Fate of the Lost Moon

Chapter 6

Rowans POV

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the town as I leaned against my truck, a smirk tugging at my lips. I had promised Stephanie we’d keep this whole fake dating thing casual, but I was more excited than I cared to admit. It was strange how my heart raced whenever she was around. I had a plan in mind—one that would ensure the rumor mill was set in motion that we were dating. If I could throw enough heat on the rumors, it might just keep the attention off Cassandra and her secret rendezvous with Remus.

“Hey, pretty girl,” I teased the moment I spotted her walking down the path. She wore a light sweater that clung to her frame, paired with simple jeans. As she approached, her lilac eyes sparkled with curiosity, and I could see a hint of that cautious nature she always had.

“Pretty girl?” she echoed, raising an eyebrow. “That’s the best you’ve got?”

“Just getting warmed up,” I replied, trying to keep my tone light. I loved how effortlessly she could challenge me, bringing out a playful side I hadn’t shown in ages.

“I’m surprised you even bothered to dress up,” she remarked, glancing at my slightly rumpled shirt and jeans. I couldn’t help but chuckle. She always knew how to keep me grounded.

“Hey, it’s all part of the charm,” I said with mock seriousness. “Now come on, we’ve got an adventure to go on.”

Her laughter was infectious, and for a moment, it felt like we were just two friends hanging out—nothing more, nothing less. As I opened the door for her, I could sense her anxiety hidden beneath the surface. The return of the twins had stirred up a lot of chatter in the pack, and I hoped this little excursion would distract her.

Stephanie's POV

As Rowan drove us through the winding roads outside of town, I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. It was strange being out with him like this, even if it was just a cover. I was trying not to think too much about how this might look—Rowan taking me out while pretending to be my boyfriend. On top of that, he was my sister’s ex.

“So, what do you think of our little charade?” he asked, glancing over at me with that signature smirk of his.

“I think it’s ridiculous,” I replied, unable to keep the smile off my face. “But I’ll play along.”

“Good,” he said, his grin widening. “Because I have a plan to kick off the rumor mill. We’re going to give them something to talk about.”

My heart raced at the idea. “You mean you want to actually let them think we’re dating?”

“Exactly,” he replied, his eyes shining with mischief. “Let’s have some fun and throw everyone off our scent. Besides, it’ll keep them from prying into your life, and I could use the distraction myself.”

“Okay, I guess I can see the benefits,” I said, trying to match his enthusiasm. The thought of all the whispers circulating through the pack made me anxious, especially as we were about to hit the spotlight with our upcoming birthday.

As we drove, I tried to focus on the scenery instead of the nagging voice in my head that questioned my every decision. Rowan was talking about some of the ridiculous rumors he had heard, and I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all.

“Apparently, someone thinks you’re secretly a wolf-hunting vigilante,” he said, chuckling. “Can you imagine? You, in a leather jacket, taking down rogue wolves?”

I shook my head, laughter bubbling up. “That’s the best they could come up with? I can barely keep track of my own life right now, let alone go on a vigilante mission.”

He grinned, and I couldn’t help but feel a flutter in my stomach. This was nice—just two friends joking around, even if there was a deeper undercurrent between us.

But as the laughter faded, a more serious thought crept into my mind. “Rowan,” I began, hesitant. “Why are you doing this? I mean, the fake dating thing. I know we’re not exactly friends, and it seems a little… extreme.”

He shot me a sideways glance, his expression shifting. “Honestly? I wanted to protect you. With everything going on with the rogues and the whispers about you and Cass, I thought it might help distract people. Plus, it gives us a chance to hang out without the weight of everyone’s expectations.”

I considered his words, unsure if I should feel flattered or concerned. “You know my situation isn’t exactly typical, right? With Cass having already met her wolf, and me… well, me being the odd one out.”

“Exactly,” he said, his voice softening. “You’re not the odd one out to me. I just want you to know that.”

His sincerity hit me hard, and I felt a warmth spread through my chest. For a moment, I was lost in his gaze, the world around us fading away.

“Okay, let’s do this then,” I said, breaking the moment. “But no serious talk, at least not tonight. Just fun.”

