Chapter 55

Chapter 55: Chapter 55

The next evening, Evelyn arrived at the Amber Hearth just before five.

The tavern was one of the more respectable establishments along the western trade road, frequented by merchants, nobles, and traveling Alphas. It was large enough to offer private dining rooms, but open enough that no one could easily conduct business without being seen.

Exactly what Evelyn wanted.

She stepped down from the carriage, adjusting the cloak around her shoulders while Tristan followed behind her.

"I still think you should have brought more guards."

Evelyn glanced at him. "You said that yesterday."

"And I mean it." He grumbled out like a petulant child.

"You’re standing right here, aren’t you?" Evelyn said, a faint smile tugging at her mouth. "That’s guards enough."

Tristan didn’t dignify that with a response, though the set of his shoulders eased slightly.

They’d barely crossed the threshold of the tavern’s outer courtyard when a sharp cry cut through the air, followed by the clatter of an overturned cart.

An elderly woman lay sprawled near the wreckage, a young Alpha standing over her with the particular impatience of someone who considered an old woman’s misstep an inconvenience rather than an accident he’d likely caused.

"Watch where you’re going, old woman." The young Alpha snarled, even though even a child could clearly tell it was his fault.

Evelyn looked at the insignia he wore, recognizing it as the Yellowstone signage.

"That’s enough." She said, stepping closer, her gaze flickered to the old woman who had now managed to sit, her wrist swollen and bruised bloody.

"The least you can do is help her. After all, it’s your fault." Evelyn snapped, bending to help the woman.

"And who might you be? The defender of old useless women?"

Evelyn frowned, his words leaving a distasteful taste in her mouth. "You insolent—" She was held back by the old woman who shook her head.

"Let him go. It doesn’t matter," she said.

Evelyn watched as the young Alpha walked away without even an apology, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Are you alright?" she asked, turning her attention back to the old woman.

The woman nodded slowly, though her face was still twisted with pain. "I will be."

Evelyn reached for her wrist. "Let me see."

The old woman hesitated, looking back and forth as though she were waiting for someone. "You don’t have to," she finally said.

"I know, but I want to. Please allow me." Evelyn gently examined the bruised wrist. The skin was swollen, and there was a small cut across the palm where she had fallen against the floor.

It wasn’t a serious injury, but Evelyn had never been good at watching someone suffer when she could do something about it.

She placed her palm over the woman’s wrist. A faint golden glow surrounded her hand.

The old woman’s eyes widened dramatically. "You’re..."

Evelyn closed her eyes, focusing on the healing energy flowing through her, and within seconds, the swelling began to disappear. The bruising faded, and the cut on her palm closed until only a faint pink line remained.

When Evelyn removed her hand, the woman stared at her wrist in disbelief.

"The pain... It’s gone." The woman slowly moved her wrist, her eyes filled with tears. Usually her wolf would heal her in minutes, but these days, with how weak she’d gotten—especially since she was just returning from the pilgrimage—she’d grown weaker, and her wolf couldn’t do a thing. "You healed me."

Evelyn smiled. "It was only a small injury."

"Small?" The woman asked, looking at her as though she couldn’t understand how she could dismiss what she’d just done. "Thank you, my child. Thank you. You have a great gift, and I pray it never becomes a burden."

Evelyn’s smile faded slightly. She had once considered her gift a blessing. Then it had become a responsibility, and eventually, it had become something people simply expected from her.

Still, she never regretted saving those who truly needed it.

"What’s your name, dear child—" the woman asked just at the same time two men ran toward them, both of them looking panicked.

"Luna, you shouldn’t have left like that. What if we didn’t find you on time... the Alpha, he’ll have our heads."

The woman waved dismissively. "Stop whining and thank her. She saved my life." She gestured toward Evelyn, who smiled, nodding at the men as they returned the gesture.

"Come on now, Luna. Let’s leave. We’ve wasted enough time."

"Wait, I have to hear her—"

Evelyn stepped back as they helped her to her feet. "I have to leave now. Do take care of yourself."

The woman paused even as she was being helped. She looked at Evelyn, her eyes kind and warm. "May the Moon Goddess bless you."

