8 - Rowan

8 - Rowan

All the adults in the vicinity freeze, eyes glazed over. My wolf whimpers. They are getting a mindlink. I wonder if she can still hear it and isn’t allowed to share; it feels too personal to ask.

Mrs. Gray looks at me curiously, studying my face or reaction or something, then shrugs. “The Alpha had an announcement and is calling everyone to the city square – right now.” Copyright ©️ 2026 Miss L Writes and Ember Mantel Productions

“Huh. I wonder what it could be?” I set the last beaker on the rack and dry my hands with the towel. I’ll have to figure out how to get back to Hazel’s house without being seen. I don’t know the last time they did an ‘all call.’

“Well, you had better come with me to find out, don’t you think?” She gives me a knowing smile and steps closer. Eighteen months my ass. This woman knows way too much about my situation to be that new. 

She links our arms as we follow our line of students out the classroom, down the hall and out of the brand new doors that open and close so smoothly, unlike the screech of the old hinges.

Mrs. Gray talks a mile a minute the entire ten minute walk. She tells me to call her Cheryl and tells me all about her mate, how he got transferred here to help with our growing group of warriors and so many other tangents.

By the time we reach the city, I have completely forgotten that I am the rejected mate of the future Alpha and most people hate me on principle. Right up until I start hearing the familiar gasps followed by rumbling whispers. I do my best to ignore it as I aim to free myself from Cheryl’s grasp, but she is having none of that and frog marches me, protesting in hushed whispers, near the front of the queue.

There are so many people and I want nothing to do with this crowd. I never liked the big gatherings before, but being on Declan’s arm gave me a sense of separation. We were always placed on a podium or platform giving a clear divide of the leadership and the common pack members. This corralling is not pleasant at all.

“Welcome!” The Alpha’s booming voice cuts through the din of conversations. “We have some announcements that are very exciting for the Red River Pack and we can finally share them with you all.” He takes a breath and smooths out his tie. I don’t know if I have ever seen the Alpha nervous before, and I had the opportunity to see him in some more vulnerable moments. “First, we expect a visit from our Lycan King!” He is almost singing. “He plans to tour our pack and wants to meet everyone! He has been told how our pack is growing and improving with the upgrades we have made over the last few years.”

My heart stops. He did not just imply that. I’m lucky Cheryl has my arm, my whole body has started to shake. Before I can think very long on that thought he brings Declan and Carys forward. “Another exciting upgrade has been long awaited and long overdue.” He takes a deep breath and his smile is so wide his eyes almost close. “We are expecting our first heir to the Alpha line!” Several things happen at once. Alpha places his hand on Declan’s shoulder, guiding Declan’s hand to Carys’ stomach. Everyone gasps and cheers erupt all around me. My knees do give out and my vision tunnels. I tilt into Cheryl, nausea washing over me.

She’s pregnant…something I couldn’t do for him the entire time we were mated.

I can see them all still talking, addressing the pack, but I can’t hear a thing. I look sideways at Cheryl, she’s looking between me and Carys, holding me up but presenting me to the future Luna right at the front of the crowd. My shallow breathing isn’t doing a thing for me and I am going to pass out if I can’t get away from here – now, but I can’t move on my own. The blur from my tears is making it hard to see and the world has started to spin.

“...will you move your ass? Give her to me.” I know that voice. The snarky one that used to make sure our parents knew when I was doing something wrong. Hazel. Hazel’s here to help me. When did she get here? Where did she even come from? I don’t remember seeing her at the gathering. I try to say her name, but I can’t make my mouth work. I try again, my whole body feels fuzzy and heavy. Colors and shapes move through my vision.

“Rowan…ROWAN! Look at me.” My sister shouts my name so hard I flinch.

Blinking again, I focus on her voice, her face, all the features she got from our mother that I love. 

“Hazel.” I whimper. “Hazel, Why is this happening to me? Why now? They could have made that announcement at any time. I’ve stayed away for so long. Why can’t they let me go.” I sob and break down completely, melting into my sister’s lap. Copyright ©️ 2026 Miss L Writes and Ember Mantel Productions

I don’t know how long she lets me cry, but I let everything out. The failure as a mate, the failure as a Luna, not being good enough for the Goddess to give us a child, which has to be the reason I was rejected. I wasn’t meant to give Declan an heir.

At some point the crying stops and I must fall asleep. The next thing I know I smell coffee. I peel my eyes open. They feel like I have a pound of sand in them.

“What happened?” I croak through my sandpaper throat.

“Things are happening, and they aren’t good.” Hazel sits on the coffee table in front of me.