Chapter 6

I already knew as I got up from crouching in front of Farah, to answer the door.

His minty scent had filled my nose before he even knocked, I opened the door slowly and stopped it with my foot so that less than my body width was open, as my voice rang out in an accusatory tone, “Rowan… “

His face looked puzzled and annoyed, probably because I called him by his full name. As a child I could never say his name properly, so I only ever called him ‘Ro.’ He always said it sounded so formal and weird to hear me speak his full name, a little taste of what I endured downstairs if you ask me. I was still standing in the doorway, not having fully opened it when he relaxed his stance, bringing his hand up in front of his chest, holding a strawberry muffin.

“I didn’t know…” was all he said.

Did he really think he could bribe me? Of course he did, because he knows me a little too well. I tried not to get lost in his eyes as he slowly handed me the muffin, I wanted nothing more than to be back in that clearing with him, not a care in the world. Farah wasn't the only one freaked out by Theo's news, she just wasn't use to terrifying things being dropped on her like I was. 

“How are you two holding up?” His voice was concerned for me, but he had no clue what was behind the door.

“How do you think...” I trailed off, swinging the door open and revealing a cocooned Farah. She looked utterly lost, her bright blue eyes even seemed dull sitting with the blanket wrapped around her and staring off into space. 

“I think you two need some fresh air… let’s go sit in the garden?” he asked peering at Farah to see if she would agree, but she didn't move, then glancing back at me, “After you change.”

“Oh I see," I raised my eyebrow at him and crossed my arms, "you’re not up here as Ro, you’re up here as Beta.” He rolled his eyes as me as I turned around and slipped into the bathroom, dragging a dress with me.

I emerged in less then a minute with a cute, modest dress that was light blue, and had sleeves much like Farah’s, tapering out at the waist, but above all – it covered my knees. He roamed my outfit with a look of amusement on his face until he reached my face, looking back at him with a sarcastic smirk.

“Does this please the Beta?” I tried to use my best submissive voice as I curtsied and bowed my head.

“Shut up,” he scoffed, “let’s go.”

I helped Farah emerge from her cocoon and we walked behind him all the way to the gardens. There was a bench just in front of the water fountain that we stopped to sit at, Farah in the middle. The trickling water was peaceful to watch, it distracted me if even for a few minutes from the chaos that was going on around me.

I could feel Ro’s vision on me the whole time, his light brown eyes roaming my face, and his worries drowning out even Farah's. How he could be so cool under pressure was surely a Beta thing, just like how he probably knew more than he was letting on. He didn't flinch at all when Theo told us that the Timber pack was arriving, and the moment kept replaying in my head, I hated having things kept from me. I was constantly the last to know, still holding all the responsibilities of a ranking member with none of the inside knowledge. We sat on that bench for probably 15 minutes before I couldn’t take the silence anymore. 

“What DO you know Ro?” I said in a pretty accusing tone.

“I can’t… I won’t go to the carnival this year.” Farah squeaked out. Her voice surprised me, and I looked at her, wiping the scowl from my face as her blue eyes looked at me, desperate for solace.  I knew what she was thinking, but she had looked forward to meeting her mate her whole life, that’s all she ever talked about.

“The carnival is the best place to be able to find your – “

“I know. I can’t risk it being one of… them,” she interrupted me.

“Maybe it’s just rumours, maybe they aren’t actually –“

“They are,” Ro cut me off, “they are that bad Avi, and I don’t think you should attend either, but that’s not my choice.”

“No….it’s not Ro...” I started.

‘Exactly, he’s not keeping us from finding our mate.’

‘Echo, beautiful timing as usual – shut up!’

“You heard Theo, I’m sure that’s what he wants to talk to me about later. Even IF I find my mate before the carnival,” I paused, feeling his eyes burn into me, “I have a duty as the Alpha’s sister to keep up appearances.”

Ro just looked agitated as his forehead scrunched, he didn’t like it, but he knew that I was right. There were always certain things expected of me and his wishes, or mine, didn’t matter much when it was for the benefit of the pack.

I glanced back at Farah who looked like she was at war with herself, she wanted her mate, and she wanted him bad. I’m sure her wolf Amber was arguing with her, not wanting to sit by and miss opportunities to find her mate. I reached over and grabbed her hand gently in mine, giving it a light squeeze so she glanced up at me. 

“Think about it, ok Farah? I can’t wait any longer so I’m going to see Theo, but I’ll swing by your room when I’m done, and we can go grab dinner.” I gave her and Ro a slight smile and left. I would help cheer her up later, but first I needed to get this looming chat with Theo over with. 

Theo’s office was in the basement, so I headed inside and around the winding stairs that would take me there. Halfway down I could tell that Theo’s office was open slightly, I stopped and debated just coming back, but their whispers were too inviting, and it sounded like mom…