Chapter 4

Rowan

The map on the table was riddled with red x’s. Rowan could feel they were close. He was drawn to that portion of the map. Were it not for the fact that he was immune to magic rowan would have thought a spell or something was forcing him to look in that section of the woods.

“Stare any harder and the map will catch fire.” Lucas laughed as he walked into the room. Rowan growled at his beta. He was in no mood for jokes.

“If the next words out of your mouth aren’t ‘the scout has returned’ you’ll be the only thing catching fire.”  Lucas sighed as he walked over to Rowan and clapped his hands on his shoulders.

“Come on Rowan. You’re my best friend. My alpha. It’s killing me to see you this way.” Rowan’s wolf lurched towards the surface at his words. He grits his teeth at the force of his sudden outburst. Lucas didn’t deserve Eris’ wrath. He was only trying to help. Despite his intentions, he hit a sore spot for the two of them.

“What exactly am I the alpha of?” He asked.

“Come on Row don’t do this.” Lucas dropped into a chair beside Rowan. His forehead creased with concern. Rowan’s eyes never left the map. He sent ten scouts out and all but one had reported back. It had to be the right place. He’d bet his life on it.

“Don’t do what? Speak the truth? An alpha bows to no one. Thanks to my father, these witches can bring me to my knees with just a few simple words.” Thinking about his father left him hurt and confused making Eris rage further. His form shivered as he almost lost control.

“And you’re sure what you’re sensing is the answer to our problems?” Lucas leaned in closer to the map. It was clear he didn’t feel whatever pull Rowan felt. It made him feel better that Lucas didn’t treat him like he was losing his mind.

“No. Not exactly.” He rubbed his hands across his face.

“What if you’re feeling something else.” Rowan cut his eyes at him.

“Like what?” Lucas shrugged his shoulders.

“Like the mate bond.” Rowan groaned. Not this again.

“You know that’s impossible. The mate bond is magic.” The number of times the mate bond got brought up to him was driving him crazy. “Besides. You know what would happen if I did somehow have a mate.” They both stared down not wanting to say it out loud. Rowan had been mourning the mate he’d never have ever since his mother told him the truth of what happened to their pack. Thinking about it made Eris howl inside his head. It couldn’t be helped at the moment. All he could do was focus on helping his pack.

“No, this has to do with the witches. I’m sure of it. My gut tells me this is what they’re looking for. It can’t be a coincidence they start getting worked up over this full moon.” He reached down and pulled out another map. It had a bunch of scribbles that glowed softly. Being immune to magic had its advantages. He could see things that the witches tried to hide.

“What am I looking at here, Row?” A smirk pulled at the corners of his mouth as Lucas turned the new map every which way, unable to understand what he was looking at. Rowan took it from him and laid it out the correct way.

“Star chart. I stole it from the witches. It’s for this weekend.” Lucas rubbed his chin.

“This weekend? Full moon, isn’t it?” Rowan nodded, he was finally catching on.

“This one is different. Eris is going crazy over it.” For that matter, everyone seemed restless. There were a lot more fights breaking out. Everyone was on edge for no particular reason. Rowan froze when he felt Lucas’ eyes on him. He sighed, afraid to ask.

“What is it, Luke?” Meeting his eyes Rowan knew immediately he was right to be afraid. A wide smile stretched across Lucas’ tanned face.

“What if there were a way for you to find out what’s going on?” Rowan narrowed his eyes at his best friend. It sounded too good to be true.

“I’m listening.” He crossed his muscular arms over his chest. Lucas nodded toward a window and Rowan followed his gaze. In the park just across the street, they had a perfect view of a group of witches meditating. Looking close Rowan saw what Lucas meant. Lena was leading the group. He couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

“No. No. Absolutely not.” He shook his head. Lena had been throwing herself at him for years. Rowan was pretty sure she even tried dosing him with a love potion a few times. All she managed to do was give him an upset stomach. He couldn’t tell if she genuinely had feelings for him or if she was being put up to it by her high priestess. Him being immune to magic was a source of tension for them. The witches were desperate to find a better way to control him. That was the problem with witches. You couldn’t trust any of them. They always seemed to have an ulterior motive. On some level, he hoped he did have a witch as a mate. He wouldn’t mind if a witch died to fulfill the curse. Eris growled at the thought.

“Do not wish death on our mate.” Growled Eris.

“We don’t have one.” Rowan snapped back making Eris growl louder, his claws slipping out before rowan could regain control. “You’re right. My bad. I shouldn’t have thought that.” His apology seemed to placate his wolf enough for the moment. Rowan sighed.

“Come on man. Take one for the team.” Lucas laughed and punched.

“One for the team. Right.” Rowan growled and headed for the door.  That witch would be lucky if he didn’t kill her. He stalked out of the packhorse eying his prey. Lucas’ laughter Cleary audible from the open window behind him. He was going to get it when Rowan got back. The meditation was wrapping up by the time he got over there. Lena made eye contact with him, her eyes going wide at his approach. She shooed the last few people away and fixed a big smile on her face. Rowan walked straight up to her. She stepped back slowly until her back hit a tree. Rowan leaned against the tree resting his arm next to her head.

“Hey, Lena.”