VIKTOR
The air is crisp as I step into Rowan’s settlement.
Ever since that phone call, my wolf has been more than insistent, urging me to come to the settlement.
Like he knew something was wrong.
He is usually calm and quiet about things and just lets me have my way, so when he behaves like this… I listen.
I hadn’t planned on coming here…not yet at least but here I am.
It is good to be back tough.
The memories I had here when I was Louis still makes me feel warm and fuzzy.
As I alight from the car infirmy of the manaion, I catch sight of most of the wolves moving about in their business.
There is the initial surprise when their gazes flicker toward me.
Shock, delight and even curiosity and in their eyes.
None of them expected me.
“Viktor?” Rowan’s voice reaches me before I see her. And when I do, it feels like a weight lifts from my chest.
She is standing by the entrance to her mansion, her expression a mix of shock and happiness.
Behind her, Lisa, Riley, Alden, and Andre are frozen mid-motion, taken aback by my sudden appearance.
“Surprise,” I say, my voice softer than usual, as I walk up to her my eyes locking onto hers.
For a moment, it is just us, the world around us fading into nothing.
Rowan smiles as she steps forward, closing the space between us. Her hands reach for mine, and the moment our skin touches, I feel it, a wave of peace settling over me, of calm.
For now… in this moment… everything is perfect.
“I wasn’t expecting you,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. “You should have called.”
“I know,” I reply, squeezing her hands gently. “But I couldn’t stay away. I knew you were worried about Dominic, and I am here as your dutiful mate to give you support. I am here for you.”
I watch as her eyes light up with relief, love, something unspoken that passes between us before I draw her closer, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
“You sure know how to make an entrance,” Rina calls as she and the others approach slowly, offering their greetings.
“Did you miss me?’ I tease her as I exchange nods with Alden, and then my attention shifts to Andre.
“Not really,” she replies with a smile. “For a good while, I had my sister to myself.”
“Sorry to disappoint,” I tell her before turning to Andre. “You should return to the park,” I tell him, keeping my tone firm. “They need you there. Now that’s am here.”
Andre hesitates as he looks back at Lisa, but knows I am right. “I will head back later this evening he says,” he agrees, offering Rowan a respectful nod before he leaves with Lisa to do goddess knows what.
“Come on,” Rowan says as she tugs me inside.
“How have you been?” I ask as we settle in the living room, my eyes running over her face.
“Holding on,” she replies. “I hate not knowing. I hate being on edge.”
“I know. But you have me here. And I have got your back. Dominic is going to have a hell of a fight on his hands if he thinks to do anything against you.”
“Hmm. We should announce it,” she says after a while, her voice steady but filled with nerves.
I raise an eyebrow. “Announce what?”
“Our bond. Our mate bond. Let the world know that we are mates.”
I won’t lie, I am stunned.
She was the one who wanted to keep it quiet and now…
“Are you sure?”
“I am. I don’t want to hide anymore. Not about this. And maybe it will make Dominic think twice before acting,” she says quietly, searching my eyes.
I nod slowly.
That makes sense.
“That decision is yours. I wll stand by whatever you choose, Rowan. Always. You know that.”
She smiles at that, a quiet strength shining through.
“Then let’s do it.” she says before turning over to Rina. “Hey, Ri?”
“What?”
“Do you think you can handle a bonfire party tomorrow?” She asks
“Another one?”
“Yep.”
“For what?”
“I and Viktor are going to announce our mate bond,” she says with a smile.
“Really?” Rina asks with a similar smile.
“Yeah… it is time.”
“Yay! I will get started on it right away,” she says before hurrying out of the room, leaving us to our selves.
Not too long after, the whole mansion begins to buzz with preparations causing Rowan and I retreat to her bedroom.
The sun is dipping low on the horizon, casting a warm glow over everything and inside, the room is cozy, the fire crackling in the hearth.
Jhenelle, rushes across the floor the moment she sees me, her excitement infectious as she wraps her arms around my leg.
“Louis!” she squeals with delight.
I crouch down to her level, a smile spreading across my face.
“Hey, little one,” I say, ruffling her hair. “How is my favorite girl?”
“Good! I missed you,” she says with a bright smile.
“Not as much as I missed you.”
She giggles, squeezing me tightly.
“Is it true? Are you going to tell everyone that Mommy is your mate?”
Rowan laughs softly from behind me, and I glance back at her.
She looks radiant, the firelight catching the warmth in her eyes. I turn back to Jhenelle, nodding. “It is true. Tomorrow, everyone will know.”
Jhenelle’s face lights up, her joy filling the room.
“Yay! I knew it! I knew you would be together forever.”
I chuckle, lifting her up into my arms.
“I told you we would be, didn’t I?”
“Hmm,” she hums as she snuggles into my chest, and I feel a sense of peace settle over me.
Despite the past weeks, the clandestine strings, the fears and worries…
This… right here… makes everything worth it.
This is what I have been missing.
Family.
Rowan steps closer, placing a hand on my shoulder as she watches her daughter with soft eyes. “She’s been waiting for this,” Rowan murmurs. “You have no idea, how long.”
“Hmm, so have I,” I reply, looking at her with a smile.
The rest of the evening unfolds in quiet contentment. We sit by the fire, Jhenelle nestled between us, watching cartoons with Rowan leaning against me, her presence solid and comforting.
It is a rare moment of peace, one I intend to savor.
I know a storm is coming.
One with the name Dominic written over it.
Tomorrow, we will take a step forward by announcing our bond to the pack, hopefully giving him a blow to slow him down, allowing us to prepare.
But for now, though, I am holding onto this moment, knowing that soon enough, the peace will shatter.