chapter fifteen

Elsie slipped past her parents just as they were about to enter Rowan’s room.

Her face still burned from the kiss, her thoughts tangled and unsteady as she walked quickly down the corridor without looking back.

But even as she left, she could still feel him.

The warmth of his hand against her skin.

The way he looked at her like she was something worth wanting.

Something worth choosing.

And somehow, that terrified her more than anything else.

Inside the room, Rowan remained standing near the window as Elsie’s parents entered.

The Beta’s expression was tense.

His wife looked equally unsettled.

For a moment, silence lingered heavily between them.

Then Elsie’s father finally spoke.

“You cannot seriously intend to go through with this marriage.”

Rowan’s silver eyes shifted toward him slowly.

"Goddess forbid i look like one to make jokes" chuckled while saying

“I don’t make jokes about marriage.”

The answer was calm.

Too calm.

It only deepened the tension in the room.

Mrs. Whitmore stepped forward before her husband could respond.

“With all due respect, Alpha Rowan,” she said carefully, “Elsie is vulnerable right now. She has been through far too much emotionally, and agreeing to marry you after everything that happened—”

“She agreed because she wanted to,” Rowan interrupted smoothly.

“That doesn’t mean this is right,” her father replied sharply.

Rowan’s expression remained unreadable.

“You believe I’m unsuitable for your daughter.”

It wasn’t a question.

Mrs. Whitmore hesitated briefly before speaking honestly.

“Yes.”

Silence followed.

Then Rowan gave a faint nod, almost thoughtful.

“At least you’re honest.”

The Beta frowned.

“You are feared for a reason, Alpha Rowan,” he said. “Your pack is known for violence. Ruthlessness. Wolves disappear in Nightcrest territory and are never seen again.”

Rowan’s gaze hardened slightly at that.

“And yet,” he said calmly, “your daughter agreed to leave with me anyway.”

Neither of them answered.

Because that was the part they couldn’t understand.

Rowan took a slow step forward.

“I have tried to remain respectful,” he said quietly. “Because you are Elsie’s family.”

Something about his tone shifted.

Subtle.

Dangerous.

“But do not mistake that respect for weakness.”

The room went still.

Mrs. Whitmore’s breath caught slightly.

Even the Beta’s posture stiffened.

Rowan’s silver eyes held theirs steadily.

“If Elsie wished to refuse me, I would hear it from her,” he continued. “Not from anyone else.”

The warning beneath his words was impossible to miss.

The Beta clenched his jaw.

“She is our daughter.”

“And she is my future wife.”

Silence crashed into the room again.

Heavy.

Sharp.

Final.

Rowan moved toward the door then, signaling the conversation was over.

“There is nothing more to discuss,” he said calmly.

The dismissal was clear.

Elsie’s parents exchanged uneasy looks before finally leaving the room.

And for the first time since the proposal—

Fear settled properly in their chests.

Because Rowan Nightcrest was not a man they could control.

The days passed quickly after that.

Too quickly.

The estate buzzed with preparations once more, though this celebration felt different from Edward and Sara’s.

Smaller.

Quieter.

More cautious.

There were no grand announcements across the territory.

No week-long festivities.

Just a private ceremony witnessed by close family, elders, and a few trusted members of both packs.

Still—

Whispers spread.

They always did.

Some wolves pitied Elsie.

Others envied her.

And many simply feared what this union could mean.

But Elsie herself remained strangely calm through it all.

Maybe because everything had happened so fast.

Or maybe because some part of her had already detached itself from the life she once knew.

The morning of the wedding arrived cold and grey.

Elsie stood silently as servants adjusted the final details of her gown. The soft white fabric flowed elegantly around her, simple but beautiful, the silver embroidery catching faint light whenever she moved.

Her mother stood nearby watching quietly.

Her eyes already red.

“You still have time to change your mind,” she whispered softly.

Elsie met her reflection in the mirror.

“No,” she replied gently.

And strangely—

She meant it.

Her mother looked like she wanted to say more.

But nothing came.

Because deep down, she already knew she had lost the right to stop her daughter from leaving long ago.

The ceremony itself was held in the central hall of the Nightcrest guest estate.

Candles flickered softly against dark stone walls while the elders stood waiting beneath the Moon Goddess symbol carved into the marble floor.

Everything felt quieter than before.

Heavier.

Elsie walked down the aisle slowly, her gaze forward and steady.

And yet,

She still noticed them.

Her father standing stiffly near the front.

Her mother trying not to cry.

Sara watching silently with unreadable eyes.

Edward.....

His expression tightened the moment their eyes briefly met.

Regret still lingered there.

Clearer now than ever before.

But Elsie felt nothing when she looked at him.

Nothing at all.

Then her gaze shifted.

To Rowan.

Waiting for her.

Dressed in black ceremonial clothing that made his silver eyes stand out even more intensely.

God, he looked unreal.

Powerful.

Dangerous.

Beautiful.

And when he looked at her......

Actually looked at her

Elsie felt her heartbeat stumble slightly.

The ceremony itself was short.

Simple vows.

Ancient words spoken beneath the Moon Goddess.

No exaggerated affection.

No unnecessary performance.

Just quiet intensity.

And when Rowan took her hand—

His grip firm and warm against hers,

Elsie realized something strange.

For the first time in a long time…

She didn’t feel alone.

When the vows ended, silence filled the hall briefly before the elders announced them husband and wife.

That was it.

Done.

Final.

Elsie Whitmore was no longer part of the Bloom Pack.

She belonged to Nightcrest now.

The realization settled heavily inside her.

Guests slowly began dispersing afterward, quiet conversations filling the hall.

Her mother looked devastated.

Her father looked conflicted.

Sara opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something.

Even Edward took half a step forward.

But Elsie didn’t stop.

Didn’t hesitate.

Didn’t say goodbye.

Because what exactly was there left to say?

Instead, she simply turned toward Rowan.

And Rowan

Without a word

Held out his hand for her.

Elsie looked at it only briefly before placing hers in his.

Then together, they walked past her family.

Past the hall.

Past the life she once knew.

Outside, the dark carriage waiting for Nightcrest stood prepared.

Rowan helped her inside first before climbing in after her.

And through it all

Elsie never once looked back.

Not at her crying mother.

Not at her disappointed father.

Not at her sister.

And not at the mate who once broke her heart.

The carriage doors closed.

And slowly,

It began to move.

Taking her away from Bloom Pack forever.