Chapter 88

Chapter 88: Chapter 88

Evelyn arrived at Soren’s Pack just before noon.

She had come alone, without Tristan, and hadn’t even sent word ahead that she wished to speak with Alpha Soren. Nor had she explained the reason for her visit—only that it was important.

The guards escorted her through the packhouse and into a private sitting room overlooking the gardens. She was offered refreshments, which she declined, and left to wait.

Soren arrived less than ten minutes later.

He was dressed in a dark shirt with the sleeves rolled to his forearms, his expression changing the moment he saw her.

"Evelyn." He called, stopping in his tracks, eyes taking her in fully.

"Alpha Soren." She replied.

Soren frowned. "You’re greeting me like we’re strangers."

Evelyn tilted her head sideways a little. "Would you prefer I call you something else?"

"I’d prefer you tell me why you’re here before I start wondering whether something terrible has happened."

She almost smiled. "Nothing terrible has happened. At least, not to me."

"That doesn’t sound particularly reassuring." Soren crossed the room and took the seat opposite her. His gaze moved over her face, searching for something she hadn’t said.

"Now tell me. What do you need?"

Evelyn blinked, slightly taken aback. "You haven’t even asked how I’ve been."

"Fine." He settled back in his chair. "How have you been?"

"I’m well, thank you."

Soren nodded. "Wonderful. Now, what do you need?"

This time, she couldn’t quite suppress her smile. "You make it sound as though I only ever visit you when I want something."

Soren looked at her. "Do you want the polite answer or the honest one?"

Evelyn’s smile faded a little. "The honest one." She replied.

"I’ll be happy to help you, Evelyn. Whatever it is, if it’s within my power, I’ll do it." There was no hesitation in his voice. That was the thing about Soren. He had always been generous with her, never making her feel that she owed him for the help he offered.

But today, there was something else in his expression. He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees.

"There’s just one thing." He began but paused. Evelyn waited for him to complete his words.

"I want to be selfish this once." He said, and her brows drew together.

"What?"

"Just once," he repeated. "Before I agree to whatever you’re about to ask me, I want something for myself."

She stared at him, confused by the sudden change in his tone. "Soren, if this is about—"

"It’s always about something, isn’t it?" His words weren’t harsh, but they stopped her all the same.

He looked away for a moment, drawing a slow breath before returning his attention to her. "You come to me when you need help, Evelyn. And I help you because I want to. I’m not keeping score, and I’ve never expected you to repay me for anything."

"I know that." She interjected quickly.

"Do you?" He asked, his voice calm, harboring no anger or resentment.

"Because sometimes I wonder whether you understand what it’s like on my end." He gave a brief, humorless smile. "You come to me when you need something, and I’m always happy to see you. I tell myself that perhaps this time you’ll stay a little longer. Perhaps we’ll talk about something other than your problems, or you’ll ask me how I’m doing and actually want to know the answer."

His gaze dropped to his hands. "And then you leave. You go back to your life, and I go back to mine, waiting until the next time you need me."

"Soren—"

"If it’s not Damon, then it’s Adrian other times. You have people you trust, people you turn to, people you make time for." He paused. "But when was the last time you came to see me simply because you wanted to see me?"

Evelyn opened her mouth, but no answer came.

She couldn’t remember—not because Soren meant nothing to her, but because he’d always been there. Reliable and willing. Someone she could approach without worrying about whether he’d turn her away.

"But I want to ask for something in return. Just this once."

Evelyn’s brows lifted slightly. "Soren, that’s—that’s not like you."

"No," he agreed. "It isn’t. I’ve never asked you for anything, have I? Not once, in all the years you’ve known me." Something tightened around his mouth, a restraint he seemed to be working to hold onto. "I’ve always told myself that was fine. That helping you was enough. That I didn’t need anything back."

"Soren—"

"Let me finish." His voice stayed gentle, but firm enough that she quieted. "Tell me what you need first. Then I’ll tell you what I want."

