Chapter 7

EVELARA

The air in the room thickened, perhaps just for me. Standing like a frozen statue, I stared at the cold, arrogant man in a daze, hoping to be doomed sooner.

He was not only a rude, decisive guy but turned out to be the Supreme Leader.

‘Yeah, great.’ Dravara frowned, muttering to herself. ‘No wonder, he was ten times more arshole than that stupid Callum.’

Well, I do agree with her.

He probably sensed my nervousness, which had already filled the air in the room, as I could see the arrogant smirk at the corner of his lips.

He walked past me, leisurely so. He stood near a wide window draped with gray silk. Sunlight traced his sharp features, making the silver strands in his midnight hair gleam like frost. His presence filled the chamber, raw, suffocating, and regal.

Then he turned to me. His gaze pinned me like a predator sizing up prey. Beside him, the department head kept his head lowered; he didn't raise his head even for a second.

‘Show-offs, eh!’ Dravara mocked. Although she was also affected by his presence, it's an inborn quality within us; we had never been intimidated or had any urge to bow before the Alphas. However, I didn’t expect this to continue before the Supreme, to be honest.

“Go out.” He spoke after a while.

Although at first I thought he said it to me, when my department head quietly obliged, I realized it wasn't for me. Before going out, he gave me a hard look that again warned me about my nearing doom.

Once the door was closed, it was only him and me—I swear it's so strangely suffocating!

“You walk away after insulting me.” His voice fell, chilling the air in the room. “Do you know what wolves here whisper about you?” Each of his words is deliberate, slow as if he was calculating his words, which in reality, was definitely not the case!

‘Not new.’ Dravara rolled her eyes, recalling our past encounters with other Alphas.

I met his gaze, refusing to cower as always. “I guess so,” I nodded, “that I dared to do what none of your guards could? Save a child, or precisely, a life.”

The air thickened instantly. And his jaw tightened. Yet, instead of anger, something flickered in his steel-grey eyes. Something I didn’t understand, yet clearly dangerous.

“You don’t fear me.” He said and it was not a question. Or at least it didn't sound like one.

“Well, I did nothing to be scared,” I said simply, and I didn't lie either. “I'm a healer. We have an oath to serve whenever we are needed, and a true healer never sees the person or the situation.”

No matter what happens to me, I regret nothing. I love my work and have done it very sincerely.

Dravara stirred within me. ‘We're created for this and no one can take our pride. This is our identity.’ Her voice dripped with pride.

Generally, being a healer is a normal profession for other wolves, but not for me. My healing ability is extended to my wolf. My wolf is a healer, and she has abilities others don't. Dravara always says that we're always meant to be healers. But she never really let me tell this specific secret to anyone.

“I should dismiss you from this institute immediately,” he said, breaking my thoughts with his sharp voice.

He stepped closer. His towering frame loomed over me, the scent of pine and steel invading my senses. It's too intoxicating and messes with my senses.

‘Damn this man.’ Drave murmured.

“But my boy seems… attached.” His eyes flickered at the mention of the little boy.

The word settled heavily between us, and for the first time, I saw the tiniest crack in the Supreme’s armour. A man who feared nothing, yet looked vulnerable when it came to the little boy.

At that moment I realised that this man could go to war for his child. Well, at least I gave him that.

My mind filled with curiosity, I looked up at him. “If so, then I feel you should hire more efficient guards who would act according to the situation and not wait for orders.”

A dangerous silence followed as soon as my words fell.

To my surprise, a very subtle curve, like a smirk, graced his lips. It was cold and calculated, yet undeniably amused.

“You’re bold, Evelara Stormrune,” he commented. “Let us see if that boldness serves you, or ruins you.”

His words coiled around me like a vow as if he were declaring a determining factor.

I couldn't help but smile at him, which seemed to astound him more. “I am a healer, Alpha Supreme. With due respect, if we don't have confidence, no patient would have walked out of our chambers with relief.”

“If that's all, then I'd like to take my leave.” I gave him a respectful bow before walking out of the chamber, feeling his burning gaze on my back, colder than ice yet hotter than boiling lava.

Sigh—what had I just walked into? I couldn’t help but wonder…

————————

Having departed the chamber, my footsteps seemed to echo rather prominently upon the polished marble. My heart was racing, perhaps more than was warranted, given that I had merely rescued a young boy without knowing who he was. No more, no less.

Yet the weight of his stare still pressed against my skin, cold and searing at the same time.

As I approached the corner that led to the main hall, I couldn't help but overhear hushed voices. Two of the new interns were standing near a tall pillar, whispering with such intensity that they seemed unaware of my presence.

“Did you see her? She walked out of the chambers.”

“Shh! Do you want your tongue cut out?”

“But… she saved the boy, right?”

A nervous laugh came. “Save or not, but any woman who crosses paths with the Alpha Supreme ends up either buried or broken. His heart is colder than ice, and his enemies stretch farther than the seas.”

The words slid like a blade into my gut. I froze. I wanted to leave but I couldn’t.

“He doesn’t thank people. He uses them. And when he’s done, he disposes of them...”

A harsh silence followed, and then the soft shuffle of their steps as they hurried away.

I, however, stood rooted, my pulse was too loud for my own ears.

Dravara stirred faintly, her voice low, edged with warning. ‘See, Eve? Wolves in marble halls have sharper fangs.’

I clenched my fists, forcing my spine straight. ‘No, I won't let whispers frighten me. I had already survived betrayal, exile, and heartbreak. No man—Supreme or not, could crush me, not again. Besides, I plan to not cross paths with that man ever again…’