Fate of the Lost Moon

Chapter 11

I’m not sure why I’d agreed to go out with Rowan again, even under the pretense of “fake dating.” Maybe because our first date stirred up enough gossip to be both distracting and oddly enjoyable. Or maybe because I’d seen him put himself in harm’s way for others more than once and couldn’t quite shake the idea that, somewhere beneath that brash surface, he was more than he let on. Either way, as the sun set, I found myself waiting on the edge of the pack’s territory, with Rowan’s silhouette coming into view down the winding path.

He wore that familiar, lopsided smirk as he approached. “Evening, troublemaker,” he teased, stopping just close enough that I could see the glint in his eyes.

“Troublemaker? I think you’re mistaking me for yourself,” I shot back, folding my arms. “Or maybe I just bring it out of you.”

He chuckled, reaching out his hand. “Ready to go stir up more rumors?”

I rolled my eyes but took his hand. As we walked into town, he didn’t drop it—whether for effect or comfort, I wasn’t sure. Either way, it felt… comfortable.

Tonight, Rowan had chosen The Starry Owl, a cozy diner that was one of the pack’s favorite hangouts. The glowing lights from inside cast a warm glow across the street, and I could already spot familiar faces through the windows. Just as he planned, every eye was on us the moment we stepped in.

“Oh, Stephanie!” one of the pack girls cooed, waving her fingers dramatically from a nearby table. “It’s so good to see you out again.” Her gaze lingered on our intertwined hands with a knowing smile.

Rowan gave a charming nod, playing his part perfectly. “What can I say? I convinced her to take a chance on me.”

He didn’t even blush, which was more than I could say for myself. I gave a small wave to our onlookers and quickly followed Rowan as he led us to a table near the back.

As soon as we settled into the booth, I noticed his familiar smirk fade a bit. He leaned back, taking in the scene around us. “They’re buying it,” he murmured, his tone a mix of relief and intrigue.

I raised an eyebrow. “Was there ever any doubt?”

“No,” he admitted, stirring a bit of sugar into his coffee after it arrived. “But it’s good to keep the mystery alive, don’t you think?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “You just enjoy getting under people’s skin.”

He shrugged, his eyes sparking with mischief. “Can’t deny that. And honestly, the rumors about you are some of the best in town. Did you know you’re supposedly half-witch now?”

I almost choked on my drink. “What?”

“Oh, yeah. Half-witch, half-wolf, or so they say. Apparently, that’s why your wolf hasn’t shown up yet. Some sort of magical delay, or something.” He smirked. “According to Bella’s little brother, you can curse people just by looking at them.”

I rolled my eyes. “Please. Where do they come up with this stuff?”

He shrugged, his face lighting up with amusement. “Who knows? But I like it. Adds an air of mystery. Half-witch Stephanie Lunaris with her mystical lilac eyes,” he said in a dramatic voice, twirling his hand like he was casting a spell.

I tried to keep my composure, but his antics got the better of me, and I couldn’t help laughing. “Well, I’ll have to watch myself around you. Who knows what kind of spell I might accidentally cast.”

He chuckled, raising his coffee cup in a mock toast. “To staying mysterious.”

We spent most of dinner exchanging harmless barbs, talking about everything and nothing at once. He had a way of bringing out my playful side, even as I tried to keep up the act of disinterest. Every now and then, he’d lean closer, whispering a sharp remark or leaning in like he was about to share some secret.

By the time dessert arrived, the once-steady hum of conversation in the diner had softened, and I could feel the curious glances directed our way. But Rowan didn’t seem to notice—he just kept talking, as if we were the only ones in the room.

“So, how are things?” he asked, leaning back in his chair as he watched me over his coffee cup. “I mean, really.”

I hesitated, the lighthearted banter fading. No one had really asked me that since I’d come back from Silverpine, not with any kind of real interest, at least. I bit my lip, staring down at the dessert on my plate.

“Honestly? Complicated,” I admitted. “Being back is harder than I thought it’d be.”

“Yeah? How come?”

I glanced around the diner, suddenly feeling the weight of the stares, but Rowan’s expression was open, free from judgment.

“Well, it’s just… it’s like I’m expected to fall back into place, but everything’s changed.” I sighed, wondering if that even made sense. “And there’s still the whole wolf thing.”

His gaze softened slightly. “I know. But who cares if you’re different? Half the pack’s too busy worrying about their own problems to care if you don’t fit some mold.”

His words surprised me, especially coming from him. He was usually the first to joke about pack gossip, yet he spoke with such conviction. “Thanks,” I murmured, offering a small smile. “You don’t seem to mind my lack of wolf, anyway.”

“Oh, you’re still trouble, wolf or not,” he replied with a grin, raising his cup in a mock toast.

After a few more jokes, Rowan leaned forward conspiratorially. “Alright, if we really want to keep this rumor going, we need to make a proper exit. The more dramatic, the better.”

I shot him a playful glare. “What are you plotting now?”

“You’ll see,” he replied, rising from the table. Without warning, he took my hand, pulling me to my feet. “Let’s give them something to talk about.”

He didn’t wait for an answer as he led me out of the diner, waving casually to the diners as we passed. Outside, the cool evening air hit us, and he turned to me, his eyes filled with that familiar spark.

Before I could process what was happening, he brushed a hand lightly across my cheek and leaned in. “Here’s to keeping them guessing,” he murmured, his lips close to mine, and for a moment, I was caught off guard by the warmth in his gaze.

After a beat, he stepped back, smirking. “That ought to hold them off.”

I blinked, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks, but I quickly schooled my expression. “I hope you’re not expecting me to thank you for that.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he replied with a grin. “See you around, troublemaker.”

With that, he was gone, leaving me standing there, still processing our staged “date.”

----

When I got home, I headed straight for my room, not wanting to deal with the inevitable questions from Cassandra. But as soon as I closed the door, there was a light knock, and my sister’s voice called through.

“Stephanie? You in there?”

“Yeah, Cass. Come in.”

She entered with a playful smirk, leaning against the doorframe. “I heard you were out tonight. With Rowan.” She raised her eyebrows, feigning innocence but clearly fishing for details.

I kept my face neutral. “We were just hanging out. No big deal.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Uh-huh. Well, the pack’s buzzing. I had to hear about it from Bella, who heard it from her sister. You do realize Rowan’s my ex, right?”

I crossed my arms, trying to keep my tone light. “It’s not like that, Cass. We’re just… friends.”

“Friends?” she repeated, her voice tinged with skepticism. “Alright, but just be careful, okay?”

I gave a noncommittal nod, waiting for her to leave before I let out a breath. It was clear Cass wasn’t thrilled with the idea, but for now, I didn’t have the energy to explain the whole ruse.