ROWAN
We stand there for a few seconds, just staring at each other and it gives me a sense of deja vu.
Haven’t we been in a similar situation before?
“Hey,” he says quietly.
“Hi. What are you doing here?” I ask, my hand still on the door frame.
He is silent for a few seconds, just watching me and making me nervous before he answers.
“I can lie and say I came to check up on Jhenelle but I just don’t feel like it. I came to see you.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you.”
Oh boy.
“Is there a problem?” I ask as I let go of the door and begin walking away, very aware of his body heat at my side.
“How are you feeling!” he asks.
So we are getting right into that, are we now?
I consider playing dumb and asking him why he would ask that but I decide against it.
I am feeling way to wra2 to keep up any pretense and besides, my wolf’s words are still ringing in my ears.
Coward.
Disrespectful.
I am neither of those things.
So with a steadying breath I plow ahead and answer.
“I am better, I think. Sometimes, when I think I have moved past my trauma, it just sneaks up on me. Usually in the most inopportune times,* I answer.
He doesn’t say anything to that and I send a side glance his way in curiosity.
His eyes hold a glint of surprise in them, like he hadn’t expected that I would answer him, much less give that much info.
‘”You look surprised,” I say with a chuckle. “You weren’t expecting that.”
“No, I was not. It is a pleasant surprise.”
“Hmm, well it has been a long day, I mean it started with the report of the wolves in town, news about Jhenelle being missing, the search, finding her, Tanya falling off the balcony, the spar and now this. I am tired. I dont have the mental fortitude to play games.”
“Great,” he concurs. “neither do I. But, can I just say that you are an amazing woman. Really impressive.”
“Why?” I ask
“Well, everything that happened you met with head front, no wavering, clear and concise. And you still have the time to tuck Jhenelle into bed. You are wonder woman.”
I burst into laughter at that.
“Wonder woman, really? That is the best you got?” I retort with a smile.
“It is the only word that comes to mind to describe how amazing you are,” he responds.
“Okay, okay. You have got me in a good mood. Why don’t you ask the question you have Been wanting to ask?”
“Are you sure? You might not like it.”
“You would be surprised by how many things I take on that I don’t like. Shoot,”I say as I push on my study door and walk in.
Alden has left, and on my desk I can see a handwritten note with details about what I had asked of him.
I will get back to that later.
“Still,” he says. “This might be too sensitive for you.”
Ah. So he is going there.
I briefly, very briefly consider putting an end to the conversation, not sure if I want to reveal that part of myself to him but I decide against it.
I am not a coward.
And neither am I disrespectful.
She wants me to give him respect, the benefit of the doubt, so be it.
Whatever happens, happens and I can live with the consequences.
No matter which way it goes.
“Go on,” I say as I head to the mini bar. “But first, do you prefer brandy or scotch?” I ask as I take out tumblers.
“Um, I think I will hold on for now.”
“Hmm, if you say so.”
I, on the other hand, need a drink, especially if we are going to have the conversation I think we are about to have.
I pour a generous amount of brandy into the tumbler, adding a drop of honey into it and two ice balls Before taking it to the couch, facing his own seat.
“Alright then, ask your questions.”
Hw once again takes his time to stare at me and I can see a struggle take place in his eyes, almost as if he is trying to convince himself to push ahead.
Eventually, I see the curiosity win and his eyes clear up Before he opens his mouth.
“earlier, when I was here with you, when I was about to…”
“Kiss me? Yes, I remember.”
Emboldened by my answer he presses on.
“Yeah, that. Do you… do you remember how you acted, how terrified you looked?”
“Yes, Louis. I do, there is no need to beat around the bush because of that,” I say before taking a sip from the tumbler. “Still, I should apologize. I must have given you such a fright, right?”
“I am fine. It is you I am worried about,”he says.
“Me? I am great. Like I said, it is just some trauma that flares up once in a while. There is no need to worry so much.”
“Just some trauma,” he mutters quietly to himself before focusing back on me. “You say that like it was no big deal.”
“That is because it isn’t. Not anymore.”
“You were hyperventilating, Rowan. Your eyes were looking all around for an escape. It was like you weren’t even here. Like you were trapped. Tears were pouring out of your eyes as you cowered in one corner. How can you say it doesn’t bother you anymore, it clearly does!”
“Why are you getting angry at me?!” I snap back as I place the tumbler on the table. “I didn’t do anything to you?”
“I am not angry at you, I am angry at the bastard who hurt you,” he rants as he gets to his feet and begins pacing.
“Louis…”
“Tell me the truth, Rowan. Nothing but the truth. Were you… were you assaulted?”