Rowan's povI wasn’t expecting to enjoy Whitefang’s early mornings.The air was crisp, clean, and smelled faintly of pine and something sweeter,maybe cinnamon rolls from the kitchens. The courtyard was alive with movement, young warriors running drills, their laughter and grunts of effort echoing through the trees that ringed the grounds like silent sentries. The sun had just crested over the mountains, casting golden light that sparkled off the dew-soaked grass.And there I was,completely out of place in leggings and a borrowed armour, clutching a wooden practice sword like it might turn into a snake.“You’ll be fine,” Thessaly said beside me, stretching like a cat. “They’re harmless. Mostly.”“Mostly?”She grinned. “Don’t let Aida pair you with Marcus. He has no concept of ‘light sparring.’”Great. Now I was nervous and underdressed.I wasn’t a stranger to combat. I knew how to protect myself, how to wield a blade when necessary,but my training was survival-based, quick, dirty, inst
The menace dropped into the chair between Alpha Marius and I, flashing that same infuriating smirk as if the world existed solely for his amusement. His curls were slightly tousled, his sleeves rolled up like he had something better to do than attend dinner. Maybe he did. Like ruin my day, for instance.Thessaly caught my attention “Rowan,” she said with a little grin, “I want you to meet my favorite cousin,well, don’t tell the others. This is Cassian.”Cassian.Ugh. Of course his name would be superficial.He turned to me with faux innocence, hand extended. “Cassian Marius Jagger, at your service. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Rowan.”I narrowed my eyes. Pleasure to meet me? Was he seriously going to pretend the café incident never happened?I took his hand stiffly, ignoring the spark that jumped up my wrist at the contact. “Pleasure,” I said flatly.Thessaly blinked between us, clearly sensing the chill in the air, but Cassian just chuckled under his breath and turned back to his
Rowan's povWhitefang Pack looked…happy?It was hard to put into words. There was a lightness to the air, a vibrance I hadn’t felt in a long time. Laughter drifted like music from somewhere beyond the trees. Children raced across grassy fields, their footsteps thudding over mossy earth. Warm lanterns flickered outside cozy cottages built into the hillside, their windows glowing like hearth-lit eyes. If I didn’t know better, I’d say the pack was thriving. Unburdened.It didn’t feel like any pack I’d visited before.Thessaly leaned forward in her seat, practically vibrating with energy as the car rolled to a stop at the edge of the main clearing. The pack house stood tall at the top of the hill, its stone walls softened with ivy and wildflowers, like nature had claimed ,but gently.As soon as the door opened, a broad-shouldered man walked toward us with an easy, loping gait. His dark curls were streaked with silver at the temples, and he wore a light linen shirt with the sleeves rolled
Rowan's POVThe bathroom door clicks shut, and I exhale,slowly, carefully. My heart is racing like I just ran laps around the training grounds.Alpha Kael is shirtless.It shouldn't matter. It shouldn't still matter, not after everything we've been through, not after the blood rituals and accusations.I take my towel off my hair, trying not to glance at the bed,our bed. The single, narrow mattress suddenly feels like the most scandalous thing in the world. I busy myself by folding the towel, setting it aside with more care than necessary, then crawl into bed and pull the thin blanket over my legs. The sheets are cool against my skin.The bathroom door opens again.I look away.He's in sweatpants now, thank the moon. He walks to the other side of the bed without saying a word, turns off the overhead light, and slips in beside me.The silence between us isn't awkward. It's charged.I can feel the warmth of his body, not quite touching mine but close enough that one shift, one breath, wo
Rowan’s POVNight fell fast, like a curtain pulled over the world. The forest outside the car window was swallowed by shadows, and soon, Thessaly's breathing slowed beside me,her head resting on my shoulder, soft and warm. She had dozed off effortlessly, her hand curled between us like a child seeking comfort. I envied her for that. Sleep came easily to her, even in unfamiliar places.Carlos and the Alpha had been quiet for hours now, their low murmurs having long since faded into a comfortable silence. They weren’t the kind to talk unless there was something that needed saying. I could appreciate that.But I was wide awake.I hadn’t slept properly in weeks,maybe longer. Nights were the worst, my body aching for rest but my mind refusing to quiet. And sleeping upright? Forget it. I’d been this way since childhood. Something about the posture made me feel caged. Like I was bracing for impact."You should try to sleep, Rowan," Carlos said suddenly from the front. His voice was calm, but
Rowan's povThessaly had the bright idea to send our luggage ahead and make the journey in wolf form.The Alpha shut that down immediately.“It’s too risky,” he’d said. And he was right,especially for me.I haven’t shifted since learning I’m carrying twins. Changing while pregnant is dangerous enough. Changing while carrying two lives? No.The sky was still dark when we set off, the dew on the flowers and grasses still remained.Carlos said it was so we could arrive earlier. I know better—,t’s so no one sees the Alpha leaving with me.The Alpha took the driver’s seat. Carlos claimed shotgun. Thessaly and I happily settled into the back.About an hour in, Thessaly leaned toward me with a mischievous glint in her eye.“Perhaps we play a road game?” she whispered conspiratorially.“Perhaps not,” I replied, loud enough for the entire vehicle to hear, why whisper? They would hear it anyway.She pouted dramatically. “I sometimes wonder why I brought you along. You’re the biggest Derby down