Chapter 10

Rowan’s POV

It’s 2:30 p.m., and I’m standing outside the Alpha’s office like a nervous teenager waiting for the principal.

Unfortunately for me, the Elders slapped a strict restriction on my movements. I’m not allowed anywhere near the borders without explicit permission,and, of course, the mall and shopping complexes sit just shy of that invisible line.

My fist hovers near the door, reluctant to knock.

Maybe I should just go back and tell Thessaly I can’t make it. But knowing her, she won’t take no for an answer.

I take a breath, preparing to turn away, when the door swings open abruptly.

Alpha Kael steps out. His dark eyes immediately lock onto mine.

“I’ve felt you standing there for thirty minutes,” he says flatly, his voice a low rumble edged with boredom.

My face heats with embarrassment. “I wanted to speak with you,” I manage to say.

Where’s all that fire I used to throw at the Elders? I can’t even look him in the eye.

“Come in,” he says, stepping aside. It's not a suggestion.

I slip past him and into the room. He shuts the door behind us and moves to his desk, taking his seat like a king on his throne.

It’s the first time I’ve seen him since the follow-up meeting. He doesn’t come to see me, and I don’t seek him out either.

It stings a little,being ignored by the man whose child I’m carrying. I’m giving him an heir, yet he barely acknowledges my existence. Trust isn’t even on the table.

He clears his throat.

“I need permission to go to the shopping complex,” I say, forcing my voice to stay steady.

“Why do you need permission to shop?” he asks, clearly confused.

“Elder Marros made it clear I’m not allowed near the borders. The shopping complex is… unfortunately close.”

He studies me, and I can tell this is news to him.

I always assumed the decision came from him and the Elders jointly. When Perrie delivered the restriction, I wasn’t even mad,I didn’t have business near the border anyway.

“That’s ridiculous,” Kael mutters. “You should be able to go wherever you want.”

I blink. I wasn’t expecting that.

“Don’t ask for permission again,” he adds. “As long as you stay within the pack's territory, you’re free to go wherever.”

I lower my head respectfully. “Thank you, Alpha.”

I turn to leave.

“Rowan.”

His voice stops me. There’s something different in his tone,confused, maybe even gentle?

I turn back slowly, heart thudding.

“How are you?” he asks, uncertain.

I’m thrown off. “I’m… fine, Alpha.”

“And the baby?” he adds, quieter this time.

I hesitate. “Healthy. I had a check-up with Doctor Bradley two days ago.”

He nods, lost in thought, his expression unreadable.

I wait for him to dismiss me.

He finally lifts a hand in a small gesture,permission to go.

Only when I step outside his office does my heart begin to settle.

Later, at the boutique…

“This looks so good on you. Pink is definitely your color,” Thessaly gushes.

I give her a reluctant spin. The pale blush dress flares around my legs like rose petals.

She claps from the couch like an overexcited stylist. “This one is definitely a contender!”

“A contender?” I groan. “We’ve been here for two hours. This has to be the one.”

She gets up, still beaming. “Don’t pout, Row. I just want you to look perfect.”

“This is perfect,” I mumble.

Before I can stop her, she steps behind me and tugs the band from my hair.

Dark waves spill over my shoulders and down my back.

“You’ve got gorgeous hair,” she murmurs, combing through it with her fingers. “Always hiding it in a ponytail. Such a waste.”

Then a sharp voice cuts through the air. One I’d recognize in any room.

“Well, well. Look what the cat dragged in.”

Luna Vivienne.

Thessaly and I turn in unison, bowing slightly. “Luna Vivienne.”

Her laugh is short and bitter.

“I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing you since Chelsea’s birthday,” she says, eyes scanning me from head to toe.

I stay quiet. Thessaly stiffens behind me.

Two wives of high-ranking Betas stand beside her, both eyeing me like I’m something they scraped off their shoe.

“She definitely looks pregnant,” one says,Miranda, Beta Charles’ wife.

“Swollen and puffy,” the other adds.

“I think she always looked that way,” Vivienne chimes in, voice like ice.

She takes a step closer, her gaze sharp enough to cut.

“Congratulations, Rowan. You’ve managed to carry the child of my sterile husband.”

Miranda snorts.

“See you at the festival,” Vivienne says, with a cruel smile. “May the Goddess keep you and your child safe.”

The three of them walk off, whispering and laughing, hips swaying like they’re on a runway.

“Bitch,” Thessaly mutters under her breath.

“Thessaly!” I hiss, turning to her with wide eyes.

“What? Am I wrong?” she snaps, still scowling. “The only reason she’s Luna is because they were betrothed as kids. Kael couldn’t stand her even back then.”

“She’s still our Luna,” I say, though the words taste bitter.

“Whatever,” Thessaly grumbles, flopping onto the couch. She plucks a chartreuse dress from the pile. “Try this. I think it’ll look amazing on you.”

I groan and stomp a foot. “I’m so tired.”

She grins wickedly. “You’ll thank me later.”

I’m not so sure.