chapter fourteen

The moment Rowan pulled away, the world felt… different.

Elsie’s breath was uneven, her thoughts scattered, her heart beating in a way she couldn’t quite understand. He watched her—still, calm, as if nothing had shifted at all.

But everything had.

She stepped back slightly, creating space between them, her fingers brushing faintly against her lips as if trying to confirm what had just happened.

Rowan didn’t stop her.

Didn’t move closer.

He simply watched.

Like he was waiting.

Like he knew she would leave.

And she did.

Without another word, Elsie turned and walked away from the river, her steps slower this time, her mind far from quiet.

The walk home felt longer than usual.

Not because of the distance

But because of her thoughts.

They refused to settle.

His voice.

His presence.

The way he had looked at her.

The way he had kissed her.

Her chest tightened slightly.

Why did it feel like that?

Why did it feel like something inside her had shifted… even without her wolf?

By the time she reached the estate, the halls were quiet again.

Everyone had likely retired for the night.

Good.

She didn’t think she could face anyone right now.

Elsie slipped into her room and closed the door behind her, leaning against it for a moment as she exhaled slowly.

She felt—

Lost.

Not broken.

Not empty.

Just… uncertain.

Like she had stepped into something she didn’t fully understand.

And for the first time since everything happened—

That uncertainty didn’t scare her.

The next morning came too quickly.

“Elise.”

Her father’s voice pulled her from her thoughts.

She looked up to see him standing at her door, his expression serious.

“The Alpha wants to see you,” he said.

Her stomach tightened slightly.

Of course he did.

This wasn’t over.

Not even close.

The meeting was already tense before it began.

Alpha Richard stood at the head of the room, his presence firm and authoritative as always, though there was an underlying strain beneath it.

Edward stood to his right.

Sara beside him.

Elsie’s parents stood nearby.

Elsie remained slightly apart.

Silent.

Observing.

“We need to address what happened yesterday,” Alpha Richard began, his tone measured.

“This situation with Nightcrest cannot be taken lightly.”

Her father spoke first.

“There will be no marriage,” he said firmly. “My daughter agreed under pressure. That decision cannot stand.”

“I was not pressured,” Elsie said quietly.

All eyes turned to her.

Her mother shook her head immediately.

“Elise, you don’t understand what you’ve involved yourself in....”

“I understand enough,” she replied.

Edward stepped forward slightly.

“This isn’t just about you,” he said. “This affects the entire pack.”

Elsie met his gaze.

“It always does, doesn’t it?” she said calmly.

Before he could respond

The door opened.

Without warning.

Without permission.

And he walked in.

Rowan.

The room shifted instantly.

Tension tightened.

Silence followed.

He didn’t acknowledge anyone at first.

Didn’t greet.

Didn’t bow.

His gaze went straight to Elsie.

“I’d like to speak with her,” he said simply.

Alpha Richard frowned.

“This is not the time—”

“It is,” Rowan cut in smoothly.

A pause.

Then—

Elsie spoke.

“I’ll go.”

Her mother turned sharply.

“Elise.....”

But she was already moving.

And Rowan was already turning toward the door.

The walk to his room was quiet.

Too quiet.

Elsie could feel his presence beside her, steady and controlled, like everything about him.

When they reached the door, he opened it without hesitation and stepped aside, letting her enter first.

The room was simple.

Clean.

But it carried his presence.

Strong.

Unmistakable.

Elsie turned slightly, her arms folding loosely as she faced him.

“What did you want to say?” she asked.

Rowan didn’t answer immediately.

Instead,

He stepped closer.

Slowly.

His gaze fixed on her again.

That same intensity.

Unwavering.

Uncomfortable.

Yet,

She didn’t look away.

“You left quickly last night,” he said.

Her breath caught slightly.

“I had somewhere to be,” she replied.

His lips curved faintly.

“Did you?”

Another step closer.

The distance between them disappeared far too quickly.

Elsie’s heart picked up again.

“Why did you really choose me?” she asked again, her voice quieter now.

Rowan studied her.

Carefully.

Then his gaze dropped.

To her lips.

Again.

“I told you,” he murmured. “You’re asking the wrong question.”

Elsie’s breath faltered.

This time... she ....

She didn’t step back.

Didn’t resist.

When he reached for her, his fingers brushing lightly against her jaw, she felt it

That same pull.

Stronger now.

Familiar.

His lips met hers again.

Slower this time.

Deliberate.

Not rushed.

Not forceful.

Just… certain.

And this time

Elsie didn’t hold back.

Her hand lifted slightly, resting against his chest as she leaned into him, responding instead of resisting.

The kiss deepened just enough to make her chest tighten, something warm spreading through her that she couldn’t explain.

When he finally pulled away, her breathing was uneven again.

But she didn’t step away immediately.

Rowan watched her closely.

“I couldn’t forget about that kiss,” he said quietly.

The words settled between them.

Honest.

Unfiltered.

Before she could respond

A knock.

Sharp.

Precise.

Rowan’s expression shifted slightly.

“Enter.”

The door opened just enough for another man to step in—tall, composed, his presence controlled in a different way.

“Alpha,” he said, bowing his head slightly.

Rowan didn’t look away from Elsie.

“Yes?”

“You have guests here,” the man continued. “The Beta of Bloom Pack and his wife wish to speak with you.”

Elsie’s heart skipped.

Her parents.

Of course.

Reality rushed back in too quickly.

She stepped back immediately, her face warming as she became aware of how close she had been standing.

How easily she had… responded.

“I should go,” she said quickly.

Rowan didn’t stop her.

Didn’t try to.

He simply watched her again.

As she turned.

As she walked toward the door.

And just before it opened fully—

Elsie slipped out.

Her cheeks still flushed.

Her thoughts anything but steady.

Just as her parents were about to walk in.