21. A Moment of Connection

Rowan

Luca gently caressed his cheek, Rowan leaned into the touch, savoring the warmth and tenderness of his mate's fingers. "That was incredible," he murmured, his voice soft and filled with wonder. "I never knew it could be like that, so intense and overwhelming."

Luca's eyes softened, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "It was amazing for me too, Rowan. But I don't want you to feel like we have to rush into anything else. We can take our time, explore our bond at our own pace."

Rowan bit his lip, a sudden shyness washing over him. He knew that Luca was being considerate, giving him the space to adjust to their new relationship. But the truth was, Rowan didn't want space. He wanted to be as close to Luca as possible, to feel that connection again and again.

"I appreciate that, Luca," he said, his voice soft but filled with conviction. "But I don't want to take things slow. I want to experience everything with you, to taste and touch and feel you in every way possible."

Luca's eyes darkened, a heated look passing between them. "Are you sure, Rowan? I don't want you to feel pressured or uncomfortable."

Rowan shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'm sure, Luca. I've never been more certain of anything in my life."

With a soft growl, Luca leaned in and captured Rowan's lips in a searing kiss. Rowan melted into the embrace, his arms winding around Luca's neck as he parted his lips, inviting his mate to deepen the kiss.

They lost themselves in each other, hands roaming and breaths mingling as they explored and tasted and claimed. It was only when the need for air became too great that they reluctantly parted, their foreheads resting together as they panted softly.

"We should get some rest," Luca murmured, his voice rough with desire. "Tomorrow is going to be a big day, and we both need to be at our best."

"Luca, I… Can I kiss you again?"

Luca's smile widened, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You never have to ask, Rowan. My lips are yours, whenever you want them."

With a soft, shy smile, Rowan leaned in and pressed his lips to Luca's, the kiss tender and sweet and filled with all the love and devotion he felt for his mate. They lost themselves in the moment, the world around them fading away until there was nothing but the two of them, wrapped in each other's arms.

But as Luca reluctantly pulled away and stood up, Rowan felt a sudden pang of confusion and concern. "Luca? Where are you going?"

Luca hesitated, his expression uncertain. "I thought I would grab a spare blanket and sleep on the floor tonight. Give you some space to adjust and get comfortable."

Rowan's heart sank, a flicker of doubt and insecurity washing over him. "Do you not want to sleep beside me? Are you… ashamed of what we did?"

Luca's eyes widened, a look of alarm crossing his face. "No, Rowan, of course not! I could never be ashamed of being with you. I just wanted to be a gentleman, to give you the choice and not assume anything."

He sat back down on the bed, his hand finding Rowan's and twining their fingers together. "But if you want me to stay, if you want me to hold you tonight, then there's nowhere else I'd rather be."

Rowan's doubts melted away, a warm, contented feeling spreading through his chest. "I do want that, Luca. More than anything."

With a soft, tender smile, Luca lay down beside Rowan, his strong arms wrapping around him and pulling him close. Rowan nestled into the embrace, his head resting on Luca's chest as he listened to the steady, comforting beat of his mate's heart.

* * *

"It's time to wake up. We need to get ready." Luca said, waking him up. He still couldn't believe that he can now wake up if he wanted to. It was a scary thought of not being able to wake up again.

Rowan sighed, pressing a kiss to Luca's chest before reluctantly pulling away. "I know," he said, stretching languidly. "As much as I'd love to stay in bed with you all day, we have a pack to protect and some Silverfang butt to kick."

Luca chuckled, his eyes sparkling with affection and amusement. "That's the spirit, baby. And don't worry, once this is all over, we'll have plenty of time for lazy mornings in bed."

The promise in Luca's voice sent a shiver of anticipation down Rowan's spine. He grinned, leaning in to steal a quick, heated kiss. "I'm holding you to that, wolf boy. Now, let's get dressed before I change my mind and drag you back to bed."

Luca groaned, nipping playfully at Rowan's bottom lip before pulling away. "You're going to be the death of me, you know that?"

Rowan just winked, sauntering over to where Luca had laid out some clothes for him. As he pulled on the slightly oversized shirt and pants, Rowan was enveloped in Luca's scent, a comforting blend of pine and musk that made him feel safe and cherished.

As he dressed, Rowan took a moment to look inward, seeking the familiar pulse of his magic. To his relief, he could still feel it thrumming through his veins, a gentle but insistent hum that filled him with a sense of power and purpose.

"I can feel my magic," he said softly, almost to himself. "It's still there, still a part of me."

Luca came up behind him, wrapping his arms around Rowan's waist and resting his chin on his shoulder. "Of course it is, love. It's who you are, a fundamental part of your being. And it's going to be a huge asset in the fight ahead."

Rowan leaned back into Luca's embrace, drawing strength and comfort from his mate's unwavering support. "I hope so," he murmured.

Luca pressed a kiss to Rowan's temple, his voice fierce and filled with conviction. "You will, Rowan. You are strong and brave and capable of so much more than you realize. And no matter what happens out there, I will be right by your side, fighting with you every step of the way."

Hand in hand, they made their way out of the house and towards the perimeter of the packlands. As they walked, Rowan could feel the tension thrumming through Luca's body, the coiled readiness of a warrior prepared for battle.

It made Rowan's heart swell with pride and admiration, knowing that this brave, strong, loyal man had chosen him, had claimed him as his mate and his equal.

