Rowan
“Iheard we had a visitor,” a soft voice said when I padded out of my room.
I had collapsed into bed, wearing an old T-shirt and a pair of sleep shorts Ash had found in the back of my SUV and brought to me. They smelled musty and old, but they were the best I had. I’m sure I looked a mess, but I didn’t have it in me to care.
The bedroom that had been mine since the day Kiki had taken me in was part of the healing facility—it felt odd to call the multi-room building a hut, but that was what Kiki called it, so it was a force of habit.
And I’d forgotten that, whenever I set foot outside the bedroom, I’d be visible to whoever was in the lobby.
The dragon sitting at the desk must have been in his late thirties. His hair was dark, but there were a few strands of gray starting to make themselves known at his temples. He had eyes that crinkled when he smiled, which suggested he did it a lot.
I liked that.
I had to assume this was Cormack.
“Sorry if I’m getting in your way,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair.
He held up his hands. “When Ash brought me on to take care of this place, he made it clear it was yours, first and foremost.”
A scoff left me, and I paused. “Even though I left?”
“I think he hoped you would come home one day. I’m only temporary. If you want to come back, I’m demoted. Kiki was a legend, and you were her favorite student. But I have no say in that. I’m here to help. Do you want some tea?” he asked, pointing to the kettle he had boiling.
The smell of lingering herbs filtered in around me, and I nodded. “Sure. How long have you been here?”
“I came on a few months after you left. I was taught by one of Kiki’s old students, so Ash reached out to me. I was having… issues with my old horde, so I was more than happy to come here and lend a hand.”
“You haven’t changed things at all,” I said softly, looking around, my chest tight and warm. Apparently, sleeping hadn’t rid me of the chaotic, conflicting feelings I had about all this. Too bad.
Other than a few structural repairs, the building was nearly exactly the same as I remembered it: the same tan-colored walls, lined with bright, colorful tapestries, medical charts, and even the same trinkets on the bookcases.
Seeing them again felt strange. Seeing all of it was strange.
I’d come back to the place that had been both my salvation and the reminder of what horrible things had been done to me.
Things I knew with certainty Cyrus wanted to do again.
Cormack shrugged. “It felt wrong to change things. Ash said I could box up some of the decorations, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I could see how much you cared about the place. And about Kiki.”
The kettle whistled, and Cormack stood from the desk, walking over to the kitchenette area and taking a squat mug from the cabinet near the sink. He pulled out a tin of tea, one I actually recognized, and scooped some into a metal ball-shaped tea strainer.
The smell hit me. Kiki’s healing blend. I’d know it anywhere. A pressure formed in my chest as I watched Cormack make the tea and then give it to me. The mug was hot in my hand, so I took it carefully to the waiting area, using the small table there to set it down.
I stared at the liquid in the cup, the occasional bubble rising from the tea ball, where air had finally found its way out.
“I miss her.”
I didn’t realize I’d spoken aloud until I heard Cormack hum in agreement.
“I hear that a lot. Only wish I could have met her myself.” He offered me a kind smile, his eyes crinkling slightly as he regarded me.
“I have to ask, though. Consider it healer’s intuition.
Why’d you come all this way? It’s been so long.
I have to imagine it didn’t just pop into your head like it was a good time for a vacation. ”
A humorless laugh left me. “No, it didn’t. Well… I have my own issues with the North Oak Horde. Something tells me mine are just a bit trickier than yours. Unless you have someone trying to kill you, too.”
Cormack’s brows shot up, and he blustered, unable to think of a response. I hadn’t meant to blindside him like that, not really. I just couldn’t wrap my head around what Cyrus had done, and frankly, I was pissed as hell about it.
Exhaustion and anger didn’t mix well. “Jeez, that’s… something. Well, I can assure you, you’re safe here. Ash says nothing but good things about you. Says you are the only person who can out-Kiki the woman herself.”
My heart warmed, easing some of the irritation. “That’s a hell of a compliment. I—”
But the thud of heavy footfalls stopped me, and I turned, just as Cormack did, to see Ash running up to the clinic door.
He burst in, clearly out of breath. “Hey, Rowan, you happen to mention where you were going when you left North Oak?”
I shook my head, sitting straighter. “No, not at all. I just left. Why?”
My heart was going double time, and nausea simmered in my stomach. Had Cyrus followed me? Had I led that asshole here?
“Well, I think we’re about to get another visitor.” Ash chuckled, looking at his phone where a security feed of some sort was pulled up.
“I don’t—” But I stopped when Ash rolled his eyes, his energy anything but panicked. “Oh no. I thought I at least had a few days before… Ugh, they drive fast,” I muttered.
A smile spread across Ash’s face. “Oh, they didn’t drive.”
My head jerked toward Ash. “How the ever-loving fuck did they get here, then?”
Cormack chuckled, looking at the ceiling as the sound of wind rushing outside picked up. “I think we are about to have a very grumpy dragon touching down in the courtyard.”
“Make that two dragons,” Ash said, looking back at his phone.
“Good lord,” I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose.
