Chapter 18

Rowan’s POV

Tomorrow, the witch Elvira enters Moonstone Pack.

I’ve tried to distract myself, to push the thought away, bury it under errands and tasks,but it lingers like smoke in my lungs, suffocating and cloying.

Thessaly had suggested a drive through town. Normally, she’d drag me on one of her long walks, but ever since she found out I was carrying twins, she’s been extra cautious.

Twins.

The word still feels foreign. Fragile. Like it doesn't quite belong to me yet.

Inside me are two lives. My children. If it weren't for the dread curling tightly around my spine, I think I’d be blissfully happy.

I decline her offer anyway. I have work to do. Being pregnant with the Alpha’s children hasn’t exempted me from duty. If anything, it’s made my presence more necessary.

Zelma made that abundantly clear when she burst into my room this morning, demanding I assist with arrangements for the witch’s arrival.

Carlos isn’t shadowing me today. Aside from being my ever-watchful guard, he's also the right hand of the Alpha, which means his schedule doesn’t always align with mine. Still, after that swim in the river the other day, there’s something between us now—a sort of… camaraderie?

He’s less frosty around me, and I’m allowed to call him by just his name now. Progress, maybe.

In his absence, he’s lent me another guard. A stranger, thankfully,not Toran or Noah. I’ve had enough of Zelma’s kin for a lifetime.

“You know you don’t have to listen to that old bitch Zelma,” Thessaly mutters from where she lounges on my bed.

“She’s only two years older than me,” I say, twisting my hair into a bun.

“Doesn’t matter,” she says, hugging my pillow to her chest like she always does. “Still an old bitch. Just like my mother.”

I glance at her, curious as always. “You know, one day you’ll have to tell me why you hate your mother so much.”

She groans and buries her face deeper into the pillow. “You’ve met her. Tell me if there’s anything to like.”

I give her a look. She sighs.

“Fine. But only if you promise to come out of that witch’s claws unharmed.”

Her words make my spine stiffen. Still, I manage a small smile. “I promise.”

“And you better bring my nieces out of it unharmed, too.”

I laugh, just like she hoped. “How do you know they’re girls?”

“You can’t have boys,” she announces dramatically. “What if they’re all doom and gloom like their father?”

Another burst of laughter escapes me. “That’s the Alpha you’re speaking of.”

She responds by flipping her middle finger. “Exactly.”

Before I can reply, the door slams open.

“You’re in a good mood,” Zelma announces, striding into the room like she owns it.

The guard at my door is clearly useless. Is he just letting anyone in?

“Zelma,” Thessaly’s tone is acidic.

“Slut,” Zelma bites back.

“Takes one to know one,” Thessaly responds with a sickly sweet smile.

I sigh and raise a hand before they can really go at it.

“Just tell me what I need to do today.”

Zelma glares at Thessaly for a second longer before turning to me. “You’ll accompany Perrie to the market. We need supplies for the witch’s visit.”

“That’s a servant’s job,” Thessaly protests.

“It would be,if the servants weren’t already busy with the tasks the Lunas and I assigned,” Zelma replies smugly.

“Where’s Perrie?” I ask, ignoring the venom between them.

“Downstairs. By the car.”

I nod. “Thess, I’ll be back soon. Stay if you want.”

I know she’ll stay. She always does. She won’t go home until she’s made sure I’ve eaten, hydrated, and have both feet elevated like a proper royal patient.

I leave the glaring contest and head downstairs. Perrie waits in the driver’s seat of the car. I turn to the warrior trailing me.

“You don’t need to follow,” I say.

“I’m supposed to stay with you—”

“No,” I interrupt. “You’re supposed to know where I am.”

I raise my phone. “I’ll text you whenever I move.”

He hesitates. I spot the way his eyes flick upstairs,toward my room where Thessaly currently is, I noticed how he looked at her when she came in earlier today.

“You should stay here. With Thessaly,” I add.

That does it. His face clears. “Let me know if you move.”

“Of course,” I smile.

