~ ROWAN

Fury and frustration swirled up inside of me like raging twin infernos.

As I drove away from the house, something deep inside of me twisted, but I forced myself to keep moving because I needed to be anywhere but at home right now.

I loved my mate, more than anything, but after the fucking stunt that she pulled, I needed a moment away to deal with shit.

I found myself driving towards a familiar neighborhood, and my legs moved of their own accord and drove me towards a large front door. My hands were pounding against it before I could stop myself and I waited impatiently until it pulled open.

Even before Eric woke up and mind linked me about what happened, I knew Aria had to be part of this shit somehow. There was only one other person excluding myself who knew the house well enough to sneak Nyssa out without being seen by the guards.

Aria stood in her doorway, keeping one hand on her hip and the other firmly holding the door to prevent me from getting in. "I’m kind of busy right now. Is there something you—"

"Do not ever walk into my house and assault my guards again," I said coldly, each word leaving my lips like a ragged exhale.

There was a flash of emotion in her eyes, but she buried it quickly and cocked her head to the side, feigning innocence. "I didn’t do—"

"It’s too late to play that fucking game, Aria. I don’t care what the hell you do on your own, I’ve given you the liberty to handle your shit yourself, but whatever game you’re playing at, fucking leave my mate out of it."

Her lips pursed. "Look, all I did was help her get out of the house. I don’t see why your knickers are in a twist."

"Because it wasn’t your fucking job to do that," I snapped. "My orders were clear and I don’t need my little sister going against my orders and assaulting my guards. If it were anyone else they’d be thrown into a cell."

She crossed her arms over her chest defiantly. "Then what’s fucking stopping you? I’m right here. take me to the damn cells if that’s what you want to do. Maybe it’ll make you happier."

I stared at her for a long minute, wondering if she was actually being serious.

When her expression didn’t crack once, I scoffed. "You will not be around within twenty feet of my mate until I’m there—"

"We work together," she cut me off. "How’s that going to work?"

I shrugged. "Figure it out or you’re fucking fired."

Her eyes flashed with anger and she took a step towards me. "You can’t do that."

"I just fucking did. I gave you this job to help out with the palace but if you’re going to cause more trouble for me then you’re fucking done. I’m sure Nyssa can figure shit out on her own and if she can’t, then I’ll get someone else to do it."

Her cheeks burned a bright shade of red and her hands trembled by her side as she clenched them into fists. She stared up at me like I was some kind of monster who was ripping her life away from her, and perhaps I was, but it was a worthy price to pay since she couldn’t seem to stay the fuck away from my mate.

"This isn’t fair," she pouted, her hands crossing tightly over her chest. "If you want me to keep my distance from her then get her another job. She’s your mate, she can work anywhere."

"The problem isn’t distance. The problem is you not seeming to respect my orders. Stay away from Nyssa, or so help me, we will be having a very different conversation later."

I didn’t give her a chance to respond before I turned on my heels and stormed over to my car.

Behind me, I felt her shock and the weight of her eyes drilling holes into me but I didn’t spare her a glance, not until I’d driven a considerable distance.

I glanced at her through the mirror and my insides twisted uncomfortably at how dejected she looked standing there in the middle of the driveway.

I forced my eyes away from her and kept moving.

The sun was already beginning to set by the time I was done with Aria, but I did not consider myself ready to get home... not yet. My skin still buzzed with unspent energy, and my fingers tightened of their own accord as I drove.

Without thinking much of it, I stopped the car a few feet away from the house. The driveway was right ahead, just a few more minutes and I’d be there, but I couldn’t return, not until I’d expelled all extra energy.

Without thinking much, I made my way for the tree line, stripping my clothes as I did and shifting. I gave all control to my lycan, relishing in the feel of the wind against my fur and the rough ground beneath my feet.

Wind whipped across my face as I ran, pushing every thought out of my head. Branches bent awkwardly as I brushed past them, not caring where I was going, only that I was moving.

By the time I finally came to a stop, the sun had set completely and the moon was high in the sky, casting a silvery glow upon the ground ahead. I had no idea how long I ran, but I knew that hours had passed.

When I finally made my way back to the car and shifted, changing into my discarded clothes, I was exhausted.

My skin was slick with sweat and my limbs burned from exhaustion.

I made the short drive into the driveway, wanting nothing more than to crawl into bed and pass the fuck out. If I was lucky, Nyssa would be asleep and we would push the difficult conversation until tomorrow.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t so lucky, because as soon as I walked into the room, our eyes locked.

She sat at the edge of the bed, her hands folded neatly in front of her and her lips pressed into a firm line.

"We need to talk," she said softly.

"Tomorrow."

"Not tomorrow, today," she shook her head, and I sighed, because despite my exhaustion, I knew she was right. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Let me take a shower first, then we’ll talk."