Chapter 33

The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm, golden glow across the room. I sat at my vanity, brushing out the tangles in my hair, my mind preoccupied with the upcoming visit to the temple. Rowan had been given his brother's tasks, one of which was planning a visit to the moon goddess's temple. Rowan stood by the window, his silhouette dark against the bright morning sky.

"Ariadne," he said, breaking the silence, "we need to talk about the temple visit."

I turned to look at him, curiosity piqued by the serious tone in his voice. "What about it?"

He hesitated, running a hand through his dark hair. "We can fool everyone here and even my father, but we can't fool the priestesses at the temple. They would spot the difference a mile away."

I frowned, setting down my brush. "What about the perfume? It's supposed to be able to mask my scent. Are you saying it won't work this time?"

"Yes, it should. But priestesses of the moon goddess can see you, not just the physical you, they can see every wolf in every person. They won't find yours," he said, his voice heavy with concern. "And you know what that means."

"And with the full moon coming up, you will be expected to be in your wolf form, which you wouldn't. That would raise eyebrows."

He was right. The full moon was a sacred time for the werewolves, a time when their powers were at their peak. As someone who wasn't a werewolf, I didn't share in their rituals or transformations. It was a secret we had been guarding carefully, but now that we were climbing the hierarchy of the court, it was becoming harder to hide.

"So, what do you suggest?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

He walked over to me, taking my hands in his. "We need to make up an excuse for your absence. Something believable."

I raised an eyebrow. "And what excuse would that be?"

He took a deep breath, his eyes locking onto mine. "To be honest there's not much. You cannot say you're visiting family because the Carstairs are exiled and you're not allowed to visit them. You can't say you're sick because you're not supposed to be sick in the first place unless you have some grave illness that our healing can't cure. The only excuse that could make a woman not visit the temple is if she is pregnant. The priests and priestesses advise against temple visits during early pregnancy to ward off dangerous spirits. It would also allow you to avoid the full moon rituals."

I stared at him, the weight of his words sinking in. "I don't think that's a good option either. Your brother and his wife just lost their son. How would you think if they heard the news that I am expecting?"

Rowan sighed, his grip on my hands tightening. "I know. I know, but it's the only way to prevent anyone from finding out that you're not a true werewolf."

"I've been thinking about what Delilah said. That night when she attacked you, she said she knew you were different. Of course nobody would believe her right now because she's delirious, but she was right. In her grief, somehow figured out your secret. We can't afford another mistake like that."

My heart ached at the mention of Delilah' loss. Despite the deep scars she left on my face, I still felt very sorry for her.
The whole castle still mourned for her.

Pretending to be pregnant felt wrong, but Rowan was right. If Delilah had suspicions, others might too. We couldn't afford to take any chances.

"Alright," I said softly. "I'll go along with your plan."

Rowan nodded, relief evident in his eyes. "In the meantime, I'll take you far away from the castle, where you won't be able to witness the full moon or see anyone. You would be safe."

..........


Hours later, I had packed and was ready to leave the castle per Rowan’s request. As I stood by the window, gazing out at the vibrant green fields surrounding the castle, I couldn't help but feel a sense of both excitement and sadness. I would be leaving Rowan for a few days, till the activities were over and I would also be away from him.

I turned away from the window, my heart heavy with the impending farewell. My handmaidens fluttered around me, ensuring every detail of my attire was perfect. They laced up my gown, adjusted my veil, and murmured words of encouragement. But their voices seemed distant, overshadowed by my thoughts of Rowan.

When the time came, I descended the grand staircase, my footsteps echoing in the silence of the castle halls. Rowan awaited me at the bottom, his presence a comforting anchor. His deep blue eyes locked onto mine, and a soft smile played on his lips as I approached. He was dressed in his finest attire, but it was the tenderness in his gaze that captured my heart.

"My love," he said softly, taking my hand in his, while leading me inside the carriage. One of my handmaidens held my gown as I went in, Rowan came in right after me. "I wish you didn’t have to leave on such short notice."

I shook my head gently, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Well, it’s only for a few days like you said. You don’t have to come with me. You’re needed here, with everything going on.”

He squeezed my hand, his expression serious. "I understand, but I want you to get to the sanctuary safely so I will come with you. I don’t want you going alone and you’re safer with me anyways.”

"I will miss you," I whispered, my voice barely audible, my chest swelling with love.

Rowan pulled me into his arms, holding me close. "And I will miss you, but this would only be for a while. But we will see each other soon, I promise."

We shared a moment of silence, the world around us fading away as we clung to each other. Then, with a gentle tilt of his head, Rowan pressed his lips to mine. It was soft, longing and I wished I didn’t have to leave so soon.

The moment was shattered by a loud banging on the carriage door, startling us both. We broke apart and turned to see the source of the disturbance. Standing by the carriage was none other than Rowan's brother, Prince Lucian. He was visibly drunk, swaying slightly as he glared at us.

I felt immense pity as I saw him, I hadn’t really seen him in a good mood ever since the incident. It had taken such a toll on him.

"Rowan," Lucian slurred, his voice thick with alcohol, "are you enjoying playing Crown Prince in my absence?"

Rowan's expression hardened, and he released me, stepping forward to confront his brother. He closed the carriage firmly behind him and I quickly scooted to the window, drawing the curtains so I could see what was happening.

"Lucian, this is neither the time nor the place for your antics. Go back inside and sober up."

Lucian laughed, a harsh, mocking sound. "Where is your witch wife going?" he demanded, his eyes narrowing. "I know she's up to no good as usual."

Rowan's jaw clenched, but he kept his voice steady. "She is being excused from the temple rituals."

Lucian scoffed, his face contorted with disbelief. "That's impossible. Why should she be excused?!”

"There are reasons a lady is excused from temple rituals Lucian," Rowan said firmly. "Now leave us be."

For a moment, Lucian seemed taken aback, his drunken bravado faltering. Then, his eyes widened as realization dawned on him. "She's... she's pregnant, isn't she?"

Rowan didn't reply, but his silence was answer enough. Lucian's face fell, and he took a step back, his earlier arrogance replaced by shock.

I remained inside the carriage, watching the exchange through the window.

After a tense moment, Lucian stumbled away, muttering under his breath. Rowan watched him go, his shoulders tense with unspoken anger. When he turned back to me, his expression softened, but the worry in his eyes was unmistakable.

He opened the carriage door and climbed inside, sitting beside me. "I didn’t want to tell him, but he appears he already figured it out on his own…" he said quietly.

I reached for his hand, intertwining my fingers with his. "It's not your fault. At least he looks like he believes us. So for now, we are safe."

He sighed, leaning his head against the back of the carriage. "I wish things were different sometimes. Not all these lies and secrets."

He was right. I was the cause of all the lies and secrets, the fake identities and the deception.