The woman hesitated before adding, "Whoever has your heart must be a very lucky man."

Evelyn stood frozen as she watched the woman walk away with the two men. Her last words had taken her by surprise.

She heard someone clear their throat and turned, thinking it was Tristan. She pointed toward the direction the woman had walked. "Did you hear what she said? Can you believe—"

Her words died in her throat when she laid eyes on the man before her. It wasn’t her trusted Beta, Tristan, like she’d thought. No, instead a tall blonde-haired man stood before her, his hands clasped behind him. He wore a smile Evelyn found familiar.

"You must be Lady Evelyn Valemont. I was told I would recognize you in a heartbeat, but I never thought it possible. Now, I must admit how wrong I’ve been." He lowered his head in a bow, hand stretched out. "Alpha Adrian of the Celestial Realm," he introduced himself.

Evelyn stared at the hand Adrian had extended. For a brief moment, she was caught off guard.

She recovered rather quickly, placing her hand in his. "Alpha Adrian, I must say I wasn’t expecting you to have arrived."

Adrian’s smile was warm. "I arrived early. I wanted to observe the Amber Hearth before our meeting. See the atmosphere, the patrons, the general mood." His eyes glinted with amusement. "I did not expect to witness a healer at work in the courtyard."

Evelyn’s cheeks flushed slightly. "It was nothing. A small injury."

"There was nothing small about that," he replied, leading her toward the terrace where their table had been set. "My father tells me you’re a healer and all about how you healed my sister." He paused, drawing out a chair for her. "I wasn’t around during Natalie’s crisis." He paused, his smile weaning off temporarily.

"So I heard. You study medicine, and you were out in other realms studying about Natalie’s ailment."

Adrian nodded. "Although a certain someone had healed her before my arrival. While it didn’t come from me, I couldn’t be more thankful for your help, Lady Evelyn."

Evelyn smiled. "It was nothing."

"And today too was nothing, right?" He asked, and Evelyn blinked, slightly taken aback.

"Oh, you tell jokes, Alpha Adrian."

"Just when it’s needed." He paused, his eyes flickering to the table a few feet from them. "Your brother?" he asked, and Evelyn smiled. Of course he’d spotted Tristan.

"Beta. He’s my Beta," she replied.

"A woman with a Beta—the stories I would love to hear," he smiled.

"As much as I would love to indulge your ears, Alpha Adrian, we must discuss why your father has thought me the one to be your date for the summit."

Adrian leaned back in his chair, studying Evelyn for a moment. "Straight to business?"

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "You asked to meet me regarding the summit."

A smile tugged at the corner of Adrian’s mouth. "You’re very direct."

"I don’t have the patience for guessing games," she replied sharply.

"I’ve heard that about you."

Evelyn’s eyes narrowed slightly at his words. "From your father, I presume."

"From almost everyone who has spoken about you." He replied just as quick. "I must say, they all have the same narrative."

"And what must that be?"

"That you’re difficult."

Evelyn gave him a dry look. "Yet you asked to meet me. Why?"

Adrian’s smile widened. "Because difficult people are usually the most interesting."

Evelyn shook her head. "That’s a dangerous philosophy."

"Perhaps it is. Perhaps it isn’t. About the summit—my father trusts you."

Evelyn’s eyes narrowed at that. Trust was a great word.

"He believes that having you beside me will make it easier for me to navigate the summit."

"Your father thinks you need help?" she asked, and Adrian laughed.

"No." He shook his head. "My father thinks everyone else will need help."

Evelyn laughed softly. For some reason, she liked that answer. She leaned back, listening to him speak about the summit.

Unknown to her, a man had just slipped into the tavern, his gaze flickering around until it landed on the terrace. He headed to his table, eyes stuck on the two currently speaking.

He didn’t know why, but the sight was unpleasant. He didn’t like it.

His jaw tightened seeing Evelyn smile so freely—and that too with a stranger. Who was this man making her laugh?

He took a sip of the water given to him, eyes moving around only to find Tristan staring at him with an unimpressed expression. The Beta walked toward him.

"Alpha Damon, what a coincidence to find you here of all places at this exact time."