<h4>Chapter 512: Summoned By Alpha Grey (III)</h4>


    <strong>Evaline:</strong>


    I waited.


    Patiently at first.


    Then... less patiently.


    Then with the kind of silent desperation of someone internally shaking a man by the shoulders and saying, <i>Please speak before my heart escapes my ribcage and runs away.</i>


    But Alpha Elion Grey seemed perfectly content sipping his tea as though the world moved at his pace alone. The silence stretched, and stretched, and stretched...


    Until, finally, I lifted one brow.


    Just slightly.


    A small, polite questionyered neatly behind an expression that said - <i>If you don’t speak, I might cry from anxiety.</i>


    He noticed.


    And a faint smile curved on his lip... subtle but undeniably amused.


    "My apologies," he said atst, setting his cup down gently. "I was gathering my thoughts."


    I didn’t interrupt. My fingers tightened around my tea instead.


    He inhaled softly, his gaze steady and earnest.


    "I looked through your internship reports," he began, "as well as your academic performance during your first year at Silver Moon Academy."


    My heart skipped.


    He had... researched me? That was unexpected.


    "And," he continued, "I have observed your work over the past month here in the archives."


    A breath hitched in my throat.


    Observed? When? How had I not noticed?


    "I am very impressed, Miss Evaline," he finished simply. "Extremely."


    I blinked. "Thank you... Alpha."


    He nodded, but didn’t pause.


    "And because your work here ends in three days, I have a new offer for you."


    I waited.


    He looked at me with that calmposure only people both powerful and confident possess.


    "I want you," he said, "as my assistant."


    ...


    My brain stopped working.


    Just stopped.


    A soft buzzing filled my ears as if someone had pressed mute on the world. I stared at him, sure my face betrayed every drop of shock flooding me.


    His assistant?


    I snapped myself out of the daze, straightening my spine as I scrambled to collect whatever dignity I had left. I cleared my throat softly.


    "T-thank you," I said, praying my voice didn’t crack. "It means a lot that you would consider me capable enough for such a position."


    He inclined his head again, his expression unreadable.


    "But... I’ll have to decline," I added quickly... politely, firmly.


    Not rudely. He didn’t deserve that.


    There was a moment of silence.


    Not awkward.


    Just... quiet.


    Then he leaned back slightly, the perfect picture of unruffled grace.


    "May I know why?"


    His tone wasn’t sharp or demanding. Simply curious.


    I sped my hands together in myp. "I’m starting my new semester in four days. I won’t have the time to work properly."


    To my surprise, he didn’t look remotely discouraged.


    Instead, he nodded slowly, as though he expected exactly that answer.


    "You would only need to work Saturdays," he replied, "and half of Sundays. The remaining half of Sunday would be yours."


    My chest tightened.


    That was... extremely considerate.


    He didn’t stop.


    "There may be rare asions... very rare... when I might need you to apany me on a weekday or an evening." His voice remained steady. "But in such cases, I would personally speak to the Academy and ensure you are granted leave."


    My mouth parted slightly.


    He continued, unhurried.


    "You will also receive a full month of paid leave during your exam periods."


    At this point, I was just staring at him.


    The more he spoke, the more shocked I became. It almost felt like he was designing the job around my life, my needs, my schedule.


    Tailored.


    Perfectly.


    Too perfectly.


    I shook my head quickly, finding my voice again.


    "Alpha, I really appreciate how flexible you are trying to make this... but I have to decline." I forced a small smile. "I don’t want anything interfering with my studies."


    For the second time, he didn’t look disappointed.


    Or frustrated.


    Just thoughtful.


    And persistent.


    "Your second year will not be as demanding as your first," he said calmly. "I say this from personal experience. As you might know I graduated from Silver Moon myself."


    Of course he had. And that too with honors.


    He folded his hands loosely, hisposure impable.


    "You managed an internship during your first year. As Alpha River Thorne’s assistant, no less." His voice held the faintest touch of amusement. "You fulfilled those responsibilities well."


    "Barely," I muttered under my breath before I could stop myself.


    His lips twitched, but he didn’tment.


    "My offer," he continued, "is far more flexible than the position you held before. And you handled that well enough to impress even one of the strictest Alphas in the region."


    Okay. He had a point.


    But still-


    "I’m sorry," I said gently, "but I can’t ept."


    His gaze didn’t waver.


    And then...


    He revealed the sry.


    And the bonus.


    My heart almost fell off its axis.


    My mouth went dry. The numbers echoed in my head like someone ringing a bell inside my skull. I swallowed hard, trying not to show how tempted I suddenly felt.


    It wasn’t that I needed the money. Not now. I had four mates more than capable of providing for me and my son.


    But that wasn’t the point.


    The first day I took the internship nearly a year ago, I made a promise to myself - to always have my own independence. My own money. My own stability.


    Life had taught me the cost of depending on others.


    And even though River, Draven, Oscar, and Kieran would never let me fall, the instinct to stand on my own two feet was carved into my bones.


    So I forced myself to breathe.


    And then...


    "I’m truly grateful," I whispered, "but I still can’t ept."


    A quiet pause followed.


    I expected disappointment this time.


    Maybe irritation.


    Maybe a sigh.


    Instead, Alpha Grey set his cup down again, his blue eyes lifting to meet mine with startling rity.


    "What’s the real reason?" he asked softly.


    I blinked.


    "Real... reason?"


    He nodded, leaning forward slightly - not invading my space, but focusing with the intensity of someone who could see straight through lies without effort.


    "You are not declining because of your studies."


    My breath caught.


    "You have already proven you can handle academic pressure alongside work. You are organized, dedicated, and capable." His voice remained calm. Gentle. "So there is another reason. And I believe I deserve to hear it."


    My pulse hammered.


    "Miss Evaline," he said quietly, "what is the actual reason you won’t ept my offer?"


    The room fell utterly silent.


    And I...


    I didn’t know how to answer.


    What was I supposed to say - <i>Sorry, I can’t ept the offer because River won’t be happy?</i>