Chapter 5 EVE . " Breathe , Eve ... Just fucking breathe ... " I'd been whispering that mantra for over two hours now , over and over again , ever since I saw him . No. No , no , no . There's no way in hell he'd recognize me . I had a mask on that night . A thick velvet one . And even when it slipped halfway through , they were too busy to notice anything beyond what they were doing to me . But then ... why the hell had he been staring at me without blinking or moving ? Like a predator who'd just found the scent of the prey that got away . His eyes . God . His eyes . He'd been watching my every move . His cold , deathly steel grey eyes sent chills down my spine , piercing through layers I didn't even know I had . Every time I dared glance in his direction , he was watching me , almost as if he was waiting for me to run . I mean ... These men have been looking for me for months now . There is no way I'd give myself up to be caught and punished by them . Although the other man didn't show any sign of surprise or anger when he looked at me . He just kept looking blankly at me , almost like he was digging through a fog , trying to place me , but his wasn't as bad and as disturbing as the Alpha's . Maybe because he had the same kind of dark shades he had on that night at the club , and it was making it a bit impossible for me to even tell the exact intensity of his eyes ... But from his facial expression , he seemed ... clueless ? Saint's eyes weren't just curious . They were freaking confirming ! And that was when I knew I was fucked . Yes . Saint is the Alpha . And yes , his name is Saint ... What an irony for a person who is as dark as a demon . I asked Mum the moment I saw him , and she confirmed to me that he was Saint , my stepbrother . Every drop of blood in my veins froze . There is no way in hell this monster is my stepbrother . 1/4 Chapter 5 Wait . No. I had to come up with a solution ... I'd rather go back to Lanry Side than be in this pack . My stomach twisted as I felt the heat of his gaze trailing down my spine again , like a hand brushing my skin without touching me . I had to leave . I was going to be sick . " Excuse me , " I let out a nervous chuckle as I walked past the kind guests who were fanning around me and Mum , welcoming us into the pack . I was practically breathing through a straw , and I needed space . " Where are you going , honey ? " My stepfather asked , and I swallowed nervously . " Uh ... I have to use the convenience , " I smiled . He was so sweet , and he was nothing like his son . I could hear the panic in my voice and prayed he couldn't . He nodded toward the far end of the courtyard . " Take the next left after the pillar . Do you want someone to walk you ... " " No ! " I blurted out before I could stop myself . " No. I'm good . Thank you . " I turned before he could ask anything else and walked out of the premises , where the monster's eyes trailed my every move . The moment I stepped into the convenience , I released a breath I had been holding for God knows how long . My knees nearly buckled . I gripped the edge of the sink , bent over it like I'd just run a marathon . My chest heaved in frantic bursts . It's not like the air in here was much better , but at least it wasn't thick with his scent and his suffocating presence . Alpha Saint . I twisted the faucet and splashed cold water on my face , once , twice , a third time . But it didn't help . My skin was on fire . My heart was trying to claw its way out of my chest . He knows . He fucking knows . No one can tell me otherwise ! God ! My hands trembled as I reached for the hand towel . The shaking was so violent that I dropped it . I 2/4 7:22 Sun , Sep 21 Chapter 5 . stared at my fingers like they belonged to some weak little girl who couldn't keep it together . Wa Biting my nails that old nasty habit - came like muscle memory . I pressed the edge of my nail between my teeth , harder than necessary . The sting grounded me . The familiar pressure pulled me away from the spiraling . Inhale . Exhale . Again . I glanced up at the mirror , catching my reflection - wide eyes , dilated pupils , flushed cheeks . I looked like prey , and I hated it . A tear welled up , threatening to betray me . I wiped it away so fast that it barely touched my cheek . " No , " I whispered . " Not now . " This was supposed to be a fresh start and a new chapter for us . My mother was finally happy again . We were safe . Or so we thought . I had worked so hard to bury that night . And here it was , digging itself back out from the grave I'd tried to leave it in . 95 I can't be the one to ruin my mother's happiness . I had to leave and get out of this godforsaken pack . I'd tell Mum tonight , after the ceremony , that I couldn't stay . I'd cry if I had to , and beg . It wouldn't be easy to convince her because she would never want me to return to the same town where my abusive stepfather was . But I'm certain I'd be able to convince her . I am so damn grateful that the transfer letter from my old school hasn't been approved yet . That means I am not tied here yet . If I act fast enough , I could go back . I'd show up on Monday and tell them to cancel the transfer . Easy . I could fix this . I closed my eyes and took one final , deep breath , bracing myself for the rest of the ceremony . I unlocked the stall and stepped toward the exit when the main door to the convenience swung open . 3/4 7:22 Sun , Sep 21 Chapter 5 I turned , slowly , praying to every God I never believed in that it wasn't ... But it was . It was him . He just stood there in the doorway like a shadow carved from stone , his hands carefully tucked into his pockets . He was tall and broad , dressed in black from head to toe , as if mourning something . Or about to bury someone ... Me , maybe . His eyes pinned me in place - those cold , inhuman eyes . My throat dried . My hands went ice - cold . My back hit the counter without me realizing I was backing away . I couldn't breathe . I wasn't even sure my heart was still beating . His eyes locked on mine like he could see straight through me ... straight through the flesh , the bones , into the filth I thought I'd buried deep , into the things I told myself no one would ever remember . ' Say something , ' I begged silently . Scream . Threaten me . Do anything . Just speak . Please ... I was seconds away from a full - blown panic attack when he tilted his head ever so slightly and let out the smallest , quietest scoff . Almost amused . And then , in a voice so low , so deceptively calm , he finally spoke . " You thieving whore . " Chapter Comments 1 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!