Chapter 24

Chapter

Twenty-Four

Rowan

I hated every second I had to be away from her. Especially knowing that someone had been in my damn house. I needed to seal our bond, but more than that, my wolf wanted blood. I would let him have it as soon as we figured out who the hell was behind this mess. I had my guesses, but couldn't decide if I wanted to be right.

Nathan Black would pay for what he did to Evelyn and for his involvement with the dagger. But was he following orders? Was he so blinded by power he'd gotten wrapped up in dark magic himself? Would he put his entire pack at risk for his own gain? The idea made my stomach twist.

Lana nudged my shoulder. "You good?"

"What do you think?"

She nodded, and I leaned over the sturdy oak table, arms crossed, eyes scanning my most trusted allies. I hated that after the dagger had gone missing, I questioned whether that trust was misplaced.

Evelyn didn't recognize the scent , I reminded myself. Even though it was masked, she would've known if it were someone in my pack, wouldn't she? I had to make a choice, and for better or worse, I was choosing them.

"Whiteswan Lake." I watched their expressions as they took in the words.

Tori's lips pursed. "That place is sacred."

"You think he's taking the dagger there? " Mara talked over her.

"Evelyn's sure." I shuddered as my wolf gnashed his teeth. As our bond strengthened, I felt more from her, and the sensations that flooded the bond as she spoke of the pools made my spine turn to ice. Nathan had planned to take her there. To force her into being his mate.

"Ready to crash their party?" Lana quipped, but her humor didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Something like that." My jaw tightened at the thought of Evelyn caught in the middle of this mess. I met each gaze in turn, letting them see my resolve. "They're going to be ready for us."

Nathan knows I'm here. I needed to hit something.

"Easy." Jasper braved a hand on my shoulder, and I flinched. "You'll get your moment, Alpha. I swear it."

"Anyone want to fill me in on the actual plan?" Lana muttered.

"Simple," I growled. "We take the fight to them before they can bring it to us."

"Suicide mission, then?" Jasper's eyes gleamed. "Just another Friday."

"Better than waiting for whatever power they're working to unleash," I shot back. He was kidding, but I wasn't in the mood. Especially since Blake Ash was insisting on being a part of our group. "We've got forty-eight hours." That damn clock ticked in the back of my mind. Two days . I only had two more than that. If Evelyn didn't accept our mating bond—if we didn't consummate it—it would begin to fade for her. I couldn't accept that, but I also wouldn't force her paw. My wolf whimpered at the thought.

Mara's face hardened. "I'm ready to tear Nathan apart."

"You can start with Justin." Tori's eyes flashed. "We have him sedated and restrained. Happy to let you have a go."

Blake had already called dibs on him, and I was happy to acquiesce. I wondered how much it was costing him to betray his alpha. As third of Kitimat, he had to be suffering. I didn't fully trust him like Evelyn did, but I could respect him for that. Just like I respected Evelyn for finding a way out.

"Patience." I lowered my voice. "We move as one, or not at all."

The meeting broke soon after. I was the last to leave, the weight of leadership heavy on my shoulders. As I passed through the doorway, Jasper's voice halted my exit.

"Rowan." He jogged up behind me. "What's your play?"

"I already told you?—"

"No, dipshit. Your play with Evelyn. If I keep feeling all of this—" He circled his hand over my chest, "through our bond? I'm going to lose my everloving mind. Or sleep with someone I shouldn't."

"Please don't piss off the mayor again."

Jasper threw his hands out. "I'm just sayin'. Under your control, buddy."

I scoffed. "Clearly."

"You need to lay all that alpha charm on thick."

Terrible advice. That was probably the worst thing I could do with Evelyn, but I didn't correct him. Jasper hadn't found his mate yet, either, and he only wanted to help. "Thanks, bud."

"Worst case, she dumps your ass, right?" He gave a lopsided smile that I guessed was supposed to be comforting.

"You say that like it won't damn me to an eternity of loneliness."

Jasper clapped his hands on my shoulders. "You'll never be lonely. And there are plenty of she-wolves that would be happy to?—"

"Not going to happen." I clenched my fists at my sides. I knew what he was thinking. Our pack was already struggling. We needed new strength. New numbers. As alpha, I would need to strengthen the pack. I'd need to procreate.

Revulsion twisted in my gut. "The thought of taking anyone else..." I couldn't finish. It was unthinkable. The very idea scraped against my insides like thorns. My wolf snarled within, possessive and single-minded. "I'll win her over," I vowed, more to myself than to Jasper. Something flickered in his eyes. "What?"

He took a step back, shoving his hands in his pocket. "I'd never question you. Never. But as your second, I have to ask you to consider?—"

"Spit it out, Jasper."

"Can she commit to this pack? She sure as hell seems strong enough to lead if she can keep you at arm's length, but will she be loyal?"

