ROWANMy eyes fly open with a start, instantly alert to any foreign movement.It takes me a few moments that there was no one in the room and that it was just the running footsteps of the wolves outside that woke me up.That is how it has been, ever since I had killed Vance and Viktor had left two weeks ago, I, as well as the rest of the settlement had been on alert.An attack is coming, there was no if about it, this fact was for sure. The only issue is where it would come from. Viktor or Dominic.Or even worse…Both.A glance at my alarm clock shows that it is way past breakfast, and yet, I have no motivation to get off the bed.The truth is that I haven't had any since Viktor left.I hadn't realized how… much I liked his presence. How much I liked firmwad to it everyday and now that he is no longer here…It hurt.Goddess, it hurts.This ache in my heart.It almost makes me sick.Not even when Dominik had… assaulted me or rejected me did I feel this bad.I… was hurt, yes. But not h
VIKTOR.It has been almost fifteen minutes since Alden went to inform Rowan of my presence and I have been locked in a staring match with Gaines.Fifteen minutes.I swear it.He had locked eyes with me in a defiant and challenging scowl and teg. damn alpha genes in me will not let me look away.So, yes.Two grown men have been having a pissing sans staring match with each other to the amusement of anyone that passes by.“She will see you,” Alden's voice breaks the contest and we both look over at himI didn't even hear him walk up to us.Childish, Viktor.You are supposed to be more mature than this, allowing a mere pup to get under your skin.“She will?” I ask in delighted surprise.“She will?” Gaines asks in dismayed surprise.“Yes, she will. But first, we need to ensure that you are alone, as you claimed,” he answers.“Of course,” I agree. “Um, how are you going to do that?”“We have already sent out wolves to check the perimeters and any other place they might be hiding,” he answe
VIKTOR.Stepping into the room is like entering into another place entirely.I mean, the difference in style from it and the other part of the house is so jarring it takes me a few seconds to recenter myself.While the rest of the settlement has that rustic, elegant warm style going for it, not shabby or poor but not flashy either this place feels… cold.Impersonal.DetachedDefinitely a place to revive people if you don't want them to feel comfortable.And don't get me wrong, it is beautifully furnished, there is just no… warmth here.Expected really, for a place used to pass judgment.The room is lit up by fixed ceiling lights that bear down on a person with such focus, it is uncomfortable.The light gray walls don't exactly lift the mood, in fact the only thing warm and fuzzy is the plush carpet that cushions my step as I walk in.The centerpiece is a meticulously crafted wooden table with intricate grain and subtle sheen with just four straight high backed chairs, three of which a
ROWAN. I watch as Viktor takes one more glance at me before leaving. “Wow,” Rina says as she gets to her feet and stretches. “That was so tense, I can feel.my muscles knotting up as you two were speaking.” “I think it went quite well,” Lisa remarks. “She didn't try to hit him and he was very calm.” “Calm?” I ask darkly. “That was calm to you?!” “For an Alpha, yes. You know how quick to temper they are, especially when they are felt to be challenged or disrespected. More less by one who is their mate. It speaks volumes of him to still maintain his cool, be worried about you and not blame you for your anger. I mean, he practically apologized, he came here to warn you of who your enemies are and offer allies?” “We don't know that for sure,” I say. “Oh, come off it. You know he is telling the truth,” Rina grouches from behind me. “What more do you want? For him to crawl in glass for you.” “Don't be silly,” I snap at her before slouching down into the chair. “I don't know. I
VIKTOR.“You are fidgeting,” Maxwell says as we head towards the settlement in a black SUV.Sven turns around from the passenger seat to glance at me before shifting his eyes towards my tapping legs.I immediately still it.“Anxious to see your mate?” He asks with a smirk.“Nervous, actually,” I answer as I look out the window. “Terrified really. She can be quite scary when she wants to be.”“Has she forgiven you yet?” Fin asks from the driver's seat.“Nope. Still cold.”“Come on, you are offering her three, plus you, four, powerful allies. She must be grateful,” Sven says“Grateful, yes. Forgiving, no.”“Damn, she sounds like a tough one.”“She is,” I say with a smile“Look at him,” Sven remarks as he turns back into his seat. “He is whipped.”“Do bear in mind that I was there when you found your own mate, Sven. You behaved more a fool than I.”“Hey!”“Not now,” Maxwell speaks up with a laugh. “There is no need to bring out our embarrassing stories. We are all mature men here.”“Sure
ROWAN.“Please,” I say as I turn towards the mansion’s entrance. “You must have had a long trip. Simone here will lead you to your rooms to freshen up.”“Thank you,” one of them says, the tall, blonde one, Maxwell, I think. “We will do that.”“You sure have made this place your own, even if you didn't build it,” the shortest one says. Sven.“Did you build yours?” I ask.Contrary to popular belief, most territorial packs were not built. In fact, long before we had become more civilized, our predecessors had fought physical combat for the right to retain land.Once the other was dead, the land was yours, well until another one rose to challenge you for itSo, none actually built their pack, it was won and claimed by blood.“Yo-”“We were just following the old traditions, that is all,” I continue. “If you have a problem with that, you can take it up with your ancestors, not me.”“Damn, Sven, the last one murmurs quietly. “I think she just owned your ass.”“Oh, piss off you.”I see Vikto
ROWAN.Viktor and I exchange a quick glance before I turn to the wolf.“Thank you, Carla,” I say before plucking Jhenelle off him and handing her to the wolf. “Can you make sure she gets to her teachers and ensure she remains there this time?”“Yes, Guia,” she says with a bow before leaving the room.“So much for that shower,” Viktor remarks.“I can have them delay it so you can have one,” I tell him.“Nah. There is no point in delaying. Let's get this show on the road,” he says as he walks out.I take one steadying breath before I follow.The dining room is designed with the same atmosphere as the rest of the mansion.Rustic elegance.The walls are painted a clean creamy white that creates a warm backdrop for the rich, dark wood of the furniture.A sturdy table made from solid oak is set in the middle of the room, with legs fitted with silver ornate etchings.The chairs are matched with the same design bit, with cushioned seats and curved backs, that helps make it more comfortable to
WARNING: SLIGHT MENTION OF RAPE AND TORTUREROWAN“Don't growl at me,” I say with a lazy drawl. “It doesn't do shit.”“Cool it, Sven,” FIN tells him before turning to me. “Can you explain what you mean by that?”“I am saying, you packs are not the saints you claim to be. Honorable, just, fair.”“Yo-”“Many, and by many, I mean most, If not all of us here, in this coalition are all victims of your packs.”“How dare you?!” Sven snaps as he rises to his feet. “How dare you disparage the packs. We are noble. Honorable. Not some fou-”“You do realize,” Lisa cuts him off. “My dear Alpha, that rogues didn't become evil or twisted when they were outside the pack. They became that way inside it. It makes you wonder, what would cause a noble, honorable wolf to descend that far, doesn't it?”“What did you mean?” Fin asks“I am saying that usually people are quiet when a weak or the destitute are abused and it is only when those same tortured souls lash out that they become evil. No one says a wo