Chapter 7

Drake POV

“Don't you dare, Lucas! You... you... arghhh!” Rowan practically screamed into the phone.

“Haha. Four minutes remaining, Rowan.” Lucas's mocking laughter came through the speaker before the call abruptly ended.

Rowan stared at the phone for a second before lowering it. His lips pressed together as he looked at me with those pleading eyes.

“I know you're a big champion, Lord. Can you help me with this?”

I almost laughed.

A few minutes ago he had been threatening Lucas like he could tear the man's head off and now he was looking at me like I was his last hope.

“Why should I help you when you were the one acting all bold a few minutes ago?”

Now was the time to get back at him. Let's see how he begs.

Instead, Rowan rolled his eyes. “Seriously? You're the top hockey star in this country, if not internationally, and you're going to be this stingy and ungrateful?”

My mouth fell open slightly. Was he serious?

His ex was threatening to destroy his family's precious jewelry and he was standing here arguing with me about being stingy?

Moon Goddess, what on earth is wrong with this being?

“You must be joking, right?” I asked. “Your boyfriend just threatened you and you still have time to argue with me?”

“Ex-boyfriend,” he corrected immediately. “Moreover, I know how much of a coward he is. He won't actually do it unless I get there.”

I scoffed. "Tsk. You two suit each other.”

I folded my arms. “Are you going to pay me for the drive there?”

“We can exchange favors. I treated you and you drive me there.”

I stared at him. "I literally employed you, Rowan. That's your job.”

My voice came out louder than I intended.

Something stirred deep inside me.

'What's that smell, Drake?'

'Go back to sleep.'

'But—'

Sleep.

There was silence.

Then I felt the familiar presence retreat with what I could only imagine was a shrug.

I looked up.

Rowan was waving a hand in front of my face. “Yo. You didn't need to bark like that. O ye Alpha.”

I narrowed my eyes. This man really had no survival instinct.

“So what am I getting in return, Roland?” I deliberately butchered his name to see his reaction.

His eyes rolled so hard I thought they might disappear into his skull. He adjusted the strap of his medical bag over his shoulder.

“If you won't help then fine. I just have to go back there and fight for my things. Bye.”

He turned toward the door. One step after another. “I'm going...”

He slowed down. “I'm really going.”

I watched his back. Seriously? Just say you need my help.

Beg a little and offer me something. Anything will do.

Maybe...he

My thoughts abruptly stopped. What the hell?

Was my rut period already here? Why was I even thinking about what Rowan could offer me?

My eyes moved over him before I could stop them. The lean frame and that sketchy narrow waist.

The way his shirt stretched across his back whenever he moved.

I quickly looked away. He had a good figure.

Tsk. What a waste of resources.

I frowned. What kind of thought was that?

Deep inside me, my wolf stirred again.

'Don't even start.'

“Fine. I will help you but you owe me one though.”

Rowan turned around so quickly his medical bag nearly slipped from his shoulder. “Okay. I do.”

I picked up my car keys and walked toward the door. “Are you going to remain standing there?”

“Sorry.”

We soon reached the parking lot. My car was sitting there waiting for me. Rowan took one look at it and stopped dead.

A shriek escaped him. “Is that a Lamborghini Revuelto? Damn! Who owns that shit?”

I slowly turned around and stared at him.

Brother...We were literally going to rescue his precious treasure and this guy was screaming over a car. Did this man have any sense of responsibility?

A few minutes ago he had been ready to fight his supposedly crazy ex over his parents' jewelry. Now he was practically drooling over my brother's car.

“Rowan.” He didn't answer.

He walked closer to the Lamborghini with his eyes fixed on it. “This is insane.”

His fingers hovered over the hood without touching it. “Look at those lines.”

He moved around the car. “That thing is beautiful.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Moon Goddess, give me patience. We're leaving.”

“Wait!” He rushed toward the car again.

I sighed. Maybe I should have left him to deal with Lucas alone.

“Is the car for your father?” he asked. “Your father has high taste.”

I unlocked the car. “That's for my brother.”

“Damn. Family of luxury.” He laughed but the sound didn't last.

His hand slowly lowered until his fingertips touched the car. He stopped moving as his smile disappeared.

His eyes remained fixed on the polished surface beneath his fingers but whatever he was looking at didn't seem to be the car anymore.

The hand touching it trembled slightly. His lips parted as though he wanted to say something.

Nothing came out.

I watched him for a moment. What happened? "Rowan?”

The sadness that had settled over his face vanished almost immediately. "Yeah?”

I stepped closer and pulled him gently away from the car. "You okay?”

“Yeah. I'm fine.” His smile came back. He looked away and adjusted the strap on his shoulder.

“I think we should go.”

I didn't answer.

Something about that smile bothered me. Before I could ask again he was already walking toward the car.

I followed and entered. Just as I was about to start the engine, a familiar voice called from behind. “Drake!”

I looked through the windshield as saw my brother approaching.

I glanced at Rowan. "Stay in the car.”

Before he could say anything I opened the door and stepped out. I walked toward my brother as he stopped beside the car. “Brother?”

“I heard Father hit you again.”

My fingers brushed against my side unconsciously. “Yeah. He gave me some corrections.”

His eyes immediately dropped toward my back. “How is it now?”

“It's fine. The new physiotherapist treated it and the wolfsbane has faded a bit.”

His eyebrows pulled together. “A bit?”

“I can handle it.”

“You always say that.” He reached into his pocket before I could argue and tossed a small bottle toward me.

I caught it.

“Rub that over your back. The wolfsbane should be gone before your next game. I don't want you showing up injured and giving Father another reason to come after you.”

I turned the bottle between my fingers. “Thanks, brother.”

“You're welcome.”

He didn't move and he continued to stare at me.

“What?”

“Are you sure you're alright?”

“I'm fine.”

His eyes narrowed. "You look weak.”

“I just need some rest.”

He glanced past me toward the car. “Where are you going anyway?”

I hesitated. “I'm taking the physiotherapist somewhere.”

His eyebrows rose. “The new one?”

“Yeah.”

“The one Father was talking to?”

I nodded.

A slow grin appeared on his face. “Already getting along with him?”

I scoffed. “Don't start.”

He laughed and raised both hands. “I didn't say anything.”

“I know that look.”

“What look?”

Rolling my eyes, I answered. “The look that says you're about to annoy me.”

His grin widened. “Then maybe I should stop.”

“You should.”

He stepped backward and nodded toward the car. “Go before I change my mind and make you stay.”

I shook my head and turned toward the car. My brother was the only person in this family who could look at me like that without making me feel like I had failed some invisible expectation.

Father's concern always came wrapped in discipline. Everyone else seemed to measure me by what I could accomplish.

But my brother...He simply worried snd somehow that made it harder to admit how badly I needed him.