Chapter two: Ronan must not find out about this

Frustration burned in Ronan's chest as he stormed away from his house, his mother's words still echoing in his mind. He knew she meant well, she always did but it didn't make things any easier. His father shutting him out was nothing new, but this time, it felt different.

Without even realizing it, he found his feet taking him to Rook's place. His best friend's cabin was smaller than the Alpha's home but warm and welcoming, nestled between two towering pines. The moment Ronan knocked, the door swung open.

Rook took one look at his face and sighed. "Let me guess. You went to your dad for answers, and he gave you nothing?"

Ronan scoffed, stepping inside. "Less than nothing. He shut me down before I could even ask a real question. my mom? Just told me to trust him."

Rook motioned for him to sit by the fireplace, where the fire burned cozily. He flopped into the chair across from Ronan and rested his arms on his knees. "Look, I get why you're pissed. But maybe it's one of those things that's better for fewer people to know. If it was something we all needed to hear, don't you think he would've told the whole pack?"

Ronan ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head. "I don't know. Maybe. But that just makes it worse. What could be so bad that even I can't know?"

Rook shrugged. "You're not Alpha yet. Maybe there are things only the Alpha has the right to carry. Maybe it's about protecting you."

"Or maybe he still doesn't think I'm ready to handle real responsibility." Ronan's voice was bitter.

Rook exhaled, shaking his head. "You don't actually believe that now do you Ro’."

Ronan didn't answer right away. He wanted to say no, that he didn't believe it, but deep down, wasn't that exactly what it felt like? Like his father still saw him as a reckless kid who didn't deserve to be trusted with the pack's burdens.

Rook leaned back, watching him carefully. "Look, I know it sucks, but maybe you should just do what he says for now. Focus on training, lay low, and keep your eyes open. Whatever's going on, it'll come out eventually."

Ronan sighed, slumping into the chair. "Yeah. Maybe."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the fire crackling softly between them. Eventually, exhaustion started settling in. He stood, stretching. "I should head back. It's late."

Rook nodded. "Try not to let it eat you up. Thinking about it won't change anything."

Ronan gave a half-hearted chuckle. "Easier said than done."

By midnight, lying in bed staring at the dark ceiling, patience was long gone. Ronan needed answers.

Slipping on a dark hoodie and boots, he dropped quietly out his bedroom window. He stuck to the tree line, dodging the newly doubled border patrols until he reached the back of the Alpha's cabin. The study window was cracked open just enough for hushed voices to drift out.

"...It was addressed directly to me, there wasn’t even signature," his father's voice was low, serious. "Whoever sent it knew exactly what to say."

Jarek's voice followed. "And you're certain it wasn't just a bluff?"

"No. The details were too precise. The moment I saw what was written, I knew it could only come from someone who knows our history."

History?

There was a heavy silence before Rael continued. "We must prepare. If this reaches Ronan..."

Ronan's breath caught in his throat. Him?

He inched closer, straining to hear more, when a heavy hand clamped over his shoulder.

"Didn't take you for the sneaky type," Rook whispered in his ear.

Ronan exhaled sharply, relaxing. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Following you. What the hell are you doing?"

Ronan glanced back at the window, but the voices inside had stopped. He cursed under his breath, backing away before anyone could notice he was there.

Once they were a safe distance away, he crossed his arms. "They're hiding something from me, Rook. And whatever it is, it's about me."

Rook gave him a long look before sighing. "Alright. Then we find out what it is. Together."

***

When he finally got home he fell asleep immediately. But sleep wasn't exactly peaceful.

It started with smoke curling through the air, then....fire. Everywhere. The village was in flames, people shouting, running, total chaos. Ronan sprinted through it all, heart beating, looking for familiar faces. But nothing felt real. The heat was suffocating, and every time he thought he spotted someone, they blurred into the smoke.

And then there were the figures shadowy, cutting through his pack like it was nothing. He tried to fight, tried to help, but his limbs felt heavy, like he was wading through water. His father was there one second and gone the next. His mother, clutching Elara, disappeared into the haze.

Then!

Something behind him.

A faceless figure, massive, looming. He barely had time to react before a blade was coming straight for him

"Ronan!"

His eyes snapped open, breath coming in short gasps. His cabin. No fire. Just the dim light of early morning and huh?

Rook, standing over him,.

"You good?" Rook asked, raising an eyebrow. "Because you were making some weird noises. Sounded like you were fighting a bear in your sleep. Or maybe choking on something."

Ronan groaned, running a hand over his face. "Just a nightmare."

Rook flopped onto the edge of the bed. "That bad, huh? Want me to hold your hand? Kiss away your boo-boo, Sing you a lullaby?"

Ronan shot him a glare, but the corner of his mouth twitched. "I'm fine, idiot. Just... felt real. The pack was burning. Everything was a mess."

Rook's teasing expression faded slightly. "Well, we're not on fire. Yet. So maybe it's just your brain being dramatic."

Ronan let out a breath, nodding. Maybe Rook was right. Just a stupid dream. Nothing to worry about.

Still, as he got out of bed and stretched, shaking off the last remnants of sleep, he couldn't quite shake the uneasy feeling.

Ronan pulled on a shirt, still shaking off the weird feeling from his dream as he and Rook made their way out of the cabin.