CHAPTER 1 The Vanished Lover

Evelyn's POV

I laid on the bed, with my body still trembling, my breaths rising and dropping quickly as if I'd just run a marathon.

Maybe I had—though it wasn't the kind measured by miles.

My lips formed a smile as I stared at the ceiling, my skin was still feeling every of his touch.

Nathan. No one had ever made me feel the way he did. He was my heartbeat, my first love, the very essence of everything I dreamed about.

Beside me, his arm draped over my waist, pulling me closer as I felt his warm skin on mine.

I moved into him, closer, resting my head on his broad, solid shoulder, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest.

"What's got you smiling like that?" he asked.

He had this deep voice that could turn you on and melt you from inside the minute you hear them. He was just perfect.

"You," I whispered, glancing up at him.

"Me?" he let out a teasing smile. "What about me?"

"Us," I said, my fingers absentmindedly tracing the lines of his chest, he was fucking hairy too. "I'm thinking about how my father would react once he knows."

He was quiet, but his hands were still all over me.

"No one knows about us," I added. "No one except Eliza. She's the only one I trust to cover for me when I sneak out to see you."

"I'll prove myself, Evelyn. I'll make sure I'm worthy of you, of your father's approval. I'll do whatever it takes."

"You're already worthy, Nathan. You're the strongest warrior we have. My father sees that. He knows it too."

But deep down, I knew it wouldn't be that simple. My father had always been unyielding, especially when it came to my future.

My father was one who valued power above all else. As his only heir and next Alpha of the Nightshade pack, I was expected to marry a man of equal standing. A match that would fortify the pack's strength.

Nathan, a warrior–albeit the strength we had, would never meet his expectations.

"Come here love," Nathan murmured, pulling me back into his arms.

I melted into him as he kissed the top of my head and held me tightly.

"I've been thinking……."

Nathan began, but a loud knock on the door cut him off.

My heart jumped out of my body as we both bolted upright as I clutched the bedspread to my check, covering my barr body.

"Quick, Evelyn," Nathan whispered urgently. "Get dressed and go out through the back door."

As I hurriedly stood up with my dress in my hand, the knock came again, harder this time with a roaring voice.

"Nathan!"

"It's Caleb," Nathan muttered, glancing toward the door. "I'm coming!" he called out, slipping on his shirt before turning back to me. "Go, Evelyn. Now."

I nodded. My hands trembled as I slipped on my dress and slipped out through the back door, hiding low.

From my hiding spot, I could hear Caleb's voice as Nathan opened the door.

"What took you so long?" Caleb demanded.

"I… I was….. resting."

"There's no time for that," Caleb barked. "Alpha Sebastian has summoned you. There's a battle, and you're needed immediately."

What was Caleb talking about? Nathan had just returned from one battle, and now he was already being sent to another?

I'd only heard of one upcoming battle, and even then, it was whispered about in hushed tones—dangerous, deadly.

Could this be the same one?

From where I hid, I strained to hear Caleb's urgent voice.

"Just hurry, Nathan. We leave in ten minutes. Alpha Sebastian has given his orders—you're to lead us."

"Okay, okay... Just give me a minute—"

"We don't have time, Nathan!" Caleb interrupted. "We have to hurry!"

There was a pause, and then Nathan relented. "Noted. I'll be there."

The door closed behind Caleb, and the second it did, I stepped out from my hiding spot.

"You're going?"

He turned, startled to see me still there. "You're still here?" He came closer to me. "I told you to leave already Evelyn."

"You haven't answered my question."

He sighed, his shoulders slumping just slightly. "I'm a warrior, Evelyn. This is what I do. Battles are my calling."

"But this one—this one's dangerous," I said, my voice trembling. "I overheard my father talking about it. He said—"

Nathan stepped closer, his hand lifting to cradle my chin, tilting my face to his.

"Maybe this is exactly what I need," he said softly, "to prove myself worthy to your father."

I shook my head, "But I—"

Before I could finish, he silenced me with a kiss. It was a long quiet kiss.

His hands cradled my face like he was holding something precious.

When he pulled back, his forehead rested against mine. "Trust me, Evelyn. I'm the best out there. Your father knows it, your pack knows it. You know it too. I will come back. I always do."

He was right. He always did. But something about this battle just made me super worried.

"I just... I wish you didn't have to go so soon," I whispered.

Nathan's thumb brushed over my cheek. "Don't you trust me?"

"I do," I said, though my voice wavered.

"Don't you believe in me?"

"I do, Nathan," I said again, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"I love you, Evelyn, and I will come back. Trust me."

He kissed me again, this time a soft peck that lingered just enough to leave an ache behind. "You need to go now," he said gently. "Your father's expecting me."

I nodded, my feet unwilling to move even as my mind told me I had to.

We parted then, him heading out to fulfill his duty, and me walking back to where I belong.

The week that followed was the longest of my life. Each day dragged on as I counted the hours, the minutes, until I'd see him again.

I told myself over and over that he'd come back—he always did. And this time, when he returned, I would tell my father everything.

I couldn't wait any longer. No more secrets. No more hiding. No matter the consequences.

But when the week finally came to an end, it wasn't Nathan who walked through the gates.

I was outside when one of the warriors came rushing toward my father, looking pale.

"They're all dead, Alpha Sebastian," he gasped. "Nathan Walker is dead."