Even after Elsie shut the door behind her, a faint whine from the courtyard lingered in the air. Surprised voices.
Arguments.
Shock.
All of it became hazy into something far away that no longer felt like it belonged to her. With her hand lightly resting against the door as if to ground herself, she stood still for a brief moment in the quiet of her room. Her heart was pounding quickly. Too quickly. But not from fear.
Not completely. Before she could even process it fully, she heard footsteps.
Quick, determined.
The door swung open without a knock.
"Elise."
Her father.
Her mother sped up quickly after her, her face already tense with worry and something even more intense: fear. After them, Sara stepped in. Also Edward. Elsie didn't move from where she stood.
she ceased speaking. She just slowly turned to face them. The first speaker was her father. He began in a controlled but firm voice, "What you did back there was reckless." Her mother didn't sit around. "Reckless?" She exploded. "It was madness!"
Elsie remained quiet.
Her gaze steady.
Emotionally, her mother came closer and raised her voice. "Do you even recognize that man?" She insisted. "Do you understand what you've just agreed to?"
Nothing continues. Elsie's father continued, "You cannot marry him." This is not a decision made on the spur of the moment. This affects more than just you."
Sara's expression was serious as she crossed her arms. She stated, "This isn't just about you wanting to escape." "This is serious."
Edward, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
"You don't know Rowan," he said, his voice low but sharp. "Nightcrest is not like this pack. They're ruthless. Their Alpha is worse."
At that, Elsie's eyes slightly lit up. But she said nothing.
Her mother shook her head, almost in disbelief.
She went on, her voice becoming more urgent, "You've heard the stories." Nightcrest wolves are distinct from us. They do not operate in the same manner. They are... wild. Her voice softened, but only slightly.
"And Rowan… he is not a good man."
Elsie's expression didn't change.
Her silence stretched.
Uncomfortable.
Heavy.
Her father came back forward. "We will not approve this marriage," he said firmly.
Sara nodded in agreement.
"This isn't right," she added.
Edward's jaw tightened.
He stated, "You can still refuse." "No one is compelled to carry this out." Elsie made her move at that point. Slowly.
She passed them and stopped near the room's center before turning around to face them all. Her voice, when she spoke, was calm.
Too calm.
"Are you done?"
They were taken aback by the query. "What?" Her mother gave a blink. Elsie kept saying, in the same tone, "I asked," "Are you done?" Silence.
They stared at her.
Confused.
She gave herself an answer -like faint nod. "Good."
She exhaled slightly. "After that, you can leave my room," Her mother's expression became more rigid. "Elise...."
Elsie broke in with a loud but now more assertive "No," her voice remaining quiet. "You don't get to stand here and tell me what to do." Her father gave a frown. "This is our family, Elsie" Elsie interjected, "And where was that family when I had no choice?" The room went still.
Her gaze shifted.
toward Edward "To him who I knew from childhood"
Next, to Sara. "To her who is my blood sister"
Sara stiffened.
Elsie's eyes moved back to her parents.
"You all stood there," she continued, her voice steady, "and watched while my mate chose to rejected me."
Nobody talked. She continued, "You asked me to accept it." "To have compassion. to consider the Pack." Her lips curved slightly.
But there was no warmth in it.
"And so did then and I'm doing now." She returned her focus to Sara. "You got your happily ever after." Then to her parents.
"And you didn't say a word." Her mother's face turned red. She whispered, "Elise..." However, Elsie gave a faint head shake. She responded, "No." "Don't."
A pause.
Then-
She continued, her voice quieter but heavier, "it disgusts me." "What you're doing now..." The word was heard louder than any scream. Her father's face became more serious. "You didn't mean that," he said. Elsie responded simply, "I do." Silence settled again.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
She examined each of them one by one. "Is it because you don't want me to ever get married?" she asked.
No one answered.
She added softly, "Or is it that after everything..." that happened you think no one would want me? Her mother came forward right away. "That's not true...." "Then what's it about?" Elsie made a push. No response came. Naturally, it did not. She quietly exhaled. "If you won't leave," she said, turning toward the door, "then I will."
"Elise—" her father called.
However, she was already moving. Past them.
She left the room. left the house. She didn't stop.
Didn't look back.
She felt as though her feet already knew where she needed to go as they instinctively carried her forward. It was a familiar route. Too common a place. The plants. The peace. The sound of water in the distance.
The water. Elsie slowed as she reached the clearing, her heart beating a little faster now.
She told herself she didn't expect him to be there.
Told herself she didn't care.
Even so, something in her chest slightly tightened. And just like she thought ...She saw him.
positioned close to the water. Closing his shirt buttons. As if he had been there all along. Waiting.
Her chest tightened. She said, "You're here," before she could stop herself. Rowan turned around. Those silver eyes found her instantly.
"I could say the same," he replied calmly.
She moved in closer, now maintaining her gaze. "Why did you select me?" She inquired. Without hesitation. No suppleness. Just a direct question.
Rowan tilted his head slightly.
"Why shouldn't I choose you?" He moved in her direction. He took one step towards her then another.
Slowly reducing the distance between them.
Elsie remained silent. Every step he took made her heart beat faster. Their eyes locked.
The same intensity.
the same identical pull like before.
Rowan stopped just in front of her.
She was now close enough to feel his presence completely. "You're asking the wrong question," he murmured.
His gaze dropped briefly to her lips.
Then back to her eyes.
"Why would I not select you?" Her breath hitched.
For a second, she forgot how to respond.
Forgot everything.
The world narrowed to just him.
to the distance that separates them. To the tension that felt like it could snap at any moment.
And then...
He closed the distance.
His hand lifted slightly, brushing against her jaw as he leaned in.
Elsie was froze. Her mind screamed at her to step back.
to halt him. To think.
But her body didn't listen.
His lips met hers.
Warm.
Firm.
Certain.
For a moment, she thought she had resisted.
Barely.
Her hand pressing lightly against his chest as if to push him away.
But he didn't force her.
Didn't rush.
He waited.
And something in that patience—
That command surpassed her hesitation. Her grip became looser. Her resistance went away. And gradually.... She curled up against him. Responding.
Taking his direction. The kiss deepened slightly, still controlled, still deliberate—but enough to send a strange warmth through her chest.
a sensation she hadn't had in a long time. Something vivacious. The distance that separated them felt different when he finally pulled back. It felt charged.
Elsie's thoughts were scattered and her breathing was now irregular. Also, Rowan— He just observed her, watching her Like he already knew exactly what had just changed.