Chapter 9 Naivety

Rowan listened to Alicia’s explanation of the events that happened the previous day, the more she spoke the fiercer his expression grew. Alicia was almost compelled to stop but anytime she hesitated, Rowan waved her on to continue. The more she spoke, the colder she felt, realising just how little everyone thought of her.

She’d always been able to brush it off, persevere because there was always an end goal, always a light at the end of the tunnel. Now she wasn’t so sure. They’d literally kidnapped her and was going to send her off to some other Alpha to breed pups from.

By the time Alicia finished, she was determined to face this head-on. “Anyway…” She trailed off, trying to brush off everything that happened to her, looking away from Rowan, who could see straight through her façade. “I need to return to my pack, and… and I need to speak to the Alpha King. Yes, maybe he can help with how I’ve been mistreated in the pack.” Her anger grew again as she glared at the bed sheets.

Rowan laughed darkly, finally responding to everything she’d said. A frown tugged at her eyebrows as she watched him rise from the bed and pace in front of the bed as though he was restless, agitated. Those steely abs flexed at the movement, his body a little intimidating now that he was at his full height. Nevertheless, Alicia wanted to know what he found so funny!

“You’re being naïve, Alicia.”

Excuse me?

“You think Alpha King Titan has time to spare for a random she-wolf?” He asked, expression now stoic and as hard as marble.

“He will have to! I was forced to become a breeder for another pack!” Alicia snapped, throwing her hands up in the air for emphasis, then swiftly realised it was a mistake and grabbed the sheets against her chest again.

Rowan stopped pacing and stared at her, those deep blue eyes unfathomable to any emotion. “Titan will not do anything,” he said coldly. “You’re in the Blue Crescent pack, right?” She didn’t need to answer because she’d already told him this. “Alpha Valko is the Alpha King’s son. He will not take sides of a she-wolf over his sons? There is no evidence to prove what happened, and Alpha King Titan has no intention of aiding those who are weak. It isn’t fair, but you’d be wasting your time.”

Alicia stared at the alpha for a moment, wondering just who he was. She didn’t even know the Alpha King’s name, nor did she mention Alpha Valko by name either. “How do you know so much about the Alpha King?” Rowan called the king by name as well, dropping his title. “It’s almost like you know him on a personal level…” Alicia slid out of the bed, keeping the duvet to her chest to cover her as she shortened the distance between them.

Although Rowan was an alpha, even without mentioning he was, she could feel his domineering and powerful presence. Despite this, she resisted the urge to submit, refusing to avert her gaze or hold back her words or inquiries. With only a slight gap separating them, she tilted her head upward to meet his towering 6 feet 4 inches stature, determined to maintain eye contact. She asked, “Who are you really?”

Rowan bent down, eyes locked on hers, as he knelt on the polished wooden floor. It was a sight that almost had her insides turning to mush, reminding her of what he did the night before. But she internally shook her head, ridding herself of such thoughts. Just as she did, he abruptly stood again and pressed some clothes against her chest. “Get changed. I’ll take you back to your pack.” He abruptly turned, placing his smartphone against his ear, and walked away, speaking to someone on the phone, the light catching the contours of his muscular back.

Alicia forced herself to stop staring at Rowan’s retreating form, the door opening to the living room of this suite and closing behind him and began dressing in her clothes from the day before all the while wondering about the mysterious alpha. In the little time she had in the hotel room, Alicia managed to assess herself in the mirror of the fancy bathroom, washing away her make-up and getting rid of some of the dried blood in her hair.

How did Rowan sleep with her looking like such a mess? Werewolves did have higher sex drives, so maybe that was it.

After relieving herself and washing her hands, she returned to the room where Rowan waited. He was wearing the suit from yesterday, but it didn’t look wrinkled. His hair was still dishevelled, but he didn’t look like he’d had a rough night like her.

Alicia felt a little insecure and unkempt beside Rowan. Her unease intensified when he courteously opened the car door for her, especially under the scrutiny of the blonde man from the previous night. His intense gaze seemed to dissect her, though his expression remained impassive, devoid of any mockery or disdain typically shown by others from her pack. It was just curiosity, Alicia tried to reassure herself.

The car ride wasn’t long, and if Alicia’s mind wasn’t spinning with all the events that had happened and planning on what she would do next, then she might feel the slight tension in the vehicle. It remained silent throughout the drive, though she suspected Rowan and the man in the front passenger seat were mind linking. It probably didn’t help that Rowan’s scent was all over her.

Alicia’s head whipped back to the scenery outside the tinted windows, recognising the roads and the pine trees that had been colouring the scenery in dark greens and browns finally fell away to the hill descending into the Blue Crescent pack territory. She inhaled deeply, bracing herself for what would next happen as the car stopped in front of the pack house. She wondered if Rowan had ever visited the pack before, but she would have remembered if rumours circulated about a handsome, fierce alpha like him arriving in their territory. Nobody would forget a face like his.

Yet, the electronic gates to the pack house opened for the car without question.

Once again, she found herself pondering the same question: Who exactly was he?

“Thank you.” Alicia looked at Rowan, gulping at the dryness in her throat, their one-night stand resurfacing in her mind once more and causing her cheeks to heat. One side of Rowan’s lips curled up into a faint smirk, like he, too, was thinking the same thing. So, she added swiftly to make herself clear. “For helping me yesterday and returning me back to my pack.”

“You do not need to thank me,” Rowan replied. “I’ll see you again soon.”

Alicia frowned at his comment, but the appearance of some of the pack members exiting the mansion, followed by some of the pack warriors, distracted her. The pack house stood starkly in contrast against the backdrop of towering pine trees, its pristine façade seeming almost out of place amidst the rustic wilderness. It looked like it should be beside a beach with palm trees growing beside it, the electronic gates and a long winding road that twisted around a fountain like a small roundabout before grand white marble steps.

Alicia nodded, pursing her lips together and got out of the car to face her tormentors once more. The night before had both been a nightmare and somewhat blissful, the remaining hours swept away with a powerful alpha. It was undoubtedly a night she would never forget.

Rowan watched her from inside the car. She was trembling slightly, nervous, yet he watched her compose herself in the few seconds she stood outside the car. “Should we go, alpha?” His driver asked.

“…”