For several seconds, no one spoke. The name hung in the forest like a shadow.
Blackthorn.
Even the wind seemed to hesitate among the trees. I could feel the weight of the word pressing against my chest, stirring memories I had tried to leave behind.
The pack. The bond. The rejection. My wolf shifted uneasily inside me. Not with fear but with recognition.
Rowan's gaze moved from the scout to me. Slowly. Carefully. He wasn't surprised. But he was calculating.
"Are they moving toward the valley?" Rowan asked.
The scout shook his head.
"Not yet."
His eyes returned to the scout.
"You said they're searching for someone."
"Yes, Alpha."
My stomach tightened.
"Did they say who?" Rowan asked.
The scout hesitated.
"They didn't say a name."
"But?"
The man glanced briefly in my direction.
"They mentioned a she-wolf."
The forest seemed to grow colder. I exhaled slowly.
"Well," I said quietly.
"That narrows it down."
The braided woman turned toward me.
"You didn't think they'd just let you disappear, did you?"
I shrugged.
"Kael rejected me."
"That doesn't mean he stopped being your Alpha."
"No," I replied. "It means he stopped being my mate."
The tall wolf folded his arms.
"That kind of bond doesn't vanish overnight."
"I noticed."
I was overwhelmed with shock and tension. I thought my answers had to be as clear as possible.
Rowan raised a hand slightly. The conversation stopped instantly. He turned toward the scout.
"Did they cross the border?"
"No."
"Then they're testing the line."
"Yes."
Rowan nodded once.
"Return to the northern ridge. Watch their movement."
"Yes, Alpha."
The scout shifted back into wolf form and disappeared into the trees seconds later. The forest fell silent again. For a moment, no one moved. I felt the responsibility was on me and I carefully observed Rowan.
Then Rowan looked at the others.
"Return to the settlement."
The tall wolf frowned.
"And the scouts?"
"We observe."
"They're on our border."
"And they haven't crossed it."
The authority in Rowan's voice settled the matter. The wolves nodded and began moving back toward the valley. One by one, they disappeared between the trees. Soon only Rowan and I remained on the quiet forest path.
The silence between us stretched.
Finally, Rowan spoke.
"So."
I crossed my arms.
"So."
"You didn't mention that your former Alpha might come looking for you."
"I didn't think he would."
Rowan studied me.
"You believe that."
"Yes."
"But you're not certain."
I didn't answer immediately. Because the truth was uncomfortable. Kael had rejected me. Publicly. Coldly. Yet the mate bond had not vanished completely. I could still feel its faint echo somewhere deep inside me. Like a thread that refused to fully snap.
"I left," I said finally.
"That should have been enough."
"For you," Rowan said quietly. "Maybe not for him."
I frowned.
"He rejected the bond."
"That doesn't erase instinct."
"And you know that how?"
Rowan's gaze remained steady.
"Because I'm an Alpha."
Fair point. Still..
"You think he regrets it?"
"I think he's curious."
"That's worse."
Rowan's mouth curved slightly.
"Yes."
We started walking again, heading back toward the valley. The forest felt different now. Heavier. Like the air itself carried tension.
After several minutes, Rowan spoke again.
"If Blackthorn scouts are here, they won't stay hidden for long."
"Why?"
"Because packs don't send scouts unless they're preparing for something."
I glanced at him.
"You think they're preparing for a fight?"
"Possibly."
"With you?"
"Or with whoever they're searching for."
I sighed.
"So I brought trouble with me."
Rowan stopped walking. I turned toward him.
"What?"
He studied me for a moment.
"You didn't bring trouble."
"No?"
"You revealed it."
I frowned slightly.
"That's supposed to make me feel better?"
"Not particularly."
I shook my head.
"You're terrible at reassurance."
"So I've been told."
We resumed walking. The sounds of the settlement slowly returned as we approached the valley. Wolves moved through the clearing below, but the atmosphere had changed. Word had already spread. Everyone knew something was happening at the border.
As we descended the ridge, several wolves glanced in our direction. Some curious. Some cautious. Some openly suspicious.
The braided woman approached Rowan immediately.
"They're organizing patrol rotations."
"Good."
"And the council wants to meet."
"I expected that."
Her eyes flicked briefly toward me.
"What about her?"
Rowan's answer came instantly.
"She stays."
The woman raised an eyebrow.
"You're certain?"
"Yes."
"Even with Blackthorn scouts sniffing around?"
"Yes."
She studied him for a moment.
"Your call, Alpha."
She walked away. I exhaled slowly.
I didn't know whether I should be more stressed or more relaxed. Neither staying nor leaving seemed like options right now.
"You're making enemies on my behalf."
Rowan glanced at me.
"My pack trusts my judgment."
"That's a lot of pressure."
"It's my job."
We walked toward the center of the clearing. I could feel dozens of eyes following us again.
Watching. Waiting.
Finally I stopped.
"Rowan."
He turned.
"Yes?"
"If Kael comes here…"
The words felt strange in my mouth.
"If he comes for me."
Rowan's expression remained calm.
"And?"
"You don't have to get involved."
A quiet silence followed. Then Rowan stepped closer. Not aggressively. Just enough that I had to look up slightly to meet his gaze. He was close enough to smell his scent.
"You crossed my territory border, you are my guest" he said.
"Yes."
"You entered my pack."
"Yes."
"And you did it under my protection."
I hesitated.
"That wasn't exactly the plan."
"It is now."
Something about the certainty in his voice felt… grounding.
"But if Kael arrives," I said slowly.
"That could start a war."
Rowan's eyes held mine.
"Then he should choose his next move carefully."
Before I could respond— A distant howl echoed across the valley. But this time it was closer.
Much closer.
The wolves in the clearing froze. Rowan's head turned toward the northern forest. His expression hardened slightly. Then one of the scouts burst into the clearing in wolf form.
He shifted mid-run. Breathing hard.
"Alpha."
Rowan stepped forward.
"What happened?"
The scout swallowed.
"They crossed."
The clearing fell silent.
Rowan's voice remained calm.
"How many?"
The scout's answer came in a quiet breath.
"Their Alpha is with them."
My heart stopped.
Because there was only one Alpha who would lead the Blackthorn wolves across another pack's border.
Kael.