Episode 20

"Evelyn Amaris"

Anxious and distressed, that's how I felt, clueless about the events unfolding below. I had already risen and rocked my son several times, terrified he might cry. Pausing by the window, I watched Varun exit and run off in transformation... then Marcos followed... Relief coursed through me, and I could breathe again, he's gone!

I stepped back from the window in case he returned, keeping my gaze fixed on the door. Seconds later, it swung open and a chill crept up my spine; even though I'd seen him leave, it felt like it could be him.

"It's alright, dear—it's me..." Mrs. Valeria entered with a serious tone—"They've left now, so relax."

"What did they want?" I asked, intrigued, and once she shut the door, she faced me and took a deep breath.

"They were searching for you, even had a picture of you on a black cell phone!"

"That's it! I knew I'd left my phone somewhere. It was left down there!" I noted, watching her but moving to sit on the bed.

"Dear, they didn't seem to want trouble, actually seemed quite concerned about you!" said Mrs. Valeria, sitting down beside me.

"Marcos was a good friend... As for Varun, he was too harsh, I never want to see him again!" Did I say that out loud? Yes, feeling the tears start to flow...

We talked for a while, and after I felt better, we went down and had dinner... I used the same tub that I bathed my son in to let him lie down while I helped Mrs. Valeria with the dishes. Of course, I made it comfortable for my son by placing a blanket under him.

As the days passed, Mrs. Valeria and I slowly refurbished the hotel. She had a safe in her room filled with cash, her savings she'd said... So together, we were determined to reopen it. We went to the neighboring town to buy what we needed—paint, painting supplies, screws to fix the broken parts, everything essential.

Together, we began the renovations. First, we repaired the broken and missing pieces, then we painted the entire hotel a light blue, with navy accents. We cleaned it top to bottom, cleared out the dust, emptied the pool and cleaned it thoroughly, making sure my little angel was never far from me—I never part with my son.

Miguel will always be the source of my strength. I've also used the hotel phone to call my sister, and she told me Varun is frantically looking for me. I know because each time he turns up, I continue to hide. My father has found out that he's Miguel's father and he's furiously searching for me...

For the same reason, my mother and sister haven't visited us, to avoid the risk of my father following them and hurting my son to get at the Albeks. Unfortunately, they are mortal foes, and my father's vendetta against them has only gotten worse... I truly hope they don't end up killed, and so I am maintaining no contact with either pack for this reason.

One terrible day, Mrs. Valeria fell gravely ill. I sat by her side with my son in my arms, fighting tears as she grew increasingly pale, fearing she might die...

"Mrs. Valeria, should I go get a doctor?" I offered, teary-eyed.

"No, my dear! It's alright!" she reassured me, her voice weak.

"It's not alright, Mrs. Valeria, you're very sick"—my son sleeping in my arms, I looked back at her— "The renovation exertion must have taken its toll, you need a doctor..."

"It was worth it, my dear"—a tear slipped from her eyes—"I want you to take charge and take care of it." A smile formed on her lips as she handed me a paper from beneath her pillow.

I took it, recognizing the documents for the place and a will leaving everything to me.

"Please, Mrs. Valeria, no!"—Tears streamed down my face—"We were going to welcome many guests together."

"My dear, know that I am very happy to see the hotel renewed... I know it's in good hands." It hurt to see the tear roll down her cheek.

"I should call the doctor!"

I rose to act, but Mrs. Valeria stopped me, clutching my arm with her cold hand.

"Evelyn, no, please listen to me first!" Her grave expression made me sit by her side again.

"My child, we are wolves, and we need a pack, alphas all the more... that's why parents insist on marrying off their offspring—you need your mate's mark!"

"What do you mean?" I asked, curious.

"You need a mate to bestow a mark and bind to them... Without it, you can easily grow ill and end up dying like me!"

"You come from an alpha lineage?" I felt surprised.

"I've told you, dear, our stories are similar..." Sadness filled her gaze—"But please, Evelyn, don't end up like me, find your mate, get your mark, you have a son to look after, take your place as an alpha..."

Those were Mrs. Valeria's last words. The pain I felt was indescribable... She had helped me get back on my feet. Thanks to her, I had a place to live with my son... It had always been her hiding me from Varun. I don't know what will happen now, or how long I'll be able to stay away from everyone... And now there's this about the alpha's mark, which no one told me about before. I don't know what to do...

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