As they approached the meeting point, Rowan could see a small group of men gathered, their postures tense and their expressions grim. Among them, he immediately recognized Gareth, Luca's brother and the pack's beta. The resemblance between the two was striking, the same chiseled features and piercing green eyes.

But it was the man standing beside Gareth that really caught Rowan's attention. He was older, his hair more silver than black, but there was no mistaking the regal bearing, the aura of power and authority that clung to him like a second skin.

"That's your father, isn't it?" Rowan murmured to Luca, his grip on his mate's hand tightening slightly. "The pack alpha."

Luca nodded, his jaw clenching almost imperceptibly. "Yeah, that's him. Don't worry, I'll make sure he doesn't give you any trouble."

Rowan could sense the tension between Luca and his father, the years of strain and unspoken grievances. It made his heart ache, knowing how much Luca had struggled to find his place, to earn his father's approval and respect.

As they drew closer to the group, Rowan could feel the weight of the alpha's gaze on him, assessing, judging. He met the older man's eyes squarely, refusing to be cowed or intimidated.

"Father," Luca said, his voice cool and formal. "This is Rowan, my mate. He's here to fight beside us, to help defend our pack and our allies."

The alpha's gaze flicked over Rowan, his expression unreadable. "A fae prince," he said, his voice flat and devoid of inflection. "And you think he can be trusted, Luca? You think he has a place here, among wolves?"

Rowan bristled at the implication, a hot surge of anger and indignation rising in his chest. But before he could speak, Luca stepped forward, his posture defensive and his eyes flashing with barely restrained fury.

"Rowan is my mate," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "He is a part of this pack, a part of our family. And he has more courage and loyalty in his little finger than most wolves have in their entire bodies."

The alpha's eyes narrowed, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. "Watch your tone, boy," he warned, his voice cold and unyielding. "I am still your alpha, and I will not tolerate disrespect, even from my own son."

Luca's jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists at his sides. But before he could retort, Rowan placed a gentle hand on his arm, drawing his attention.

"It's okay, Luca," he murmured, his voice soft but filled with quiet strength. "I understand your father's concerns. I am an outsider, and I know I have to prove myself, to earn my place within the pack."

He turned to face the alpha, his chin lifted and his eyes clear and unwavering. "I may be a fae prince," he said, his voice ringing with conviction, "but my loyalty is to Luca, and to the Wolfheart pack. I will fight beside you, bleed beside you, and if necessary, die beside you to protect our people and our way of life."

For a long moment, the alpha simply stared at Rowan, his expression inscrutable. Then, slowly, almost grudgingly, he nodded, a glimmer of respect flickering in his eyes.

"Very well," he said, his voice gruff but not unkind. "We shall see if your actions match your words, fae prince. But for now, we have a battle to fight, and a pack to defend."

With that, he turned away, striding towards the gathered warriors with a purposeful gait. Gareth followed close behind, but not before shooting Rowan a small, approving smile over his shoulder.

Luca let out a shaky breath, his hand finding Rowan's and twining their fingers together. "I'm sorry about that," he murmured, his voice tight with anger and frustration. "My father can be a real ass sometimes."

Rowan just smiled, leaning up to press a soft, reassuring kiss to Luca's cheek. "It's okay, love. I can handle a little tough love from the big bad alpha. And besides, I meant what I said. I will do whatever it takes to prove myself worthy of you, and of this pack."

Luca's eyes softened, a warm glow of love and pride shining in their depths. "You already are worthy, Rowan. More than worthy. And I will spend the rest of my life making sure you never doubt that."

Rowan felt his heart swell with emotion at Luca's words, a warm glow of love and gratitude spreading through his chest. He still couldn't quite believe that this amazing, incredible man had chosen him, had claimed him as his mate and his equal.

The alpha's voice rang out across the clearing, commanding the attention of every wolf present. Rowan turned to face him, his hand still clasped tightly in Luca's, ready to hear what the older man had to say.

"My fellow wolves," the alpha began, his voice filled with authority and determination. "We stand here tonight on the brink of a confrontation that will determine the future of our pack, and of all the packs who call themselves our allies."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd, heads nodding and eyes flashing with resolve. The alpha continued, his gaze sweeping over the gathered warriors with a fierce, unwavering intensity.

"The Silverfang pack has broken the most sacred laws of our kind, has taken our people and our allies as if they were nothing more than chattel to be bought and sold. This cannot stand, and it will not stand."

A growl of anger and determination rose from the throats of the assembled wolves, a primal sound that sent a shiver down Rowan's spine. He could feel the tension in the air, the coiled readiness of a pack prepared to fight for their own.

"But," the alpha held up a hand, his voice growing more measured and controlled. "We must remember that violence is not our first resort. We will go to the Silverfang pack and demand the return of our people, will offer them a chance to make amends and avoid the bloodshed of an all-out war."

Rowan nodded along with the others, a sense of pride and respect welling up in his chest. He had always believed in the power of diplomacy, in the idea that even the most bitter of enemies could find common ground if they were willing to listen and compromise.

"However," the alpha's voice hardened, his eyes flashing with a steely resolve. "If they refuse our demands, if they choose to fight rather than negotiate, then we will meet them on the field of battle. We will show them the true strength and unity of the Wolfheart pack, and we will not rest until our people are safe and our enemies are defeated."

A roar of approval went up from the gathered wolves, fists pumping in the air and voices raised in a chorus of defiance and determination. Rowan felt a thrill of excitement and purpose wash over him, a sense that he was part of something greater than himself, something worth fighting for.