ROWAN.
“…Good. Now x squared plus two x squared is equal to what?”
I watch as Jhnelle scrunches her face in concentration before slamming her little hand on the table
“Three x squared?” She answers.
“Very good!” I exclaim with a smile. “See, this isn’t so hard.”
“Ehn, I still don’t like math, though,” she retorts.
“Well, you are going to have to learn to like it, because you are going to do a whole lot of calculations when you grow up.”
“Do I have to?” She whines at me.
“Hmm, yeah. It is apart of being an adult.”
“Ugh, you guys don’t seem to have a lot of fun,” she pouts
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“Well, everything is always so complicated with you all. I don’t think I will enjoy being an adult,” she responds.
“We have our good sides,” I defend.
“Really? Like what?”
“Welk, for one. We don’t have to do assignments all the time,” I reply with a little snarky tine. “And, we get to do things on our own rules. No more bed time curfews and no one forcing us to eat our veggies.
No one tells us to do those things, we just do it if we don’t want to go insane or fall ill.
Ugh.
Being an adult is boring.
“Is that all?” she asks with a thought unimpressed raised eyebrow.
“Well, there is the art where we can eat whatever we want,” a masculine voice cines from the entrance if the gazebo and we both look over to see Maxwell, leaning on the door post. “We also get to go wherever we want, whenever we want.”
“Really?!” she exclaims. “I guess, that is not so bad.”
“See, being an adult can be quite fun,” he says as he walks inside. “I hope you don’t mind me intruding?” he asks as he sends me a nod.
“Nah,” I say as I pack the last of Jhnelle’s books. “We were al6 anyway. How long were you standing there?”
“Not long. I walked by when you were convincing her how fun it is to be an adult. I give you a B for effort.”
I snort at that.
“That is not so bad,” I say before zipping up her bag and handing it to her. “All done. Go drop your bag and once you have done that, you can ask the cook for some cookies. You deserve it.”
“Yay!” she cheers as she gets off the bench and hurries away.
“She is a cute kid,” Maxwell remarks as he watches her go
“Hmm, a good one to.”
“I believe that part is a to you.”
“Thank you,” I say as I get to my feet. “Were you looking for me when you passed by?”
“Yes, yes, I was.”
“Well, how can I help you?”
“I was hoping if it isn’t too much trouble you would give me a tour.
“A tour?”
“Yep, a tour.”
“And why would I do that?”
“I was kind of hoping to examine your… settlement’s fighting prowess.”
“Again, why the hell would I do that? Do you examine the prowess of your fellow packs when you go visit?”
“Well, no. Just the polite show around.”
“Hmn, well I can do that. They polite show around,” I say as I walk out if the gazebo
“You are a tough one, aren’t you. You do not give any breaks,” he remarks as he joins me by my side
“Personally, I believe it is because I am not a push over.”
“I never intended to push you over,” he says.
“Right of course, you didn’t.”
“Really, it is the truth. In truth, I was hoping to use the guise of a tour to talk with you without any interruptions.”
“Oh? About what?”
“About Viktor. And you?”
“What about us?”
“Do you have any idea what he has done for you? What he is doing for you?”
“I don’t understand what you mean. What is he doing for me?”
“The whole wolf community as of this moment sees you as it’s biggest threat. The fact that you all have been silent in what happened to the wolves certainly doesn’t help matter
“We had nothing to do with that!” I snap at him. “If anyone should offer an explanation, it is Viktor.”
“And he has, to us. Listen, he knows hi hard this road to protect you is going to be and yet he has taken up the challenge. You dint know how is… Was. He and his pack were private, rarely interacting with other packs because he didn’t want to be dragged into their crap. He was the kind to step away from it ignore a problem that would jeopardize pack.
“And yet, for you, he is willing to take them all on. You have no idea, how surprised we were when he calls us for a visit and then asked us to help defend you. Viktor Thorn, asking for help. It was befuddling. But he did it for you. He is planning on going up against that abjo8creature called Dominik, for you. Don’t you think he deserves at least some leniency?”
“Leniency?” I ask as I come to a halt.. “What exactly did he tell you?” I demand as I turn I face him
“He told us that you are his mate,” he confesses.
“And yet, you still came anyway.”
“What do you mean?”
“One of the most powerful alphas asks you not to join in wiping a rogue settlement out because his mate is the leader and you agreed? Most people will consider that even more reason to attack,” I say.
“Most people do not kw Viktor as we do. He is not ambitious. Has no desire to tangle with the packs. All he wants is to protect his pack, ensure that his people are well. And whether you like it or not, you are his people now. All of you.”
“So, what? I should be grateful for that? The last time I was grateful for a man for dong the bare minimum he had me raped and thrown off a cliff!”
“Okay, I have no idea about that, and I am… so sorry you went through that. But you and I both know that what Viktor is doing us more than the bare minimum. He has gone far and beyond for you. All I am asking for really, is that you two talk. Really talk. About each other, about what you want. And if you really don’t want him back, I suggest you did the honorable thing and reject him.”
What?!
“Why would you ask me to do that?!”
“It will hurt him, but he will live. Stop pulling him in a string. Either accept him and move on together or reject him and let him go.”
“I never… I don’t…”
“I know you have trauma. Nearly every one here does,” he says. “I am just saying, you dint have to go through it alone. He loves you and for what it is worth, I believe you love him too.”
“You are-”
“Rowan!”
We both turn towards the voice to see Viktor heading towards us with a concerned look in his face
“Will you look at that,” Maxwell murmurs. “So, what is it going to be? Accept him or reject him?”