Pen, I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” I replied with a smile.

Truth be told, I almost didn’t come.

I’d been away from home for so long and had made so much progress in my healing.

I was lost for a long time, just surviving, but I’ve managed to claw my way back to some semblance of normalcy. It’s been a long road to recovery.

“Jez was such an ass, Ev,” she said, coming to stand next to me. “I mean, how could he reject you?”

I noticed a few people perk up around us, their eyes not-so-subtly landing on me. I certainly hadn’t missed the pack gossip.

“Pen, believe me, I wanted to kill him too. But it’s been six years. I’m over it.”

It’s not every day that an alpha in training rejects his mate—especially one who happens to be his sister’s best friend.

I couldn’t handle the shame of the rejection, so I left the country, my family—my life—behind to mend my broken heart.

I must have been the talk of the town for a while.

“He’d have a heart attack if he saw you now, Ev.” Penelope looked me up and down. “You look amazing.”

I felt my cheeks warm, even though I knew it was true and that I had changed a lot while I was away.

I found comfort in working out and had the athletic build to prove it. And I became a skilled fighter, training under many renowned warriors.

I traveled the world, met incredible people, tasted amazing food, and dedicated myself to becoming stronger, both mentally and physically.

“I think I’ll call it a night, Pen. I’m pretty beat from my flight.”

“Oh no, Ev, the night is still young. Stay, please,” she pleaded, her red lips pouting.

The old Evelyn would have given in to her request, but like I said, I’d changed a lot.

“We’ll catch up tomorrow, Pen,” I said, kissing the top of her head.

I started to weave my way through the crowd toward the front entrance of the pack house. I spotted my parents speaking with Cilas and Dexter, two of the alpha’s most loyal soldiers.

I was just about to reach them when I felt a hand around my fingers.

“Please, Ev,” Pen said, pulling me toward her. “At least come and meet Owen before you leave?”

My neck warmed. I could still feel the eyes of the room on me. But I finally nodded. I at least owed Penelope that.

I looked at Mom and Dad, and they seemed to understand instantly how uncomfortable I was feeling. Dad had even said he’d be ready to take me home at a moment’s notice if I asked.

Penelope giggled and dragged me back through everyone, down the corridor, and into the kitchen, my parents following as quickly as they could.

A group of tall, broad guys were huddled around the island in the center of the room. As we walked toward them, the man in the middle looked up with wide, excited eyes.

Actually, every guy in his group was good-looking, though the only other person I recognized was Lucas, Alpha Grayson’s beta.

If I hadn’t encountered my fair share of handsome men during my travels, I might have been speechless. But instead, I felt genuinely happy for Pen.

Owen sure was quite the catch, and the way he stopped speaking with his friends and took the chance to embrace Pen made me so happy for her.

My best friend’s mate looked like he was about to acknowledge me when I heard a deep voice from behind.

“Evelyn White, it’s a pleasure to have you back home.”

I turned to see the imposing figure of Alpha Grayson, his voice commanding the space like that of all great alphas.

I felt a pang in my heart, though I grit my teeth and remembered all the training I’d done to stay strong.

Despite Jeremy inheriting his father’s good looks, the two were nothing alike in their personalities.

Where Jeremy was laid back, the alpha was focused and responsible. And while Jeremy moved through life without a care in the world, the alpha had faced a lifetime of tragedy.

He had proven how much he cared about his pack when he’d reluctantly granted me leave to travel after his son disgraced the Grayson family name when he rejected me.

“You’re glowing,” the alpha said, a comforting smile on his face.

By his side was Luna Vanessa, or Nessa as she preferred to be called. “Evelyn, look at how you’ve grown.” She pulled me into a hug. “Your time away has clearly done wonders for you.”

It was an awkward hug. Luna Nessa didn’t have the natural warmth and charm of Alpha Grayson’s first mate, Luna Layla, or so my parents told me anyway. She died before I was born.

Alpha Grayson peered at his mate out of the corner of his eye before looking back at me. “We’ve all been eagerly awaiting your return.”

His voice faltered slightly as a familiar figure entered the kitchen, and I felt my stomach drop to the floor at the same time my heart started to beat at a thousand miles per hour.

He was exactly as I remembered him. Tall and muscular, his blond hair slightly longer on top. His striking blue eyes sparkled as a perfect smile spread across his face.

