Chapter 2
620 Words
Rowan barely slept that night.
Every time they closed their eyes, they remembered the way both Alphas had looked at them.
Not past them.
Not through them.
At them.
It made Rowan’s chest feel tight.
Morning arrived too quickly.
The packhouse was quieter than usual, most wolves still recovering from the previous night’s celebration. Rowan slipped into the kitchen before anyone else woke, starting the fire beneath the large iron pot.
Routine helped calm their thoughts.
Chop vegetables.
Add herbs.
Stir.
Simple.
Peaceful.
Until the air changed.
Rowan froze.
A powerful scent filled the kitchen.
Alpha Matthew
He stood in the doorway, arms crossed, watching them.
Rowan immediately lowered their gaze. “Good morning, Alpha.”
Matthe didn’t answer right away.
His wolf was restless again.
That strange scent was stronger today.
Soft. Warm.
Comforting.
It wrapped around his senses like quiet snowfall, easing a tension he hadn’t even realized he carried.
And it was coming from Rowan.
“You wake early,” Matthew finally said.
Rowan shrugged slightly. “Someone has to cook.”
Matthew stepped into the kitchen.
Rowan’s pulse jumped.
Alphas rarely came here.
“Look at me,” Matthew said.
Rowan hesitated before slowly lifting their eyes.
Matthew studied them closely, his silver gaze sharp but curious.
“You’ve lived in this pack your entire life.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
“And yet,” Matthew murmured, “I barely know anything about you.”
Rowan didn’t know how to answer that.
Before the silence could grow heavier—
A voice echoed from the doorway.
“Well this is interesting.”
Rowan flinched.
Alpha Damien leaned casually against the doorframe, golden eyes gleaming with amusement.
Matthew’s expression hardened instantly.
“You’re still here,” Matthew said coldly.
Damien grinned. “Hospitality has never been your strong suit.”
His gaze slid past Matthew.
Directly to Rowan.
“Well, hello again.”
Rowan nearly dropped the spoon they were holding.
Damien walked into the kitchen like he belonged there.
Too close.
Way too close.
“Rowan, was it?” Damien said smoothly.
Rowan nodded nervously.
Matthew’s wolf growled beneath his skin.
Damien noticed immediately.
And smiled wider.
“You know,” Damien continued casually, “I couldn’t stop thinking about that scent last night.”
Rowan blinked.
“S-scent?”
Damien leaned down slightly, inhaling the air near them.
“Yes.”
Matthew’s patience snapped.
“Back away.”
Damien looked over his shoulder innocently.
“Why?”
“You’re in my territory.”
Damien smirked. “Your territory.”
His golden eyes flicked toward Rowan again.
“Not yours.”
The temperature in the room dropped.
Rowan stood frozen between them.
Two Alphas.
Both staring at each other like they were seconds away from fighting.
Over them.
Damien straightened slowly.
“Well,” he said lightly, “this just became much more interesting.”
Matthew stepped closer to Rowan, placing himself firmly between them.
Protective.
Possessive.
Damien’s grin turned sharp.
“Oh,” he murmured.
“You’re jealous.”
Matthew’s eyes flashed silver.
“Leave.”
Damien chuckled and backed toward the door.
“For now.”
Before leaving, he glanced at Rowan once more.
“See you soon, little wolf.”
The moment he disappeared, the tension in the kitchen cracked like thunder.
Rowan didn’t dare move.
Matthew was still standing close behind them.
Too close.
“You should avoid him,” Matthew said quietly.
Rowan swallowed. “Yes, Alpha.”
But Matthew didn’t move away.
Instead, his voice dropped lower.
“…And stay near the pack today.”
Rowan blinked.
“Why?”
Matthew hesitated.
His wolf had already decided.
Because someone else had noticed Rowan.
And Matthew suddenly didn’t like that at all
- Writer
