Chapter 28: RISKS AND TAKERS

EVELYN'S POV

Movement in an upstairs window caught my eye as I stepped out of the car, and my heart jolted. Two shadows passed quickly, too fast to identify, but enough to spike my curiosity and dread.

What was going on up there?

Before I could process it further, my phone buzzed in my hand. My father's name lit up the screen.

"Hey, Dad," I answered, keeping my gaze locked on the house.

"Evelyn, where are you?" he asked, his tone sharp and probing.

"I'm... somewhere," I replied, deliberately vague, my attention still fixed on the upstairs window. Another shadow flickered, and I clenched the phone tighter. "Heading to the house soon."

"There's something we didn't discuss this morning," he began, but his words faded into background noise as my mind raced. Who was in there with Lucas? What was I walking into?

"Dad, I'll call you back," I said abruptly, cutting him off mid-sentence.

"Evelyn, wait..." he started, but I didn't let him finish. I ended the call, stuffing the phone into my pocket as I took a deep, steadying breath.

Every instinct screamed caution, but the questions in my head were louder. I needed to know. My feet felt heavy as I walked up to Lucas's condo, each one pounding with the weight of what might be waiting on the other side of the door.

The unknown loomed large, its grip icy and unrelenting.

But no matter what, I was determined to uncover the truth.

*****

ALBERT'S POV

I slipped into the driver's seat, the cool leather calmed me as if bracing for the storm brewing in my chest. Nora slid in beside me with her usual air of ease, a calming presence that was hard to ignore. Ashley hesitated before climbing into the back, her face a mix of regret and unease. As the doors shut, the car's interior felt smaller, the air tense and crackling.

I adjusted the rearview mirror, locking eyes with Ashley. "What the hell were you thinking back there?" My voice was sharp, cutting through the silence like a blade. "You nearly compromised everything we've worked for."

Ashley's gaze dropped to her hands, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, Albert," she stammered, "I didn't think. I was just trying to help."

"Help?" I snapped, gripping the steering wheel tighter. "Your job was to wait. Just. Wait. Not to act on your own."

Nora reached over to me, her hand a warm anchor on my arm. "Take it easy, Albert," she said, her tone light but firm. "She's learning."

I exhaled, my anger simmering but not fully subsiding. Nora's touch had a way of keeping me grounded, but the stakes were too high for leniency. My eyes flicked back to Ashley. "You need to understand something. We're here in Mooncrest for a reason; a dangerous, delicate reason. Every move we make matters. Do you get that?"

Ashley nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "I understand, sir."

Starting the engine, I pulled out of the parking lot, the hum of the car filling the silence. I glanced at Nora, who was watching me with that familiar smirk playing on her lips. "Thanks for stepping in back there," I said, my tone softening slightly. "You have a knack for diffusing situations."

"Don't mention it," Nora replied breezily. "But you still haven't explained why you left Ashley alone in the first place."

I hesitated, my mind scrambling for a plausible excuse. "It's part of the plan," I said carefully. "I had to meet someone in private."

Nora raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Fine," she said resignedly, "As long as it's for the greater good."

I wasn't convinced she believed me, but her tone was teasing now. "How did you even get to the meeting venue?" I asked, eager to shift the conversation.

She laughed, a melodic sound that momentarily eased the tension. "Albert, let's not get sidetracked. What's important now is that I'm starving!"

"Did you come by public transport, or did someone give you a ride?" I pressed, ignoring her attempt to deflect.

Nora rolled her eyes, leaning closer with a playful grin. "Albert, stop interrogating me. Right now, all I care about is food. I haven't had a proper meal since... well, since you 'devoured' me last night."

Her words hung in the air, loaded with mischief. Heat rushed to my face, and I couldn't help but laugh despite myself. "Alright, alright. Let's get you fed before you start chewing on me again."

Nora chuckled, leaning back with a satisfied look. "Smart man."

The tension in the car eased as we drove through the familiar streets of Mooncrest. The old clock tower loomed in the distance, a silent reminder of the past we were trying to navigate.

Ashley, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally spoke up. "Albert, am I forgiven?" she asked.

I met her gaze in the mirror, my expression unreadable. "You don't need forgiveness from me, Ashley," I said coldly. "You need to think about what happens if the Alpha hears about this."

Ashley shifted in her seat, clearly uncomfortable under the weight of my words. "I know," she muttered, her eyes darting to the window, avoiding the intensity of my stare.

Nora glanced back at her, her tone suddenly softer. "It's not just about the Alpha, Ashley," she added, her voice almost motherly. "It's about our reputation. We can't afford any slip-ups. Not now."

Her face paled, and she sank back into her seat, her voice trembling. "It won't happen again," she said.

Nora turned to give Ashley a reassuring smile. "Mistakes happen," she said softly. "The key is to learn from them and move forward."

I took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "Alright," I said finally. "Let's move on. There's too much at stake to dwell on this."

Nora squeezed my hand, her touch steadying me. "We've got this," she said confidently.

I nodded, but my thoughts churned relentlessly. Could we really keep this together? Could we stay under the radar while fulfilling the Alpha's orders?

And why, despite everything, had I left a rookie like Ashley alone, risking everything for a woman I barely knew?