Bound By Moonlight

Chapter 4

Rowan’s Journey to the City

The journey began at dawn. The golden light of the rising sun crept over the forest, chasing away the shadows of the previous night. Rowan stood at the edge of his pack’s territory, the faint scent of pine and frost clinging to the air. Behind him, his beta, Marcus, paced nervously.

“You’re really going through with this?” Marcus asked, his voice tinged with concern. “We can send scouts, Rowan. You don’t have to go alone.”

Rowan adjusted the strap of his pack, his expression resolute. “This isn’t a job for scouts. If Caleb is involved, I need to see him myself.”

Marcus stopped pacing, his brows furrowing. “Do you even know what you’re walking into? It’s been five years. He’s not the same omega you rejected.”

The words stung more than Rowan cared to admit. He turned, his gaze hard. “I’m not the same wolf who rejected him, either.”

Marcus held his stare for a moment before sighing and stepping back. “Fine. But be careful. We can’t afford to lose you.”

Rowan nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “I’ll be back.”

With that, he shifted into his wolf form, his massive gray body blending into the forest as he ran. The world blurred around him, trees whipping past in a rush of green and brown. He pushed himself hard, his paws pounding against the frozen ground. The city was a day’s run from his territory, and every step brought him closer to the confrontation he had been avoiding for years.

As the sun climbed higher, Rowan’s thoughts churned. Memories of Caleb surfaced unbidden—his bright laughter, the way his eyes sparkled with mischief. Rowan had been captivated from the moment they met, but duty had been his priority then. He had convinced himself that rejecting Caleb was the right choice, that their bond would only bring destruction. Now, he wasn’t so sure.

By the time Rowan reached the outskirts of the city, the sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the sprawling buildings. The air here was different, heavy with the mingling scents of humans, oil, and asphalt. It was a far cry from the crisp wilderness he was used to.

Rowan shifted back into his human form, pulling on a dark jacket to blend in. His wolf bristled under his skin, restless in the unfamiliar environment. He followed the faint traces of wolf scent, weaving through alleys and backstreets. The deeper he went, the stronger the scent became—an unmistakable mix of Caleb’s pine-and-amber fragrance and the wild, untamed energy of rogues.

The trail led him to an old warehouse on the edge of the city. Its windows were shattered, the metal walls streaked with rust, but Rowan could sense the life inside. Voices echoed faintly through the walls, accompanied by the occasional sound of laughter or a low growl. This wasn’t just a hideout—it was a community.

Rowan approached cautiously, his senses on high alert. He didn’t get far before a figure stepped out of the shadows, blocking his path. It was a young wolf, his posture tense but not overtly hostile.

“State your business,” the wolf said, his voice firm.

“I’m here to see Caleb,” Rowan replied evenly.

The young wolf’s eyes narrowed. “What makes you think he wants to see you?”

Rowan clenched his jaw, suppressing the flare of irritation. “Tell him Rowan is here. He’ll understand.”

The wolf hesitated for a moment before nodding and disappearing into the building. Rowan waited, his heart pounding in his chest. He wasn’t sure what he expected—anger, indifference, perhaps even hatred—but nothing could have prepared him for what came next.

The door creaked open, and Caleb stepped into the fading light.

The scent hit Rowan before he saw him—a familiar blend of pine and amber, laced now with something sharper, almost electric. It stirred memories he had buried deep, but there was something different about it now, something that made his wolf uneasy. It was fiercer, untamed.

Rowan’s heart thundered in his chest as Caleb stepped into view. The sight of him stole Rowan’s breath.

Caleb was nothing like the omega Rowan had walked away from five years ago. The shy, hopeful young wolf he had rejected was gone, replaced by someone who carried himself with a commanding presence that rivaled any alpha.

His lean frame, once soft with youth, was now honed and muscular, a testament to years of hard living and survival. He wore dark, weathered clothes—a leather jacket that clung to his shoulders, boots scuffed from countless miles. His black hair, longer than Rowan remembered, framed his angular face, and his green eyes—once warm and inviting—now gleamed with a cold, unyielding edge.

But it wasn’t just his appearance that had changed. It was the way he moved, the way he held himself. Caleb no longer deferred to anyone. He was a lone wolf, hardened by his experiences, and he wore his independence like armor

Rowan’s breath caught. Caleb was no longer the omega he remembered. His once soft features had hardened, his lean frame now filled with strength and confidence. His green eyes, still as piercing as ever, were shadowed with a guarded edge. Dressed in a black leather jacket and boots, he exuded a commanding presence that made Rowan’s wolf stir with both admiration and regret.

“Rowan,” Caleb said, his voice cold and measured. “You’ve got some nerve showing up here.”

Rowan swallowed, meeting Caleb’s gaze. “We need to talk.”

Caleb crossed his arms, leaning casually against the doorframe. “Talk? After five years of silence? What could you possibly have to say to me now?”

Rowan took a deep breath, steadying himself. “There’s a threat against my pack—against all the packs. The rogues attacking us are connected to you. I need answers.”

A bitter smile curled Caleb’s lips. “Of course you do. The great Alpha Rowan only comes when he needs something.”

Rowan flinched at the words but didn’t back down. “This isn’t about me. This is about everyone—your people included.”

Caleb’s expression darkened, and for a moment, Rowan thought he might refuse. But then Caleb stepped aside, gesturing for Rowan to follow.

“Fine,” Caleb said. “Let’s talk. But don’t expect a warm welcome.”

Rowan nodded and stepped inside, the tension between them crackling like a live wire. Whatever awaited him in Caleb’s sanctuary, one thing was clear—this was only the beginning.