Chapter 59
Rowan
M y heart’s still thudding in my chest, my brain trying to catch up with what just happened. He tucked my hair. In front of everyone. I open my mouth to sign off, but the words stall.
Cole leans in smoothly, his hand brushing my back. “We’ll take it from here,” he murmurs.
He picks up my phone and speaks into the camera like he’s done it a thousand times.
“Thanks for showing up, ClipStream. You’re about to get the rest live.” He gives a subtle, knowing grin. “See you on the other side.”
He taps End Stream and sets the phone down just as Lexi James steps forward from the edge of the portico. She’s in high-waisted jeans, a cropped knit top, layered gold jewelry, and boots that mean business. Blonde waves down, sunglasses perched on her head, and a presence that somehow manages to be both totally chill and wildly magnetic.
“Y’all ready to get a little raw and a whole lot real?” she asks, grinning as she walks toward us. Her voice is Southern-sweet but edged with grit.
We nod, shifting into our seats. Cole on one side of me, Sébastien on the other. Xavier settles beside Cole like he belongs there, because he does. Massimo and Laurent finish the circle, their energy grounding the space like anchors.
Lexi walks up, arms open like she’s about to hug the whole pack, then stops just short and holds out her hand to me.
“Rowan. Girl. You good?”
I take her hand, and the warmth of her grip nearly undoes me again.
“I’m... working on it.”
Lexi nods like she gets it all in one look. “That’s enough for me.”
She turns, slides into her seat across from us, adjusts her mic, and says into the room, “All right, team. We’re rolling in thirty seconds.”
She looks back at us, at me.
“This isn’t an interrogation. This is family talk,” she says. “But for millions of people who’ve never had it.”
And just like that, I feel my spine straighten. Yeah, I’m ready. We all are. The light on Lexi’s mic flashes green. We’re live.
Lexi leans forward, elbows on the table, eyes sweeping the camera like she’s talking to every single person watching from behind a screen.
“Well, hey y’all,” she says, grinning just enough. “Welcome back to The Real Truth. You know how this works: no scripts, no spin, just real people, real moments, and sometimes... real mess.”
The comments are already flying across the monitor to her left. I catch phrases like “She’s here!” and “Rowan looks STUNNING” flashing by in rapid-fire speed.
Lexi keeps her gaze locked on the camera. “Tonight’s conversation? It’s the one everyone has been waiting for. You’ve seen the clips, the headlines, the chaos. Now it’s time to hear the truth, from the only people who have the right to tell it.”
She turns slightly in her seat, smiling warm but razor sharp. “My guests today are known individually, privately, and very publicly now. You’ve seen them walking into a hotel. You’ve watched them go viral. And if you’ve been on the internet in the last ten days, you probably have a very strong opinion about them.”
Her eyes find me, steady and kind.
“Rowan Kingston. Entrepreneur. Nesting designer. Content creator. Late-presenting Omega.” She pauses, then adds, “And someone who has handled a media firestorm with more grace than most world leaders.”
I smile, a little breathlessly. Lexi continues, shifting her attention to the rest of the pack. “And with her, we have the newly registered Kingston Pack: Cole, Sébastien, Massimo, Laurent, and Xavier. Each with their own stories. Each with their own scent-match stakes in this incredible bond. And all of them are here today to clear the air, and let you in.”
I catch more comments on the monitor.
“KINGSTON PACK RISE.”
“SHE SAID HER FULL NAME I’M CRYING.”
“XAVIER LOOKS LIKE HE’LL KILL FOR HER AND I RESPECT THAT.”
Lexi gives a little nod at the monitor. “Y’all are spicy already. I like it.”
Then she looks at me, calm but direct. “Rowan, we’ll start with you. What do you want people to understand first, before we get into the mess, the bonding, the drama, about you ?”
Rowan takes a steady breath, her eyes meeting Lexi's across the table. The air is thick with anticipation, the live audience hanging on every moment. She leans slightly forward, her voice clear and unwavering.
"I want people to understand that this journey, my journey, has been about discovery and acceptance," she begins. "Discovering who I am as an Omega, as a partner, and as a member of this pack. And accepting that it's okay to embrace change, to find strength in vulnerability, and to stand tall in the face of scrutiny."
She pauses, allowing her words to resonate, before continuing. "This isn't just about headlines or viral moments. It's about real connections, real emotions, and the real truth of our lives."
Lexi nods appreciatively, her expression reflecting the depth of Rowan's honesty. The room is silent, the audience captivated by the authenticity of the moment. The interview continues, delving deeper into the complexities of Rowan's experiences and the dynamics of the Kingston Pack. Each question-and-answer peeling back layers, revealing the heart of their story.
As the conversation unfolds, the bond between the pack members becomes palpable, their unity and support for one another evident in every glance and gesture. The audience, both in the room and watching live, is drawn into their world, gaining insight into the strength and resilience that define them.
The interview concludes with a sense of closure and understanding, leaving the audience with a profound appreciation for the journey they've witnessed. Lexi offers a final nod, her voice warm and sincere.
"Thank you, Rowan, and thank you to the Kingston Pack, for sharing your truth with us today."
The screen fades to black, marking the end of a powerful and enlightening conversation.