ROWAN “Hi,” he says with a shy smile as his eyes move between the three of us. “You are busy, I will come back later,” he adds as he turns to leave.“No!” Rina exclaims as she hips from my table and grabs Lisa. “You can stay, we were leaving anyway.”“Are you sure? I can come back later?”“Nah, we are done here,” she insists as she walks out of the door. For a few seconds, we just stare at each other,neither of us saying a word before he blinks and clears his throat.“I uh… that was a… a good fight. I am impressed,” he comments.“Hmm, same here. I am convinced that you are an Alpha. Which means you have to get your memories as soon as possible.”“Hmm? Why?”“Because you have a pack who might be going out of their mind searching for you. The last thing the Coalition needs is an attack from one of you guys.”“Right, that makes sense,” he says quietly before approaching the desk. “I am actually here to… apologize?”Apologize?“Why? You didn't do anything. Instead, I was the one who… di
VIKTOR “NO!” “No! No! Stay away from me! Don't touch me! Stop!”“Please, please, don't.”“Please, please, please.”The memory keeps replaying in my head as I storm out of the mansion and break it into a run round the perimeter. Terror.That is what I saw in her face.Terror.Rowan, strong, smart, witty, Rowan…Who was it?Who was the bastard that hurt her?Who would dare hurt a wonderful woman like her?Just what sort of spineless, unfortunate coward would hurt her?It can't be anyone from the settlement.From what I have observed and heard, everyone loves her or at the very least respects her.And they are also very protective towards her, so no.It can't be from hereHer pack, then?“Some of us… some of us were made that way. By our packs. By those we trusted. Abused. Tormented. Left for dead. It takes a while for us to begin to trust again, even longer for the trauma to fade.”Who made her that way?So panicked?I want to kill them?Slowly choke the life out of them until they t
ROWAN NB: Conversations between characters and their wolves are made internally.“Now, what do you have for me?”“I gave him the note as you requested,” Alden says as he walks towards me to hand me a disk. “It took a while for him to get what you wanted but he got it.”I take the disk for him before placing it into my laptop. A few clicks later and a series of moving images play before me.Different, unfamiliar wolves can be seen moving around the city in one video, on another we can see two different sets fighting with each other, while a few others watch from the sidelines.“They are not together,” I mutter quietly. “No, they are not.”“This is a mess,” I mutter on a sigh. “What was their aim? Did they come together to attack us and have a falling out? If so, then their packs should not be fighting with each other now. Or did they just meet coincidentally in that field?”“That seems unlikely.”“We need to capture one of them and question them,” I say.“While I can see the reason f
ROWAN“Yes. Yes, I do.”What?Why… what is… why would he tell her that?!Jhenelle, since she had been able to understand that a kid normally has two parents, has been trying to get me shacked up with people she deems acceptable.None of them ever gave in to her whims, but now…She is going to be unbelievable.“Mummy!” she calls in excitement as she catches sight of me and runs towards me. I watch as Louis flashes bright red as he sees me, probably figuring out that I heard him and Lisa has a cheeky smile on her face.Yeah, I am not going to hear the last of it tonight.“Mummy” Jhenelle cries as she crashes into my legs. “Did you hear what Louis said? He likes you mummy!”Sure, scream it out loud. Why don't you?“Did I not ground you today, lady? Why are you not in bed?* I demand “Uh oh,” she whispers as she instantly calms down before flicking her eyes to the people behind her. They don't make a move to help her so she turns to me with a puppy dog face, her lips protruding in a down
ROWAN We stand there for a few seconds, just staring at each other and it gives me a sense of deja vu.Haven't we been in a similar situation before?“Hey,” he says quietly.“Hi. What are you doing here?” I ask, my hand still on the door frame.He is silent for a few seconds, just watching me and making me nervous before he answers.“I can lie and say I came to check up on Jhenelle but I just don't feel like it. I came to see you.”“Me?”“Yes, you.”Oh boy.“Is there a problem?” I ask as I let go of the door and begin walking away, very aware of his body heat at my side.“How are you feeling!” he asks.So we are getting right into that, are we now?I consider playing dumb and asking him why he would ask that but I decide against it.I am feeling way to wra2 to keep up any pretense and besides, my wolf’s words are still ringing in my ears.Coward.Disrespectful.I am neither of those things.So with a steadying breath I plow ahead and answer. “I am better, I think. Sometimes, when I
