Chapter 8
1257 Words
Rowan didn’t sleep that night.
Too many thoughts circled in their mind.
Mate bonds.
Hidden power.
Being hunted.
And the way both Alphas had looked at them.
Matthew’s intense silver gaze.
Damien’s knowing golden smile.
Rowan rolled onto their side in the small room they had always slept in at the edge of the packhouse.
Nothing about this room had ever felt important.
But tonight it felt like the center of something dangerous.
Matthew’s words replayed in their head.
You stay close to me.
Why?
Rowan had lived in the pack for years without anyone paying attention. Now suddenly they were… important.
It didn’t feel real.
Eventually exhaustion dragged Rowan into sleep.
---
Morning arrived gray and cold.
Rowan left their room early, hoping to avoid the pack before rumors started again.
That plan failed immediately.
Two wolves standing near the entrance stopped talking when Rowan walked past.
Their eyes followed Rowan down the hallway.
Whispers started the second Rowan turned the corner.
Rowan sighed quietly.
This is going to be a long day.
They escaped outside and headed toward the herb garden near the treeline. Gathering plants always helped clear their mind.
The forest air was crisp.
Quiet.
Peaceful.
For a few minutes, Rowan almost relaxed.
Then someone grabbed their shoulder.
Rowan gasped and spun around.
A large wolf from the pack—Brent—stood there, looking irritated.
“What did you do?” he demanded.
Rowan blinked in confusion.
“What?”
Brent stepped closer.
“Don’t play stupid.”
Rowan backed up slightly.
“I’m not—”
“You think you’re special now?” Brent continued angrily. “Both Alphas watching you. Everyone whispering about you.”
Rowan’s stomach twisted.
“I didn’t ask for that.”
Brent scoffed.
“Sure you didn’t.”
He grabbed Rowan’s arm roughly.
Pain shot through Rowan’s wrist.
“Maybe you’re manipulating them somehow.”
“I’m not!” Rowan protested.
But Brent didn’t listen.
His wolf was already rising to the surface.
Frustration.
Jealousy.
Anger.
It twisted his features into something dangerous.
“You calm wolves, right?” Brent said mockingly.
“Let’s see you calm me.”
Rowan tried to pull their arm free.
“Let go.”
Brent shoved them hard.
Rowan stumbled backward and hit the ground.
The impact knocked the breath from their lungs.
Pain spread through their shoulder.
Brent stepped forward again—
A deep growl split the air.
Everyone froze.
Rowan looked up.
Matthew stood at the edge of the clearing.
His silver eyes were glowing.
And they were locked on Brent.
The temperature in the forest dropped instantly.
Brent released Rowan’s arm.
“Alpha—”
Matthew moved.
Fast.
Before Brent could react, Matthew grabbed him by the throat and slammed him against a tree.
The c***k of bark echoed through the clearing.
Matthew’s wolf was fully present now.
Dangerous.
Furious.
“What,” Matthew said slowly, his voice terrifyingly calm,
“did you do?”
Brent struggled to breathe.
“I didn’t—”
Matthew tightened his grip.
Rowan had never seen their Alpha like this before.
Raw rage radiated from him.
Other wolves began gathering around the clearing, drawn by the noise.
None of them dared step closer.
Rowan forced themselves to stand.
“Matthew—”
Matthew didn’t hear them.
His focus was completely locked on Brent.
“You touched him,” Matthew said.
Brent’s face was turning pale.
“It was nothing—”
Matthew slammed him against the tree again.
“You hurt him.”
Rowan’s heart pounded.
Matthew had always been strict.
Powerful.
Respected.
But this level of rage was something else.
It felt… personal.
“Matthew,” Rowan said again softly.
No response.
Brent clawed weakly at Matthew’s arm.
“I’m sorry—”
Matthew’s wolf pushed harder.
For a terrifying moment Rowan realized something.
Matthew might actually kill him.
“MATTHEW.”
Rowan grabbed his arm.
The effect was immediate.
Matthew froze.
His body went completely still beneath Rowan’s touch.
The violent energy surrounding him suddenly softened.
His breathing slowed.
Rowan felt it happen again.
That strange calm spreading through the Alpha.
Matthew slowly released Brent.
The wolf collapsed to the ground coughing.
The clearing was silent.
Everyone had just seen it happen.
Rowan calming their Alpha.
Matthew looked down at Rowan’s hand still resting on his arm.
Something complicated flickered across his expression.
Relief.
Confusion.
Something deeper.
Rowan quickly pulled their hand back.
“I’m okay,” Rowan said quietly.
Matthew’s gaze snapped back to their face.
“You’re bleeding.”
Rowan blinked.
Only then did they notice the scrape on their palm from falling.
“It’s nothing.”
Matthew didn’t look convinced.
Behind them, someone laughed softly.
“Impressive.”
Rowan turned.
Damien stepped out from between the trees, watching the scene with interest.
His golden eyes flicked from Brent on the ground… to Matthew… then finally to Rowan.
“Well,” Damien said casually.
“That escalated quickly.”
Matthew’s jaw tightened.
“What are you doing here?”
Damien shrugged.
“Taking a walk.”
His gaze returned to Rowan.
“And apparently arriving just in time to see our quiet little wolf stop an Alpha from committing murder.”
Matthew’s wolf growled.
Damien only smiled.
Rowan rubbed their arm nervously.
“I’m really fine.”
Matthew ignored Damien completely.
His attention stayed on Rowan.
“Did he hurt you anywhere else?”
Rowan shook their head.
“No.”
Matthew stepped closer.
Checking them carefully.
The protective intensity in his eyes made Rowan’s chest feel strangely warm.
Damien noticed immediately.
“Careful,” Damien said lightly.
“You’re looking very attached.”
Matthew shot him a sharp glare.
“And you’re talking too much.”
Damien chuckled.
But his eyes were serious when they returned to Rowan.
“You see the problem now, don’t you?”
Rowan frowned.
“What problem?”
Damien gestured toward the wolves watching from the edge of the clearing.
“They’re jealous.”
Rowan followed his gaze.
Several pack members were staring.
Some curious.
Some suspicious.
Some openly resentful.
Rowan’s stomach dropped.
“I didn’t want this,” Rowan whispered.
Matthew heard them.
His expression softened slightly.
“It doesn’t matter what you wanted.”
Rowan looked up.
Matthew’s voice was low.
“Because now they’ve all seen what you can do.”
Damien crossed his arms.
“And word spreads fast between packs.”
Rowan felt a chill run through them.
“What does that mean?”
Damien’s golden eyes darkened slightly.
“It means,” he said quietly,
“other Alphas are going to start wondering about you.”
Matthew’s wolf growled again.
Protective.
Possessive.
Dangerous.
Rowan suddenly felt very small standing between them.
“What happens now?” Rowan asked.
Matthew didn’t hesitate.
“You stay with me.”
Damien smirked.
“Oh, I’m sure that will go over well.”
Matthew ignored him.
His eyes stayed locked on Rowan.
“I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”
Rowan’s heart skipped.
Behind them, Damien sighed.
“Well.”
“This is going to get messy.”
Rowan blinked.
“Why?”
Damien’s smile returned.
“Because Matthew just made something very clear.”
Matthew shot him a warning look.
But Damien said it anyway.
“To the entire pack.”
Rowan swallowed nervously.
“Made what clear?”
Damien tilted his head slightly.
“That if anyone touches you again…”
His golden eyes flicked toward Matthew’s still-tense posture.
“…their Alpha will kill them.”
- Writer
