Chapter 2 THE BOY WHO WASN'T ALLOWED TO BREAK

The crowd scattered after Alpha Magnus's command, but Liora didn't move. She stood in the center of the courtyard, arms crossed over her chest, eyes flashing with something Rowan couldn't name-anger... or fear... or both.

He hated that she looked at him like that.

He hated even more that he wanted her to.

"Rowan," she said softly, "let me see your hands."

"I said I'm fine." His voice was harsher than intended.

She didn't flinch. "Your knuckles are bleeding."

"They'll heal."

"Not fast enough."

She reached for him again, but this time Rowan stepped back.

Not because he didn't want her touch-

but because he wanted it far too much.

"You shouldn't be seen with me," he muttered. "They'll blame you."

"The only people who should be blamed are the ones trying to break you."

Rowan's jaw clenched.

She didn't understand.

She couldn't.

"Liora, you're the future Luna. You can't-"

"Stop calling me that." Her voice cracked. Just barely. "I didn't choose that life."

His chest tightened. "You think I chose mine?"

Silence sat between them-heavy, painful, honest.

Liora exhaled shakily. "Rowan... what happened out there wasn't right. It's never been right. And I can't keep pretending it is."

Rowan looked away. "Pretend for your own safety."

Her hand lifted, hovering inches from his chin. "And what about yours?"

He flinched before she touched him. Not because of her-but because of the growl he suddenly felt inside himself.

Low.

Wrong.

Ancient.

His wolf pushed against his ribs like it wanted out-now.

Not tonight.

Not in front of her.

He stepped back again, but the movement made his vision blur. Liora froze.

"Rowan... you're trembling."

No, trembling wasn't the right word.

He was burning.

From the inside out.

His wolf snarled in his head, furious, pacing, tearing at him.

Not yet. Not here.

He forced his breathing steady.

"I just need to be alone," he managed.

"You're not well-"

"I said I'm fine!"

The courtyard fell silent.

Liora's eyes softened. Not pity-never pity. Something deeper. Something that made him feel unworthy just standing in front of her.

She stepped closer again, gently this time. "You don't have to carry everything by yourself."

Rowan shook his head. "I do. That's the problem."

She sighed and dropped her hand. For a moment he thought she'd walk away. But instead, she whispered:

"If they push you any further, you're going to snap."

Rowan swallowed hard. "Maybe that's what they want."

Her brows knit. "Why would they want you to break?"

Before he could answer, a voice echoed across the courtyard.

"Liora!"

Both turned.

Beta Calen, future Alpha-in-training and the pack's golden prince, walked toward them with a cold stare meant for Rowan alone.

Liora stiffened.

Calen stopped between them. "You've been summoned," he told her. "Right now."

Liora's eyes darted to Rowan's briefly-worried, apologetic-before she nodded and followed Calen.

But as they walked away, Rowan heard Calen's low hiss meant only for her:

"Stay away from him. The Alpha won't tolerate your sympathy for the bastard."

Liora didn't respond, but her fists clenched at her sides.

Rowan turned and left before he heard any more.

Better to pull away.

Better to disappear.

He didn't make it far.

---

His knees buckled once he reached the tree line. The strange burning inside him surged violently.

His back arched. His breath hitched.

"Not now," he whispered. "Please-not now."

His wolf pushed harder-feral, unhinged, unlike anything he had ever felt.

Wolves shifted during heightened emotion... but this wasn't shifting.

This felt like something awakening.

Something tearing free.

He gripped the bark of a tree as heat tore down his spine.

The cursed bloodline...

He didn't even know what that meant.

But whatever was happening inside him-it wasn't normal.

Pain slammed through him again. He bit back a cry, gasping.

A branch snapped behind him.

Rowan whirled, breath ragged.

A man stepped out from the shadows.

Tall. Ragged. Eyes glowing a dangerous amber.

A rogue.

"Stay back," Rowan warned, though his voice shook.

The rogue smirked. "Relax, boy. I'm not here to kill you."

Rowan stilled.

The man's grin widened. "I'm here because your mother sent me."

Rowan's heart froze.

"My... mother?"

The rogue nodded. "Before she died, she made me swear I'd find you when the signs appeared." He looked Rowan up and down. "And they've appeared."

Rowan's blood turned cold. "What signs?"

The rogue stepped closer, lowering his voice.

"The awakening, bastard alpha. Your real heritage is calling."

A violent pulse slammed inside Rowan's chest-so strong he lost his breath.

"What are you talking about?" Rowan rasped.

The rogue leaned in with a chilling smile.

"You're not like them. You're not even meant to belong to them."

Rowan's wolf growled.

The rogue straightened. "When the full moon rises tomorrow... your true nature will break through. And when it does-they won't be able to cage you anymore."

Rowan's pulse thundered. "What nature?"

The rogue's eyes glowed brighter.

"The nature of the wolf they tried to erase from history."

Rowan staggered back. "That's a lie."

"Oh no," the rogue whispered. "It's the truth your father fears most."

Behind them, another branch snapped-closer, sharper.

The rogue's gaze cut past Rowan.

"They found us," he hissed. "We're out of time."

Rowan turned-

-and froze.

Alpha Magnus stood several feet away...

with a silver blade glowing in his hand.

"Step away from the boy," Magnus growled.

The rogue smirked. "Or what? You'll kill him in front of your entire pack?"

Magnus lifted the blade.

"Not him," Magnus snarled.

His eyes locked on Rowan.

"You."

Rowan's world stopped.

The Alpha wasn't here to kill the rogue.

He was here for him.