“What?” I went back out my door and slid the metal cover over and there it was, the universal lock. I shook my head as I came back in. “Sneaky. So why are you here?” I slid past him and I felt him vibrate. I looked at him over my shoulder as I turned and sat down on my bed. I slid against my headboard and patted the bed.
Rowan smiled and nodded. He slid onto my bed and faced me. “I came here first because I need to discuss certain things with you, and this will actually help with your plan.”
“What do you mean? People are going to assume that the pack I live in is gone.”
“Exactly.” Rowan laid back, but it looked super uncomfortable with his neck against the wall, so I tossed him my pillow. He just raised his eyebrow and then pulled it under his head. He tilted his head to face me, but I could see him subtly pulling in my scent. I watched his brow furrow, but I looked away.
“What the heck are you talking about?” I grabbed my second pillow and put it behind my back. I wanted to stretch out my legs, so I pushed them out as far as I could without touching him. But he just shook his head and grabbed my feet, placing them over his lap.
I tried to pull them away, but he held them there until I settled. I froze. I didn’t know what the hell we were doing, but Rowan seemed so comfortable that I let it go. It wasn’t hurting me.
Rowan smiled, but he turned his head to face me. My breath caught in my throat. I felt my mouth run dry and something low pulsed. I almost squirmed in my seat. I kicked him and he laughed.
“What?” His lazy smile sent another pulse between my legs and I could feel myself growing heated. I bit my lip and shook my head.
“What are you talking about?” I rolled my eyes.
“Right. Can you, um, seal the room?” His voice dropped low as he finished his question, and I nodded.
I focused on my magic and I felt the room seal shut. No noise could leave the room, and we could speak freely. “It’s done.” There was a soft echo to my voice and Rowan shook his head.
“That’s weird.” Rowan stuck a finger in his ear and wiggled it. He looked back at me and pushed up on the bed to sit up higher. He pulled my feet back to his lap and rubbed one foot, but he looked so deep in thought I don’t think he even noticed.
“Your dad’s pack is one of the furthest away from not only the school, but from every other pack.”
“I know. That’s why I fly there. But what does that have to do with anything?”
Rowan’s hands tightened on my feet. “Your father came up with a plan, and for it to work, you have to be a bit of an actress.”
“What is it?”
“We are going to say that there was an attack today during the announcement. I already told the council it happened and I know now that they will spread it to Vince.”
“Why?”
“Because we are moving the pack.”
“Moving the pack?” I leaned forward. “Why?”
“Because we are going to say that the five packs on your father’s land were wiped out. Your father’s plan is to make it seem like the Silvermoon pack was wiped out.”
“But why? And where are they going to go?”
“There are hidden cabins close to the Agora.”
“He’s taking everyone to the Agora?” I felt my mouth drop open. “Wait, how do you know about the Agora?”
Rowan smiled. “Because the Agora is part of my history, too. And the reason? Because we all think that the council and Vince are a part of the attacks. We just don’t know how.”
“What about my grandmother’s cabin?”
“Your dad sealed the way. And I’ll help the Shaman with the supplies for the cabin.”
“I still don’t understand why?”
“Because we need them to think you’re alone.” Rowan continued to rub my feet. It felt amazing, but I needed to focus, so I pulled my feet back and leaned closer to him.
I grabbed his face with my hands, and I squeezed. “I need you to stop being so mysterious and explain it to me. Why do I have to pretend my father is dead?”
