Different

Evelyn

After my run that night, I was feeling calm and collected.

Granted, I locked myself in my room for the rest of the evening.

I have even effectively avoided both Alpha Ben and Alpha Alex for a whole week after that little incident.

The only thing that isn’t good about it all is that rumors are spreading that Tessa is now Alpha Alex’s girlfriend. I shouldn’t care—hell, I don’t—but she hasn’t even tried to find her mate.

He is probably out there searching high and low to find her and she is here, spreading her legs for the world.

Okay, maybe not the world, but she has slept with half the pack now, including both the beta sons, Parker and Wayne.

I can’t wait till I find my mate. Hopefully he is in another pack so I can get out of this one and away from Tessa.

She blames me for our parents’ deaths, which is really stupid considering that her mother is the one who killed mine. But whatever. I have no desire to argue with her.

It is currently Monday around four in the morning. I like to get up early to make all the patrol wolves sandwiches for the day, and I also make something for Alpha Ben and, now, Alpha Alex.

Halfway through, I hear someone approaching. Glancing up, I see Julian enter, looking tired.

“What’s up, buttercup?” I say in a soothing voice. Since we were young, Julian has always had nightmares and asked me to sing to him to calm him down.

Julian meets my eyes with a knowing half-smile. “Another nightmare,” he replies.

I hum before giving him a sweet smile and start to sing softly.

“Wise men say, only fools rush in.”

He sits on the stool by the bar, propping his head on his fist, and watches me finish the sandwiches while I continue singing.

“But I can’t help falling in love with you. Shall I stay? Would it be a sin if I can’t help falling in love with you?”

After finishing the lunches, I walk over to Julian, grab his hand, and drag him to the piano in the next room. Sitting down with him beside me, I start to play softly.

“Like a river flows, surely to the sea,

“Darling, so it goes, some things are meant to be.

“Take my hand, take my whole life too.

“For I can’t help falling in love with you.

“Like a river flows, surely to the sea,”

“Darling, so it goes, some things are meant to be.”

“Take my hand, take my whole life too.”

“For I can’t help falling in love with you.”

“For I can’t help falling in love with you.”

Finishing, I smile over at Julian, who has a soft smile. He seems more relaxed. We have both loved that song ever since Raf and Sam told me that my parents dedicated it to each other.

Julian wraps an arm around my shoulder. “Eve, that was beautiful.”

Even though Julian has heard me sing it a thousand times, he always compliments me. Resting my head on his shoulder, I’m about to thank him when someone else speaks from the doorway.

“I agree, that was amazing.” I look over to see Alpha Alex standing there.

I blush slightly, knowing no one else has really ever heard me sing. I’m not shy about it, but I just always sing for Julian and myself.

“Thank you both. I should get back and start breakfast.”

Standing up, I start back to the kitchen. I place all the lunches on one counter, with little tags labeling whose is whose. Picky wolves.

I am joined by both Julian and Alex. “You make the lunches and breakfast?” Alex questions.

Nodding my head, I reply, “Yes, but the other women help with breakfast.” He seems interested in what I do.

Thankfully, before Alex can question anything else, Julian pipes up, “Are you training with us today?”

I nod my head again. Alex eyes him curiously. “Why would a cook be training with you?” he asks.

Julian spits out the drink he’s sipping on while I turn to give the alpha a disapproving stare.

“Just because I’m cooking to help out the other women does not mean I am limited to it. I train, I work out, I even patrol the border from time to time.

“So before you presume that I’m just a cook, why don’t you do some research on your pack, Alpha.”

With that, I storm out of the kitchen, making my way to my room.

How dare he just assume?

I wouldn’t care if he hadn’t had that skeptical look on his face as if I can’t train.

I’ll show that cocky alpha what I’m capable of.

I quickly throw on a pair of shorts with a sports bra and tank and lace up my sneakers. Surely training is about to start.

I feel a little bad about not helping the women in the kitchen, but I’m almost positive they will understand.

Heading back down, thankfully not seeing that asshat of an alpha, I go in to apologize for not helping.

Of course, Mertle, being the woman she is, hushes me and tells me I don’t ever have to help but they love that I want to.

So I pile up a plate of bacon and eggs and waffles and quickly eat it, eager to get to the training field and kick some ass.

Walking out, I notice Alpha Ben and wave slightly before averting my eyes. We haven’t talked since that dinner and, honestly, I’m not looking forward to it.

I run up to Uncle Raf and Julian, greeting them. “Hello, boys. Ready to get your asses kicked?”

Raf throws his head back and laughs heartily. “Julian, that sounds like a challenge. But fortunately for you, Alpha Ben and Alpha Alex are joining us and want to do a sort of matchup tournament.”

Furrowing my brows in surprise, I nod. “Sounds like fun. Julian, you want to be my sparring partner?” He gives me a “really?” look before he gets into stance.

We are warming up together when Alpha Ben calls everyone to attention.

I keep my fingers crossed that I will get a good partner. I don’t want them to pair me up with the weakest girl here, but a part of me knows that they will.

Looking over, I notice Tabitha, a very small, frail girl who has been training for a few years but never takes it seriously. Something about her parents forcing her to train.

Sure, she knows a few moves, but nothing more than anyone else.

In that moment, I know for a fact that these morons will start me out with her, but I can just be positive that I will work my way up to go against one of our best fighters.

I’m not tooting my own horn, but I’ve been doing really well, training really hard, and even Uncle Raf is surprised at my skill.

So when they call Tabitha and my name to fight, I can’t help but roll my eyes.

Let’s get this over with.