Rowena did not like the feeling she had this morning. It started the moment she woke up and felt the unusual signs that nature was showing her. She tried to dismiss it, to tell herself it was just a change in the weather, but she couldn’t. Everything felt too real, haunting her relentlessly.
The air felt different, heavier than usual, making it hard for Rowena to breathe. The sunlight that usually slipped gently through the cracks in the windows and vents was blocked by dark clouds hanging low in the sky.
It wasn’t a sign of rain. Rowena knew that. No rain clouds would ever carry the tension she felt now. Even the wind couldn’t stir those clouds, blowing instead a chill that pierced her bones and touched her skin with an unfamiliar bitterness.
It was then that Rowena noticed the trees standing still in unison. The leaves that usually rustled were still. And the birds that usually brightened the morning with their cheerful songs and fluttering wings had suddenly fallen silent, hiding in the thick foliage.
No chirping. No rustling. No sound at all. Everything was still, as if nature had paused along with the tension that enveloped the morning.
Rowena was on alert. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something large and threatening was approaching, something that could upset the natural balance of the world around her. The signs of life felt trapped, everything frozen, as if time had stopped.
The feeling grew stronger, and Rowena felt a subtle tremor in her soul. This anomaly was no coincidence. Nature was really warning her of something.
Rowena closed her eyes, took a breath, and a face immediately appeared in her mind. She jumped; her eyes wide open. Her voice quavered as she whispered a name. “Vione.”
The tension Rowena had felt changed in an instant. Now she was seized by an overwhelming fear. The reason was clear-nature hadn’t given her such a warning in far too long. This terrible feeling hadn’t visited her for so long. It had been too long since Ivan had died.
Rowena blinked as a flood of terrible possibilities began to swirl in her mind. Her stomach churned and she struggled to breathe. She clutched her chest and whispered, “No. Please, God. Not Vione.”
Sadly, Rowena’s prayers and hopes went unanswered. War had broken out again. The Frostholm Pack was again under attack from the Nimbria Pack. Everyone’s safety was in danger, including Vione’s.
“No,” Rowena muttered, shaking her head repeatedly. She wanted to deny the reality that was unfolding before her eyes. Flames blazed everywhere. The relentless howling and roaring of the wolves filled the air. It was as if the events of years past were repeating themselves. “I can’t lose Vione. I need to know if she’s safe.”
Without a second thought, Rowena took off. She ran, racing through the chaotic battlefield. Thick smoke, mixed with the smell of blood, filled the air and blurred her vision. But she ran anyway.
Rowena’s heart pounded harder as the lifeless bodies of the Frostholm and Nimbria packs littered the ground, a heartbreaking and terrifying sight. She held her breath and quickened her pace. One thought kept repeating itself in her mind-Vione must be safe.
Rowena arrived at Frostholm Palace after an arduous journey. She hadn’t even noticed that her body was injured. She felt no pain at all, for there is nothing more painful for a mother than to lose her child. She swore she wouldn’t let that dark history repeat itself. Not this time. Not with Vione.
Rowena’s arrival was met by guards. They raised their hands, signaling for her to stop. One asked, “What are you doing here?”
Rowena struggled, trying to push past the guards as her mind spiraled into panic. She could no longer think clearly. Her eyes were filled with despair and her heart burned with unwavering determination. “Let me in,” she demanded, continuing to force her way forward, but the two guards stood firm, blocking her path without violence. “I must see Alpha Usher. I need to see Vione.”
Rowena’s words caused both guards to furrow their brows. They exchanged glances as she continued.
“I must know how Vione is. Please let me into the palace. I’m no threat. If you don’t believe me, you can ask the Alpha Usher.” Rowena looked at each of the guards in turn. She patted her chest several times. “Tell him Rowena wants to see him. He knows me.” She groaned in frustration. “Please.”
There was a flicker of hesitation in the guards’ eyes, but seeing Rowena’s distress, they decided to take the risk. One guard stepped aside and quickly made contact with Cora. Unexpectedly, the Usher immediately gave Rowena permission to enter the palace.
“We apologize. You may enter the palace. Alpha Usher has-”
Rowena didn’t wait for the guard to finish his apology; she rushed inside. She ran, and an Omega escorted her to where Usher was.
The operating room was not what Rowena had expected. Her fear and terror overflowed and became uncontrollable.
“How is Vione?” Rowena asked Usher. Tears now filled her eyes. “Is she all right?”
But Usher didn’t answer. Instead, he looked at her with a look she couldn’t interpret. There was a mix of emotions in his eyes that only made her hope fade further.
“Rowena…”
Rowena closed her eyes. This time, tears streamed down her cheeks. Usher’s explanation made her body weak, powerless.
Vione was badly hurt. She was badly wounded and had lost a lot of blood. There was a large wound in her abdomen and her life was in danger.
“Oh, no,” Rowena cried pitifully. Her knees buckled. She could no longer stand as all her strength drained away, consumed by the fear that now overwhelmed her. Her resolve shattered as the image of Vione lying helplessly filled her heart with unbearable grief. “Not Vione, God. Please.”
Usher quickly grabbed Rowena’s body and led her to sit down. Then he motioned for Garth and Cora to leave.
Now it was just the two of them, and Usher gave Rowena time to calm down. He let her cry and waited for the right moment to speak. But instead, Rowena’s sobs subsided shortly after, and it was she who asked the question.
“How long have you known, Alpha?”
*