Evelyn studied him a moment longer before relenting with a small nod. She laid it out carefully—the Gathering of the First Houses, the need for an invitation, the fact that among everyone she trusted, he was the only one with standing enough to grant her access.

Soren listened without interrupting, his jaw tightening slightly at certain points, though he said nothing until she’d finished.

"You want to attend the Gathering," he repeated slowly. "As my plus one."

"Yes."

He stared at her for some moments, then nodded. "I’ll do it. I’ll drop everything I’m doing to help you."

Evelyn wanted to smile, but she couldn’t. She could feel a but coming, especially after all he’d said already.

Soren exhaled and shook his head. "I’ll do anything you want, Evelyn, and I meant it. But—I also need something." He paused for a second, weighing his words carefully. "I’m not saying you owe me anything. You don’t. And I know I’ve never been the person you look at when you think about the possibility of being with someone."

His eyes met hers. "But I’m tired of being third place, Evelyn. I’m tired of pretending that being the man you can always call when you need something is enough for me."

The words settled between them, and for once, Evelyn had nothing clever to say.

She had come here with a plan. She’d intended to ask Soren to take her to the Gathering of the First Bloods, explain why she needed access, and work out the details.

She hadn’t expected this conversation.

"What do you want?" she asked quietly.

Soren held her gaze, unblinking. "A date."

She stared at him. "A date?" she repeated.

"One date. Just you and me."

For a moment, Evelyn thought she’d misunderstood him.

Soren, who could command an entire pack without raising his voice, who had never once made his feelings her burden, suddenly looked almost uncertain.

"I want you to spend an evening with me because you want to be there," he continued. "Not because you need something from me. Not because you’re trying to get somewhere or solve a problem. Just one evening where I get to take you out, talk to you, and pretend I have a chance."

"Soren, I don’t want to give you the wrong idea."

"Please." He pleaded quietly, closing some of the distance between them. He stopped in front of her, close enough that she had to tilt her head to maintain eye contact.

"Please, Evelyn. All I want is a date." He gave a small, self-conscious laugh, though there was nothing amusing about the expression on his face.

"I know it’s pathetic. I know what I’m asking for, and I know one date won’t suddenly make you see me differently. I’m not asking you to promise me a relationship or tell me you feel something you don’t."

He paused, searching her face. "But I want one chance where you don’t come into this already deciding that nothing could ever happen between us. Keep an open mind. Be willing to get to know me as something other than the man who helps you when you need him."

Evelyn drew a slow breath.

She wanted to interrupt him. To tell him that he deserved someone who could give him the certainty he was looking for—someone who wouldn’t leave him wondering whether he was wanted.

But Soren shook his head gently.

"Please. Just one date."

He stepped a little closer, then stopped, leaving the choice entirely to her.

"I’ll help you with whatever you came here to ask. You know that. But let me have this one thing for myself."

Evelyn looked at him for a long moment. She thought about all the times Soren had offered his help without asking questions. All the times she’d accepted it and moved on to the next problem, never considering that the person standing beside her might have needs of his own.

She couldn’t promise she would fall for him. She couldn’t promise that one date would change anything.

Taking a deep breath, Evelyn nodded. "Okay."

Soren went completely still. She watched the surprise spread across his face, followed by something so openly hopeful that it almost made her look away.

"Okay?" he repeated.

"I’ll go on a date with you. However, Soren—" She paused for a second. "I need you to understand something."

His smile softened. "Tell me."

"I’ll keep an open mind. I’ll give this an honest chance, and I won’t go into it looking for reasons to turn you down." She paused, ensuring he understood what came next.

"But I promise you nothing, Soren. Absolutely nothing. I won’t promise that I’ll fall for you, and I won’t promise that I’ll want a second date. If we do this, you have to understand that."

He didn’t hesitate. "I understand."

She studied him, searching for any sign that he’d mistaken her agreement for a declaration of affection. There was hope in his eyes, certainly. She wasn’t foolish enough to believe otherwise. But he didn’t try to bargain for more.

"One date," he said. "I’ll take it."