Rowan smiled, and as we drove toward the horizon, I felt a flicker of hope—maybe this night would be just what I needed.

Rowan’s POV

The town was buzzing as we pulled up to Moira’s Diner—a place that was always filled with familiar faces from the pack. Perfect for stirring up some rumors. I parked the truck, glancing at Stephanie to gauge her reaction. She was looking at the brightly lit diner with a mix of excitement and nerves.

“Ready to be the center of attention?” I teased, offering her a hand as she climbed out of the truck.

“Oh, I’m sure they’ll be thrilled,” she replied, rolling her eyes. But she didn’t pull away when I kept her hand in mine. Instead, she adjusted her grip, and I couldn’t help but smile.

As we stepped inside, conversations softened to whispers, heads turning to follow our every move. I caught a few surprised stares from some of the younger wolves and narrowed eyes from some of the elders. For years, I’d kept my distance from dating within the pack, so showing up with Stephanie was guaranteed to cause a stir.

We slid into a booth by the window, and I noticed a few people still sneaking glances in our direction. The rumor mill was already turning. I leaned back, enjoying the spectacle.

“You look awfully smug,” Stephanie said, smirking as she reached for the menu.

“Oh, I’m just basking in our newfound fame,” I said, keeping my voice low and teasing. “Look at them—they’re practically writing us into their own romance novels right now.”

Stephanie chuckled, and I found myself taken aback at how genuine it sounded. She was so often guarded, but here, beneath the warm diner lights, she seemed to let her guard down. There was something disarming about seeing her like this.

The waitress arrived, eyeing us curiously as she handed over the menus. “Well, if it isn’t Rowan Castor on a date,” she said with a sly smile. “What can I get for the two of you tonight?”

I ordered, keeping my tone casual, and Stephanie followed suit.

Our food arrived, and as we ate, I made sure to stay close, occasionally reaching across the table like any typical date. I could feel the eyes on us, and I knew they’d be talking about this for weeks. It was strange how easily we fell into the act—like we’d done this a thousand times before.

Stephanie’s POV

I couldn’t ignore the attention we were getting. Practically every pair of eyes in the diner were on us, and I knew by tomorrow morning, everyone in the pack would be buzzing about my ‘date’ with Rowan. The weight of it all was overwhelming, but Rowan was handling it like a pro, throwing casual glances around the room, letting his arm rest on the back of the booth, leaning in close every so often.

He caught me watching him at one point, and his smirk widened. “Enjoying yourself, Miss Vigilante?”

“Oh, absolutely,” I said with mock seriousness. “I mean, who wouldn’t want to dine out with the infamous Rowan Castor?”

He chuckled, a warm, rich sound that made me relax a bit. “Glad you’re seeing the perks of this arrangement.”

I took a sip of my drink, eyes glancing around the room again, feeling a bit more self-conscious now. The intensity of their stares made me wonder if they were dissecting our every move. But Rowan seemed completely unbothered, as if he was used to the attention.

After dinner, Rowan suggested a walk by the town square. As we strolled through the lamp-lit streets, I could feel the eyes of pack members passing by, their curiosity blatant. It was easy to feel exposed, but Rowan stayed close by, offering subtle reassurance. We passed a couple of girls from the pack who whispered the moment they saw us together, shooting each other meaningful looks.

“So… mission accomplished?” I asked, glancing up at him as we walked side by side.

He nodded, a satisfied grin on his face. “Oh, definitely. By the time we’re done tonight, the entire pack will have us linked together in every way imaginable.”

The confidence in his voice made me laugh. “You sound way too excited about this.”

“It’s all part of the plan,” he replied smoothly. “And besides… it’s not so bad, is it?”

I shook my head, feeling my cheeks warm. “No… not so bad.”

He stopped walking for a moment, watching me with a look I couldn’t quite place. His teasing smirk was gone, replaced by something softer, almost contemplative. Before I could say anything, though, he cleared his throat, slipping back into his usual bravado.

“Let’s keep them guessing, shall we?” He extended a hand, and with a playful roll of my eyes, I took it.

We continued on, his hand in mine, our footsteps echoing through the quiet town. There was something strangely comforting about the way we fit together, even if it was all an act.