Nobody replies, but I’m not sure if that’s good or not.
Liz and Iris resume conversing about the council, but it’s Cade’s silence I notice and ignore most. I can’t deal with him right now. Not after our shared kiss and not after I broke so easily with Archie.
Nobody else can know what I did.
Unless he already does, Wolf states proudly.He could already be keeping our secret and is the one who took care of the body. Who else would keep it quiet besides him?
She makes a point, but it also might be some whack job who wants to make me go insane.
What’s worse is I’m not sure which option is better.
Chapter 29
CADE
Rowan looked like a ghost at breakfast. Pale, hollow-eyed, and jumpy as if every clink of a glass was an accusation. She laughed—twisted and wrong—and it scraped down my spine like steel on stone.
Something’s eating her alive, and she’s not telling anyone.
Had last night been too much for her? I’d thought she’d enjoyed the kiss, that we were finally going to move forward with the feelings I know we both have.
But maybe I was wrong.
I shouldn’t care this much. I’ve known that from the start. I shouldn’t notice how her shoulders hunched when Iris glanced her way, or how her hands shook when she tore into a piece of bread like it had personally wronged her. But I did. I always do.
Archie tried to cover for her with mouthy distractions, but I saw through each of them. Even he was worried, sticking to her side like he was welded toher hip, as if he was worried she might disappear given the chance.
And Rowan… She bolted from the room the first chance she got. Claimed she was “just tired” and “would be right back”, but I’ve seen tired. This wasn’t it. This was fear wrapped in bravado, and I hate it.
I thought bringing up the Council whispers would give her something that she’d want to talk about, but they only made her retreat further. When I mentioned a third party, her eyes went sharp for a heartbeat—like she recognized something—and then shuttered so fast it was like I imagined it.
Maybe I should let her come to me when she’s ready. That would be the smart, patient thing to do. But I’m not patient, and whatever this is can’t be allowed to gnaw holes into both of us.
I won’t accept that.
She’ll thank you later, my wolf says.Just like with the training. It was hard at first, but she’s getting stronger with every hour.
He’s right. I need to go to her.
Instead of doing my normal post-breakfast perimeter run, I head upstairs toward Rowan’s room.
I need the truth in order to best protect her.
And if last night meant what I thought it did, I hope she’ll trust me.
Knocking on her door, I wait and listen. Archie’s claws tap against the hardwood, but it isn’t until I hear Rowan’s soft, uneven steps that some of the pressure in my chest loosens.
From the other side comes a shaky sigh. Then the door opens. “Hey.”
Archie slips out between her ankles, tail twitching, his beady eyes locking onto me like he’s trying to deliver a warning in a language I don’t speak.
Rowan’s shoulders tighten. “If you’re here to lecture me about not eating enough before training, don’t bother. I had food stashed in my room. I’ll be fine today.”
“That’s Liz’s job,” I answer, voice even. “And training isn’t more important than you right now. Something’s wrong, Rowan.” I hesitate, then force the rest out before it eats me alive. “Did I cross a line last night?”
Those last seven words burn like fire through me. If I made her feel pressured to kiss me, if she did anything unwillingly, and I didn’t notice… I’d never forgive myself.
Rowan shakes her head almost too quickly. “No. That’s not it.” Her gaze drops to the floorboards, voice softer. “Last night with you was perfect. I promise. Whatever this is.” Her hands wave over herself. “It has nothing to do with us. This is all me.”