Carlos and Alpha Kael would kill me if they knew I’d just dismissed my guard.

I climb into the passenger seat, and Perrie drives us away.

The ride is awkward. Tense. We haven’t spoken since that altercation with Zelma in my room. Since then, she’s made sure to always stay out of my way and avoids eye contact like it might burn her.

“So,” I say, glancing at her. “What did you do to Zelma to earn this punishment?”

Surely Zelma knows how awkward Perrie, for her to assign her a job that will make her be with me all day, definitely a punishment.

She chuckles awkwardly. “This isn’t punishment, Row.”

“What is it then?”

She sighs. “I’m sorry. I hate how I’ve treated you.”

I shrug. “You haven’t treated me any differently than most others.”

“That’s not true. Elder Thera’s daughter treats you like a....person.”

“Her name is Thessaly,” I correct gently.

She gulps. I decide not to push. I don’t want to make her uncomfortable.

“I’m sorry if I was harsh,” I add.

She shakes her head. “You weren’t. I’ve missed you, Row. No one does cynicism and nonchalance like you.”

A smile tugs at my lips. “Thank you.”

She laughs for real this time.

Two hours later, I’m seated on a bench with aching feet and arms full of groceries.

“Can’t find fresh bell peppers,” Perrie announces.

“We should just go back,” I say, weariness seeping into my bones.

“The witch specifically asked for them.”

The word ‘witch’ makes my stomach churn. I don’t want to think about her.

“Maybe the supermarket?”

“They won’t be fresh!” she groans.

Before I can respond, a familiar voice speaks behind me.

“Rowan?”

I turn slowly, already knowing.

“Carlos.”

His expression is sharp. “You dismissed your guard?”

I glance at Perrie, who wisely pretends to browse a nearby stall.

“I didn’t dismiss him,” I start, standing. “I suggested—”

“You what?” he steps closer, voice low.

“I’m safe, Carlos. We were at the market.”

“You’re carrying the Alpha’s children, Rowan,” he hisses. “You don’t just wander off with no protection.”

I roll my eyes. “I texted him. He knows my whereabouts.”

“Not the same. If anything happened—”

“Nothing happened,” I cut in.

He breathes hard through his nose.

“Don’t tell Alpha Kael,” I plead, although I don't think he cares much for my safety, he definitely cares about his reputation and the respect people have for him, if I were to get harmed while carrying his children, it's definitely a stain on his reputation.

He pinches the bridge of his nose.

“Fine. But if you do that again, I’ll personally chain myself to you.”

Perrie appears then, a triumphant look on her face and a bag in hand. “Found the bell peppers!”

Carlos sighs. “lets get you in the car. I’m driving.”

Perrie exchanges a wide-eyed look with me but doesn’t argue.

The ride back is surprisingly… light.

Carlos and I actually talk, a bit at least.He tells me about a soldier who fainted during training because he thought a lady he eas attracted to was watching. I tell him about Thess’s strange obsession with lemon tarts.

Perrie is stunned into silence most of the ride, stealing glances at us like we’re aliens.

When we arrive, Carlos helps me carry the bags to the door before marching off to confront the guard I left behind.

He follows me up to my room, face like thunder.

Immediately the guard sees him, he goes wide eyed and looks scared.

“I said stay with her, not with Thessaly,” he barks. “You leave her side again, I’ll make sure you never see the inside of the royal guard again.”

I whisper a "sorry" to the poor guard, but he looks too petrified to care, he definitely hates my guts now.

The warrior stammers apologies.

I smile faintly and head inside my room after saying a brief goodbye to Carlos.

Thessaly’s waiting, of course, perched on my bed with a glass of juice in one hand and a towel in the other.

“Foot massage?” she offers.

I nod gratefully, lowering myself to the bed.

As her fingers press into my aching feet, my eyes drift to the window.

The sun sets slowly, the horizon melting into amber and gold.

Tomorrow, Elvira arrives.

And with her… everything I fear.

The dread creeps back in, slow and certain.

Something is coming.

And I don’t know if I’m ready.