Chapter 9
I froze, my breath catching as I stared at Rowan. For a moment, I couldn’t find the words.
A hidden relationship between the Queen of Wolves and the infamous Rog dangerous.
Rogue King? The very thought was scandalous. How controversial How
All around us, the crowd shifted uneasily, their colorful expressions betraying a storm of emotions. Shock was the first to appear, rippling through them like a wave, but it didn’t linger long. Disbelief followed closely, morphing into disgust and distrust. Whispers started to rise, they were hushed but definitely no less cutting. Everything they utter were words laced with judgment and venom
How could their queen, their only lord, be connected with the Evil Rogue King? One by one they started to look at me a little bit more coldly.
Still, their reactions didn’t surprise me. A romance between the Queen of the Wolves and the Rogue King wasn’t just unthinkable—it was treasonous. Even a baseless rumor of this romance could wreak havoc on my reputation and integrity, undermining my authority. It would cast doubts on my loyalty to my people, raising suspicions that I might be swayed by the rogue pack at the expense of the kingdom.
“What a headache, I thought as I stared at Rowan.
Rowan’s mischievous gaze met mine, his eyes glinting with something between amusement and challenge. I clenched my fists at my sides, forcing my expression to remain calm.
So this is the game you want to play? I thought, my gaze hardening.
You want
at to sow discord in my kingdom? To push my people further from me? Do you
o you think this will affect the fragile trust they have on met
But as bitterness welled within me, so did a grim sense of amusement.
What Rowan didn’t realize–or perhaps he did–was that their trust in me was already in tatters.
‘No, they don’t merely doubt me; in fact, my people are already plotting my downfall. The thought made me want to laugh.
‘In my past life, they’d celebrated my birth with smiles and cheers. only to stab my back when the night fell.
Indeed, if the council openly criticizes me now, I might almost welcome it… At least they would be honest towards me for once.”
So Rowan, this game that you want me to play.. I don’t think I hate it!
Upon that thought, I let the faintest smile curve my lips, a deliberate mask of confidence. If Rowan wanted to play, then so would L
Thus, instead of clearing things up, with a raised eyebrow, I spoke, my tone calm yer edged with mock reprimand.
“Was that letter truly necessary, Rowan? I’m right here. I could have vouched for you myself.”
A flicker of surprise flashed on Rowan’s face. He looked at me deeply, obviously taken aback at my response.
Around us, a stunned silence followed, the crowd appearing more shocked, hanging on my every word.
“Yes.” I continued, deliberately enunciating each syllable, “I invited Alpha Rowan of the Pack of Ambel as my personal escort to this Founding Celebration,” I said, implicating that our hidden relationship might really be true.
The collective gasp that echped was almost deafening. The crowd shifted, their murmurs growing louder, more frenzied.
After his brief shock, a deep, playful smirk appeared on Rowan’s lips. His eyes bore into mine, studying me with an intensity that felt like a physical weight. Then, in front of everyone’s watchful eyes, he slowly leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
“Oh, how amusing” his deep voice sounded in my ears.
“I was already surprised when I read your letter.” he said, his tone as smooth as silk. “So surprised that I had to confirm it myself.”
“Ol?” I tilted my head, leigning indifference.
His lips curled into a sly smile. “Yes, but Not as much as when I saw you tonight,” he admitted, his eyes glinting with something unreadable.
Theld his gaze, refusing to flinch under the scrutiny.
“How does sumcone so stole,” he mised, his voice low and probing, “someone who lived like a porcelain doll, suddenly look so alive?” He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper
“Such a lively gaze. Such a charming sundle. A mouse who also wanted to play around the fire…
1/2
Chapter 9
*Little mouse, is this who you’ve always been? Or did something happen to you?”
Suddenly, the air around us seemed to still, the noise of the crowd fading into the background. Rowan’s words hung heavy between us, laced with both curiosity and suspicion.
I met his gaze with a smirk, his question echoing in my mind.
Was this who I’d always been!
Or has something–or someone–changed met Coldness flashed in my eyes.
“You’re quite observant,” I replied lightly, my tone teasing yet deliberate.
“But your guess is as good as mine.”
Rowan’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if weighing my words, but I didn’t give him time to respond. Instead, I stepped closer, grabbing his collar and pulling him toward me. The move was impulsive, born of both frustration and defiance, but Rowan didn’t resist.
The Rogue King, infamous for his power and ruthlessness, allowed himself to be dragged closer without so much as a flinch.
“In that case. “I murmured, my voice soft yet sharp. I have questions of my own.”
His lips twitched into a flirty smile, his composure unshaken. “Ask away,” he replied, his voice dropping an octave. “Anything you want to know”
For a moment, a flood of questions overwhelmed me.
Why did you come to me before my death to tell me the truth? Was it to make me feel an unthinkable pain before I die?
Or did you genuinely want to help me when you suggested turning back time? Did you know I could exchange my divinity for it!
And… How did you know about River, my son? The child I hid so carefilly for years? How did you know Silas wasn’t his father!
1 held his gaze, my voice steady as I challenged, “All of my questions will you truly answer them?
Rowan’s expression didn’t falter, but before he could speak, the moonlight spilled over us, its silver glow casting an ethereal light across the scene
The crowd stilled, their whispers fading into a hush as all eyes turned toward me.
The smile returned to my lips–calculated, deliberate. Taking a step back, I adjusted my posture, letting my gaze sweep across the gathered faces.
“I suppose we’ll find out later,” I said lightly, my tone carrying just enough mystery to keep them guessing. Then, turning to address the crowd, 1 lified my voice, ensuring it carried above the murmurs.
“The moon has reached its peak,” I declared, my voice steady and commanding “My people, let the Founding Celebration officially begin.”
For a moment, silence reigned, the weight of my words hanging in the air. Then, slowly, the murmurs resumed, the crowd beginning to shift and stir as they turned their attention to the festivities.
dar was, his gaze never leaving mine. His smile was subtle now, laced with something unreadable.
he murmured, his voice low enough for only me to hear.
foeplied, my tone light but my gaze sharp.
far from over, and we both knew it. But for now, the night was young, and the celebration had only just begun.
2/2
