Chapter 263

AURORA

I woke to the gentle scratching at my window from an unrestful sleep. I sat up slowly, and moonlight cut across the room in silver ribbons. Dane stirred at my side but never woke.

I leaned toward the window and peered through the curtains, and then I saw him standing just beyond the stretch of light from the lantern. I opened the window. “Who’s there?” I called out, though my voice was even, my stomach swarmed with butterflies.

The figure stepped forward; the shadows fell away to reveal Rowan. His hands were jammed deep into his pockets, his shoulders hunched. His face was a picture of determination versus hesitation.

“I need to talk to you,” he said in a low but firm voice.

I turned back to Dane, who slept, and slipped from bed, tugging my robe around me. Outside I wrapped my arms against the cool night air.

“What is it, Rowan?” I asked, keeping my voice flat.

He hesitated, his eyes darting away before meeting mine. “I... I don’t think you understand what’s really going on around here.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Then enlighten me.”

He stepped closer, the words tumbling out in a rush. “I’ve been trying to prove myself, but every time I do, it feels like I’m being pushed further away. You and Dane, you’ve made this image of perfection, but not everyone fits into it.”

“Rowan,” I started, but he cut me off. “I know I’ve made mistakes, but I’m not the only one! And yet, I’m the one constantly under scrutiny, while others get away with it.” He trailed off, his frustration boiling beneath the surface.

“Get away with what?” Dane’s voice cut through the night, sharp and unyielding.

I turned to see him stepping into the light, his arms crossed and his gaze locked on Rowan.

A scowl came onto Rowan’s face, and his shoulders squared as though ready for a fight. “Why do you always have to show up? It isn’t about you!”

“It is about this pack,” he said levelly, the steel not far from his voice. “And I won’t stand by while you throw baseless accusations around just because we forgave your earlier crimes.”

“Unfounded?” Rowan snarled louder, his voice rising. “You think I don’t see the favoritism? How do the two of you run everything like some sort of power?”

“Easy, Rowan,” warned Dane, pressing farther.

“Dudes, stop!” I threw open my hands and slipped in between them. “Nobody helps that way.”

He snapped his eyes to mine, an edge of anger and hurt sharpening their depths. “You say you’re listening, but are you? Or are you just waiting to tell me I’m wrong again?”

“Rowan,” I said, my voice softening. “This isn’t about who’s right or wrong. It’s about working together, finding a way forward.”

He laughed again, the sound bitter. “Forward? With you two making the calls? Where does that leave the rest of us?”

“It leaves us trying to keep everybody safe,” Dane said shortly.

The frustration boiled over, and his voice shook. “Safe? You think this is safe? Wolves like me get left behind and you sit in your perfect little house, pretending everything’s okay!”

“Enough!” The word was thunder in Dane’s voice, snapping his patience.

A thick moment of silence passed between us. The muscles in Rowan’s chest heaved; at his sides, his fists were clenched. I took another step closer, softening my tone. “Nobody is playing with you, Rowan. It does take some work from all of you, not from us alone, you know.”

He shook his head and in one fluid movement stepped back, spilling frustration into the action. “Maybe it’s about time you realize not everyone thinks in your particular way.”

With that said, he walked off and disappeared into the darkness.

I watched him go and felt his words cut deep and weigh heavy upon my heart. Dane’s hand found mine and steadied me.

“We shall work it out,” he muttered in a low, firm voice.

But before I could answer, Alina emerged into the faint light of the lanterns, crossing her arms, a slight smirk playing about her lips.

“Looks like everyone don’t see you guys the way I do. Besides, you guys only hear rumors about me, but you have no evidence. I may be on your side after all,” she whispered, the words carrying just enough to twist my stomach.

Then she walked off into the darkness.

Dane’s fingers had tightened on mine the moment Alina vanished into the dark, leaving her words hanging in the night. My stomach rolled as unease settled in my gut like a stone. “What was that all about?” he asked, his voice low but with a thread of tension.

I shook my head, my eyes still fixed on that spot where she’d disappeared. “Always watching, always scheming. I don’t know what game she is playing, but it’s not good.”

Dane’s jaw flexed. “We can’t let her get under our skin, Aurora. Not now.”

I pulled my hand from his and turned to him fully, my voice a whisper but firm. “It’s not about her, Rowan’s words… they weren’t all that wrong, Dane. Maybe we have been blind to some things.”

He scowled, crossing his arms over his chest. “You don’t seriously take his side, do you? Rowan’s angry, fine, but he’s pulled some stupid stunts. That’s his fault, not ours.”

I blew out a loud breath and rubbed my temples. “I’m not excusing him; however, we have to be more considerate, more thoughtful. What does it say about us as leaders if we lose confidence in wolves like Rowan?”

Dane’s posture eased further, his face softening as he took my hand again. “You are so hard on yourself. We did everything we could for this pack.”

“Maybe that is not enough,” I whispered, and my voice threatened to break.

Dane cradled my face between his palms, his thumbs stroking the pad of my cheek. “Aurora, we can’t fix everything in one day, but we’re in this together. That must count for something.”

I leaned into his touch, closing my eyes briefly. “It does. But I just can’t shake the feeling that something bigger is coming.”

A soft rustling in the bushes beside us sent us both turning before Dane could answer. My heart leapt into my throat but loosened when Piper emerged, looking utterly annoyed and concerned.

“Why are you two out here in the middle of the night?” she asked, crossing her arms.

Dane straightened, his hand falling from my face. “We were… talking.”

Piper cocked an eyebrow. “Sounded like more than talking. Is everything okay?”

I nodded, forcing a small smile. “Just sorting through some things.”

Piper looked between us, skepticism written on her features. “Well, maybe you should sort them out inside. This forest has been giving me bad vibes lately.”

Dane chuckled low in his throat. “Noted. Let’s go.”

I faced the pack house, and my taut shoulders urged a glance in the opposite direction, half expecting Alina or Rowan to appear. The night seemed heavier, weighed down by what was left unsaid.

Inside, I leaned against the door and blew out a slow breath. Piper remained in the doorway, eyes aglow.

“Whatever is happening, just... be careful,” she whispered, so unlike the chipper tone that I was used to.

I nodded and held her gaze. “Always.”

Dane nudged me upward toward the stairs. We climbed to our room; he faced me, the gravity of the situation etched on his expression. “We’ll deal with Rowan and Alina. Together.”

“Uh, together,” I echoed, but my heart spoke another cadence altogether.

I had lain in bed, staring at the ceiling while my head swirled with all that had happened, from the anger in Rowan to the cryptic whispers from Aline to the tension simmering and ready to blow within the pack.

Dane stirred beside me; his hand brushed mine. “What is it?” he murmured.

“Nothing,” I whispered, even though my heart told a very different story.