ROWAN
I don’t know how long I remain, like this, standing here staring at my blood soaked hands, his headless body hanging in front of me, while his head is under the table.
There is no coming back from this.
It is only a matter of time before Dominik gets impatient and sends someone to come searching for him, or even worse, comes himself.
We need to prepare.
But before we do that, before I have to think about what we are about to take on, I just want to savor this moment.
It has been a secret desire of mine, one I have never spoken aloud, not even to Lisa or Rina. I have always dreamt of one day avenging myself.
Of killing everyone who had a hand in my torment.
Violent?
I know.
But I have found that I have a secret violent and mean streak in me.
One that only comes out at the thought of anyone from the Obsidian pack.
I want them to burn.
All of them.
For the abuse.
For turning away when they could have done something
No one ever offered me help, all of them all so desperate to get in his good graces, it became a sport to see who can be more cruel.
I would have died sooner, if it wasn’t for his mother.
And even she eventually disappointed me.
Let them come.
It is about time we settle scores.
I walk out of the room and out of the cells to see Louis, as well as Lisa and Rina still waiting for me.
“Rowan!” Lois exclaims the moment he sees me, rushing to me with concern in his eyes before taking me by the arms. “Are you okay? What happened? Did he attack you? Are you hurt? Wher-”
“Louis,” I say calmly, as I take his hands. “I am fine. I am not hurt. It is not my blood. So, calm down, okay?”
“Then where is the blood from?” He retorts.
“From him, he is dead.”
“Really? What happens to you not wanting to provoke the packs?”
“If I had let him go, he would have gone back to report my existence. And the pack will attack anyway. At least, this way, I get some catharsis from it.”
“So, what now?” Lisa asks. “Do we announce it? Kick his body out? _
“We do nothing,” I answer. “Let them figure it out themselves. Right now, I just need a shower,” I say as I begin walking away. Please, don’t follow me. I need some time to myself.”
They say nothing in response to that but no one follows me.
Thankfully, no one stops me on the way to the mansion and before long, I am in the bath tub soaking my body in it.
I let the heat soak into my bones, relieving me of the stress and unknotting the hard lumps in my shoulders
The interrogation didn’t take up to thirty minutes but I am already so exhausted and tense.
As I remain there, I think through the conversation I had with him.
He didn’t deny it when I said he had come here looking for information.
Which means Dominik was not a part of the plan to come here.
He must have either been ignored or rejected.
And knowing him that would have hurt his pride, he had always believed to be better than everyone else, superior and now he has been sidelined
He must be desperate to know what is happening here
This might actually work well for us, buy us more time.
Nobody actually knows what happened to the wolves except for Louis – and he has lost his memory
All everyone knows is that they have gone missing.
And now, his spy too, is also missing.
If we play our cards right this might actually work for us.
The lack of information and feedback will make us look more mysterious, dangerous, a group of rogues not to be trifled with.
We just need to plan our next move very well.
I quickly get out of the tub and get dressed in a dark blue coat dress that just reaches shy of my knees.
It is made from thick wool-which helps in hiding whatever residue trembling I might have from the interrogation- with a fitted top that flares out gently into a skirt. There is a collar that is notched at the front with a silver brooch which also buttons up neatly.
It is said that drawing can be an armor, and right I really need one.
For the coalition and for me.
I can’t afford to be seen as weak now.
I walk out of my room and head straight to the study where I am sure they are all gathered.
“Rowan!” Rina exclaims as she hurries to me. “How are you? Are you better? Lisa told me what happened? How do you feel?”
“For the last time guys, I am fine. I am not hurt. My emotions are not in disarray. I am good.”
“Oh, okay then.”
“Where is Louis?” I ask as I look around while heading for my desk.
“He didn’t follow us,” Lisa answers. “He said he wanted to be alone.”
“Do you think he is angry?”
“You tell me, he is your mate.”
A knock sounds at the door at that moment and we turn to see Alden walk in.
“Guis,” he greets with a nod. “I heard what happened. Are you alright!”
“Why does everyone keep asking me that?!” I snap. “I am fine. I am okay. Enough with the questions!”
“Right,” he says as he stares at me with worse eyes.
I sigh out loud at the look. “I am sorry, Alden. I am just tired of everyone being so worried about me.”
“We are just worried, that’s all,” Rina says.
“Well, don’t be. Instead, let’s get down to business.”
“Okay?”
“From my discussion with the wolf, Dominik has no idea what happened to the wolves. And it is only a matter of time before he wonders his is. So, we have to come up with a plan to prepare for him coming.”