Moonbound Mates

Chapter Twenty-Four

The closer they got to town, the more Rowan understood why Kael's mother had loved it.

It looked like something pulled from a storybook.

Flower boxes overflowed beneath nearly every window. Ivy climbed stone walls. Small shops lined winding streets that curved gently through town. Colorful awnings fluttered in the breeze overhead.

And the smell.

Gods.

Rowan slowed without realizing it.

Fresh bread.

Cinnamon.

Sweet cream.

Something warm and sugary she couldn't quite identify.

The scents drifted through the air together, carried on a cool breeze.

For a moment, she simply stood there.

Watching.

Listening.

Taking it all in.

Beside her, Kael smiled.

It wasn't a large smile.

Just enough for her to notice.

"That's exactly how I reacted."

Rowan glanced over.

"When?"

"The first time my mother brought me here."

Something softened in his expression.

He looked out toward the town.

"This is Fernhaven."

The name seemed to settle naturally into the air between them.

A place he knew.

A place he remembered.

"We came every year."

His gaze drifted across the familiar streets.

"For one weekend."

A small smile touched his mouth.

"Sometimes it was just the two of us."

Another pause.

"Other times my father and Lyra came too."

He adjusted the strap of his travel bag.

"But for those few days..." He paused. "We could just exist."

Rowan stayed quiet.

Listening.

"No pack business."

A faint smile tugged at his mouth.

"No political problems."

His eyes followed a family crossing the street ahead of them.

"No expectations."

Something in his expression softened further.

"We could just be a family."

For a moment, Rowan could almost see it.

A younger Kael.

A little Lyra.

Parents who were still alive.

A family wandering these same streets.

Happy.

"Sounds peaceful," she said quietly.

"It was."

The answer came just as quietly.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Rowan asked the question before she could stop herself.

"How old were you when she died?"

The smile faded.

Not entirely.

Just enough.

"Seventeen."

The number hit harder than she expected.

Seventeen.

Far too young.

Kael looked ahead as they continued walking.

"It changed my father."

His voice remained calm.

Controlled.

But Rowan heard something underneath it.

Something older.

"He was never the same afterward."

The breeze stirred the dark hair at his temple.

"He tried."

A pause.

"For Lyra."

Another pause.

"For me."

His jaw tightened slightly.

"But he was never really the same man."

Rowan's chest ached unexpectedly.

"What happened?"

Kael was silent for several steps.

Then—

"He died four years later."

Rowan stopped walking.

Kael didn't.

Not immediately.

Then he slowed as well.

The sounds of Fernhaven carried around them.

Distant laughter.

The creak of a shop sign swaying in the breeze.

The faint melody of someone playing music somewhere farther down the street.

But for a moment, Rowan barely heard any of it.

"I'm sorry."

The words felt inadequate.

Hopelessly inadequate.

Kael gave a small shrug.

Not dismissive.

Just accepting.

"Lyra always swore it was because they were never meant to exist in two different worlds."

Rowan blinked.

"What does that mean?"

A faint smile returned.

Small.

Sad.

"She said our mother called him home."

The words settled between them.

Beautiful.

Painful.

Very Lyra.

Rowan swallowed hard.

"I can't imagine carrying all of that."

Kael looked at her.

Really looked at her.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Rowan glanced away.

Because suddenly she was thinking about her own father.

About Alden.

About losing her mother before she'd ever known her.

About the way her father had spent her entire life loving her enough for two parents.

The thought of losing him made something twist painfully in her chest.

No.

She couldn't imagine it.

And she couldn't imagine carrying the weight Kael had.

Not at seventeen.

Not ever.

For several moments they simply walked.

Then Kael slowed.

Rowan looked up.

A small bakery sat at the corner of the street.

Warm light glowed through the windows.

Fresh pastries filled the display cases inside.

The scent alone was enough to make her stomach growl.

A sign swung gently overhead.

Kael smiled.

"This is one of my favorite places."

Rowan glanced at him.

"The bakery?"

"The pastries."

The answer came immediately.

For the first time since the conversation about his parents, something lighter entered his expression.

"They make the best pastries I've ever had."

Rowan raised an eyebrow.

"Suddenly Lyra makes a lot more sense."

Kael sighed.

A long-suffering sound.

"I knew that was coming."

A small smile tugged at Rowan's mouth.

For some reason, seeing it made Kael smile too.

And together, they stepped toward the bakery.

The bell above the bakery door chimed softly as they stepped inside.

Warmth greeted them immediately.

The scent of cinnamon seemed even stronger here. Fresh bread. Sweet cream. Butter.

Rowan's stomach growled.

The bakery was small and cozy. A handful of tables sat near the windows. Shelves lined the walls, overflowing with pastries and breads.

And behind the counter stood a tiny elderly woman with silver hair piled neatly on top of her head.

The moment she looked up, her entire face lit up.

"Kael Blackwood."

Kael smiled.

A real smile.

