Chapter 6 An Interrogation

[Evelyn’s POV] Ever since I made the hasty, bold decision to kiss Alexander, he’d been eyeing me with a complex expression. Even though the priest had declared us husband and wife, and that it was his right to kiss and embrace his Luna, Alexander remained unfazed and unmoving. It made me feel incredibly uneasy. The housekeeper, Nina, must have sensed the growing tension in the room and swiftly stepped forward. “Due to Alexander’s physical condition, there will be no dancing or banquet afterward,” she explained. Based on my family’s shared looks, none of them seemed too put off by this announcement. I was fairly certain that they were still reeling over Samantha’s earlier actions. None of them were looking to linger around for much longer. In fact, the moment the priest stepped off the altar, they were quick to head toward the exit. I spoke softly, telling Alexander that I would see my parents off. Liam and Samantha quickly got into the back seat of the limo, while my father stopped to glare at me. “I am exceedingly more wary of Alexander than I had originally anticipated,” he said darkly. “I’m warning you, Evelyn. For the sake of this marriage and for your brother’s life, you must never anger him.” In other words, don’t screw up so that the King may potentially take away the reward money that’s been gifted to them. “If Alexander is displeased, not only will we lose the King’s favor, but our entire pack could be wiped out. Even though Alexander can’t stand, his ability to command and lead his army is intact,” he explained gravely. “Remember, you must tread carefully within this pack, as Alexander’s family comes from a large, powerful pack.” Other parents advise their daughters to be treated well by their husbands, but my father ended his goodbye with such a chilling warning, making me feel heartbroken. I shouldn’t have expected anything more, to be honest. As sad as it sounded. I tried to fight back the disappointment in my voice as I spoke. “Fine. Don’t forget to take care of my brother.” With that, the man merely grunted and got into the limo along with Isabella. I should have been sad to see them go. But I came to swiftly realize that the only people I genuinely cared about were the ones who weren’t even able to make it to the ceremony in the first place. The side window started to roll down, revealing a venomous-looking Samantha. Her eyes were still red and somewhat puffy from all the tears she’d cried earlier. Her lips twisted in a bitter sneer. “Don’t think you’ve won. Your hard days are just beginning. This entire pack looks down on you and your family. Once I marry Liam, I’ll be a beloved Luna, while you’re nothing.” Wow. Even after the scolding and the punishment Alexander had ordered, she was still trying to find ways to get under my skin. I rolled my eyes and casually responded. “Then I hope you’ll be happy once your month-long confinement is over.” I genuinely wondered if Samantha was at all aware of the reality that awaited her once she and Liam were to tie the knot. Since I was the one who had helped Liam rebuild his trading networks, there was a lot about his pack that I had accidentally discovered. For instance, I know that many of the staff were lazy. Not to mention, the Old Luna was ill, and that Liam’s father was known for being hot-tempered. Samantha’s idea of a fairy tale life was probably far from reality. However, I knew I was in no better condition, myself, so I couldn’t be bothered to deal with Samantha’s fantasies. As I returned back to the house, I was surprised to find Alexander waiting for me inside of the main hall. “What were you discussing with your father a few moments ago?” he asked. My stomach twisted with worry. Damnit, I hadn’t expected him to bother spying on me as I walked my family out. Most of what was said was probably never meant to be reiterated back to him. I tried brushing off the conversation. “Nothing, really.” I shrugged. “He just told me to keep out of the way and give you space when needed.” Within seconds, I felt something hard pressing into my back. I glanced over my shoulder to find Alexander’s Beta holding a gun to my spine. Every muscle in my body went stiff as stone as I slowly turned back to face him. “What is this?” I asked, shakily. “Keep your eyes on me and answer carefully,” he warned me. “Although Oliver can handle a gun steadily, it’s never without risk of a possible misfire.” I fixed my gaze on Alexander’s piercing blue eyes. I noticed the corner of his mouth quirk upward into a testing smile as he inched closer to me. My heart pounded in my chest while his voice rolled over me in a fierce tone of command. “I’ll ask you again...What were you discussing with your father?” I tried to swallow the lump in my throat. “My father wanted me to take care of you and not upset you. I told him to take care of my brother.” It was a total lie...It just wasn’t the whole truth. Alexander narrowed his eyes as though he were trying to decipher more out of my vague explanation. He sat back in his chair and squared his shoulders, folding his arms across his broad chest. “Why did you choose to marry me?” he questioned sharply. “Are your intentions at all honest, or have you been influenced by someone else’s wishes?” I shook my head and held up my hands to placate his growing temper. “I can assure you that this was my own choice.” He tilted his head, continuing his interrogation. “Why would you willingly marry a man who is likely to remain disabled for life?” Somehow, the gun felt even closer now, and my anxiety was beginning to spike. For the first time, I was feeling the oppressive force of Alexander’s presence. There was no misunderstanding that if Alexander were to find out I was using the marriage to save my brother, he would not be pleased. My father’s warning echoed in my mind. “I’m warning you, Evelyn. For the sake of this marriage and for your brother’s life, you must never anger him.” “I’ve always admired you,” I said quickly. “Your way of managing and thriving your pack is practically legendary. Having heard about your injury, left me shocked and deeply concerned. When I received the marriage request from the Alpha King, I was happy to accept because I believe I can take care of you, even if you’re in a wheelchair.” Again, my words were only half true. I had always been somewhat aware of Alexander’s reputation and respected him for his accomplishments. But his world felt so far beyond my own and there was a very likely chance that I would never feel any romantic affection toward him. Alexander scoffed, “Admire?” I quickly nodded. I could tell that the gun was still raised to the center of my back. “How will you prove it?” he questioned, tauntingly. God. I tried racking my brain for something—anything I could possibly say. I recalled hearing the staff in my previous pack gossiping about Alexander’s kindness to the people in the territories he had claimed. “I admire you because you’re not a mindless killer. You don’t kill indiscriminately but only defeat the Alphas who are considerably unworthy of their titles. This particular kindness is part of your justice. Your undefeated record symbolizes this type of strength.” I harped on his virtues, trying to paint a picture of him as a noble, righteous figure. By the time I was through speaking, I was nearly out of breath. Alexander’s expression didn't change. He continued to stare at me and tried to convey my sincerity. After what felt like an eternity, his gaze softened, almost as if amused. “Oliver.” With that simple command, his Beta lowered the gun and the air was finally able to rush back to my lugs. “Nina, take her and her things to change into something more appropriate,” he ordered while turning to leave. I let out a sigh of relief and sagged back against the nearest wall. “And then send her to my bedroom,” he added. My heart crashed into my rib cage...It seemed like everything was far from over.