Chapter 3

Evelyn POV

A soft chuckle interrupted us.

Nathaniel had appeared at the training field entrance, I hadn't even noticed.

He walked slowly toward us, still in his expensive suit, but the warmth from this morning was gone from his face.

His expression was grim, his gaze fixed on Jonathan.

It was the first time I'd seen such unconcealed jealousy and possessiveness in his eyes.

I was puzzled.

His true bond was with Isabella, so why bother pretending to care in front of me?

"Aren't you going to introduce us?" Nathaniel walked over and stood beside me, subtly shifting his body to stand between me and Jonathan.

"This is my senior, Jonathan, the chief instructor at the Werewolf Academy," I introduced. Then, I gestured to Nathaniel, my voice flat, "And this is my mate, Alpha Nathaniel Lawson of the Silver Crest Pack."

The two men shook hands, their expressions outwardly normal.

But I saw the distinct red marks left on the back of their hands when they released their grip.

"So, Instructor Reed, it's an honor," Nathaniel said with a tight-lipped smile. "I never realized my Luna and Instructor Reed were such good friends, making a special visit to her alma mater."

"Alpha Lawson, you're too kind. Evelyn is a once-in-a-century talent at our academy. We are friends," Jonathan replied, neither servile nor arrogant, his gaze open and direct.

"Jonathan, I should go now. I'll contact you later." The atmosphere felt off, so I proactively bid Jonathan farewell.

Nathaniel and I walked side by side, not looking back. I didn't want to cause him trouble, so I didn't see the look of disappointment and concern in Jonathan's eyes as he turned away.

As we walked out of the training field, Nathaniel's figure was bathed in sunlight, yet the coldness emanating from him hadn't dissipated.

"What are you doing here?" Nathaniel demanded coldly.

"Just came back to the academy to look around," I replied dismissively, then countered, "What about you? Was your urgent meeting held at the Werewolf Academy?"

Nathaniel didn't answer, his face growing even darker.

Reaching the parking lot, I instinctively headed for the passenger seat.

Nathaniel pressed the unlock button, and I was about to open the car door—

The window slowly lowered, revealing a delicate and striking face.

It was Isabella.

She was sitting in the passenger seat of that very car.

My hand froze on the door handle.

"Just met a friend, catching up on old times," Nathaniel said, his expression unchanged.

My gaze fell on the paper bag in his hand. It was from a famous red velvet cake shop behind the academy.

I remembered, Isabella loved that cake.

His so-called urgent meeting, it turned out, was a four-hour drive to revisit old haunts with his ex-girlfriend and reminisce about their college romance.

Isabella, from the passenger seat, greeted me familiarly, her tone intimate, yet her posture subtly superior. "Evelyn, what a coincidence, are you here to visit the academy too?"

She showed no intention of moving, instead watching me with an amused expression, a hint of undetectable challenge in her eyes.

I silently withdrew my hand, opened the back door, and got in.

Throughout the drive, Isabella chattered and laughed with Nathaniel as if I weren't there, reminiscing about their college days. She even took a piece of cake from the bag and offered it to Nathaniel's mouth.

"Ah—" she cooed sweetly.

Nathaniel instinctively opened his mouth and took a bite.

"Oops, you bit my hand," Isabella feigned annoyance, pulling her hand back, but her eyes were full of flirtatious charm.

Nathaniel glanced in the rearview mirror, seeing my expressionless face in the back seat.

I sat quietly leaning against the window, my gaze fixed on the rapidly receding street outside, my thoughts miles away.

I was even wondering which direction the first training session after my return should be set.

My lack of reaction frustrated Isabella's provocation, leaving her to grudgingly give up.

She said to Nathaniel, with thinly veiled sarcasm, "Your mate has such a good temperament, so sensible."

Nathaniel let out a soft chuckle, but his grip on the steering wheel tightened.

"She's very obedient."