chapter 27

The atmosphere inside Rowan's study became unbearably heavy.

Neither Rowan nor Frank spoke for several moments.

The name alone was enough to stir memories better left buried.

The Crimson Fang.

An organization that had disappeared decades ago.

Or so everyone believed.

Frank broke the silence first.

"My Alpha... if they've truly returned, then someone powerful is backing them."

Rowan nodded.

"They don't move unless they're paid."

"And they don't kill for money alone."

"They kill to erase bloodlines."

Frank looked toward the closed doors.

"Should we tell the Luna?"

Rowan's eyes hardened.

"No."

"Not yet."

"She has already been through enough."

Frank hesitated.

"She deserves to know she's in danger."

Rowan leaned back in his chair.

"I know."

His voice was quieter now.

"But before I tell her anything..."

"I need answers myself."

Meanwhile...

Elsie had no idea the danger surrounding her had just doubled.

She sat in the palace greenhouse with Rose, admiring the rare flowers Nightcrest gardeners had spent years cultivating.

The greenhouse was unlike anything she'd ever seen.

Moon lilies bloomed beside black orchids, while vines with silver leaves climbed the glass walls.

"It's beautiful," Elsie whispered.

Rose smiled proudly.

"Alpha Rowan had this place restored three years ago."

Elsie looked surprised.

"He likes flowers?"

Rose laughed softly.

"He says flowers remind people that even after the harshest winter..."

"...something beautiful can still bloom."

Elsie's lips curved into a small smile.

That sounded exactly like Rowan.

Strong on the outside.

Gentle where very few people could see.

As she reached to touch one of the white moon lilies...

A sudden sharp pain shot through her chest.

She gasped.

Her hand flew to her heart.

"My Luna!"

Rose immediately rushed to her side.

"Are you alright?"

The pain vanished as suddenly as it had appeared.

"I'm..."

Elsie frowned.

"...I'm fine."

But she wasn't.

Because for the briefest moment...

She had heard something.

A voice.

Faint.

Almost like a whisper carried by the wind.

"Find me..."

Elsie looked around the greenhouse.

There was no one else there.

"Did you hear that?"

Rose blinked.

"Hear what?"

Elsie slowly shook her head.

"Nothing."

Maybe she'd imagined it.

That evening, Rowan finally joined Elsie for dinner.

Unlike the lavish banquets of the previous days, tonight it was just the two of them.

A quiet meal.

No nobles.

No politics.

No interruptions.

"I've missed this," Elsie admitted.

Rowan looked up from his plate.

"So have I."

She smiled.

"I didn't think Alphas admitted things like that."

"They don't."

"Then why are you admitting it?"

"Because you're my wife."

The answer came so naturally that Elsie forgot how to breathe for a second.

She quickly looked down at her food.

"You make saying things like that sound easy."

"It is."

"For you."

A small smile appeared on Rowan's face.

"It wasn't."

She looked at him again.

"What do you mean?"

He set his fork down.

"I've spent most of my life keeping people at a distance."

"My father taught me that emotions make rulers weak."

His gaze drifted toward the window.

"I believed him."

"For a long time."

Elsie listened quietly.

"Then I met you."

She smiled shyly.

"And?"

"You proved him wrong."

Before she could respond, another sharp pain spread through her chest.

This time it was stronger.

Elsie gripped the edge of the table.

"Elsie?"

Rowan was beside her instantly.

"What happened?"

She closed her eyes.

"I don't..."

The whisper returned.

Stronger now.

"Come..."

"Come to me..."

Images flashed through her mind.

A forest.

Silver trees.

An ancient stone altar.

A glowing white wolf.

Then—

Everything disappeared.

Elsie opened her eyes with a gasp.

Rowan was kneeling beside her, one hand supporting her shoulder.

"You scared me."

She blinked.

"I'm sorry."

"What did you see?"

She frowned.

"I don't know."

She slowly described the vision.

The white wolf.

The forest.

The altar.

The whisper.

Rowan's expression changed with every word.

When she finished...

He looked troubled.

Very troubled.

"Rowan?"

He stood.

"We're leaving."

"Now?"

"Yes."

She looked confused.

"It's already dark."

"I know."

He turned toward the door.

"Frank!"

Within seconds the Beta entered.

"My Alpha?"

"Prepare two horses."

Frank frowned.

"Tonight?"

"Immediately."

He looked between Rowan and Elsie.

"What happened?"

Rowan's voice was firm.

"The Moon Shrine has called her."

Frank's eyes widened.

"Already?"

Rowan nodded.

"It shouldn't have happened this soon."

Elsie looked between the two men.

"Will someone please tell me what's happening?"

Rowan walked back to her.

His expression softened.

"I was hoping to wait a little longer."

"But I can't anymore."

He gently took both of her hands.

"The visions aren't random."

"They're real."

She felt her heartbeat quicken.

"What do you mean?"

Rowan looked directly into her eyes.

"The wolf you saw..."

He paused.

"...is yours."

The room fell silent.

Elsie stared at him.

"My wolf is gone."

Rowan slowly shook his head.

"No."

"It never left."

"It's been waiting."

"Waiting for what?"

His silver eyes held hers steadily.

"For you..."

"...to remember who you truly are."

Outside the palace, thunder rolled across the mountains as dark clouds gathered over Nightcrest.

Far away, deep within an ancient forest hidden from the world...

A pair of glowing white eyes slowly opened.

And for the first time in centuries...

The ancient wolf had awakened.