Chapter 239

The next morning, I found Rowan in the training area. He lifted his head when he saw me approach, and for one tense moment, I thought he’d say something. Then he turned away, his shoulders stiffening.

“Rowan,” I said, firm. “We need to talk.”

He didn’t turn, but he ceased moving. “There’s nothing to talk about,” he said, his tone icy.

It was as if the space separating us had never been wider, and I knew at that moment Alina’s hold upon him was stronger than I’d dared to imagine.

I stood there staring at his back, my stomach getting tighter with each silent second ticking by. “Rowan, please,” I said, softening my tone. “I’m not here to fight. I just want to help.”

He finally turned, but his face was guarded, his eyes clouded with something I couldn’t place. “I don’t need your help, Piper,” he said. “What I need is for you to stop interfering.”

The words came out hard, harder than I’d bargained for. “I’m not interfering,” I said. “I’m trying to figure out what’s going on with you. You’ve changed, Rowan, and everyone sees it.”

He snorted. “Maybe I’m sick of being the guy nobody ever thinks—"

I opened my mouth to say anything, but he was already moving away.

He moved around me, his shoulder colliding with mine as he walked away from the training arena. The chill in his voice stuck in the air as I stood there in surprise, saying nothing.

The thing was, Rowan wasn’t just slipping away; he was actively pulling himself to some place I couldn’t reach, which, incidentally, was the worst part. I didn’t know how to stop him.

The rest of the day was kind of a blur after that. I tried to pay attention to other things, like training the younger wolves and helping sort out supplies, but my mind kept straying back to Rowan. I could replay the words in my head over and over, each one like a recurring reminder that something was seriously off.

Warrick found me in my room at lunchtime. He was leaning against the doorframe, arms across his chest, that knowing glint in his eye.

“You’re overthinking again,” he said.

I let my breath out in a sigh, leaning back on the table. “How could I not? Rowan’s shutting everyone out and Alina…” I caught myself, biting my lip.

“Alina’s stirring up trouble,” Warrick finished for me. He pushed off the doorframe and strode toward me. “You don’t have to say it. I see it too.”

I met his gaze, grateful for his understanding. “I just don’t know how to get Rowan to open up his mind.”

“Rowan is stubborn… he has always been like that… it’s not going to be easy to stop him from believing what he wants to believe.”

I sighed as my shoulders slumped, “But…” I cut off as Warrick lifted my chin and pressed a kiss on my lips.

I froze out of surprise and I felt relief wash over me as I melted into his chest.

He pulled back and wiped my lips with his thumb. “You are stressing too much, come with me.”

I gasped, as he pulled me towards the exit.

“Where are we going?” I asked, with my brows crossed. “You know I have to monitor the trainees.”

“Come with me for now… we have thirty minutes before the time for training, and that means we have to start going now if you don’t want to be late.”

He took to his heels and I giggled as I raced after him. We got to the garden and Warrick halted, I reached him and I crouched over as I held my chest, my heart was racing.

Warrick had run so fast… I feel so breathless after chasing him.

Warrick turned to me and smiled, “Sorry, I made you run baby…” he bent down and took me up in his arms.

My eyes widened in shock as I looked around to see if someone—

I wanted to tell him to drop me down… but I was too tired to walk myself. So I will just enjoy this.

I placed my head on his chest and he planted a kiss on it. “Close your eyes.”

“Hmm,” I sighed and obeyed.

Warrick walked a few more steps. I crossed my brows as I tried to peek.

“No peeking, Piper.”

I pinched my eyes shut immediately.

I felt him dropping me down, he helped me sit on a mat and I heard him step away and then I heard him seat in front of me.

“Open your eyes, baby.”

I blinked, my eyes opened and I squinted immediately, the ray of the evening sunlight blasted on my face.

Warrick’s smirking face shifted into my front, blocking the sunlight. He licked his lips and ran his hand over his hair, and it waved in the breeze.

“I thought you might be hungry… so I prepared a little lunch,” he said and opened his hands as he motioned downward.

I dropped my gaze and I noticed the food in front of us. I swallowed as I saw the varieties of dishes. There is fried meat, rice and fresh fruits.

I looked up to Warrick with a smile, “Baby… I was starving.”

“So, dig in,” he said as he opened a basket there and brought out a plate. He dished out some food for me and handed it to me.

“Thanks,” I said as I took it. He dished for himself and we started to eat together.

I looked up at him. I felt this sense of peace in my heart. Is this really Warrick?

He keeps proving time and time again that he has changed. The old Warrick would never think to do this, I guess staying with this pack had really made him change.

I smiled as he looked up and our eyes met, he smiled back at me.

The nearby bush shuffled and we turned to it immediately. I furrowed my brows when I heard footsteps running.

Who could have been peeking on us?

I turned to Warrick and he shrugged, “Probably some jealous folk who was just looking at two lovers.”

I narrowed my gaze at the direction the sound came from, “Or a villain who is not happy seeing us this way."