“I’ll go greet them and get them some clothes,” Ash chuckled, turning and leaving.
“It sounds like your little bubble of peace is about to be popped.” Cormack smiled knowingly.
“It was never really there. Trust me.” I sighed, sagging in my seat. “I was going to have to face my mates sooner or later. I just hope they see reason and get the hell out of here.”
Cormack raised a brow. “Mates, you say?”
Sighing, I stood, looking longingly at the tea, then walked toward the door.
“Rowan!” A voice that was unmistakably Bastian’s echoed through the walls, accompanied by the sound of thundering footfalls.
Bastian came?
He was the last one I expected to follow me.
I didn’t even get a chance to say anything before I was pulled into a bone-crushing hug, my face crushed deeply into Bastian’s chest. His hands shook as he held me against him, his breath rushing in and out of his mouth. I stood there, shocked, a wave of guilt hitting me like a brick.
“Bastian?” My voice came out muffled.
“Fuck, Rowan, are you okay?” Greylen said, though I couldn’t see him with my face pressed into Bastian’s chest.
He held on, and I genuinely wondered whether Bastian was ever going to let me go.
It was odd—and wonderful in a way I didn’t realize I needed.
His grip was frantic and desperate. Unfortunately, it made my tears well up, the smell of him, the way he squeezed me to him as if I’d vanish if he didn’t hold on.
God, I’d done that. I’d scared the hell out of him.
“How did you—”
Grey was around me in about a heartbeat, clearly not caring that Bastian hadn’t let go. I was surrounded by Alphas who were nearly crushing me, and I was completely okay with it. I’d missed them, even after such a short time.
But I couldn’t deny the reason they were here, and my stomach roiled, pulse accelerating.
“You can’t be here.” I leaned back, casting a wide glance between the two of them. “What about… It’s not safe.”
Bastian took my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. “I will never let him harm you, Rowan. If Cyrus so much as touches a hair on your head, I’ll end him myself.”
If it was possible to be more shocked, I was, my mouth dropping open. “H-how did you…?”
“We heard what Tanner said,” Greylen explained softly.
Ah.
So, they knew.
For a moment, I’d forgotten that Grey had installed cameras, in and around the clinic, in case of emergencies. That would have been really helpful before I ran to my car. Still, there was nothing I could do about it now.
“That explains it,” I mumbled, bobbing my head slowly.
“Rowan, I am so fucking sorry,” Bastian apologized. “My father will pay for this. He is not welcome in the North Oak Horde lands anymore. I promise.”
Today was full of surprises, and I couldn’t figure out what to do with any of them. The last thing I ever expected was Bastian to choose me over his own father. When I looked up at him, I saw that terror I’d seen at the cabin, saw the dread and fury warring behind his glassy blue eyes.
“I’m not sure it’ll be that simple.” I lowered my stare, at a loss for what to do or say.
I didn’t think going back was a good idea. I knew it wasn’t. Tanner had been clear. Cyrus wanted the other Alphas out of the picture, too. If I went back, he could use threats against me to get to them. Bastian remained glued to my side as I glanced between him and Grey.
“Wait”—I leaned back, not seeing Orsen or Nix—“where are the others? I can’t imagine Orsen willingly stayed behind. Nix should be smothering me right now.”
Of all the dragons I thought would turn up, I expected Bastian to be last and Nix to be first in line.
The pair gave each other an uneasy look before turning to me, and a darkness smoothed over their expressions, the energy sinking into the ground.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, my throat tight, nausea swirling.
“When Cyrus realized Tanner had spoken to you, he… went after Celia.”
My blood ran cold, eyes popping wide as I reeled backward. My hands shot to my mouth, and I couldn’t breathe.
“Oh God—”
“She’s fine,” Grey rushed to say, stepping in closer.
For a moment, the tightness in my chest loosened, but neither Grey nor Bastian could look at me.
“What happened?!” I stomped my foot, eyes burning. “So help me, if neither of you says something soon, I’m going to—”
“Ma stepped in the way.” Bastian met my eyes, full of such raw pain that I choked on my own breath. “It’s… bad. Cyrus used his dragon fire.”
My stomach dropped so viciously, I wobbled on my feet, and Grey put a hand under my elbow to steady me.
“H-how bad?” I could feel the tears leaking down my face.
The room went silent, and it was all the confirmation I needed. I remembered the pain of dragon fire all too well; it was excruciating. Ma didn’t deserve to suffer like that. Cyrus had tried to kill her. Well, he’d tried to kill Celia, a pregnant woman.
All because of me.
“That’s why Orsen and Nix aren’t here.” Grey squeezed my hand, being compassionate but not hiding the truth. “She needs help. We… we need you, Rowan. All of us.”
I turned to Cormack, fear driving me to immediate action. “Can I raid your supplies?”
He nodded. “Of course, I’ll help you pack,” he offered, darting out of the room.
I turned to Bastian. “I-I’m sorry. This is all—dammit. How will we get back? I can’t fly.”
Bastian cupped my cheek. “I have an idea.”