Chapter Fifteen
Rowan’s words hung in the air like a thunderclap. “Is it his?“”
Calla’s breath hitched, her mind racing. She could deny it, but what would that change? Rowan’s anger burned too hot, and the truth wasn’t something she was ready to share.
“Yes,” she said, her voice steady even as her heart pounded. “It’s Kael’s.”
The room exploded. Rowan’s fist slammed into the wall, the sound echoing through the cabin. “You’re lying!” he snarled, his silver eyes blazing. “You would never-“S
“I would never what?” she interrupted, her voice sharp. “Never move on? Never find someone who treats me better than you ever did?” Kael appeared in the doorway, his gaze darting between them. “What’s going on?”
Rowan rounded on him, his wolf barely contained. “You! You think you can take what’s mine?“}
Kael stepped forward, his calm demeanor like a sharp edge. “She’s not yours, Rowan. And if you can’t see that, maybe it’s time you left.”8
“Stay out of this,” Rowan growled.§
“No,” Callasnapped, stepping between them. “Kael’s right. You don’t get to control me anymore.“}
The tension was suffocating. Rowan’s wolf threatened to surface, his muscles taut as he glared at Kael.
“You don’t even know what’s going on here,” Rowan hissed, his voice dangerously low. “But you will. Soon enough.”
Kael crossed his arms, unbothered. “I know enough to see you’re the problem.“}
“Enough!” Calla’s shout silenced them both. She turned to Rowan, her eyes fierce. “You don’t own me, Rowan. Whatever bond we had, you broke it. You need to let me go.“”
Rowan’s face twisted with pain, but the fury didn’t fade. “Is this what you want?” he asked, his voice trembling. “To be with him?” Calla didn’t answer. She couldn’t. The truth was tangled with too many emotions, and the fire in Rowan’s eyes made her hesitate. Later that night, Kael found her sitting outside the cabin, staring at the stars.
“Are you okay?” he asked, sitting beside her.
She sighed, wrapping her arms around herself. “No. Not really.“D
Kael studied her face, his concern evident. “Rowan’s losing it. You don’t have to deal with this alone.”
She glanced at him, her chest tightening. He didn’t know about the baby, and she wasn’t sure she wanted him to. Not yet.
“I’ll be fine,” she said softly.
Kael tilted his head, watching her carefully. “You don’t have to keep pushing people away, Calla. I’m here for you.”
His words made her throat tighten, but she couldn’t bring herself to respond.
By dawn, the tension between the three of them was unbearable. Calla sensed the shift immediately. Rowan’s anger was colder now, calculated. Kael was on edge, his instincts heightened.”
“We need to move,” Kael said, packing their supplies.
Rowan leaned against the wall, watching him with disdain. “Running again? Typical.“}
Kael ignored the jab, but Callacouldn’t. “Rowan, stop it,” she said. “This isn’t about you.“}]
Rowan’s eyes locked on hers, his expression hard. “Everything about this is about me. You’re carrying his child, aren’t you? And you expect me to just walk away?“!
Kael froze, his gaze snapping to Calla. “What is he talking about?”
Calla swallowed hard, her mind spinning. “It doesn’t matter.”
“The hell it doesn’t,” Rowan growled. “If it’s his, say it to my face.“@
“It’s none of your business!” she shouted, her voice cracking. “You lost the right to question me the day you betrayed me.”
Kael stepped between them, his voice low and steady. “That’s enough. Both of you.”
Rowan’s wolf stirred just beneath the surface. “You think you can protect her from me?”
Kael didn’t flinch. “I know I can.”
n
The air was thick with unspoken threats as Rowan stormed out of the cabin, his mind racing. He couldn’t lose her. Not to Kael. Not to anyone.
He found his scout waiting near the treeline. “Send word to the pack,” Rowan ordered. “Kael’s faction will pay for this.“}]
The scout nodded and disappeared into the forest.
Back inside, Kael turned to Calla, his brow furrowed. “Is it true? Are you pregnant?”
Callahesitated, then shook her head. “Don’t listen to him. He’s just trying to cause trouble.”
Kael searched her face for a moment before nodding. “Fine. But if he starts a war over this, you need to decide where you stand.” Her chest tightened at his words. She had spent so long running from her past, from Rowan, from herself. But now, with everything coming to a head, she wasn’t sure if she could keep running.
Outside, Rowan’s voice echoed through the forest, loud and unrelenting. “Kael! You want to take what’s mine? Then come and fight
for it”
Her chest tightened at his words. She had spent so long running from her past, from Rowan, from herself. But now, with everything coming to a head, she wasn’t sure if she could keep running.
Outside, Rowan’s voice echoed through the forest, loud and unrelenting. “Kael! You want to take what’s mine? Then come and fight
for it!”
Calla froze, the weight of the coming battle crashing down around her. If Rowan declared war, there would be no turning back–and no escaping the truth she had buried.”
Shanter Fifteen
9:51 AM C
