chapter 18

Elsie's breath caught in her throat.

The reflection staring back at her wasn't Rose.

It was Rowan.

For several long seconds, neither of them moved.

His large hands still held the silk ribbon loosely between his fingers while the long strands of her hair rested against his palms.

Elsie remained frozen on the stool, unable to bring herself to turn around.

"When did..." she whispered.

"When did you come in?"

"A few moments ago."

His voice was as calm as ever.

"I dismissed the maids."

Only then did Elsie notice the room had become completely silent.

Rose and the other maids had disappeared without her realizing.

Heat immediately rushed to her cheeks.

She was only wearing a thin ivory nightdress that reached just below her knees. It wasn't inappropriate, but it was far less modest than anything she had ever allowed Rowan to see.

She instinctively reached for the robe lying beside her.

Before she could grab it, Rowan gently caught her wrist.

"You don't have to hide."

His words only made her blush harder.

"I wasn't hiding."

"No?"

A teasing smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"You nearly jumped out of your chair."

Elsie quickly pulled her hand away.

"I thought it was Rose."

"I know."

His fingers resumed tying the ribbon neatly around her hair.

To Elsie's surprise...

He was surprisingly good at it.

She frowned slightly.

"You've done this before?"

Rowan met her eyes through the mirror.

"No."

"Then how—"

"I watched."

"You watched?"

"My mother used to braid my younger sister's hair."

The answer surprised her.

"You have a sister?"

"I did."

The smile on Rowan's face disappeared almost instantly.

The room fell silent.

Elsie realized she had unknowingly touched on something painful.

"I'm sorry."

"You don't need to apologize."

His voice remained steady, but something distant flashed through his silver eyes.

For the first time...

Elsie realized Rowan carried wounds of his own.

After tying the ribbon, Rowan stepped back.

"There."

Elsie looked at her reflection.

Her hair had been gathered into a loose braid.

It looked simple, elegant.

Somehow...

Perfect.

"You really have never done this before?"

"No."

She couldn't stop herself from smiling faintly.

"It's better than Rose's."

That earned the smallest smile from Rowan.

It was brief.

But genuine.

A maid knocked softly before entering with dinner.

"My Alpha... My Luna..."

She carefully placed the food on the small table before leaving.

The aroma filled the room.

Only then did Elsie realize how hungry she actually was.

Rowan glanced toward the untouched tray from earlier that day.

"So..."

He folded his arms.

"You do know how to eat."

Elsie looked away.

"I wasn't hungry earlier."

"You skipped breakfast."

She stayed quiet.

"Lunch too."

Still nothing.

"And barely touched your tea."

She blinked.

"How do you know that?"

"I asked."

She slowly turned toward him.

"You... asked?"

Rowan pulled out a chair.

"I wanted to know why my wife suddenly stopped eating."

The word wife echoed strangely inside her chest.

He said it so naturally.

As if there had never been any doubt.

As if she truly belonged here.

"Sit."

She obeyed without arguing.

To her surprise, Rowan sat beside her instead of across from her.

The two of them ate quietly for a while.

The silence wasn't uncomfortable anymore.

It felt...

Peaceful.

Halfway through dinner, Elsie finally gathered enough courage.

"Can I ask you something?"

"You just did."

She rolled her eyes.

"I mean a real question."

"I'm listening."

She hesitated.

Then asked softly,

"Jessica..."

Rowan's hand stopped moving.

"Who is she?"

For several seconds, he simply looked at her.

Instead of answering immediately, he asked,

"Why do you want to know?"

Elsie looked down at her plate.

"I saw her leaving your room last night."

Silence.

"I thought..."

She swallowed.

Then shook her head.

"It doesn't matter."

"It matters if it made you stop eating."

Her fingers tightened around the spoon.

"I heard she was your mistress."

Rowan sighed quietly.

"She wasn't."

Elsie looked up.

"What?"

"Jessica is the daughter of one of my late commander's families."

He continued calmly.

"After her father's death, I allowed her to remain in Nightcrest under my protection."

Elsie frowned.

"Then why was she leaving your room?"

"Because she brought documents for tomorrow's council meeting."

Elsie's expression remained unconvinced.

Rowan raised an eyebrow.

"You think I invited her into my room to warm my bed?"

Her face immediately turned crimson.

"I didn't say that."

"You thought it."

She opened her mouth.

Closed it again.

Because...

She had.

Rowan leaned forward slightly.

"If Jessica were my mistress..."

His silver eyes locked onto hers.

"...why would I spend my evenings here?"

Elsie's heartbeat stumbled.

She had no answer.

Because lately...

He had been coming to see her.

Not Jessica.

Her.

A loud knock interrupted the moment.

Frank entered after receiving permission.

"My Alpha."

Rowan stood immediately.

"What is it?"

"The eastern patrol has returned."

Frank glanced briefly at Elsie before continuing.

"There are reports of rogue movements near the northern border."

Rowan's expression hardened.

"I'll be there shortly."

Frank nodded before leaving.

Rowan looked back at Elsie.

Duty had already replaced the warmth in his eyes.

"I have to go."

Elsie nodded.

"I know."

He took a few steps toward the door.

Then stopped.

Turned around.

Walked back.

Without warning...

He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

It lasted only a second.

"I'll have breakfast with you tomorrow."

Before Elsie could respond...

He was gone.

She remained seated in stunned silence.

Her fingers slowly rose to touch the place where his lips had been.

Then, without realizing it...

She smiled.

A real one.

Outside the room, hidden in the shadows of the corridor...

Jessica watched the closed door.

Her perfectly manicured nails dug into her palms.

The smug confidence she once carried was gone.

Replaced by something far more dangerous.

Jealousy.