chapter 22

The letter remained in Rowan's hand long after Frank had left.

His silver eyes lingered on the elegant handwriting beneath Edward Blackwood's signature.

Edward rarely acted without purpose.

If he had decided to travel all the way to Nightcrest, then whatever brought him here was important.

Or dangerous.

Rowan folded the letter carefully and placed it inside his desk drawer.

His gaze drifted toward the palace gardens below.

Elsie was still there.

She was sitting beneath one of the silver willow trees with Rose, laughing quietly at something the maid had said.

It wasn't a loud laugh.

But it was genuine.

The sight softened his expression.

For weeks, she had looked as though the weight of the world rested on her shoulders.

Now...

Little by little...

She was smiling again.

He had no intention of letting anyone take that away from her.

Not even Edward.

The following morning, Elsie woke to the sound of birds singing outside her balcony.

Nightcrest mornings had become one of her favorite things.

The cool mountain breeze carried the scent of pine and wildflowers, while the silver trees shimmered beautifully beneath the rising sun.

She opened the balcony doors and breathed deeply.

Somehow...

This place was beginning to feel less foreign.

A gentle knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in."

Rose entered carrying breakfast.

"Good morning, my Luna."

"Good morning, Rose."

As Rose arranged the table, Elsie noticed she seemed unusually excited.

"What happened?"

Rose smiled brightly.

"The palace has been lively since dawn."

"Why?"

"The annual Moon Market begins today."

Elsie tilted her head.

"The Moon Market?"

Rose nodded enthusiastically.

"It only happens once every year. Traders from neighboring packs come to Nightcrest to sell rare fabrics, jewelry, medicines, books, and all kinds of interesting things."

Elsie's eyes brightened.

"It sounds wonderful."

"It is."

Rose hesitated before adding,

"The Alpha usually attends during the opening ceremony."

An hour later...

The palace courtyard buzzed with activity.

Servants hurried in every direction while warriors tightened security around the gates.

Rowan stood near the entrance speaking with Frank.

"Double the guards."

"Especially around the market."

Frank nodded.

"Because of yesterday's assassination attempt?"

"And because Edward arrives tomorrow."

Frank's face darkened.

"I still don't trust his intentions."

"Neither do I."

Before Rowan could say anything else, he sensed someone approaching.

He turned.

Elsie.

She descended the palace steps in a pale blue gown that matched the clear morning sky.

Her hair was loosely braided, with tiny silver flowers woven into it.

For a brief moment...

Rowan forgot what he had been discussing.

Frank noticed.

A faint smile tugged at his lips.

"My Alpha..."

Rowan blinked.

Frank was trying very hard not to laugh.

"You were saying?"

Rowan cleared his throat.

"Nothing."

Frank wisely hid his amusement.

Elsie reached them a moment later.

"Good morning."

"Good morning," Rowan replied.

Rose spoke before anyone else could.

"My Luna has never seen the Moon Market."

Rowan looked toward Elsie.

"Would you like to?"

She smiled.

"If you're not too busy."

"I'll make time."

Frank suddenly found the sky very interesting.

His Alpha...

Making time?

That was new.

The streets of Nightcrest were more crowded than Elsie had ever seen.

Children ran between market stalls laughing.

Musicians filled the air with cheerful melodies.

The scent of roasted meat, sweet pastries, and fresh flowers mixed together beautifully.

Unlike Bloom Pack, Nightcrest wasn't gloomy at all.

Its people smiled.

Laughed.

Talked loudly.

Many greeted Rowan respectfully as he walked beside Elsie.

"My Alpha."

"My Luna."

Elsie couldn't help smiling.

"They like you."

Rowan raised an eyebrow.

"I certainly hope so."

"No..."

She laughed softly.

"I mean genuinely."

"They don't seem afraid."

"They respect me."

"There's a difference."

She nodded thoughtfully.

"I think I'm beginning to understand."

As they continued walking, Rowan noticed Elsie slowing down in front of a small jewelry stall.

Her eyes lingered on a delicate silver bracelet decorated with tiny moonstones.

"It's beautiful," she whispered.

The elderly merchant smiled.

"It suits the Luna perfectly."

Elsie admired it for another moment before reluctantly stepping away.

"We should keep going."

She never noticed Rowan quietly stopping behind her.

"Wrap it."

The merchant smiled knowingly.

"Of course, my Alpha."

Several stalls later...

Elsie suddenly felt something cool around her wrist.

She looked down.

The moonstone bracelet.

She turned in surprise.

"Rowan..."

"It looked better on you than on the table."

"You didn't have to buy it."

"I know."

She stared at the bracelet.

It was one of the nicest gifts anyone had ever given her.

Not because it was expensive.

Because he had noticed.

"You keep noticing things," she murmured.

"I always will."

Their eyes met.

For a brief moment...

The noisy market disappeared around them.

Unfortunately...

Someone else had been watching.

Jessica stood beneath a nearby awning, hidden from view.

She watched Rowan fasten the bracelet around Elsie's wrist.

Watched the smile on Elsie's face.

Watched the tenderness in Rowan's eyes.

Her stomach twisted.

"So it's true..."

she whispered bitterly.

"He's fallen for her."

Her nails dug into her palms.

"If she disappears..."

She smiled to herself.

"...perhaps everything can return to the way it was."

Late that afternoon...

A palace guard rushed toward Frank.

"My Beta!"

"What is it?"

"The Bloom Pack delegation has crossed the northern bridge."

Frank's expression hardened.

"So soon?"

"They'll reach the palace before sunset."

Frank immediately went looking for Rowan.

He found him walking beside Elsie toward the palace gates.

"My Alpha."

Rowan already knew something was wrong.

"They're here."

"Edward?"

Frank nodded.

"He arrived a day earlier than expected."

Rowan's expression became unreadable.

Beside him, Elsie's smile slowly disappeared.

Her heart tightened.

She hadn't expected to see Edward again so soon.

She wasn't sure she was ready.

Rowan noticed the change immediately.

Without saying a word...

He gently took her hand.

His fingers intertwined with hers naturally.

Comfortingly.

"You won't face him alone," he said quietly.

Elsie looked up at him.

Then gave a small nod.

Together...

They turned toward the palace entrance.

Just as a familiar carriage rolled through Nightcrest's massive gates.