Evaline:
I kept my eyes glued to the scenery outside the car window, doing everything I could to not fidget.
The world beyond the glass was looking like it had been dusted with powdered sugar - white snow clinging to rooftops, tree branches, and the empty roads. The forest we passed through was quiet and hauntingly beautiful beneath the soft gray sky. Still, no matter how pretty it was, it did nothing to calm the anxious rhythm pounding in my chest.
Instead of heading to Council Headquarters like usual, I was picked up directly from the Academy that morning. River was already seated in the sleek black car when I climbed in, sipping black coffee and scrolling through his tablet. Now, over half an hour into the journey, we hadn’t spoken a single word... until he finally broke the silence.
"Why are you so anxious?"
I stiffened, dragging my gaze away from the window to glance at him. He hadn’t looked up from his screen, but I could feel his attention shift toward me. Like always, he had this quiet way of making you feel like he knew everything already and was simply testing how well you would lie.
"I’m not anxious," I replied, perhaps a little too quickly.
The corner of his mouth tugged upward. "Miss Evaline."
That was all he said. Just my name. But somehow, it sounded like a warning and a challenge all at once.
I exhaled slowly, giving up the act. "Maybe I’m nervous," I admitted. "Just... not for the reason you think."
Finally, he put the tablet down on the leather seat beside him and turned to face me fully. "Then what reason is it?"
I stared out the window again, watching the frost-covered fields blur past. "Because I don’t trust you."
There. I said it. No sugarcoating.
I expected him to laugh or throw some snide remark my way, but when I turned to look at him, he just blinked... almost like I had slapped him. His brows rose ever so slightly, clearly unimpressed.
"That’s... direct," he muttered finally.
"Should I apologize?"
"No." He leaned back in his seat, folding his arms. "I value honesty, even if it’s pointed like a dagger."
I wasn’t in the mood to continue the conversation, so I fell silent. From the rearview mirror, I caught the driver’s eyes. He was trying not to smile. Was it me? Or the fact that we almost sounded like bickering teenagers?
Either way, I didn’t care. I just wanted the day to end.
A second car was trailing behind us - carrying Jasper, River’s secretary, and one other warrior I didn’t recognize. It had been nearly over an hour since we left the Academy, and my back ached from sitting stiff for so long. Just when I thought I couldn’t take another mile of awkward silence, the driver finally announced that we were entering Nightshade Pack territory.
The car slowed as we approached high iron gates that swung open before us. From there, it was a short ride down a long gravel path lined with tall pines dusted in white. At the end stood the Nightshade Pack mansion. It was an old, towering structure of stone and dark wood, looking more like a fortress than a home.
When we pulled up, a group was already waiting at the entrance.
The Pack Elders were standing at the front, lined shoulder to shoulder like some council of judgmental ghosts. Beside them were the family of the previous Alpha, Beta and his family, and a few other important-looking figures I recognized from the records.
Every one of them bowed respectfully when River stepped out of the car. I followed quietly behind, keeping my head low and hands folded in front of me.
To them, I was a nobody. Just an intern. A temporary assistant. A girl River probably brought along to run errands or carry files. And that was exactly what I needed them to think.
I stayed behind as River shook hands, exchanged words of greeting, and accepted their welcome like a king returning to one of his provinces. His presence was commanding, no matter where he went. The Nightshade wolves treated him with a mix of awe and fear, as expected for the Rogue Alpha King.
The rest of the day passed in a blur of activity. We were given a tour of the estate, including the training grounds, council chambers, and the sacred grounds where the Alpha selection would soon take place. I remained silent, nodding and taking mental notes.
At lunch, I sat at the far end of the table, quietly observing. The discussions ranged from pack alliances to trade negotiations. River took the lead in everything, but I noticed how he would sometimes glance my way before speaking, as if checking that I was paying attention.
I was. Every word.
By the time the afternoon sun began to dip and shadows stretched across the snow, I felt like I had been walking on eggshells all day. Everyone was cordial, but the tension was thick as the discussion of upcoming Alpha selection started.
Finally, at around four, River signaled to Jasper that it was time to leave. Thank the stars.
We said our goodbyes. I bowed again, received a nod from one of the Elders, and slipped into the car without a single person speaking to me. That was good. That meant I was forgettable.
Exactly what I needed to be.
As the car pulled away from Nightshade Pack territory, I allowed myself a long exhale. The snow had started to fall again, just lightly, as if the sky was breathing out a secret. River said nothing for the first several minutes. But just before I thought he might stay silent for the rest of the ride, he spoke again.
"You did well today."
I turned to look at him, my brows lifting in surprise.
"I didn’t do anything."
"Exactly," he replied, the corner of his mouth twitching. "You observed. You listened. You didn’t draw attention. They think you are harmless."
"And you think I’m not?" I asked, half-joking.
He met my gaze. "I think you are dangerous in a very specific way, Evaline."
I didn’t ask him what that meant. I didn’t want to know.