I narrow my eyes. “But you still don’t necessarily agree.”
Her lips twist. “Yes and no.” She stands once more, her hands curling into fists against her thighs. “Keeping you safe isn’t just Cade’s responsibility. It’s mine, too. I know I wasn’t in your life before, but I owe your mother this. I oweyouthis. And I’ll be damned if I let the council, or anyone else, get their claws into you.”
Her words crack something inside me—equal parts reassurance and fresh fear. Because if Liz looks this serious, then maybe things are worse than I’ve been wanting to believe.
Even through the following moments of silence, Liz’s vow hangs in the air when my wolf stirs, louder than she’s ever been.
The vampire is right.Her tone is steady where mine would wobble.We need to stay here. This is where our blood remembers what it is. Where the Prescotts have stood guard for centuries. Every step on this land makes us stronger.
Her conviction is like iron pressed against my bones, unyielding. It rattles through me until I almost flinch, because for once, I can feel what she means. There’s a thrum under my skin—an echo of all the women whocame before me, the Hollowborn who lived and died under this same roof. It’s in the walls, in the ground, in the night air. A tether pulling me deeper into a legacy I never asked for but can no longer seem to deny.
Yet, a part of me still wants to.
Don’t let fear have you believe that running will save us,she pushes.It won’t. Out there, we’re prey. Here, we can become what we were meant to be.
I swallow hard, dragging my gaze back to Liz. She’s still watching me with that fierce determination that makes me want to believe her. And maybe for the first time, I do.
Because while the human part of me is still screaming for normalcy—still clinging to the idea that this could somehow all be undone—the wolf in me is calm. She’s certain, ready to dig in and fight with claws, teeth, and whatever power the prophecy insists I carry.
And gods help me, I think she’s right.
I sit back in the chair, rubbing my palms over my thighs like I can ground myself with something solid. My wolf is steady inside me, humming with a confidence I don’t quite feel, but I attempt to borrow from her.
“Rowan?” Liz’s voice is quiet now, careful. Like she’s afraid I’ll snap, no matter what she says next.
I let out a long breath. “You’re right. Even my wolf agrees.” My gaze flicks toward the forest, then back to Liz. “Running won’t save me. If I’m going to survive this, I need to learn how to fight and to control what I am. And if that means staying here, then…” My throat feels thick, but I force the words out. “I’ll stay. I’ll stay and train.”
As much as I’d like to pretend none of this is real and I could just magically go back to my old life, that’s not possible. Mom will just have to understand. She gave me nearly thirty years of a human life. For that, I’ll always be thankful, but it’s time to face my future.
Relief softens Liz’s sharp edges. “Good,” she says simply, but the weight in that single word is enough to press against my chest.
Inside me, my wolf stretches, satisfied.Finally,she murmurs.You’re beginning to understand.
I’m not sure I do, but I’ve made the choice. And for now, that has to be enough.
Chapter 18
CADE
Elias’s words still echo in my head as I make my way back through the manor. Hybrids being declared huntable. The council is twisting the prophecy into a noose. He said Liz was going to tell Rowan herself, but I need to see my mate. She needs to know that the vampire and her insane grandmother aren’t the only people who will protect her.
She has to see it in my eyes.
I pause outside her room, knuckles hovering over the wooden door. For once, I don’t barge in like a storm. I knock.
“Come in.” Her voice is tired, but steady.
Rowan sits cross-legged on the bed, Archie sprawled like a smug king across her pillow, fast asleep. The ridiculous pink muumuu is gone, replaced by more casual clothes that still have her taking my breath away. I shut the door behind me, leaning against it longer than I should as I take her in. Soft waves of brown hair falling over her shoulders, her skin and eyes still glowing fromthe power of the shift. Not overtly bright, but enough that I notice.
Her gaze tracks me, her head tilting just so. “You look like you’re carrying the weight of the world again. More bad news, I’m guessing? Or is that just your resting alpha face?”
If only she knew how close to the truth that is. At least the weight ofmyworld. My jaw tightens, but now I also wonder if Liz hasn’t been by yet.
I cross the room, lowering myself into the chair nearest to her. “Did Liz not tell you about the wolf council’s decision on hybrids?”
“Oh. That.” She picks at the chipping color on her nails. “Yeah, she said training starts tomorrow. I was trying not to stress about it until then, which has been surprisingly easy considering I turned into a wolf for the first time tonight. I’m doing my best to focus on being grateful that I didn’t bite anyone.” Her shoulders rise in a shrug. “I’d call that a win.”
I huff under my breath, shaking my head. I’ll never understand the sense of humor in this family, but at least Rowan makes more sense than Iris when she opens her mouth.
