Chapter 10 EVE . The ceremony was finally over . Thank God , I could finally breathe , at least a little . Air that wasn't tainted with Saint's scrutinising eyes crawling over my skin or his voice popping out of nowhere in my head like a curse I couldn't escape . I didn't bother unpacking . What was the point ? I wasn't staying . I just dug through my suitcase and picked out something simple and clean for the inevitable family dinner . A basic top and jeans . Nothing too fancy . I also picked out a simple nightwear to use for the night . Mum's laughter filtered into my room as they made their way out to the dining area . She sounded light and peaceful , like this was everything she wanted . My new stepfather showed me to my room the moment we returned . I also found out that Saint had his own apartment not too far from here . It should have been encouraging . But it still wasn't enough . I didn't want to be anywhere near his territory . A knock came at the door , followed by a cheerful , " Come on out , honey ! Dinner's ready ! " My new stepfather's voice was just as warm as my mum's . When I stepped into the dining area , he waved me over with a grin , gesturing to the seat beside him . " Sit with me , " he said , like we'd known each other for years . I obeyed without question . He was nothing like his son . He was cool , friendly , and lighthearted . He cracked a few lame jokes and threw me these warm , fatherly glances . It made my stomach turn because I couldn't understand how someone like that raised someone like Saint , who was cold , dead , and detached from the world . I looked around and Saint wasn't here yet . And for one stupid moment , I wished he wouldn't be in attendance . The maids served our meals , and I was so stupid to have thought that Saint wasn't going to make it when we started eating and had almost gone past halfway . 1/4 7:23 Sun , Sep 21 Chapter 10 I was already easing up . Small talks bounced back and forth . I even managed a couple of small laughs at something Alpha Rollins said about Mum's terrible handwriting when the front door pushed open and the air around me suddenly turned to acid , Alpha Saint . I lifted my gaze instinctively and watched him walk in . Black shirt . Dark jeans . Nothing out of the ordinary , but he had that same aura . That dead silence that followed him everywhere , like something unseen had entered the room with him . He strolled in like he owned the very air we breathed ... and maybe he did , because the entire room went quiet the second he stepped in , like his presence flicked a switch and muted everything . He walked past me like I wasn't even there and took the empty seat across the table. And just like that , the ease I felt a few minutes ago just fizzled away , and every muscle in my body went rigid again . So much for peace . He gave a nod to his father . " Dad . " Then a quick , half - hearted , " Hello , " to my mother as he poured himself a drink . I kept my eyes down , focused on my fork . It was the safest thing to do . But Alpha Rollins , of course , didn't notice the way my shoulders tensed the moment his son walked in . He chuckled and motioned between us . " Have you two met ? You didn't even say hello to your stepsister , son . " I froze . Please don't . Please ... Saint didn't look away from his plate . " Of course I've met Eve , " he said flatly . Then , slowly , he lifted his gaze and turned it on me . " Haven't I ? " 2/4 7:23 Sun , Sep 21 Chapter 10 My breath caught . My grip on the fork nearly slipped . He didn't say it like a question . He said it like a fucking gentle reminder and a threat put together . I forced a small , breathy smile , which was more of a reflex than a response . My throat felt too tight to form words anyway . Saint didn't say another word . He went back to his food like nothing had just happened . The table fell silent again , tension sitting comfortably between us . Even Alpha Rollins didn't know how to fill it . It was Mum who tried next . " So ... " she smiled warmly , glancing at Saint , " how's being Alpha going for you ? " He didn't answer at first . He just chewed , swallowed , and wiped his mouth with the napkin , all without looking up . Then finally , he said dryly , " Fine . " Mum didn't seem fazed . She kept going like she didn't notice the disdain behind every syllable that came out of his mouth . " Well , I'm just glad we're now part of your pack , " she said with that overly hopeful tone she always used when she was trying to keep the peace . " And I'm especially glad Eve will be getting her wolf under the umbrella of such a strong Alpha . " Saint suddenly stopped and turned in my direction , his dead eyes reading me like an open page of a mystery novel . " She doesn't even have her wolf yet ? " he asked . But he wasn't really asking . He was prodding and peeling back skin to poke at the bone underneath . Mum laughed softly , like it wasn't a big deal . " No , not yet . But soon . She'll be turning twenty - one in three months ." Oh , God . Mum shouldn't have said that . But she just went on , " And you wouldn't believe the kind of things she's capable of even without her wolf . " 3/4 7:23 Sun , Sep 21 Chapter 10 Saint didn't take his eyes off me . " Trust me , " he said , the corner of his mouth twitching into something that wasn't quite a smile . " I can imagine . " And at that moment , I wished I could disappear into the chair . No one else at that table knew what he meant . But I did . Chapter Comments LIKE Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!