VIKTOR.
“Hey, Lisa,” I call as I catch her around the bend of the stairs.
“Alpha,” she greets with a smirk.
“Don’t start,” I groan at her.
“Couldn’t help it. What do you need?”
“Have you seen Rowan? I can’t seem to find her anywhere.”
“Have you checked the gazebo? You know she and Jhnelle do the homework there.”
“Right. Totally forgot about that. Thanks,” I say before heading out of the mansion towards the back.
The pathway leading out of the mansion is laid with field stones, weathered and worn, like they have been here for ages. Lining the paths are wildflowers and green shrubs with their leaves rustling in the breeze while the air is filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass, like nature’s own perfume.
The pathway leads me through a groove of trees until I come across a small clearing where a gazebo is nestled in its center, surrounded by different colorful wildflowers. The wood is a warm, honey brown color, that makes it even more charming even though it looks like it has seen the worst the weather has to offer.
I step inside and notice the intricate carvings on the wooden beams with empty benches inside, perfect for sitting and taking in the view.
No sign of Rowan or Jhnelle.
But I can smell them.
The were here, not too long ago
As well as another man.
Maxwell
With a lock on their recent scent, I mange to track them toward the edge of the training field.
Frim the looks of it, they seem to be in an intense discussion, one that is clearly making her nervous.
I can tell so from the way she is tensely holding herself
What the hell is Maxwell saying?!
“Rowan!” I call out as I hurry towards them.
They both turn towards me and I see Maxwell whisper something to her that makes her even tense further.
“Viktor,” he greets as soon as I get to them. “Good morning. How was your night?”
“Pleasant, yours?”
“Blissful really. It was nice to go to bed without the worry of unfinished work hovering over my head.”
“Right. What were you two discussing?” I ask, already done with the false niceties.
“Rowan here was gracious enough to show me around her settlement. She really does run a tight ship. She could put a lot of packs to shame with the discipline and order I have seen so far.”
“Right…” I say with a disbelieving tone
“Anyway, I am starved,” he says as he moves away and begins heading to the mansion. “I will leave you two alone. Ciao.”
We both watch as he disappears from view around the bend and I turn back to her.
“Are you okay? Do he offend you?”
“Not really. He was just being… An alpha, I guess,” she says quietly.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I ask.
“Never mind,” she replies as she turns towards the fields. “How have you been recently?”
“What?” I ask, thoroughly confused.
“Your pack. I am sure they were elated when you arrived.”
“They were, yes.”
“Did they resent you? For being away so long?”
“No. Thy know everything I do is for their safety.”
“They are lucky to have an alpha like you.”
“I suppose. I am more lucky to have members who are willing to trust and follow my lead,” I say. “What brought this on?”
“What do you mean?”
“These questions about my pack. You were never interested in it before. Or in any pack for that matter. Why are you curious now?”
“I guess, I am just curious about you. And your pack. What did you tell them when they asked about your absence.”
“Well, they didn’t exactly ask. Andre had the pack well in hand, so they all just thought I was on some sort of project.”
“Hmm. Can you… tell me…about them? I want to know more,” she says as she takes a seat in one of the stalls
“About my pack?”
“Yes. About the famous and dreaded Vale pack, terror to rogues and the envy of all packs.”
“Right,” I say as I take a seat beside her. “You k ow, we didn’t exactly hate rogues. Not at first,” I remark
“Really? What brought it on?”
“There was an attack. A long time ago, I was probably a kid. Some pack, Dominik’s pack in fact, had launched an attack in us led by their alpha, Dominick’s father. They normally wouldn’t have gained much ground, except the rogues whom my parents had graciously allowed to loiter around our territory, betrayed us.
“I dint k ow what they had promised the rogues, but the rogues gas allowed some if the warriors to mix in between them, hiding them. So, when our gates opened for a routine patrol, the wolves there were killed. Fortunately, they were able to sound an alarm before their death. We managed to beat them back, wounding their alpha in the process as well as killing some if the wolves they brought. My father too was fatally wounded . He died later on from the wound and my mother was way to heartbroken go in. She followed after him, shortly after.”
“I am sorry,” she says, her voice quiet. “I had no idea.”
“Hmm, many don’t. It was a one day attack, quickly fine and over with. So, no one could really do anything. Both sides suffer loses but for some reason known only to him, Dominik believes that we cheated. That there was no way we could have beaten their pack, never mind the fact that they were the ones to employ underhanded means. To him, we were the villains. Like, how dare we defend ourselves and win. He is such an unpleasant person, blaming everyone for everything and overlooking his own failings. And he has sworn to get revenge for the supposed disgrace down to his pack and his father’s death.”
“What do others think?”
“Most ignore him, he is not exactly well liked. No one actually believes him anyway. What revenge? He attacked us? On our own bloody territory. They came looking for trouble, they lost. And still, he is willing to sacrifice many of his people to achieve what he believes to be an apex pack.”
“What?”
“Yeah, he does that. Kills his own pack members. And when I got there I was informed that his… behavior has only increased. He is unhinged, Rowan, seriously unhinged.”
“Hmm. I believe you.”
“And yet, through all that, I still missed you very much,” I say as I take her hand. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
She stares down at our hands and I slowly begin to pull mine away only for her to grip it tighter.
“I missed you too,” she whispers.
“What?” I ask completely stunned as I stare at her like a deer caught in headlights
Of all the things I expected her to say, that wasn’t even on the list.
She takes one look at my face before she chuckles.
“Are you surprised?” she asks.
“Uh, can you repeat that?” I ask.
She leans closer to me, so close that I can feel her breath on my face.
“I said, I missed you too,” she repeats before closing the distance to kiss me.
Hot damn