Chapter Eighty-Three – Loose Ends and Lingering Shadows
Rowan stood outside the packhouse, the morning sun barely warming the chill in the air. Dew clung to the blades of grass under his boots as he waited by the training grounds. His muscles ached—not from the fight last night, but from the tension that still gripped his shoulders. There was no peace to be had yet. Not until Rhea was found, not until every shadow cast by betrayal had been burned away.
Beta Kalen approached, his gait steady, expression grim.
“She’s still gone?” Rowan asked without preamble.
Kalen nodded. “Slipped out before anyone could see her. We've had warriors sweeping the southern ridge since dawn, but there’s no scent. She masked herself well.”
Rowan’s jaw clenched. “She must’ve had help. Someone that is still here. Someone who knew the layout and our patterns.”
“You think Elder Malric?” Kalen asked, brow raised.
Rowan hesitated. “He claims innocence. Says he only wanted to protect the pack by keeping Giselle away—but his methods were questionable, and his timing even worse.”
Kalen folded his arms. “I don’t trust him, but I’m starting to believe he wasn’t working with the rogues. Rhea, though… her disappearing act says plenty.”
Rowan nodded. “What about Elia?”
“That’s where it gets murky,” Kalen muttered. “Elder Malric says she was scared. That someone tricked her into helping lure Giselle out of the dungeons, and she’s been in hiding since. But no one’s seen her. Not even her scent has turned up. It’s like she vanished.”
Rowan’s eyes narrowed. “Rhea and Elia were always close. If someone got to Elia first, twisted her loyalty—Rhea could have used that to manipulate her.”
“It would explain why Elia didn’t show any signs of magic. She might not have been the wielder. Just the pawn.”
Rowan looked out at the treeline, silent for a moment. “She’s out there. Rhea. Watching. Waiting. She had a plan, and we disrupted it. She’ll try again.”
“What do we do with Elder Malric?” Kalen asked.
Rowan exhaled through his nose. “We keep him close. Not in chains, but not in confidence either. I’ll decide what to do with him after we uncover everything. If he’s telling the truth, he’ll want to clear his name. If not…” His voice dropped, sharp as steel. “He’ll expose himself soon enough.”
Kalen gave a firm nod. “I’ll keep the warriors alert. We’ll double up patrols and shift the rotation to keep anyone from getting too familiar with the routes.”
“Good. And Kalen,” Rowan said, placing a hand on his Beta’s shoulder, “Thank you. For not giving up on me. Or her.”
Kalen smirked. “It’s about damn time you woke up, Alpha. Now let’s clean up this mess.”
Rowan turned back toward the packhouse, his steps purposeful.
He barely had time to turn before he heard the sound of boots crunching across the gravel path. He looked up to find his sister heading his way, her arms folded, a familiar crease between her brows.
She slowed as she reached him, her sharp eyes scanning his face like she was reading every emotion still lingering beneath the surface.
“You look like hell,” she muttered, falling in beside him.
He gave a humorless smirk. “Good morning to you too, baby sister.”
Charlie didn’t respond with a joke. Instead, her expression grew serious as she looked up at him. “You okay? After everything that happened last night… I just want to make sure.”
Rowan hesitated. “I don’t know if okay is the word I’d use.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “But… better. I’ve got her now. For real this time.”
Charlie tilted her head, waiting for more.
He exhaled slowly. “Giselle and I… we completed the bond. Fully. There’s no doubt, no weakness left between us. No one can come between us now.”
The words felt like armor in his chest—solid, unbreakable.
Charlie’s tense shoulders eased. “Good. About damn time.” She elbowed him lightly. “And I mean that in the least emotional way possible.”
He barked a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “Of course you do.”
Behind them, Luther stepped away from the fence, nodding once toward them before heading off toward the training ring where Kalen was already stretching his arms. The two greeted each other silently and squared off in the sparring circle.
Charlie watched them go, then turned back to Rowan with a sly grin. “You know… I’ve been dying to kick your ass for weeks. What better time than now?”
Rowan arched a brow. “You want to spar with me?”
“I’m feeling lucky,” she smirked. “You’re still emotionally compromised. Might give me the edge.”
He chuckled, shedding his overshirt. “You’re on.”
They moved to an open spot on the training grounds, circling one another barefoot in the morning sun. The pack’s compound buzzed softly in the distance, but here—it was just them. Brother and sister.
Charlie struck first—fast and low, trying to catch his knee with a sweeping kick. He dodged, but she followed it with a quick jab to his ribs. He blocked her, impressed by her form and control.
“Been training hard,” he muttered.
“You think I was just baking cookies while you were gone?” she shot back, ducking his swing and landing a soft tap against his chest.
They moved quickly—strike, block, dodge. The rhythm built between them like a dance, with Charlie’s movements growing more confident by the second. She was strong, nimble, and far more precise than the last time they sparred.
But Rowan had years of experience and a wolf that never backed down.
After a few minutes of evenly matched movement, Rowan found his opening. He spun behind her, catching her wrist and sweeping her feet out from under her in one fluid motion. She landed on her back with a grunt, the breath knocked from her lungs.
Rowan stood over her, offering a hand.
She took it with a grin. “Okay, okay—you win. But barely.”
He helped her up, his chest heaving slightly. “You’ve come a long way, Charlie. I’m proud of you.”
Her smile faltered slightly, softening into something more vulnerable. “Thanks, Rowan. That… means a lot.”
They stood in silence for a beat, the morning sun rising higher behind them.
And for the first time in days, Rowan felt something close to peace settle in his chest.
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