Evaline:
The flash of Ria’s phone blinded for the fifth ti in less than ten minutes, and I forced a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes as she squealed, "Perfect! Another one for the mories!"
I nodded, my cheeks aching from holding the sa expression. It was Friday noon, our little group’s promised day to gather during the holidays, and this ti we were in a quiet town nestled inside Kyros’ pack. The restaurant buzzed faintly around us - clinking glasses, bursts of laughter from neighboring tables - but it all felt so far away.
Everyone was sharing how their week had gone. Noah had been traveling, Selene had gone back ho to her grandparents, and Ria had spent most of her days shopping and eting cousins. Mallory was busy dating, Kyros was helping at his family cafe, and Rowan... he was still trying to adjust to his new life where he no longer needed to participate in underground fightings.
I laughed at the right places, answered when asked, and even teased Mallory when she admitted she overslept most mornings. From the outside, I was just as much a part of the fun as always.
But inside? I was sinking.
Ever since yesterday, ever since Draven and Oscar told Kieran everything, I hadn’t been able to shake off this gnawing dread sitting heavy in my chest. And when he left the mansion in the evening... my heart twisted so hard I could hardly breathe. He had smiled, spoken normally, and even gave a good enough reason for his sudden departure, but I couldn’t believe it. There had been sothing too carefully stitched about his calmness, a crack I could feel even if no one else seed to have noticed. He hadn’t looked at once. Not even once.
And that hurt more than I wanted to admit.
Because beneath the relief of finally being accepted by the three brothers who were my mates... beneath the overwhelming joy of the life growing inside ... I couldn’t stop thinking of the one brother who had walked away with a shadow in his eyes.
Lunch ended, though I could hardly rember eating much of it. As we stepped out of the restaurant, cool winter air brushed against my skin. Everyone said their goodbyes quickly, as if pulled back into their own busy lives. Selene hugged tight before leaving with Noah and Ria, and that left with Rowan, Kyros, and Mallory... the three who knew far too well.
I sighed even before they opened their mouths. "You don’t have to say it," I told them with a small smile.
Kyros crossed his arms, his sharp eyes narrowing at . Mallory raised a brow, her lips already parting. And Rowan just stayed quiet, watching with that silent understanding he always carried.
I beat them to it. "I’m fine. Just... a little tired, that’s all."
Mallory arched both brows this ti. She didn’t buy it. Not fully.
I slipped my hand through her arm, tugging gently. "I promise. It’s nothing else. I’m just... not feeling too great inside, that’s all."
It wasn’t a full lie. The heaviness in wasn’t just emotional, my body was feeling it too. Off-balance. Exhausted. But I didn’t dare say the real reason.
For a mont, Mallory studied with those sharp eyes of hers. Then, with a reluctant sigh, she let it go. "Fine. But you would better not be keeping sothing from , Evaline."
I smiled, and this ti it was genuine. "I’ll tell you when it’s the right ti."
Before they could press further, the sleek familiar car across the street caught my eye. Draven’s car. He was already leaning against it, tall and brooding, his gaze fixed on with that mix of protectiveness and quiet affection.
The mont I approached him, he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I lted into his chest without thought, inhaling his familiar scent. Safe. That’s what he felt like. Safe and grounding.
"Eva’s been down since yesterday," he said suddenly to my friends, his deep voice breaking through the little bubble I had created.
My head jerked up in surprise, my eyes flicking to him. He gave a look - soft but knowing. I realized then what I had overlooked. The bond. Of course. He and Oscar must have felt the waves of distress I had been drowning in since Kieran left.
"Maybe," Draven continued, looking at my group, "you could all spend the evening at the mansion with her? I think she would feel better with you around."
I swallowed hard, emotion clogging my throat, before nodding. "I would love that."
Because maybe... maybe distractions were exactly what I needed right now. Sothing to stop from spiraling into thoughts of Kieran. Sothing to give courage to finally tell Mallory and Kyros the truth I had been hiding - the pregnancy.
To my relief, all three of them agreed almost instantly, brightening at the idea. Mallory even clapped her hands together, her suspicion montarily replaced with excitent.
We climbed into Draven’s car, the four of us fitting comfortably. The drive was filled with chatter, Kyros pointing out places as they passed by, Mallory teasing Draven who, to my surprise, actually humored her. Rowan stayed quiet as usual, though I caught his eyes flicking to more than once. He knew. He always did.
When we arrived at the Thorne estate, the awe on their faces reminded of my own first ti. The sprawling mansion rose against the winter sky, elegant and intimidating. Even Mallory, who had been here twice before, still looked impressed.
Draven excused himself, pressing a kiss against my temple before leaving us in the foyer. "Call if you need anything," he murmured, his hand lingering on my waist a little longer.
I nodded, watching him disappear down the hall. Then I turned to my friends with a smile. "Co on. I’ll show you my room."
Rowan’s lips quirked faintly. "The infamous princess suite?"
I rolled my eyes but led them upstairs anyway. The mont I opened the door, both Rowan and Kyros let out appreciative noises.
"Okay," Kyros said, spinning slowly, "I have officially decided I’m moving in here. Hope you don’t mind."
I laughed, taking a seat on the couch with Mallory while the boys took their ti to look around the room.
Not long after, Sera and a few servants arrived with trays of refreshnts. Tea, juice, pastries, fresh fruit - everything neatly arranged. Once they left, silence settled in the room. The kind of silence where I could feel all three sets of eyes on .
Rowan gave the smallest nod, as if telling it was ti.
I took a deep breath, my fingers twisted together nervously. Then I lifted my gaze to Mallory and Kyros.
"There’s sothing I need to tell you both," I said softly. "Sothing important."
Mallory tilted her head, suspicious again. Kyros frowned, his arms crossing.
I exhaled slowly, my pulse thundering in my ears. "I might not be able to attend the second term at Silver Moon."
Their eyes widened.
And in that mont, as their gazes pinned down, I knew... this might be the beginning of a new storm.
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