Chapter 13: UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTERS

ALBERT'S POV

This wasn't how I imagined my day would go. I trailed Evelyn discreetly through the aisles of the mall, my mind churning with questions.

Whenever she stopped to examine something, her soft hum or focused expression stirred something in me. She wasn't like anyone I'd met before; she was sharp, and grounded, yet carrying an air of vulnerability that made me want to protect her.

But she wasn't mine to protect. At least not yet.

I was about to approach her when a voice called out behind me. "Excuse me, are you done with that cart?"

I blinked, realizing I was standing in someone's way. I muttered an apology, wheeling the cart aside. By the time I turned back, Evelyn was already at the payment counter. Grabbing a few items off a nearby shelf, I moved to a line close enough to see her.

"We meet again," I said, keeping my tone light as I joined her in the next line.

Evelyn turned, a smile gracing her lips. "You know this is not the coincidence I was talking about," she replied as she unloaded her trolley, her hands quick but unhurried.

"I have to try," I replied, shifting my items onto the counter. She was so composed, even when bantering. It put me at ease and made me nervous all at once.

Before she could respond, a voice behind us called out. "There you are!" A deep voice boomed behind me, shattering the moment, "I'm so sorry, the call took longer than I thought."

A man walked up, tall and broad, exuding confidence. His presence was magnetic but suffocating. He slid an arm around Evelyn's waist with the ease of someone who'd done it a hundred times. Evelyn stiffened and offered him a smile, just barely, but enough for me to notice.

The man saw me looking at her so he extended his hand to me with a firm grip. "Lucas," he said, "And you are?"

"Albert," I replied, evenly shaking his hand.

"Wow! You have a strong grip for a werewolf," Lucas remarked, "Where are you from? You don't look like you're from around here."

"I'm not," I said, keeping my tone neutral. "Just in town for the charity event."

His smile widened, but his eyes sharpened. "Ah, the charity event. That's a week away, isn't it? You came early."

"I like to plan ahead," I said with a shrug.

Evelyn interrupted before Lucas could probe further. "I'm finished here, Lucas," she said, "It's getting late and my mother will be waiting."

Lucas grinned at her, then turned back to me. "Here's my card," he said, pulling a sleek black business card from his pocket. "If you're ever interested in discussing investment opportunities, give me a call."

I took the card without looking at it. "Thanks," I said.

"I'm sorry, Albert," Evelyn said as she finished loading her trolley again, "He will bore you with his investment ideas."

"Ouch! That hurts, Eve," Lucas grinned as he helped Evelyn, "It's a pleasure meeting you, Albert."

Evelyn turned back and muttered a 'sorry' to me. I simply smiled and waved to her.

I watched them head towards the parking lot, feeling a mixture of emotions. A look of concern crossed my face as I waved at her.

After I paid for the things I bought, I thanked the cashier and headed to the parking lot.

I groaned in frustration. I had failed yet again... Just like yesterday.

*****

EVELYN'S POV

As Lucas and I walked toward the parking lot, the mood between us shifted. The warmth we'd shared earlier was now tinged with something colder. He broke the silence.

"Who was that guy you were talking to earlier?" Lucas's voice was calm, but I didn't miss the underlying sharpness.

I sighed, my steps faltering for a second. "Just someone I bumped into at the mall," I said, "I don't even know his last name."

Lucas wasn't buying it. His brow furrowed as he turned to face me. "You don't know him? Because from where I was standing, it looked like you two were pretty chummy."

I forced a laugh, trying to defuse the tension. "Lucas, are you serious?" I said, "He was just making conversation while I was paying for my stuff."

"Making conversation," he echoed, his lips curling into a skeptical smirk. "Is that what we're calling it now?"

I stopped walking and crossed my arms. "Okay, what are you getting at?" I asked, "Are you accusing me of something?"

Lucas stepped closer, his towering frame casting a shadow over me. His gaze was sharp, penetrating. "I'm not accusing you, Eve. I just don't like the idea of some random guy flirting with you while I'm out of sight."

There it was; jealousy, raw and unapologetic. I felt a pang of frustration. "Even if he was flirting, it means nothing. I'm here with you, aren't I?" I quipped, "It's not like anything is going on between us."

His jaw tightened, but my words seemed to soften him. He exhaled slowly, his shoulders relaxing. "You're right. I'm sorry. I overreacted."

I nodded, feeling the tension between us ease slightly. "It's fine. Let's just drop it, okay?"

Lucas reached for my hand, squeezing it gently. "Are we going to my place??"

I hesitated, a flicker of doubt crossing my mind, but I quickly forced a smile. "Of course."

The drive to Lucas's place was brief, but my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.

Albert's piercing gaze kept flashing in my mind, uninvited and persistent. I clenched the steering wheel tighter, willing myself to focus on the road ahead.

At Lucas's apartment, things felt almost normal again.

In no time, we were curled up on the couch watching TV, his arm draped over my shoulders, his laughter warm and familiar.

Suddenly, Lucas leaned in, and our lips met.

At first, I welcomed the distraction. His kisses were firm, and demanding, his hands exploring with practiced ease. But as the moments deepened, my mind betrayed me again.

Albert.

The thought of him burned through me like wildfire. His image was so vivid it was like he was here; those intense eyes, the way he carried himself with quiet confidence. It wasn't Lucas's touch I craved; it was Albert's.

I stiffened as Lucas's hand slid under my blouse, his fingers grazing my skin. My heart raced, but not from passion but from guilt and confusion.

"This is an unexpected encounter," Lucas murmured against my ear, his voice heavy with desire.

It was too much. I pulled back abruptly, my breath coming in short, panicked gasps.

"What's wrong?" Lucas's voice was filled with genuine concern, his brow creased. "Did I hurt you?"

"No," I said quickly, shaking my head. "It's not you. I just… I need to go."

His confusion deepened. "Eve, talk to me. What happened?"

I stood, grabbing my purse in a flurry. "I can't explain it right now," I said, "I just… I have to leave."

Lucas rose to his feet, his hand reaching out to stop me, but I was already halfway to the door. "Evelyn, wait..."

"I'm sorry," I said over my shoulder, my voice breaking.

The cold night air hit me as I stumbled out of Lucas's condo, my chest tight. I climbed into my car and slammed the door shut, gripping the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white.

"What is wrong with me?" I whispered to no one.

The memory of Albert's face flashed before me again, his presence haunting and magnetic.

I shuddered, a mix of anger and longing coursing through me. Lucas was perfect, charming, stable, everything I should want in a partner.

But Albert… I just met him and to me, he was chaos. He was a question I didn't want answered, a risk I wasn't ready to take.

And yet, he was all I could think about.

As I drove away from Lucas's place, my chest tightened with a feeling I couldn't name. The truth I refused to acknowledge was growing louder in my mind. My heart wasn't as sure of itself as I pretended it to be, and the lines between desire, loyalty, and uncertainty were beginning to blur.

For the first time in a long while, I felt like I was losing control.