.ROWAN “Tell me the truth, Rowan. Nothing but the truth. Were you… were you assaulted?”He really hit the nail on the head with that one.“Why? Does it matter now?”“Of course it does! Damn it Rowan,” he says as he gets to his feet. “Just tell me the truth. Will you?!”“yes. Yes I was. Happy now?!” I snap back as I get to my feet. “Is that what you wanted to know? Yes, I was raped!”“Who?”“Louis…”“Who was it?”I stare into his eyes, trying to cow him into giving up, but he doesn't.He meets my glare head on, not wavering, not blinking.Insistent.Daring.Demanding.Any other person, and I would have them thrown out of my office.But I can't seem to do that with him.When did he get under my skin?When did I begin to accept his presence by my side?To crave it?“It was a man from my pack,” I finally answer, giving in as I look away. “And don't even bother asking for a name, I won't tell you. He is dead to me. And I would very much like to move on.”“Is he Jhenelle’s father?” He ask
ROWAN.The kiss at first is just his lips on mine, no pressure, just him letting me get used to his touch.And then, there is the pressure, just a little pressure of his on mine, like he is asking for permission to enter.And I give it.He is slow and gentle, he does not rush me, just gently leading me in a slow dance that leaves me with tingles all over my body.That is, at least, until I pull away.Even as small and simple and… gentle as the kiss was, I am still breathless from it, with my heart racing as if I have just run a marathon.Facing your fears alright.As I try to regain my breath, I see him do the same, his eyes slowly fluttering open, his breath deep with each inhale as he settles his eyes on me.For a few moments, we say nothing to each other.We just stare Into each other's eyes, with our breaths echoing around the room and our hearts beating in an erratic tandem.“How does kissing me cause me to face my fears?” I ask, breaking the silence.“Hm, you didn't scream or p
.ROWAN.“Yes! Yes! Yes!”I laugh at Rina as she runs around my bedroom screaming like a banshee at what I told her.“Oh, this is amazing!” She continues. “Finally! Rowan is going to get laid!”“Rina!” I scream in surprise, while Lisa collapses onto my bed in laughter.“You got that part right,” she says as she catches her breath.“You, shut up. You are not helpful,” I say before turning to Rina. “And will you stop running around and screaming like a banshee? You are giving me a headache and you might also wake up everyone else.”She comes to a halt and sticks her tongue at me before joining us in the bed.“What happened then?” She asks.“Well,” I say before clearing my throat. “We kissed.”“Again?!” She exclaims with a delighted smile “Yes.”“Damn, girl,” Lisa intones. “Three kisses in one hour. Rina might have a point about you getting laid.”“I will hit you,” I tell her deadpan.She raises her hands in mock surrender before mimicking zipping her mouth and throwing away the key.“A
ROWAN“Mummy looks like a princess!”I laugh at the remark as I stand in front of the full-length mirror, fingers trailing over the delicate fabric of my mating dress. The soft white folds cling to my body like a second skin, flowing down in elegant waves to pool around my feet. The intricate gold embroidery along the bodice and hem catches the soft light, making it glimmer like stars across a night sky. The dress is modeled after ancient Greek designs, and yet it feels uniquely mine, as if it were made for this exact moment. Which it was.“You are right,” Lisa tells Jhenells as she adjusts the waist, while Rina’s fussing over my hair, placing small white flowers into the delicate braids. “But a queen instead. You are the princess.”Kaylee stands off to the side, smiling at me like she already knows what I am thinking.“You look... perfect, Rowan,” she says softly, her eyes filled with warmth. “Viktor won’t know what hit him.”I let out a small laugh, a nervous tremble in my chest
DOMINIC The world narrows down to just Viktor and me, as it was always going to be. This fight has been a long time comingHis eyes burn into mine from below, and I snarl down at him from the balcony. All the noise, all the chaos around us fades into nothing. Just him. Just me. My pulse thunders in my ears as I leap from the ledge, muscles coiling, ready to tear him apart.In mid-air, the change rips through me. Bones snap, skin stretches, and fur bursts from my skin. The transformation into my wolf form is savage, overwhelming. And in the space of a heartbeat, I am no longer a man but a beast. I barely register Viktor doing the same, his massive body surging upward to meet mine.We collide like thunder.Teeth flash, claws slash, fur and flesh tear. I drive him to the ground, snarling, biting, desperate to tear out his throat. But he fights back just as viciously, his teeth sinking into my shoulder with a brutal snap. The pain is white-hot, but I don’t feel it. Not really.
