When Kael got back to his mansion he stepped through the door, his wolf stirred instantly, humming with satisfaction at the sight of her in the living room.
"Hi," Evelyn said softly.
He didn't answer just brushed past her, heading for the stairs.
From behind, Lily's voice rang out, curious and unfiltered. "Why did you ignore Evie?"
Without slowing, he shot back, "Why can't you shut up?" and disappeared upstairs.
***
Later that night, the house was quiet but Kael couldn't sleep. His wolf prowled restlessly under his skin, pressing to get out.
He gave in, slipping outside into the garden for a run then change to his wolf form under the moonlight, letting the cool night air running through faws tom ease the tension.
When he came back in, the faint glow of the kitchen light caught his eye. Evelyn was there, rummaging through a refrigerator, a glass of milk in her hand.
Mhm! He cleared his throat.
She jumped slightly when she noticed him in the doorway.
"Did I scare the little human?" he asked, voice low and teasing.
She met his gaze without flinching. "No. I'm not scared of you."
"Then why do you always look at me like you're ready to run?" he countered, stepping closer.
"I could ask why you always call me 'little human.'"
He tilted his head, noticing something. "You have a stain of milk on your mouth."
She swiped at it with the back of her hand—but in the wrong direction. A small smirk tugged at his lips as he reached out, his thumb brushing the corner of her mouth in one slow motion. Her breath caught.
His eyes held hers. "Why is it so obsessed with you?" he asked quietly, almost as if speaking to himself.
"What?" she asked, confused.
He didn't answer—just stepped back toward the stairs.
"Wait," she called after him. "Can I go see Maris?"
He paused. "My driver will pick her up."
A small smile touched her lips. "Thank you, Mr. Arrogant. But… is that the same driver who almost hit a little boy?"
"Yes," he said without hesitation, and then, unexpectedly, he chuckled before heading upstairs.
They ended up walking upstairs at the same time, the quiet between them filled only by the soft creak of the steps.
"Kael," Can I ask you something?she said suddenly.
"What is it?"
She glanced at him sidelong. "Are you… a drug lord? I mean, you're so rich, and you won't let me leave the mansion…"
His brow lifted. "That's what you think?"
"I'm just saying," she went on, unfazed. "And You really think I can't escape if I want to? I'm good at it, you know. I Used to slip out of the house all the time just to avoid my stepmother and half-brother."
He stopped at the landing, leaning slightly toward her. "Well, you can't escape from me, Evie."
Something in the way he said it made her chest tighten—half challenge, half promise.
He straightened. "Go to bed."
She stayed where she was, watching him walk away, her jaw set. In her head, she lumped him right in with Claudia and Darren—annoying, controlling, impossible to ignore.
And yet, unlike them, he lingered in her thoughts long after he disappeared into his room.