I ground my teeth at the criticism, but it was a fair question. One I had to consider. "I'll make sure. Before we bond."

"Even if she's topless?"

I shoved Jasper against the closest tree.

The pub's dim light spilled onto the street as Jasper and I approached. I pushed the door open, and the scent of beer, peanut shells, and warm bodies hit me like a physical force, carrying with it the undercurrents of her .

My eyes dragged to her like iron filing under a magnet. Her long, auburn hair cascaded down her back as she leaned over the pool table, cue in hand. Eyes focused, mouth slightly parted, her ass tilted in a way that made my jeans tighten.

Her shot was smooth, precise, but her shoulders never relaxed as she stood. I loved that she was there with my pack. Loved that she still trusted them even after the events of that night. The fact that she wasn't at home curled up after the attack at the cabin showed her strength. It showed her desire for a pack, even if she didn't know it yet.

"She's trying to unwind," Jasper murmured beside me.

"Trying and failing."

She straightened up, revealing the faint crease between her brows, the subtle clench of her jaw. Will laughed at something she said, and though she smiled back, it didn't reach her eyes.

The pull of her hit every fiber of my being, an invisible tether that yanked at my chest with every breath she took. It was painful to watch her like this, wrapped in layers of stress she couldn't shake off. My wolf prowled restlessly within, instincts screaming to go to her, comfort her, protect her.

"You've got a little—" Jasper reached up, pretending to wipe drool from my mouth.

I slapped his hand away. "Asshole."

His chuckle faded behind me as I stepped forward, closing the distance between us. Evelyn straightened up and turned, her hazel eyes locking onto mine. There was a flash of something—surprise, maybe even a hint of pleasure—before she schooled her expression into one of casual indifference.

"Mind if I watch?" I leaned against the edge of the pool table.

"Only if you promise not to critique my technique," she shot back.

"Wouldn't dream of it," I grinned, watching as she chalked the tip of her cue stick. "Although, if you wanted a few pointers, I'm sure I could?—"

"From you?" Evelyn raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in her eyes. "The last time you played me in pool, I recall a certain someone ripping the felt."

"That was one time. The table was defective."

Will laughed next to her. "I want to hear this story."

Evelyn shot me a look. "I'm sure Rowan can tell you his version."

"What, not in the mood to embarrass me?"

Her lips twitched as she drew a deep breath. "Not in the mood for much of anything, to be honest."

I ached to wrap her in my arms. She was putting on a strong face, but I sensed the grief and fear hovering just below the surface.

I took a step closer. "Right now we're safe?—"

"I swear, Rowan, if you tell me to 'live laugh love' or be present, I'm going to stab you with this poolstick."

I knew what she was doing. What she'd always done. She was collecting evidence for why this life—this place—was worth running from. But I wasn't going to let her slip through my fingers.

I glanced around at the small group of my wolves, their eyes trained on me. Waiting for my response. I walked behind Evelyn and picked up a pool cue. "I spent a long time waiting for things to settle after the packs split. If Kitimat stopped trying to spread their lies, then I could breathe. When my pack saw me as their rightful alpha, I could sleep at night. The truth is, we're shifters. Our world is never going to be settled. There will always be another threat. But it doesn't mean we can't enjoy every damn moment in between."

Evelyn's eyes were fixed on me as I chalked the end of my cue.

"Want to play?" I asked. I was running out of time. I could feel her pulling back. Explaining away the moments we had in the cabin, the connection she felt at the picnic. I didn't blame her, but I had to change the story in her head.

Not all packs were toxic.

Not all alphas would take advantage of her or anyone else.

She looked at me through her lashes. "What do you think a game of pool is going to contribute to this situation?"

I leaned in, my lips brushing the shell of her ear. "Not just pool, Strawberry. I'm challenging you to a game of strip pool."

Her eyebrows arched. When she spoke, she kept her voice low. "After what just happened, you want to play strip pool? Here?" She motioned to my pack and the rest of the pub, full to the brim with folks from town.

"Scared you'll lose?"

My wolves hooted and hollered around us. It wasn't often that the Evelyn Berry I knew backed down from a challenge, and I was counting on that streak of defiance to work in my favor.

Her lips pressed into a thin line, the barest hint of a smile tugging at the corners. I could see the war behind her eyes, the desire to throw caution to the wind.

"Scared I'll embarrass you in front of your loyal followers, more like," she muttered, though her gaze lingered on the pool table, weighing the offer. "But fine. Have it your way."

Will pulled up a stool for Marissa, and Liam grabbed a few extra for him and his friends.

"Call the ball, call the pocket," I said, moving behind her and pretending I didn't have much space so I had an excuse to drag my hand over her hip and press up against her tight jeans. There was that damn flush on her skin that was going to undo me.

"Don't think I'll make this easy for you." She grabbed the triangle rack and started dropping in balls.

"Wouldn't dream of it."