ROWAN
“Are you sure about this?” Viktor asks me the same question for what has got to be the hundredth time.
He is convinced that I am thoroughly upset with the arrival of the wolves, that they must be bringing up bad memories for me
And that taking in the same wolves who had abused me or at the very least, turned away from offering help to me was unwise.
Even though he was the one who told me about their presence
Honestly though…
I must be a bloody saint to be doing this.
I know others wouldn’t.
Others would have laughed at their misfortune and let them figure out their shit themselves.
“I am Viktor,” I tell him in a low murmur. “You don’t have to keep asking the same question over and over.”
“I just want to make sure you have no regrets.”
“I don’t have regrets.”
He gives me a nod before turning to Andre.
“So, you and Alden are to lead the wolves to the settlement. You already have some of the pack warriors with you. If you see any obsidian wolf coming at you, kill without hesitation. We can’t have them scarring these wolves now.”
“Got it. What if it is Dominic?”
“Knock him out and have him brought to the pack. We will handle it from there.”
“Okay.”
“Good luck.”
“I don’t need it,” Andre tells him before turning to walk away only to be stopped by an annoyed snarl.
“And just where do you think you are going without me?”
We all look back and see Lisa power walking her way over to me with her sister, who just looks delightedly amused.
“Shit,” he cursed
Poor guy.
Please, don’t tell me he forgot to tell his mate what he was doing.
“Uh… hey babe!” he greets once she reaches us
“Don’t hey babe me!” she snaps. “Were you going to leave without me?”
“No? No! I was coming to tell you just now,” he says as he edges away from her.
“Oh, really?” She replies as she stalks after him. “Was that before or after you had left?”
“Before?” He says before taking off, leaving the rest of us in laughter.
“Hey, Ro,” Rina calls. “Can I see you for a second?”
“Sure,” I say as I walk towards her, giving Viktor a pat on the hand as I do so. “What’s up?”
“Lisa is going to go with them. I am going to.”
“Oh.”
“I won’t come back.”
“But-”
“I just think it is time. For me, at least. And besides, someone needs to help Alden in getting them in line when Andre and Lisa return. And you know, to also break the news to the rogues about you staying here for good.”
“I… I suppose. But Rina -”
“I am not sad, Ro. You know this is a logical move.”
“I do. I am just … I am going to miss you.”
“It is like you said, we are not leaving each other either, we are just growing.”
“Just growing.”
“And it is not like you are not coming back. You are, right?”
“Yeah. In a week or so,” I tell her.
“See! We are all good.”
“I guess,” I say before pulling her into a hug. “Be careful out there, you are going to be handling some really entitled wolves.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I relish the challenge. Quick question though, why are you avoiding them?” she asks as she pulls away.
“I am not avoiding them,” I say as I wipe away a stray tear. “I just don’t want them to know who I am yet. Not until they are done with their trial period. I don’t want them to think we are intentionally being mean to them.”
“But we will be. It is a part of the trial period.”
“Yeah, but with me in the mix, it would seem like I am intentionally out to get them. As pay back for the way I was treated in the pack.”
“I see, that makes sense, I guess. I-”
“Oh, come on!” Andre’s voice interrupts us. “I already said I was sorry!”
We look over to see them arriving back to our space, with Andre’s hands outstretched in a plea for mercy.
“Come on, Lisa!” I call out to her. “Let him be. It is almost dawn and we need the cover of the dark to move the wolves.”
At my words, she mellows before coming to a halt.
“You are lucky I am so reasonable,” she mutters at him before looking over to me and Rina. “Has she told you?” she asks.
“Yeah, and I agree. Someone needs to assume leadership in the settlement.”
“Who would have thought it would be you?” She says, smirking at her sister
“I know right,” she retorts. “I always figured that you would assume the boring position as you know you are… well, boring.”
“What?! You-”
“Girls. Please.”
They both settle before apologizing.
I walk back to Viktor and join him just in time to hear him finishing up with Andre.
“All set,” I ask.
“Yep. Where is Alden?”
“With the wolves,” I respond. “He isn’t very comfortable with bringing in wolves from such a pack and is convinced that some of them are spies. So, he is determined to stick to them like glue.”
“Hm, I know the feeling,” Viktor remarks. “I almost feel bad for them. Almost.”
“Well, we are leaving now,” Andre says. “We will see you when we see you.”
“See you,” I tell him
“Make sure you watch your backs!”
“Will do.”
We watch as the convoy of cars drives off before heading back inside and back to bed.
“Goddess!” I exclaim as I drop into bed. “I am exhausted.”
“Same. Hopefully, with Andre gone for these few days, we can actually get a good night’s rest,” he says seconds before a knock sounds on the door.
“You just had to jinx it,” I mutter as I watch him walk to the door with a groan.
“What?!” He snarls as he pulls open the door.
“Sorry, to interrupt, alpha,” the wolf says. “But alpha Dominic is here. He is demanding to see you.”
Fucking jinx.