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.I walk out of my room and with a little nervousness, a little excitement I head down the stairs where Louis is waiting.He turns as soon as I begin descending and I see the flare of pleasure and mild surprise at my appearance.“Not what you were expecting?* I ask as I come to stand in front of him.“Hmm, that is not it. I was already half expecting you to change your mind,” he replies.“I promised to give you a chance, didn't I?”“Yes, yes you did,” he answers with a smile. “You look lovely by the way. This must be the first time I have seen you in a color that is not monotone.”“Really? You must not have been looking well enough.”“I don't know about that, from the moment I met you, I have been looking and have not stopped since then.”“Wow, he is good.”“Shh. They will hear you.”I roll my eyes at Rina's and Lisa's failed attempt at whispering.“Please, ignore them. I do,” I tell him.“I don't even know who you are talking about,” he says with a cheeky smile before extending
VIKTOR.NB: CONVERSATIONS WITH WOLVES ARE DONE INTERNALLY.I return to our spot with my hands full only to find Rowan missing.“What the-”Where did she go?Turning, I look around trying to find her in the crowd, no such luck.“She couldn't have gone back to the pack now, could she?” I mutter to myself as I head back to the food truck.“Excuse me,” I call to one of the servers. “Can I have a to go pack for all these?”“Sure thing. Give me a moment.”Less than a minute later, I'm carrying two brown bags, moving through the crowd searching for my mate.Everything was going well, wasn't it?She was smiling, teasing me, we were good.So what could happen that would cause her to leave like that?“Maybe she was spooked?” My wolf supplies.“Spooked? I don't know about that, Rowan doesn't spook that easily,” I tell him.“Well something happened.”“You are very helpful, you know that right?” I tell him sarcastically.“You are very welcome,” he responds in a similar tone.I shove him to the bac
VIKTOR.“Hey, where are you going?”I turn around to see who the voice belongs to and I recognize him as one of the patrol wolves.I am standing at the gates about to walk out when he walks up to me.“Out,” I respond with irritation.I don't mean to be rude.In fact, I applaud his dedication and awareness.But there is a wolf out there that threatens the peace of my mate and my Alpha genes are demanding I tear him apart.My patience to handle any other person is close to snapping.“Do you have permission?”No, I do not.“Yes, from the Guia herself.”“I am going to confirm it.”“Sure. Let her know that I am also going to pick up another batch of fries too.”“Sure, whatever.”I wait as he walks a few feet and dials the number.I don't bother listening to the conversation and it comes as no surprise when he hands me the phone.“For you ““Hello,” I say as I take the phone from him.“What are you doing, you crazy man.”“Nothing,” I reply. “I am just going to pick up more fries. The one we