Chapter 283

Lanterns glowed, fires crackled warmly, and the village was an oasis of light and celebration. Music danced through the air as wolves of every age danced and laughed, free from the weight of pack life. And there I was, Aurora’s decision to hold this festival celebrated, not blindsided by such a feeling of joy and community.

But beneath the surface, my chest tightened. Tonight, my secrets weighed a little heavier, and I found myself scanning the crowd, my eyes repeatedly drawn to him. Rowan stood near one of the larger fires, speaking with Dane and a few other wolves; his presence affected me powerfully. I tried to shake the thought away, to focus on the present.

The festival offered diverse moments. I wandered the edge of the crowd, my senses heightened as I observed Piper and Warrick near the food table. Their voices were low but sharp, their exchange unmistakably tense.

“Why do you think a simple apology fixes everything?” Piper said, crossing her arms as Warrick leaned in.

“I’m trying here, Piper,” Warrick said, irritation and frustration breaking through. “I already said I wasn’t thinking straight. You’re always busy with pack duties. You leave little room for us.”

Her eyes became glacial. “So now it’s my fault you couldn’t control yourself?”

Warrick tensed, his shoulders rolling. “That’s not what I’m saying. You know that’s not—”

“Then say what you mean,” Piper spat.

“I need you,” Warrick admitted, his voice softening as he looked at her. “More than you realize. I hate that I let you down. And I hate that it keeps coming between us.”

Piper’s face faltered, her guard cracking slightly. “You hurt me, Warrick. I can’t just forget that.”

He reached for her hand; his touch soft. “I know, but let me prove to you that I’m better than that mistake.”

Their eyes locked for a moment, tension melting into something softer. Finally, Piper exhaled and muttered, “You’re still on thin ice.”

Warrick grinned, holding her in a slow dance as the music changed. “I’ll take what I can get.”

The scene made me grin, despite myself, and I continued through the crowd until my gaze inevitably found Rowan. He caught my eye and offered a shy smile that I couldn’t help but return. For a moment, the weight of my secrets seemed to lift, replaced by something warm and unfamiliar.

Close by, Dane stood on a makeshift stage, his hands raised for silence. The murmur died away, and all eyes swung to him. He took Aurora’s hand and stepped forward.

“As wolves, we are strong because we are together,” Dane said softly; the sincerity in his voice was evident. “But tonight, I want to acknowledge why that unity has been possible. Aurora’s sure leadership and guiding light have led us through some pretty dark times. She is not only our Luna; she is the heartbeat of this pack.”

Aurora’s eyes widened, and color crept into her cheeks as applause erupted from the crowd.

Dane’s voice came softer now: “Aurora, you’ve stood beside me through every challenge, every doubt, and every victory. None of this could be without you. Tonight, I just want to say… Thank you. For everything.”

The noise in the crowd grew louder, and Aurora beamed as she drew Dane into a tight hug.

Eventually, as the night wore on and the festivities wound down, I went to sleep. The bed welcomed me, and I stretched out with a glad sigh, letting the distant sounds of celebration fade into my sleep.

I had no idea how long had passed when my door creaked open. “Lila?” A drunken voice called, stumbling into the room. I staggered to my feet, my heart racing. In the doorway stood an enormous, drunken werewolf, his eyes glassy.

“I… thought this was someone else’s.”

“Get out!” I shrieked in a high-pitched, panicked tone.

The wolf stumbled over something before taking another step forward. My pulse throbbed faster, and before I knew it, I screamed again. The noise drew attention. Footsteps pounded down the hall, and in a minute or two, the door exploded open, revealing Rowan. His eyes darted between me and the wolf, his face narrowing threateningly.

“What the hell is going on here?” Rowan asked low, in that threatening voice.

The drunken wolf stuttered and backed away, hands up in defense. “I didn’t mean… it was a mistake.”

“Get out,” Rowan growled; the underlying tone in his voice brooked no argument.

The wolf stumbled backward out of the room, and then Rowan turned to me, his face softening. “Are you okay?”

I nodded shakily, but the noise had already drawn more wolves, their curious and suspicious gazes falling on us.

“What’s going on?” one of them asked, his tone sharp.

Rowan’s defensive stance and the fact that he remained close to me only fueled the whispers. I could practically see the wheels turning in their minds, suspicion blooming.

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, but the words rang hollow.

Rowan’s jaw clenched. “Return to your rooms. There’s nothing to see here.”

The wolves turned and went away reluctantly, their whispers lingering after them. As Rowan turned back to me, his face softened once more.

“I’ll stay outside your door tonight,” he said finally. “Just in case.”