Chapter 17. Regrets

Evelyn’s POV

I remembered that awful day and how he had smiled at her when he announced she was to be his mate. That image played in my mind constantly since the day it happened. Had he rejected her or had she rejected him?

“Nolan refused the elders suggestions to get a new mate so many times, I think he was waiting for you to come back!”

I stared at Cady, stunned into silence. The revelation hit me like a fierce gust of wind, knocking my breath out. The thought that Nolan had remained unmated, clinging to the hope that I might return, ignited a flicker of something profound within—a mixture of hope and confusion.

“What are you talking about?” I finally managed to say, my voice a mere whisper. “He’s been with her… with Naomi.”

“Not anymore,” Cady snapped, her eyes narrowing. “Everyone knows that. It was a mess, Evelyn. Nolan tried to make it work, but Naomi never respected him as the alpha. She was only interested in her status, and when she real