One Rowan had never seen before.

"Hello, Mae."

Before Rowan could blink, Kael stepped around the counter and pulled the older woman into a hug.

Mae patted his cheek when he pulled back.

"Oh, look at you."

"I'm standing right here."

"And still too thin."

Kael sighed.

Rowan nearly smiled.

Mae's gaze shifted toward her.

Sharp.

Curious.

Knowing.

Interesting.

Rowan suddenly understood exactly where Lyra got it from.

"And who is this?"

"Rowan."

Mae's smile softened immediately.

"It's lovely to meet you, Rowan."

"You too."

Mae looked between them.

Then wisely decided not to say whatever she had clearly been thinking.

Instead, she turned back toward Kael.

"The usual?"

Kael nodded.

"If you still have them."

The older woman looked horrified.

"Of course I still have them."

She pointed a finger at him.

"Your mother would haunt me if I didn't."

Something warm flickered across Kael's expression.

"Still the blueberry peach crème croissants?"

Mae scoffed.

"As if I'd ever remove Eleanor Blackwood's favorite pastry."

Rowan's attention snapped immediately toward him.

Your mother.

The expression on Kael's face changed.

Only slightly.

But enough.

Enough that Rowan knew the memory mattered.

A lot.

Mae disappeared into the kitchen before either of them could say anything else.

A few minutes later, they settled at a small table near the window.

Sunlight filtered through the glass.

The town moved lazily outside.

For the first time since arriving, Rowan felt completely relaxed.

Kael leaned back in his chair.

For several moments, neither spoke.

Then—

"Tell me about your pack."

Rowan blinked.

"My pack?"

Kael nodded.

"You've heard enough about mine."

The words surprised her.

Because he was right.

She had.

And she wanted to know more.

About him.

But he was asking about her.

Rowan thought for a moment.

Then smiled slightly.

"My father would probably be offended if I didn't start with him."

Something softened in Kael's expression.

"Tell me about him."

The answer came easily.

Because talking about Alden always did.

"He's stubborn."

Kael nodded immediately.

"I believe that."

Rowan laughed.

"He's kind."

A pause.

"The sort of person who would give away his last coin if someone needed it."

Her smile grew.

"He raised me by himself."

Kael remained silent.

Listening.

Really listening.

"My mother died before I was born."

The words still hurt.

Not as much as they once had.

But enough.

"I don't remember her."

She traced a finger along the edge of her coffee cup.

"But my dad made sure I knew everything about her."

Kael's gaze never left hers.

"What was she like?"

Rowan smiled.

A genuine one.

"According to him?"

Kael nodded.

"Perfect."

A faint laugh escaped him.

"That's usually how people describe their mates."

"Apparently."

The smile lingered.

Then softened.

"He was part of the rogue defense team for his pack."

Kael leaned forward slightly.

Interested.

"My mother was the head warrior of Cedar Ridge."

One eyebrow rose.

"Really?"

"Oh yes."

Pride filled her voice immediately.

"My father said they met during a battle."

A faint smile tugged at Kael's mouth.

"That sounds dangerous."

"It gets worse."

His smile widened.

Rowan found herself smiling too.

"They were fighting rogues in the forest between their territories."

She could practically hear her father's voice telling the story.

"He said he looked up in the middle of the battle and saw her."

Kael stayed quiet.

Listening.

"His wolf started screaming that he'd found his mate."

A laugh escaped Rowan.

"He said he'd never fought so hard in his life."

The smile on her face became softer.

"Not because he was afraid."

She shook her head.

"Because suddenly all he wanted was for the battle to end."

Kael watched her carefully.

"He said she moved through the fight like she'd been born for it."

Rowan's voice grew quieter.

"He always said she looked like a goddess."

The words hung between them.

Warm.

Certain.

Loved.

"When the battle finally ended, they just stood there."

A small smile touched her lips.

"Staring at each other."

Kael didn't look away.

Neither did she.

"They couldn't move."

For a moment, the bakery seemed very quiet.

Then Rowan looked down at her cup.

Breaking whatever had formed between them.

"My father said she finally got tired of waiting."

The smile returned.

Stronger this time.

"She walked right up to him."

Kael was smiling openly now.

"And?"

Rowan laughed.

"She took his hand."

The image was so clear she could almost see it.

"'Hi. My name is Angelina.'"

Kael's smile widened.

"And then?"

Rowan grinned.

"She kissed him."

Kael blinked.

"Immediately?"

"Immediately."

"Bold."

"That's exactly what my father said."

The warmth in her chest deepened.

"They were never apart again."

The smile softened.

"He moved to her pack."

A pause.

"And stayed by her side for the rest of her life."

Silence settled between them.

Comfortable.

Gentle.

Kael's gaze remained on her.

Thoughtful.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Mae appeared carrying a plate piled high with pastries.

"Well," she announced, setting them down.

"If we're discussing great love stories, you're going to need something sweet."