“Hello, beautiful,” he said, lifting me off the ground and spinning me around. He nuzzled his face into my neck and ran his fingers through my hair.

Before I could react, Kori called out, “Jeremy!” Her face was twisted with distaste. “I’m sure Evelyn doesn’t appreciate your immature antics.”

She grabbed his hand as he set me down, then pulled him toward her and her protruding belly.

I felt a pang of jealousy that ate away at my stomach. The shewolf Jeremy had rejected me for was as stunning as ever. She practically radiated her beauty.

Behind her, waiting in the doorway, was Leah.

“Kori, you look radiant,” my mom said, positioning herself between Jeremy and me as my dad came to my side. “Not much longer now. You must be thrilled, Jeremy.”

“We’re all eagerly anticipating the arrival of a new member of the Shadow Pack,” Alpha Grayson said as he shot a piercing glare at his son.

Jeremy’s gaze remained locked on mine. His eyes seemed to pierce my soul and heat me up from my core all at once.

My dad placed a gentle hand on my back. “Are you okay, kiddo?” he whispered. “Is it time we make a move?”

I nodded. “Just let me get a glass of water first. Excuse me for a moment, everyone.”

I grabbed a cup and made my way over to the sink. I cursed my own weakness as I tried to steady my hand, but the more I concentrated, the more the water spilled out of the shaking plastic.

Before I could collect my thoughts, Pen and Owen were next to me.

“I’m sorry, Ev,” Owen said. “They weren’t supposed to be here. They’ve been away and weren’t due back until the mating ceremony. Are you okay?”

“Hey, don’t worry about me.” I downed my water. “Tonight is about you. I’ll be fine. It’s just… why, um, why did he do that? Wasn’t that really inappropriate?”

Suddenly, my head began to throb. I pressed my fingers to my temples.

Pen wrapped her slender arms around me. “Ev, you don’t have to stick around if you’re feeling uneasy. He crossed a line.”

It was tempting, and I knew my dad was waiting to drag me out of the pack house on my word. But then I remembered the effort I’d put into reclaiming the control Jeremy had taken from me.

“I’m good, Pen, Owen. I want to be here for you both. Let’s just let it go. I can handle it.” I squared my shoulders and managed to muster a smile.

I cast my eyes back over toward the group. Jeremy’s gaze was still fixed on me. At least until Alpha Grayson took him aside for a hushed conversation while Luna Nessa and Leah tended to Kori.

My dad caught my attention, his face filled with concern.

But after Owen introduced me to his friends and he and Pen switched the conversation to their upcoming mating ceremony, I started to relax again.

As I listened to everyone speaking, I learned that two of the people in the group with us were his two sisters. They also had a brother named Everett, but he’d had to leave the party early.

He spoke with such confidence, and I sensed true affection between him and his sisters.

“So,” Penelope whispered to me while the rest of the group were telling jokes, “what do you think?”

I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed. “I’m so pleased for you, Pen. Owen seems like a great guy. I really think he’s going to take good care of you.”

She squealed with delight, then after a moment, her face fell slightly. “Look, I’m sorry again about Jez being here. I promise I had no idea.”

I stroked her arm to tell her that I knew and that I was okay.

“Ev, Jez is going to be at the ceremony obviously. Are you going to be okay? He’s my brother after all, but I want you to be comfortable.” Pen’s face was etched with worry.

“Pen, I won’t lie, I’m nervous. Seeing him isn’t something I’ve been looking forward to.

“But I’ve changed. I’m not the same girl who left. And besides, he’s happily mated to Kori, and they’re expecting a pup. What’s the worst that could happen?”

Someone touched my arm, and I turned to see my father.

“Are you having fun?”

I nodded. “Thanks, Dad. I’m okay, really.”

He smiled, but his eyes were sad. “I’m glad. But how about we head home now, yeah? Let’s not overdo it.”

Pen winked at me as if to tell me it was okay, so I said my goodbyes, told my parents I’d meet them at the truck, and made my way to the bathroom.

Before I could reach it, strong arms pulled me inside the adjacent guest room.

The lights were off. But I would have recognized those strong arms and that scent anywhere.

“Jeremy? What are you doing? Get off!”

He was pressed right up against me, his middle pushing firmly against my chest. What little I could see of his face was calm, but he was breathing in quick gasps.

He started to trace his nose along my jawline, then inhaled deeply. “Evelyn, I’ve missed you so much.”