DOMINICThe fight surrounds me the moment I step into the clearing, chaos, mouse, bloodshed, everything swallowing up the night. Wolves… mone and outsiders…they are everywhere. It is impossible to tell who is who at first, just teeth, fur, and blood under the slivers of moonlight. They… Viktor and Rowan, they were ready for us. That much I expected, but what I didn’t count on was the sheer number of them.I should have been warned. I should have seen this coming. But no one told me. Not even Calvin.I can see Viktor and Rowan through the mayhem, cutting through my wolves like they knew every move we would make. Like someone had informed them of my protocols When I find who that fucking traitor is, he or she would wish their parents had never met.How the hell did they get so close? I wonder as my pulse quickens with anger, as I push through the bloodied mess to get to them.But then I see the others- Maxwell, Fin, Sven, Kaylee and her weakling husband, Donald. Traitors.Wha
DOMINIC“Let me out! I hate you!”Jhenelle’s voice rings out again, shrill and desperate, making the fragile peace I had hoped for, to be nothing more than a dream Her words slam into me, causing a visceral reaction that surprises even meHer small fists bang against the door, over and over, relentless. Each hit feels like a direct assault on my patience. She doesn’t understand. No.She refuses to understand. I stand just outside the door, my hands pressed against my temples, trying to drown out her cries. But no matter how hard I press, her voice breaks through, each shout like a blade carving away at my restraint. I have given her everything, more than Rowan ever could, more than anyone could. A life free from struggle, safety, power, a future in her rightful place by my side.As the future Alpha of the obsidian pack.What more could she possibly want?Why does she keep rejecting me? Why does she keep fighting me like this?“Jhenelle, stop!” I snap, but my voice is lost bene
ROWAN They say the truth always finds a way to come out.And that is better you let it come from your own mouth than anotherI just hope that is true.Especially now.The tension in the air is so thick, I can almost taste it. This the first time the settlement has been this packed, with wolves from all over have gathered, and it is like the entire place is holding its breath, waiting for an explosion. Their eyes are on me, waiting for answers. You can differentiate my wolves from the others.They are angry, confused, a little scared because of the foreign pack wolves but more than anything, they are restless. Dominic has crossed a line, touched their little wolf and they want blood.The other wolves are just curious about why they have been summoned and are waiting for an explanationIt is Kaylee that first steps forward first, her mate, Donald, right behind her.“What are we doing here, Rowan?” She asks, her voice cutting through the low murmurs of the other wolves. “You have e
ROWAN SLAM!The door to my study bursts open, crashing against the wall with a force that sends a shudder through the room, making me whirl around, heart racing only to see Alden dragging a trembling wolf behind him. A familiar wolf.Martin.One of the deserters.Oh, I knew it!I knew I shouldn't have accepted these scums into the Coalition Martin's face is ashen, his eyes wide with panic, darting around the room like a trapped animal. I stand abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor. "Alden, what is this?" My voice is steady, but there is a hint of rage that I can't hide.Alden says nothing at first, simply steps aside to let two others enter. A young woman and a young man, both wolves from the obsidian pack, step forward. Their faces are tense, their eyes locked on me.Lisa, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, rises to her feet, her eyes narrowing as she takes in the scene. Viktor, standing by the window, moves closer, his presence commanding the room while Rina
ROWANEverything is moving too fast, yet not fast enough. Wolves are running, voices are shouting, and I feel trapped in a slow-motion nightmare, each second dragging on while the urgency inside me screams for action. My heart is racing in my chest, fear gripping every part of me, and I know -I just know- that Jhenelle is no longer here. Dominic… he was here.He must have taken her out of the park.The bastard. "She is not here," I whisper, more to myself than to anyone else. But Viktor, standing close, hears me."Rowan, we are doing everything we can," he says firmly. His voice is calm, but I can see the tension in his eyes. He is scared too. But that fear, it is not enough. It will not bring her back. We have to do something. I have to do something. Sitting here, waiting for others to find her, is not an option. It just will not work."No," I say louder now, my throat tight as I turn to face him. "No, Viktor. You do not understand. She is not in the settlement. He would
DOMINICThe audacity!That fucking bitch!I can't help but seeth as I stand at the edge of the clearing, just beyond the flickering light of the bonfire, cloaked in shadow. The night air is heavy with the scent of pine and smoke, mingled with the sharp tang of burning wood. Wolves are scattered around the fire, their faces lit with joy and warmth. The air hums with celebration, laughter ringing out into the night as if they have nothing to fear.But they should fear me.I watch them, my eyes narrowing on the center of the celebration. There, in the glow of the fire, are Rowan and Victor, laughing together as if they have won. My chest tightens, a bitter taste rising in the back of my throat as I watch how her hair catches the light, gleaming like embers in the dark, her smile that should have been mine is now directed at that bastard, ViktorI clench my fists, nails digging into my palms. Louisa. How dare she get another mate after being rejected by me?How can the fucking goddess
DOMINICA DAY AGOThe crackling of the fireplace is the only sound in my study as I sit behind my desk, fingers drumming against the polished wood. The flickering flames cast long shadows across the room, but they do little to dispel the cold that has settled into my bones. It is taking too fucking long.How hard is it to get such simple Intel.This is what I get when I work with incompetents.My phone buzzes against the desk, bringing me out from my thoughts and I glance at the screen. It is Martin. It is about time.I bring the phone to my ear, answering in a curt manner “Speak,” I say, my voice calm but laced with the authority that makes sure nobody disobeys me.“Alpha,” Martin’s voice is quiet, like he is whispering, and there is an urgency behind it. “There has been a development.”“What is it?”“Alpha- Viktor Thorn is here. He arrived today. And then Ro- Louisa annoyed that there will be a bonfire party. They are holding it tomorrow night. Everyone’s going to be there.”I