Chapter 25
Evangelina’s POV
The next week was filled with the normal training, paperwork, teaching classes, and more training, etcetera. Except this week I had help from Maxwell. He was able to help me reach out to previous leaders in the pack and I was able to get at least 1 from each species if not more. Our first meeting is tomorrow, the day after the girls and Henry leave. Today we are throwing them a farewell barbeque, they have grown quite close with the pack and everyone is sad to see them leave. I have grown quite close with all three of them as well.
I am at the training fields, helping to set up when I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn around to
see that Tali is standing there shyly. She is wearing a pretty, baby blue summer dress that reaches her ankles with sleeves that almost look like wings when she lifts up her arms.
“Why, don’t you look pretty?” I say, looking at her in full. She is wearing little makeup and her
dark blonde hair is curled and put up in a bun.
“Um.. Thanks.” She says and looks down at the ground. “Could. We talk?” She asks and looks up to meet my eyes. I see sadness in her dark gray eyes.
“Yeah. Of course.” I say and guide her to a bench away from people. We sit down and I wait for
her to start talking. When she doesn’t, I speak up. “What’s up?” I ask and her shoulders sag.
“Oh. Um.” She starts, then huffs. “Well. Honestly. I am nervous about going back.” She says
while looking down.
“Why are you nervous?” I ask.”Well because of my so–called training. What. What if he tries to
continue what he did before?”
She asks and I have to fight to control my anger.
Veena huffs in anger. “I wish we could rip him to shreds.”
“I know Veena. I wish we could too.” I say then look to Tali.
“You are not the same person you were when you first came here two months ago. You have
grown more than I could have even thought you could. I have no doubt that you will be able to handle yourself if that man tries to do what he did before.” I say with confidence and she looks
up at me.
“Are you sure?” She asks doubtfully.
“Oh, honey I am certain.” I say then pause. “After all you have learned from the best.” I say
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pointing to myself and she laughs.
+5 Bonus >
“I don’t know about THE best. But you’re pretty close.” She says nudging me with her shoulder.
I scoff then smile. “Are you saying that I am not the most amazing person in the world? I’m hurt by that, Tali. I truly am.” I say while putting a hand over my heart and she starts laughing.
“You’re so over dramatic.” She says.
“I would like to think of it as keeping things interesting.” I say and she smiles.
“You do keep things interesting, that is for sure.” She says and I smirk at her, bumping her shoulder with mine. “You know Nali and I know right?” She asks and I notice her smile has disappeared.
“Know what?” I ask and she looks at me knowingly.
“Who our brother is to you.” She says and I nod my head. I had figured they knew, I have let
them pry into my mind for training and they are able to make the connection of what
happened all of those years ago.
“I know.” I say and her frown deepens.
“Why don’t you go back to him? You know he has taken a chosen mate? They are set to do the ceremony later this year. I don’t like her. She is a spoiled and greedy b*tch who gets whatever she wants.” She comments and I knit my brows in confusion.
“Trust me I know that he has picked a chosen mate. If you don’t like her that much then why haven’t you told your brother? Surely he would listen to you.” I ask.
“Nali and I both tried to tell him and he just seemed like he didn’t care. The b*tch has him so wrapped around her finger that he won’t even listen to mom about it.” She says bitterly.
“Well I’m sure she has some good qualities.” I say and Tali looks taken aback from my statement. Veena is growling at me in my head for defending the woman who has taken our
mate.
. “All she wants is the power and money of being Queen. No, Hadley doesn’t care about the
people as a queen should. Like you do.” She says and I smile sadly.
“Unfortunately that is not going to happen, Tali. Your brother has chosen another and I don’t know if I could ever truly forgive him for what he has done and keeps doing to me.” I say and she looks saddened by my response.
“Is he at least happy with her?” I ask and she nods her head.
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“As happy as that big grump could get. I don’t know what he sees in her but she at least makes him smile, kind of” She answers and my heart hurts from that knowledge.
“Good. That is all that matters then.” I say, I just have to keep telling myself that too. She
shakes her head at me.
You are too good for him.” She says and I smile sadly.
+5 Bonus >
“I am not. We all have our faults, you just haven’t been around long enough to see mine.” I say and again, she shakes her head.
“Evan, you are the best person that I have met. You care so deeply for not only your pack but strangers. You don’t hesitate to help others. You always look on the bright side of things and forgive people. You can be a hard a*s, but that is only because you care so much, or because you are protecting people. You are TOO good. The brother I knew when I was younger would have deserved you, but since dad died he became mean and ruthless. I don’t think that I have heard him genuinely laugh or smile in a long time, it’s always a scowl.” She says sadly.
“Can I ask you something?” I ask her and she nods her head.
“What is going to happen when you go back?” I ask and she looks at me confused.
“What do you mean?” She asks.
“Well are you going to go back into your shell and stop speaking with everybody?” I ask and
she looks down.
“I would like to think that I would stay the same as I am here, but I can’t tell you how I will
react when I get back home.” She says.
“I understand. It is hard.” I answer and she quickly hugs me. Stunned, I slowly put my arms
around her.
“Thank you for helping me and not giving up on me.” She says quietly.
“Of course, honey. I will always be here for you if you need me.” I answer and she pulls back
and smiles at me.
“I know. Thank you.” She says, with tears forming in her eyes.
“Alright, let’s get to finishing the set up for the barbeque.” I say and stand up dusting off my pants. She smiles and follows me up to head toward the farewell barbeque. I hope she will be
okay.
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