Luna Secret 7

The warm water dripped from Rowan’s dark hair as he reached for a towel. The steam in the room swirled like mist, wrapping around his tense form. He had just finished his bath, hoping for a moment of quiet after the long day.

But the sound of hurried footsteps shattered the silence.

The door burst open. His Beta, Kane, stormed in.

Rowan raised a brow, tightening the towel around his waist.

Kane was breathless, his face pale. “Alpha, the boy…” He hesitated, eyes darting to Rowan’s bare chest before looking away.

Rowan’s gut twisted. “What about him?”

Kane swallowed hard. “He killed someone.”

Silence.

Rowan’s heart slammed against his ribs. “What?” His voice was dangerously low.

Kane nodded. “One of the prisoners. The strongest one.”

Rowan’s mind spun. Killed someone?

His thoughts shot back to the field—the way Ace had taken down the lion with such effortless precision. Who the hell was this boy?

Rowan exhaled sharply, forcing his composure. “Bring him to me.”

Kane hesitated. “Now?”

Rowan’s sharp gaze snapped to him. “Now.”

Kane rushed out, leaving Rowan alone with his thoughts.

His hands clenched into fists.

Ace Ravelwood was an enigma. Had Cedric planted someone in his place?

The more Rowan thought about it, the more his instincts screamed that something wasn’t right.

Minutes later, the heavy doors opened again.

Ace was dragged inside by two guards. Her clothes were disheveled, her face blank but shoulders tense. Ace was forced to her knees before Rowan.

Rowan studied him, trying to read him.

Then, for the first time, Ace knelt willingly.

“I had no idea he was going to die,” Ace said quietly.

Rowan’s jaw clenched. “Tell me exactly what happened.”

Ace lifted his head slightly. “He slapped me. I retaliated. I only hit his gut.”

Rowan’s sharp gaze flickered to Kane, who stood at his side.

That can’t be all.

Rowan sighed through his nose before signaling Kane to leave them.

The Beta nodded and stepped out, closing the door behind him.

Rowan turned back to Ace, his eyes dark with suspicion. He took a step forward. Ace’s fingers twitched against her thighs, his posture stiffening.

“Look at me,” he ordered.

Ace remained still.

Rowan’s voice dipped lower. “I said, look at me.”

Slowly, Ace lifted her head and their eyes met.

Rowan searched for something—anything—to confirm his growing suspicion. The moment their gazes locked, something inside him stirred again, like earlier.

A strange pull with his wolf bristled, alert.

Ace’s breathing hitched, just barely. She almost pulled away, but Rowan was faster.

“Don’t look away.” Rowan’s voice was like steel.

A silent war passed between them.

Rowan took another step closer, towering over Ace.

“What trick did you use?” he asked, his tone measured.

Ace exhaled. “I only hit his throat. It was meant to weaken him, not kill him.”

Rowan’s gaze darkened, and without warning, he moved. Ace barely had time to react before her feet left the ground. Her back slammed against the cold stone wall, Rowan’s hand tight around her throat.

Ace’s pulse thundered. Not from the pain. Not from the fear of death. But because of Rowan’s touch around her neck, close to her chest region.

Ace thrashed, her fingers gripping his wrist. She tried to shove him off, but his grip only tightened.

Rowan leaned in, watching the panic bloom in Ace’s wide eyes. Fear. But not the kind he expected.

His grip loosened slightly.

Ace’s breath came in sharp, shallow bursts. Not this. Not like this.

She struggled again, more desperate.

And Rowan saw it.

That flicker of something he had been searching for.

His gut twisted violently.

Finally, he released her.

Ace crashed to the ground, coughing, sucking in deep breaths of air.

Rowan stepped back, raking a hand through his damp hair. His pulse was erratic.

He shouldn’t feel this. He shouldn’t care.

But his wolf was on edge. Restless. Alert.

Ace wiped her mouth, still catching her breath. Then, slowly, she lifted her head.

“I didn’t mean to kill him,” she said again. Her voice was rough. Honest.

Rowan clenched his jaw.

“That man,” he said quietly, “was the strongest prisoner in my cells.”

Ace stiffened.

Rowan’s voice was calm, but deadly.

“I kept him alive for a reason.” His golden eyes burned with anger. “And now he’s gone. Because of you.”

Ace swallowed, realization hitting. That was why Rowan was angry.

He didn’t care about the man. He cared about losing a powerful weapon.

“I’m sorry,” Ace said sincerely. “I didn’t intend—”

“I don’t give a damn what you intended,” Rowan cut him off. His voice was like ice.

Silence settled between them.

Rowan took a slow step forward, his wolf prowling beneath his skin.

Ace stepped back—until her back hit the wall again.

Rowan’s arms caged him in on either side and he lowered his head, his voice a whisper against his ear.

“In my territory, whoever kills… will also be killed.”

Ace’s stomach dropped.