Chapter 148: Chapter 148 

~ NYSSA

I could barely sleep all night and as soon as the sun rose, my things were being loaded into the back of a car.

The journey to my pack seemed so long and so short at the same time. I sat in the front seat with Rowan, my legs curled underneath me as I stared out the side of the window.

He opted to drive and I knew it was to give me some semblance of privacy which I appreciated. I could not sleep the entire way, I just kept thinking of every possible case scenario and the more I thought, the more I realized that it was a lose-lose situation for me.

If they were my true parents, then I’d have to live with the reality that they were horrible people, and if they weren’t, then I would live with the knowledge that my entire childhood was a lie and I had a real family out there… somewhere.

“Nyssa.” A warm hand brushed hair away from my face and I turned to find Rowan staring at me with a concerned look. “We’re here.”

I blinked twice, completely surprised when I realized that not only were we in the pack, we were right in front of the pack house.

A group of guards were arranged in front of the door. I wasn’t sure if they stood there as an offensive or defensive measure.

“Come on,” he said softly. “You can do this. You outrank every single person in this pack.”

My lips curled. “I’m not Queen yet.”

“You don’t have to be. You’re my mate, and that’s what fucking matters.”

I swallowed thickly, squaring my shoulders as I opened the door.

Immediately, I saw the guards reach for their weapons. They did not draw, but it was clear that they would if they felt threatened.

Rowan growled low, a warning sound that had a few of them looking around warily. “Is this the warm welcome we get?”

“You must understand if we are not eager to be welcoming after what happened the last time you were here,” a voice drawled.

The guards parted to reveal Ian.

He was one of Henry’s favorite guards, but judging by the way the others acted around him, it was clear that he was no longer just a guard.

“Ian! You are Alpha now,” I noted and he nodded, a small smile curling on his lips. “I didn’t feel it when you took power.”

“Because you are no longer a part of this pack,” he said simply. “Your bond died with Henry and I made certain not to renew it. As of now, you are a rogue. You do not belong to any pack.”

The knowledge felt like a punch to the gut.

I should have known that something was different but my wolf had been suspiciously quiet. I assumed it was because she lost all of her strength when we were taken but really, she was trying to protect me from the truth.

“I’m sorry,” she said to me through our bond. “It is embarrassing.”

“You have nothing to be embarrassed about,” I assured her. “You did nothing wrong. I would rather be a rogue then be one of them.”

She sighed. “You do not mean that.”

She did not give me a chance to respond before slamming the connection between us closed.

If she had waited a moment, I would have told her that I did.

Yes, being a rogue was the worst thing that could happen to any wolf. We lived in packs for a reason, we thrived on connection, a wolf without a pack would soon go mad and become feral, but it was a better option than living with them.

“Thankfully she will not remain without a pack for long,” Rowan drawled, commanding all of the attention back to him. “We will not spend long in your pack, do not worry. We know our way to her house. Once we are done, we will leave—”

“Actually, Your Majesty,” Ian cut him off. “It will not be that simple.”

Rowan went still, brows rising in confusion. “Excuse me?”

“I am a new Alpha. I find that Henry was not very equipped with running a pack. We would need to discuss new diplomatic ties, do you not agree?”

“We can do that another time.”

“But you are here now. I think Nyssa is more than capable of packing up her own house. My guards will go with her.”

Rowan frowned. “I have guards of my own. They will protect her.”

“It is not her safety I am worried about.”

Silence stretched between them, the air growing thick with tension.

I had to give it to Ian, he knew exactly how to play his cards. He stayed respectful but there was no denying the minor disrespect in his words and his tone.

“Just do it,” I whispered softly to Rowan. “Speak to him, I’ll handle my home.”

My mate pulled his eyes away from Ian from only a second to turn to me. “Are you sure?”

I nodded. “I will be fine. Your guards can keep me safe.”

Rowan’s lips pursed into a flat line.

It was clear he was not in any way pleased by this decision, but he knew better than to argue, especially when we did not have the advantage.

Ian could ask us to leave and we would be obligated to.

“Fine,” Rowan said finally. “I must speak to my guards first.”

Ian grinned. “Of course, take your time.”

Rowan turned on his heels, gesturing for Jeremiah to come close. The sentinel was by our side in an instant, hands clasped neatly in front of him.

As soon as he was within distance, Rowan grabbed his shoulder in a firm grip.

“Do not let my mate out of your sight,” he hissed, voice low. “I do not trust him, and I do not trust his guards.”

“She will be safe,” Jeremiah swore but Rowan shook his head.

“They will not try to hurt her, not directly at least. I need you to make sure they do not go near her at all. They cannot know what she is looking for, do you understand me?”

Jeremiah nodded. “Eric will watch over her, I will watch the guards.”

“Good.” Rowan turned back to me. “I apologize in advance for this, but I must do it.”

He reached for me before I had the chance to ask what he meant.

His mouth covered mine in a hot kiss, his tongue slipping into my mouth when I gasped in surprise.

I felt the kiss everywhere, from the top of my head to the tips of my toes and when he pulled back, I was gasping for breath.

“Be safe,” he whispered, kissing my forehead once before turning around and following Ian into the pack house.

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